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TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — On the eve of the arrival of Pope Francis to typhoon-ravaged Leyte, a 4-kilometer stretch of pilgrims inched their way to the Tacloban airport despite bad weather brought by Typhoon Amang.
Donned in yellow plastic raincoats provided by their respective dioceses, the pilgrims followed the Chancery’s advisory of carrying only transparent handbags for easy inspection of security personnel.
The San Jose airport road is temporarily closed, forcing people to walk a minimum of 6 kilometers from the Fatima rotonda towards the Papal Mass venue on Friday, January 16.
Mothers, children, and the elderly took the challenge of enduring the long walk under intermittent rains, cold weather, and a sleepless night just to ensure that their parishes are represented in the biggest religious gathering to be held in Eastern Visayas.
‘We survived Yolanda, Amang is nothing’
For 73-year-old Felicissimo Sanchez, a Tacloban resident and Yolanda (Haiyan) survivor, Amang is nothing because he withstood the worst storm to have made landfall in the country.
“Ang importante ay makapagpasalamat kami sa Panginoon sa ibinigay niyang buhay matapos ang malaking unos. At the same time, sana maibigay niya rin yung hinihiling kong mahabang buhay dahil sa edad ko ngayon, nasa elimination na ako,” he quipped.
(The important thing is that I can thank the Lord for his gift of life after a great storm. At the same time, I hope He also grants my wish for a longer life because at my present age, I am at the elimination stage.)
Honoria Campo of Laurente, Eastern Samar, said there was no turning back for her despite the storm.
“Wala nang atrasan ito. Naumpisahan na, dapat tapusin (There is no turning back now. I started this so I have to finish it),” she expressed with conviction.
Campo added that this is the biggest thing that has happened, so far, in her lifetime, and she may no longer be alive when another papal visit is made in the Philippines.
Julian Cabonbon, teenage pilgrim from Cebu, said he admires this Pope because he is a good role model for young people like him.
“Pope Francis is a great person. It’s nice to witness the Pope visit here a year after Yolanda. Being here is taking part in history and that is really cool,” shared the teenager.
No ID, no entry for other pilgrims
While a long stretch of people are already queuing for entry to the airport, over 100 pilgrims are unsure if they would be able to attend the Concelebrated Mass to be led by the Pontifex at the site.
Despite this, most of them said they didn’t regret coming to Tacloban as they can just stand by for the cavalcade, which will happen right after the Mass.
Like other pilgrims, Baby Montero and Marilou Lamilao, friends from Mindanao, said a mere glimpse of the Pope will already make them very happy.
“Masaya na kami at feeling blessed kung masilayan lang naming siya. Pero kung papalarin, umaasa pa rin kaming makapasok sa Misa kasi maganda ding marinig yung mensahe ng Santo Papa,” they said.
(We will feel happy and blessed just to see Pope Francis. But if we’re lucky, we’re still hoping that we could attend the Mass and hear the message of the Holy Father.)
It takes real sacrifice to be at the Tacloban airport now.
Portalets are overflowing with people while medical stations are busy attending to the minor medical needs of the pilgrims.
One couple from Tacloban City who asked not to be identified said decided to go home as their health condition cannot endure the simultaneous intermittent drizzles and cold wind. – Rappler.com
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