Rockstar pope
Oxford dictionary defines rock star as a person treated as a celebrity, especially in inspiring fanatical admiration. Yes this is how the world, much more the Filipinos, treat the Pope. Months of preparation and on the day of his arrival show the great intensity and fervor of the Filipinos. As nearly 50 thousand soldiers were deployed, the biggest security operation in the Philippines, the pontiff walked on a 100-meter red carpet at the Villamor air base last January 15, 2015.
No less than President Aquino led government officials in welcoming Pope Francis. As a reverence and sacrifice, though the latter may be regarded superficial to some, President Aquino once said that though he cannot quit smoking, he will be kicking the habit at least during the Pope's Mass at the Quirino Grandstand.
Thousands of Filipinos braved intense heat and strict security as they waited for the Pope. Hours before his arrival, members of a Catholic delegation in charge of welcoming practiced their moves and formation. Volunteers formed human chains to create order as hundreds of Filipinos position themselves to get the best vantage points. They gave loud cheers as soon as the plane carrying Pope Francis touched down at Villamor Air base. Even just a glimpse of him, people from all walks of life and of various ages took the great opportunity as we would count decades before experiencing a repeat.
Even in the social media, Filipinos expressed excitement over papal arrival. "Welcome to the Philippines" has been among the top trending topics on Twitter while some reports say people are already converging at the vicinity of Apostolic Nunciature, the pope's official residence, hours ahead of the anticipated papal arrival.
And the pontiff did not disappoint: he waved at throngs during the motorcade, blessing Filipinos along the way.
The long wait is over. Pope Francis is finally in our country. The Philippines has not only welcomed a religious leader, but a popular world leader who is subject to global attention.
Two decades after the last visit of a pope happened in 1995 when then Pope John Paul II drew 5 million faithful at Rizal park, Pope Francis' visit is expected to top that record, with an estimated 6 million attending one of the many activities, more so that Malacañang has declared January 15, 16 and 19, 2015 as special non-working days in areas where the pope would visit.
But the Pope's visit brings a strong message. He brings along message of humility, simplicity, love, and concern. Humility, for instance, this Pope is not keen on attention and fanfare. Even with his stature as a world leader of the biggest faith domination and head of a state, he remains to be very much grounded.
Pope Francis' focus for the Philippine trip will be on the poor, exploited, and the victims of injustice. This 78-year-old pontiff, known to consider himself the pope of the poor, visits a country where one-quarter of the population live below poverty line. He dedicates bulk of his time here to meet the faithful-lunch with those orphaned by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.
He will hear stories straight from three groups that represent typical Pinoy families: a poor family, a family with an overseas worker, and a family with a person with disability.
His message is clear: love for the poor and the disadvantaged. Those who have less in life and those who are victims of calamities and injustices, they are focus of his coming. These people are supposed to be given such preferential treatment. They are the pope's rock stars.
As we can relate to him as well as his deeds, we become fixated to the charismatic persona, and not anymore on his message. It is therefore a fervent hope that we can transcend from personal fixation to real intention. Viva Santo Papa!
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