dailypedia
HAIL THE GOOD NEWS!
Hearts pounded, breath gasped, tears rolled and excitement rose as residents of Leyte heralded a good news, – THE PEOPLE’S POPE IS COMING TO TOWN!
Interestingly for his intended visit, he simply won’t set foot in the typhoon-ravaged soil and send his message from a distance, but he was said to extend his arms to as many as possible, up close and personal . The locals were seen lively as a cricket, cheerful as a lark. For a while, they shamed their woes, – smiled & rejoiced!
Being a region in the Visayas whose land were brutally raped and citizens literally murdered by strings of fatal storms, such news is pretty timely. Albeit, a very good one. It is something their ears are longing to hear and their eyes are eager to see. Good enough to boost their dying spirit and mend their wounded hearts during this difficult time. The Papal visit has painted the gray town red, and gave the displaced constituents’ faith a renewed meaning.
Alas! Speaking of new. A new storm with a new name (Amang) popped up and flaunted it’s ugly teeth in the wrong place in a wrong time. Like a devil in the night, it triggered to create havoc and warned to spoil the year’s most important event to date and the visit’s special agenda as planned. It could snatch away the occasion’s joy as feared earlier.
The rain, courtesy of the new storm was equally stubborn. It never ceases. Moreso, the wind it spew became more frantic and showed no leniency in the whole of Tacloban and Palo in leyte where the holy crusade was being held. For a taste of the worst that’s yet to come, the scaffolding of the program’s stage were blown away, gone totally wrecked and claimed a young woman’s life. The ominous weather cut short the pontiff’s supposed 1 day visit to barely 4 hours. The flocked were dismayed.
WEEPY FAREWELL…
As the sky continue to harbour potential peril, the event came to a halt and Pope had to leave fast. His prepared liturgy was left unread, the motorcade done in brief. Pope Francis could not conceal his sadness, and so are the rain-soaked Leytenos. Misty eyes were seen. Heavy hearts were felt. The people waved & roared with gusto, craned their neck, gasped and cried as His plane took-off and eaten by the gloomied clouds. They wish and hoped they caught more of Pope’s sights and sounds.
In between sobs and sniffs, they managed to stay sane and remained optimistic. They stood firmly in spite of another nature’s wrath that whipped their emotions and humanity anew. Yes, they exercise enough courage to show the best side of themselves in good and in bad times. Their applause were strong and sentiments were real. Their tears were genuine. They cried, but they were grateful knowing someone from the farthest corner of the Earth cares sincerely. They knew it, someone somewhere will always help them rise above despair and start a new life again. Certainly, they are not alone in their plight.
FIGHTING A GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
The unprecedented gathering DID NOT MAKE THE POPE THE HERO, BUT THE LEYTENOS who, amidst the tragedies wavered not their faith and surrendered in the mightiest of storm and biggest of trials. The same goes to each and every Filipinos back in Manila whose dedication, patient, effort and faith are all, but infecting and amazing – come rain or shine.
The global audience was swept away.
