Leyte kids hope to play football in front of Pope Francis

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — “Sana makita kami ni Santo Papa maglaro kasi malaking blessing yun para sa amin at para sa Tacloban,” said Jared Troy Reyes, a 12-year old boy who joined the Santo Papa Futbol Cup held Thursday, January 15 at the Bethel International School in Palo, Leyte.

(I wish Pope Francis can see us play because that is a big blessing for us and for the people of Tacloban.)

Ana Margarita Hontiveros of RTR Medical Foundation said this event is part of a larger psychosocial program for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

“We hope to uplift the spirits of public school children in Leyte and provide them a message of hope through football,” she said.

Hontiveros added they hope that the children can capture the Pope’s attention through football during his motorcade.

“The kids will be wearing the colors of San Lorenzo FC, a professional football club in Argentina that is said to be supported by Pope Francis. We hope to get his attention through that.”

Former Ambassador Roberto Mayorga of Chile revealed the children also prepared a Spanish chant that they will sing when the Pope passes through the Palo Cathedral.

“Papa amigo Tacloban esta contigo.”

(Pope, our friend, Tacloban is with you.)

Event organizer Jazz Nito shared with Rappler this video of the kids practicing the chant.

Five teams composed of 60 children from Leyte public schools are selected to compete in this two-day event as a side activity to the highly anticipated visit of Pope Francis in Leyte.

The Santo Papa Futbol Cup is led by Mission Tacloban, an organization created by the Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foudation together with Team Socceroo Football Clup and the Henry V. Morgan Foundation.

It is also supported by the Energy Development Coroporation, PASAR Foundation and the Olympic Village. – Rappler.com