Australia-based Pinoys duped by travel agent, push on to Rome

A group of Australia-based Filipinos were relieved to reach Rome after finding out at the last minute that their travel agent had duped them.

The 32 pilgrims arrived at the airport on Tuesday only to find out that no plane tickets were booked for their travel to the Eternal City.

They reported the incident to the Australian police and bought their own tickets just to make sure they would attend the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, said Margie Matheu of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s secretariat.

“They paid again. They were resolved to go to Rome,” she said.

Of the 32, 25 managed to proceed to Rome.

Each member had paid 5,000 to 10,000 Australian dollars (Around P213,000 to P429,000) to the Italian travel agency.

Matheu said most of them are Cebuanos who migrated to Australia.

The group of Calungsod devotees include lawyers and doctors.

“They are now in Rome. They really persevered,” Matheu said.

The group, she said, intends to have a celebration in honor of Calungsod on November.

Although they managed to go to Rome, the group won’t let the actions of the Italian travel agency pass.

“They will definitely pursue a case in Australia,” Matheu said.

Calungsod will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday.

At least 5,000 Filipino pilgrims from all over the world will attend the canonization rites and Mass in Rome./Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol