Darwin Valdez, who is two-and-a-half feet only, had to ask someone to help him climb the bleachers outside the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila just to get a better look at Pope Francis. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Standing tall, two-and-a-half feet tall Darwin Valdez, braved the crowd outside the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila just to see Pope Francis in person, and hopefully, get a hug or kiss from him.
But just to see the Pope is already a blessing for 34-year-old Valdez.
“Gusto ko lang po talagang makita si Pope Francis(I really want to see Pope Francis),” he told INQUIRER.net.
“Parang sobrang blessed ko po ‘pag nakita ko s’ya. Parang makukumpleto ko na po ‘yung pagkatao ko pag nakita ko s’ya (I will feel extremely blessed if I see him. It’s like my personhood has been completed once I see him),” he said.
As early as 5:00 a.m., he was already outside the Church waiting for the Pope, who is set to hold his first Mass in the Philippines this Friday.
From Tondo, Valdez traveled to Intramuros and walked a few more minutes to reach the Church.
But he said he didn’t mind waking up early and walking a few blocks just to see the Pope.
And if he would have a chance to come closer to the pope, Valdez said: “Yayakapin ko po s’ya at hahalikan (I will hug and kiss him).”
Growing up bullied sometimes by his friends, Valdez said he has long accepted God’s fate for him.
“Bahala na ang D’yos sa kanila (The Lord will just take care of them) ,” he said.
After all, his condition has not prevented him from living a normal life.
He said he has been working now for three years at the Manila City Hall and had three failed relationships.
Asked the reasons why his relationship with his past girlfriends did not work, Valdez said: “Nagkasawaan yata (We probably got tired of each other),” followed by a hearty laugh.
He remains hopeful though that he would soon have his own family despite his condition.
Valdez was just one of the thousands of people who trooped to the Manila Cathedral to get a glimpse of the pope.
Some men and women, including children, even camped outside the Church to make sure that they would be closer to the pope.
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