(Image courtesy of When in
Manila’s Facebook page)
************************************************
Anything’s possible, as long as there’s time and faith.
That was the only thing came to my mind as Filipinos
welcomed Pope Francis upon his arrival in Manila last Thursday (January 15th),
as the plane arrived at the Villamor Air Base at exactly 5:33 p.m. Yep, he just
arrived from a successful visit from Sri Lanka.
He smiled as he looked out the plane’s window, hearing voices of screaming
“Welcome Pope Francis”, the same time President Aquino led in welcoming him
(bowing like he’s about to kiss the pope’s hand but it looked like it was
declined), frenzied chants by hundreds of thousands of people following the
route of the ‘pope mobile’ to the Apostolic Nunciature for him to take a rest
from his previous trip. His five-day visit here in the Philippines had just
begun, to spread light, peace, love and of course, mercy and compassion through
mass ceremonies (also celebrated annual occasions such as the World Youth Day,
The Meeting of Families and Sinulog Festival) held at different locations—from
Manila Cathedral, to University of Santo Tomas to the Quirino Grandstand.
Unlike everyone else, I don’t have many expectations on the
aforementioned Papal visit here except for the “main purposes” that are: 1. for
the poor, the children and the women; 2. to pray over victims of multiple calamities
that brought us instant devastation; 3. for the sick—sick of the diseases and
disasters caused by ourselves. Despite that, I’m still having regrets that I
haven’t taken a glimpse of him in person but thanks to televised media
coverages that are worth it already, maybe.
Mike Enriquez said it very well, ‘this is more than just a
blockbuster movie where everybody can’t seem to move on, talking about it over
and over again.’ With what I’d observed at the visit, Pope Francis does not
reject anyone but goes harmoniously with the society—no matter how religious or
spiritual it may be. This is what nature of existence truly means.
In spite of this momentary pilgrimage, I can’t resist myself
to withstand, but there are still “negative spaces” in this memorable visit.
●Weather condition.
Why did Typhoon Amang left the country the same time Pope Francis were about to
leave? Did the weather really challenge our spirit, literally?
●PNoy and his comrades.
Will they stop fooling people while stealing the government’s wealth,
aggravated by violence and intimidation? Aquino took the moment to criticize
the country’s Catholic churches and bishops for their ‘inactions’ regarding
sins of previous administration and the attacks to the current. I understand
the president’s feelings as the country leader but to point at it, literally,
what ‘inactions’ does he have to imply? The controversial RH Bill law? The
equal rights of LGBT community? Carlos Celdran’s “Damaso” act? Total banning of
Lady Gaga here in the Philippines due to her “Judas” song? Make it clear, man.
●The Youth. No, not Dodong Cruz. Pope Francis left us a
challenge— to do our roles, to serve better, not only for the country or the
church, but for ourselves. So please, do not depend on television sets and stop
reading Wattpad craps, for God’s sake.
●Women’s rights. He
said, “Women have much to tell us in
today’s society. Sometimes, we are too ‘machista’ and we don’t allow room for
the woman.” The “People’s Pope’ hoped that many women will give speeches
during his mass ceremonies, too bad there are some issues with that. Equality.
The women have many things to say; we are all equal in His eyes. I capitalized
that to make sure.
●Children. Thanks to Jun Chura and Glyzelle Palomar, who
gave heartwarming (and also heartbreaking) speeches during a meeting with the
youth at UST yesterday. Glyzelle left the pope a challenging question that
everyone’s still looking for an answer: “Why does He allow children to suffer?” The
pope replied: “The nucleus of your
question… almost doesn’t have a reply. The heart of your question has no reply.
Only when we too can cry about the things you said can we come close to
answering that question. Why do children suffer so much? why do children
suffer? When the heart is able to ask itself nd weep, then we can understand
something. There is a worldly compassion which is useless.”
This is a very-well impression that Filipino spirit, no
matter how tragic it is, cannot be broken. Cooperation (remember that communion
part during a mass ceremony at Quirino Grandstand?), patience (long hours
standing on locations near the route of the ‘pope mobile’.) I can’t describe
the moment exactly but one thing to be assured of: Compassion, take a look at
the Webster’s English Thesaurus for its synonyms. Maybe that helps.
Sad to say, it is just a five-day visit and all good things
have its limits, the same day I’m writing this. But like the way he speaks, I
wrote it from the heart. Here are the lessons I learned (and everybody should
have) not because Pope Francis said it, but for the sake of peace, love, light,
mercy and compassion. There are lots of words of wisdom by the pope himself if
you’ll ask me but for now, I’ll give you some.
●”You help, but do you allow yourself to receive? Teach yourself to
receive with humility.”- Contrary to the old-school saying “it is
better to give than to receive.” Life is full of give and takes. But when you
receive, make sure it is meaningful.
●”We only see thru eyes that are cleansed
with our fears.”- do not be frightened of crying. Everyone has the
right to make mistakes and learn from it. Nobody’s perfect. If you aren’t,
you’re not worth living.
●”Empty your pockets but come with very full hearts.”- Even you’re the richest or wealthiest person
in the universe; there are things that can’t be bought by money. And I say this
with my integrity intact.
●”Reality is superior to ideas.”- let me quote Lourd de
Veyra for this: “It means actual physical
contact with the world, smelling the breeze from the park of the mountain you
have just scaled.” Inferior work absolutely makes no sense at all.
●”We are overloaded with information. Is that bad? Not necessarily.”-
There is a certain difference between information and knowledge. Maybe this is
the disadvantage of the advanced technology. It became a problem of the
society: many of them functions based on Facebook likes, twitter hashtags and
favorites and so on and so forth. I’m not questioning the legal parameters of
technology, but you begin to wonder if there’s really something wrong with a
world where people became lazy and meaningless?
●”Real love is about loving and letting yourself be loved.”- So don’t be bitter, be better. Like
what Jose Manalo said, “Ang ampalaya
inuulam, hindi inuugali.” Shut up, Marcelo Santos III.
●”There is a challenge of integrity. There is a challenge to care for
the environment and finally, for the poor.”- This must be the first
teaching to all public servants, especially politicians.
●”Do you think with the poor? You lack only one thing: to became a
beggar. Learn to be evangelized by the poor, they have so much to offer. This
will help you to mature in helping others.”- Hey, do I have to explain this for further understanding?
To be honest with you, I’m having a problem with the
institution. I’ve read so many ‘religious’ writings, rituals, and whatever
because of my curiosity. In the end, I realized it is useless. Religion won’t
save you in time of need; all you have to do is pray and have faith.
Person-to-person, but in a way. Don’t get me wrong, disciples. I respect all
the opinions and beliefs (maybe this is what they call cultural differences.) I
don’t have to record black metal songs (referring to Revelations), hold a
placard inside the Manila Cathedral or singing and dancing while dressed up as
a nun the same time wearing a tangga.
We don’t have to treat the pope as a celebrity. If we do,
make sure God won’t be forgotten.
Papa Francisco, Viva IL Papa. □
(Written January 19,
2015, Monday, 9:55 p.m.)
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