TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Despite the weeping skies, a celebratory mood prevailed in this town where Pope Francis was expected to have lunch with survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and the Bohol earthquake in 2013.
”It’s almost as if we are meeting Jesus Christ himself,” said a smiling Fortunato Yubal, 55.
There was no missing the scores of posters and streamers tacked on every street corner nor the various merchandise that feature the Pope, from shirts to mugs and key chains, to life-sized standees where people posed for pictures. People crowded around appliance stores, watching footage of the Pope’s activities on TV.
“Everybody is excited. Everybody is happy,” said councilman Gregorio Nobleza, who said the papal visit injected new vigor and life into a city that had not quite recovered from the monster typhoon that flattened entire villages and killed thousands in Eastern Visayas in November 2013.
“The Pope is the leader Tacloban needs most right now,” Nobleza said, adding that he hoped the Pope’s influence would “help unify (the town)” divided by rival factions that support either the Romualdezes or the Petillas.
Niza Flores brought with her at least 20 rosaries which she planned to ask Pope Francis to bless during their luncheon at the Archbishop’s Residence today.
“These (rosaries) are for my siblings and other relatives,” said Flores, 53, one of five survivors of the magnitude-7.2 Bohol earthquake chosen to break bread with the Pope.
Flores and the four other quake survivors—Saturnino Barace, Jr. 19; Veneranda Gentallan, 38; Shirley Bongay, 28, and Salome Israel, 24—arrived in Palo 5 p.m. on Thursday and were housed in an undisclosed place with 25 Yolanda survivors.
She said they were staying in a big house, the room like a dormitory, with double-deck beds, with the males staying in one room and the women in another.
All their needs—food and accommodations—were provided for, said Flores, adding that they had a buffet breakfast at 6 a.m. on Friday and that they were able to watch the live coverage of Pope Francis’ welcome ceremony and courtesy call at Malacañang and the Mass at the Manila Cathedral.
“The house is very nice. We are treated very well. Our needs are addressed but we cannot leave the house,” she said, adding that they were also asked to turn off their cell phones once they were in the Archbishop’s Residence to wait for the Pope’s arrival.
Since there was no dress code, Flores said she would come dressed in a simple brown skirt and blouse. With a report by Ador Mayol, Inquirer Visayas
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