From the moment his zuchetto was blown away as he stepped off the plane to his unscheduled stop at a centre for street children, Pope Francis captured the hearts of millions of Filipinos during his papal visit to the Philippines last week.
One of those who braved the crowds and the rain was 73-year-old Salvacion F. Baluba, a retired public school teacher. Not one to let distance be a barrier, Salvacion made the six-hour car journey to Manila with her family from Ligao in the province of Albay.
“When I saw the plane in the sky knowing that it was a ‘no fly zone’ I was happily jumping because I was so sure that it was Pope Francis. Then, when I saw him for the first time travelling with his motorcade from Villamor Airbase I was waving my two hands - exhilarated - but tongue tied. I knew that it would probably be the last time I see a Pope given my age.”
Not content with only seeing him once, Salvacion went to the Mall of Asia on Friday and later to Rizal Park (formerly known as Luneta Park) on Sunday for the open-air Mass. “My heart was full of joy. I did not feel tired walking more than two kilometres despite my age. I then walked more than six kilometres just to get near to Luneta Park [on Sunday] even though it was wet and cold. At the Mass I felt so blessed hearing his homily; I felt that the Holy Spirit was within me.
“Being with my family also added to the specialness of the occasion as I felt as though we were brought together by our common faith, patient waiting, rain-braving and eagerness to see and hear the Holy Father.”
Speaking with a fervour evocative of the strong Catholic faith amongst Filipinos, Salvacion said: “It was a bone-chilling experience to see the phenomenal father of the Catholic Church in the flesh. He had brought lightning to the Vatican and has inspired the flame of faith in people of all ages to burn brighter.
Reflecting on the Pope’s visit Salvacion felt it went very well. “The typhoon was a challenge and people could’ve had more discipline with regards to their trash and plants on the pavement/islands, but at least the Pope arrived back in Rome safe and Filipino Catholics were brought happiness by his visit.”
Much of the media attention outside the Philippines was given to the Pope’s comments on corruption, poverty and children. Salvacion said they were not that shocking and that she had seen him deliver more striking messages. “They were watered down statements, I believe. However, the essence of what he has said remains - we as a people must strive for social justice, destroy oppressive wordly social structures that hinder us from serving God and help the poor help themselves.
“His presence in our country meant a lot to a mostly Catholic nation which has recently been devastated by calamities, and is faced with constant challenges associated with being a poor country. To know that the leader of a major church and the Shepherd of Catholics was with us reminded us of God’s unending love, and is an inspiration for us to work together for the better good and to rid the country of the soul-corrupting selfishness of public officials.”
Salvacion F. Baluba’s story was shared by her daughter Beth Musni via GuardianWitness
