CASHING IN A street vendor at Rajah Sulayman Park in Manila’s Malate district shows a Pope Francis shirt selling for P200 apiece. The shirts and other souvenir items that feature the Pope have been selling briskly. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines–They neither bear the face nor the name of Pope Francis but these items have become hot commodities in the run-up to his much-awaited visit to the Philippines.
Since last week, department stores in Metro Manila, where three big papal events are scheduled during Pope Francis’ four-day apostolic visit, have been enjoying brisk sales of clear plastic tote bags and handbags, something that only comes during the summer season.
Apparently, many Filipinos who want to get a glimpse of the Argentine Pontiff are trying to heed the authorities’ appeal for the public to carry clear plastic bags instead of backpacks to venues of the Pope’s engagement for security purposes.
Joshua, a salesman at the bag section of a popular department store in Ortigas Center said stocks of transparent or clear bags had started to run out since the demand began to peak last week.
“In the past few days, a lot of people are coming in to look for transparent bags,” he said.
They were mostly students, office workers, mothers and nuns. But there were also men inquiring about clear plastic bags, he said.
Lucy Torres, an office worker in Mandaluyong City, was among those looking for clear bags at the same shopping mall.
Torres said she and her insistent 74-year-old mother would be attending the Holy Mass on Sunday to be led by Pope Francis at Rizal Park in Manila.
The crowd is expected to surpass the 5 million people who flocked to the park when then Pope John Paul II, now a saint, celebrated the Mass to close the World Youth Day in Manila in 1995.
“My mindset is to comply with the requirements because I don’t want any trouble when I get to the gates of the venue,” she said.
“I also don’t want to give those people in charge of security a hard time because, for sure, there will be a lot of people there.”
Zip-lock bags
Aside from clear bags, Torres was also set to buy transparent raincoats and food she could put in zip-lock bags.
Lorie Espiritu rushed to the department store on Wednesday after learning only on Tuesday about the authorities’ appeal not to bring backpacks to the venues of the papal events, particularly at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.
Espiritu, who will be attending the Holy Mass on Sunday with seven members of her family, bought three transparent bags for their use during the event.
Michelle Benavides, an employee at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Hospital who was with a coworker Wednesday, was also looking for a transparent bag. “It’s hard to look for one now,” she said, hoping to get a glimpse of Pope Francis at the youth rally at UST also on Sunday.
Some fashion-conscious devotees are willing to forget about fashion for such a rare opportunity to see the Pontiff, who has attracted even nonbelievers for his simplicity and unconventional ways.
“This bag doesn’t really suit my style but this is the requirement,” a middle-aged woman told her companion at the bag section, referring to a transparent shoulder bag with yellow trimmings and a summer-themed design.
Do’s and don’ts
Earlier this week, organizers of the papal visit reiterated the dos and don’ts to ensure that the events at Rizal Park as well as in other venues like UST and the SM Mall of Asia Arena will be peaceful and orderly.
Among the things that the public is allowed to bring to these venues include bottled water, IDs, medicines, raincoats and flashlights. These things must be placed in a transparent bag instead of a backpack, according to authorities.
No umbrellas
Umbrellas will also not be allowed in the venues to avoid blocking the view of others. Firecrackers, sharp objects and weapons, balloons, pet dogs and alcoholic beverages are also banned from these venues.
Malacañang urged Filipinos to imbibe “mercy and compassion” as they follow Pope Francis around Manila and Tacloban, down to how they would dispose of their trash.
In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also reiterated detailed reminders to the public, which government has come up with to ensure that everything “humanly possible” are carried out to have a peaceful and orderly visit of Pope Francis.
Prevent stampede
From advising against making jokes to prevent stampedes to reminding them to bring transparent plastic bags instead of backpacks, government has been going great lengths the past days to keep on reminding the excited Filipino faithful that their safety and that of Pope Francis’ should be a primordial concern.
The environment should not be overlooked, as well, Lacierda said.
“If the theme is ‘mercy and compassion,’ let’s show mercy to the environment and compassion for the street sweepers after the event. I’m sure it’s going to be difficult for them. So we’d like to ask the cooperation of the public to pick up their litter after the event,” he said.
There will be no street vendors allowed at Luneta, so Lacierda advised people to bring food and water.
He urged people to avoid wearing expensive jewelry. “Don’t bring excessive money as well,” Lacierda added, as he did not discount the fact that pickpockets might take advantage of the huge crowd.