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It will be a packed day both in schedule and in crowd numbers in Asia's oldest and first pontifical university on Sunday, January 18
MANILA, Philippines – The university is ready.
Thus declared Giovanna Fontanilla, public affairs director of the University of Santo Tomas, as she supervised final preparations for the visit of Pope Francis on Sunday, January 18.
Fontanilla said the focus of the event should be on the message of the Pope to the youth. “The hallmarks of a Thomasian are competence, commitment and compassion. And he is coming with the message of mercy and compassion, so that also gives a face to the word ‘compassion.’ So when we think of compassion we remember this simple, sincere and holy man Pope Francis,” she said.
It will be a packed day both in schedule and in crowd numbers in Asia’s oldest and first pontifical university on Sunday, January 18. (READ: What you need to know: Pope Francis’ UST visit)
Filipinos seeking to get a glimpse of the Pope are given designated areas inside the campus.
Around 80% to 90% of the areas for the audience have been barricaded as early as Tuesday evening, January 13, said UST security detachment commander Joseph Badinas.
All gates open at 4 am.
No tickets are required from the general public, UST event coordinator Monalisa Perez reiterated, as long as they enter through the two designated gates along Dapitan street at the back end of the university.
The audience will also be able to watch from screens closer to their area and collectively greet the Pope as he tours the campus in an open vehicle.
Youth encounter
At the youth encounter following the Pope’s motorcade, there will be a reading of the Scripture. Pope Francis will deliver a speech.
CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth Chairman and Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian will welcome the Pope at the UST Grandstand.
Francis will be given a garland of flowers by two children, after which the program begins. Out-of-school youth Jun Chura, law student and former UST central student council president Leandro Santos II, and UST alumnus and electronics engineer Rikki Macolor will share their testimonies.
Macolor invented a solar night light for Tacloban Typhoon Yolanda survivors, who are said to be the primary focus of the Pope’s Philippine trip.
Prayers will be offered in local dialects including Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Cebuano, Waray and Hiligaynon.
Before the Gospel is delivered and the prayers are said, a duet of Father Arnel Aquino’s “My Soul Finds Rest” will be sung by an accounting student and a law student of UST. A chorus whose members were sourced from different choirs will be singing in the background.
Youth volunteers are set to provide help as human barricades, stage and field animators who will teach attendees hand gestures for songs to be played during the program, among others. (READ: Know their stories: Thomasian youth volunteers on papal visit)
Three songs will be played for the animators to gesture: “We Are All God’s Children”, “Kamusta Ka Na”, and the 1995 World Youth Day theme song “Tell The World of His Love“.
As early as 4 hours before the program, animators will teach the early-bird crowd actions to the songs.
The football field is meant for the 24,000 youth delegates from various groups who are given what organizers call “event IDs,” which allow them to pass through the two gates to the left of the main entrance when facing the gate along España Boulevard.
Guards posted at the gates for the Thomasian community will require a UST student or alumni ID from those who will pass through these entry points.
These gates for the Thomasians include the two gates to the right of the main entrance when facing UST and the lone gate along Lacson street.
Prior to his motorcade around the campus, the Pope will meet with religious leaders at the historic Arch of the Centuries.
He is the third pope to visit UST, which is the second university in the world to gain pontifical status.
The head of the Catholic flock is scheduled to leave UST at 12 noon. Road closures will be strictly implemented. – with a report from Jane Bracher/Rappler.com
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