He has been emceeing in big religious events but still not known by many. But only when he emceed for what is considered the biggest religious event of the year, and supposedly his major break-the papal visit. It was a momentous event that has made practically an unheard of priest the talk of the town, especially in social media, because of what he did.
Probably for the religious people or among clergies and laities, Fr. Hans Magdurulang is a recognized name but for the great majority, he is markedly a nobody. But it is just unfortunate that his instant rise to popularity is through the bashings of the netizens.
Who can forget the booming voice that energized and kept pilgrims awake during Pope Francis' concluding Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta on January 18, 2015? Fr. Magdurulang has found himself the target of attacks-and the object of praise.
A group of netizens started to whine, throwing their negative feedback that the priest's hosting style-noisy "barker" or a variety show host-broke the solemnity of the event. And obviously some commented that went beyond ethical standards.
And understandably others also came to the rescue, expressing their appreciation to what the priest has done.
"It was raining, but nobody complained. The grounds were wet, muddy and slippery but people stayed on to see the Pope and to join the cheering. It was joined in by people from all walks of life. It was a genuinely emotional and touching event. I don't think anyone among us who were personally present ever felt that the cheering was "baduy" or that it turned Luneta into a "peryahan." Cheering is a Filipino way of showing appreciation. I believe cheering for the pope is the best way to show our appreciation and gratitude for his visit to the country."
Learning to take both the good and the bad, Magdurulang explained he is consoled by Pope Francis' message on humility and tears and holds no bitterness in his heart. He aptly said that the only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.
Those who watched the event from the comfort of their homes could probably get annoyed but I find the emcee's style so uplifting and invigorating as many of those who have experienced at the Luneta while soaked in the rain and squeezed like sardines in a sea of humanity with its suffocating jostling that gets wilder every time the pope mobile neared!
Fr. Magdurulang succeeded in making the very, very huge crowd stay put. The crowd started moving after the mass and the pontiff's motorcade could have been caught in that mayhem and got stuck there had Fr. Magdurulang not done what he could to intervene and make the crowd stay put.
Because of his efforts the crowd responded positively and stayed put, giving the pope the opportunity to motor around the grandstand quadrants to bless the millions of Filipinos. The priest asked for apology for those who expressed dissatisfaction. And he even shared some afterthoughts as who and where these negative comments came from. Who these people were and where they were during the occasion is key to understanding. The feeling that if you were in the venue, the priest's hosting style was just appropriate but for those in their comfort zones, at their homes could hold a contrasting view.
The pope's presence was just overwhelming that people's resistance to see or get closer to him is strong. And for a world-record crowd in attendance, this is such a hazard.
For the priest to follow the instructions from his superiors-his voice and leading the prayer have indeed played a great role in deviating the people's attention for a potential stampede. But no amount of criticism dampened the priest's spirit because when asked if he would still host other church events in the future, he replied: "With all humility and with all charity."