MANILA, Philippines – Even just a glimpse of Pope Francis that only lasted a few seconds was enough to uplift the spirits of those who waited for hours along Roxas Boulevard on Thursday, January 15.

Dina Pingol traveled from Angono, Rizal before daylight so she can get a good view of the Pope Francis. 

She waited for more than 10 hours under the scorching heat and momentary drizzle with her foldable chair and a fan with His Holiness’ face. 

The Philippines’ most awaited guest Thursday arrived a few minutes before sundown and proceeded to the Apostolic Nunciature. 

Around 7 pm, Pingol and the thick crowd on the corner of Quirino Avenue and Roxas Boulevard finally saw the “rockstar” patriarch of the Catholic Church. 

But the hours-long wait only equated to a few seconds of Pope Francis’ face.

“Ang bilis ng pangyayari na hindi pa nga tumulo tuluyan ang luha ko e,” she said. “Buti na lang di ako pumikit!”

(It all happened so fast that my tears didn’t fall. Good thing I didn’t close my eyes or else I would have missed it.)

However, the devout Catholic said it was enough for her to have have the opportunity to wavedat the Pope.

“Sapat na rin iyong nakakaway ako sa kanya tapos pakiramdam ko rin ay kinawayan na niya rin ako,” Pingol said. 

(It was enough for me to wave at him and it feels like he also waved back at me.)

Far away from the Pope

Several members of the crowd complained about the “unjust” strictness the security officials implemented throughout the motorcade.  

According to Ofelia Simbulan of Makati, she felt that the people who truly got advantage of the scenario were the volunteer human barricades from different parishes. 

“Hindi lang naman sila ang dapat nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makita siya ng malapitan,” she said. “Pare-pareho naman tayong gustong makita ang Santo Papa.”

(Are they the only ones who should be given the right to be near him? We all just want to see the Pope.) 

The concrete and human barricades that police set up ahead of the Pope’s visit proved to be an effective measure in keeping the Pope’s motorcade efficient and organized Thursday.

Marshalls along Roxas Boulevard cleared the streets of civilians and directed them to the elevated sidewalks. 

Those who have been staying since morning on the Baywalk side was ushered to the northbound sidewalk which lead to an irritated crowd. 

“Dapat malinaw iyong instructions nila kaninang umaga pa lang,” one man said. 

(Their instructions should’ve been clear since morning already.) 

Better than nothing 

Despite setbacks that came along the way, the seconds-long encounter with Pope Francis made every sacrifice worth it. 

“Ngayon masasabi ko na nakita ko ang isang Santo Papa,” Pingol said. “Ilang tao ba ang makakapagsabi niyan sa mundo na nakita nila siya?”

(Now I can say I saw the Pope. How many people can actually say that?) – Rappler.com