MANILA, Philippines — It can’t be “better luck next time.” It’s now or never.
I was late in submitting my application to be part of the delegation from Colegio de San Juan de Letran to the Youth Encounter event with the People’s Pope scheduled last Sunday. It was tough to get into the roster. Getting a no from the supervising director was heartbreaking, albeit it was my fault.
Then a former classmate who’s now studying in the University of Santo Tomas informed me that Inquirer.net was accepting volunteers to be part of its reportorial team. I immediately applied, hoping it would afford me to witness this once-in-a-lifetime visit of Pope Francis. True enough, I got confirmed.
“Congrats, JR! It is really meant to be!” said a message I got from my teacher, Ms. Jhennie Villar of Letran’s Public Affairs and Media Development.
“Move tayo ng 6 p.m. ha,” she said. We were briefed by INQUIRER.net representative and reporter Julliane de Jesus a day before the UST event. From then on, I never thought of the things I would experience.
It was not easy to get inside the Royal and Pontifical University. A team mate, Jaen Manegdeg, and I eventually succeeded in entering the university, passing through three to four gates.
A sea of people blanketed the length of España Boulevard. It was a daring move to stand atop a boulder at the center island of the highway. All we wanted was to get at least a good vantage point for us to get the shots we wanted.
From the very first frame, I captured images of emotions and anticipation. A man then tapped my knees. I looked down and saw an old man who smiled at me and asked, “Iho, pwede mo ba akong picture-an? Galing pa ho akong Meycauayan (Bulacan).” (Could you take a picture of me, young man? I came all the way from Meycauayan.)
I was moved. I immediately took shots and showed it to him. I received a grin and a simple thanks. “Ingat ka ha? Madaming tao oh?” (Take care, okay? There are so many people, see?)
I was lost for words. “Kayo po ang mag-ingat ’Tay.” (You take care, ‘Tay.)
I don’t know why but I came unprepared. I only focused on what gear to bring, on the photo angles I planned to take. I forgot to bring a towel or wear a raincoat to prevent my getting wet under the rain brought by tropical storm “Amang.” I forgot to bring even food and water. I found myself inside a quadrant, assuring me of being in a good spot to take photos of the Pope’s arrival.
Tired, exhausted and starving, I was also able to capture the images of an old lady singing and following by herself the actions for the official theme song of the Papal Visit, “We are All God’s Children,” of an old man whose exhaustion was clearly evident, and energetic nuns and youths waiting for the Pope.
Then I found myself falling asleep and resting against the steel barricades. Suddenly I felt people rushing through. I heard their cheers and singing.
I shed tears and had goose bumps when I got my first glimpse of Pope Francis, the Vicar of Jesus Christ.
“Thank you, Lord” were the words that I uttered in my mind as I saw him meters away from me.
It was an overwhelming experience and worth remembering. I did not mind the cold air and the downpour. I also did not mind the mothers and youth scattered in front of me. I was moved into tears when Glyzelle Iris Palomar, 12, asked the Pope: “Why do so many children have to suffer?” And every time the “Tell the World of His Love” was sung, I wept.
I braved the storm and walked from Dapitan Street near UST to Rizal Park. My coverage in Luneta gave me chills. I got scared because of the crowd. I didn’t know some six million people would attend the Sunday Mass at Rizal Park.
I told myself that it was a time for me to focus and hear God’s message announced through His Holiness, Pope Francis. I put my camera inside my bag. It was a time for me to pray for my parents who had separated, for their good health, as well as for the safety of my loved ones. I also asked for more strength, for I know I still had duties to perform.
The gathering in Luneta was a clear testament of how far Filipino masses can go in expressing their beliefs and religiosity. Many would disagree with how some people misbehaved during and after the events. Again, borrowing a quote from Pope, whom many now call Lolo Kiko, “Who am I to judge?” I may not have been able to capture everything with my camera, but those that I managed to are enough to inspire my sometimes empty soul.
I hope that most, if not all, of us who were there were touched by the Pope’s message. I hope that we will all embrace the mercy of God, become merciful ourselves, and be more effective Christians by doing more for the poor.
In behalf of my fellow volunteers who were part of the INQUIRER.net team, thank you for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I cannot and will never claim to be a good Catholic. I am just a normal person who has his own set of beliefs and customs. I just know how to feel for and understand someone. But I am thankful enough for what the Pope did to inspire Catholics and even non-Catholics to become merciful and compassionate.