Girl who died during pope's Tacloban visit laid to rest

MANILA, Philippines - Kristel "Mae Mae" Padasas, the 27-year-old volunteer who died after the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Tacloban City, was buried Tuesday afternoon amidst overcast skies at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

Before she was buried, a funeral Mass was held at the Sto. Nino de Taguig Parish Church by Papal Nuncio Guiseppe Pinto assisted by Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara.

Attending the Mass were friends and relatives of Kristel led by his father Paulino and mother Judy.

Kristel's white casket draped with the Philippine flag arrived aboard a black hearst at the Heritage Park at around 3 p.m.

A short program was then held with the song "We Are All God's Children" playing in the background. Her relatives and friends wore white shirts printed with a photo of hers taken from a trip to Batanes with the words "To Travel and Inspire People."

Before Kristel was laid to rest, she was given honors by an honor squad from the National Capital Region Police Office which ended with the playing of "Taps" by a trumpet player.

As Krtistel was being lowered, her close relatives released butterflies into the air while one of her nephews read a farewell poem.

Meanwhile, the Papal Nuncio relayed his message to Kristel's family. In his message, the Nuncio recalled how Pope Francis thought of her.

"In the Eucharistic presence of Jesus, he remembered Kristel Mae Padasas, innocent victim of the collapse of a structure, toppled by the wind; he thought of her parents Paulino and Judy and he invoked the love of Christ crucified on a family left without a child," the Nuncio said.

"Dear Kristel, in your faith and your generosity younwere one of us. By your service to the Church and especially to the poor, you followed the example of Mary, whomwent n haste to the mountains, to be with her cousin Elizabeth," the Nuncio added.

Kristel arrived at her family in Barangay Signal Village in Taguig City home last January 19.

Her remains were flown by the Philippine Air Force from Tacloban City to Manila.

Bong Recuenco, one of her uncles described her as a cheerful person with a big heart to help others.

Recuenco said Kristel resigned from her job in the human resource department of Accenture to serve as a volunteer in the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

Last year, Kristel celebrated her birthday with an urban poor community at Smokey Mountain in Tondo.

"I told her that she may just want to live in Smokey Mountain," Recuenco said.

Recuenco last met Kristel in Taguig on Christmas Day.