Luneta Diary (Part 1 of 2)

Last December, Bishop George Rimando said after the morning mass that a group headed by Archbishop Valles chose Dr. Mike Manalaysay, Vicky Estoque-Anghag, Lumad Datu Boyson of Malabog (Fifth member did not go) and I to be the lay/civilian delegates to the January 19, 2015 Luneta mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis.

My wife got a flight for Manila on January 16 expecting that Manila’s airport might be closed on the January 15 Pope’s arrival, and a return trip on January 19. We asked our nephews in Manila, Deputy Government Counsel Ely Vega and Atty. Sandy Vega Rimando of the Angeles Associates Law offices to book us in any hotel in Luneta. The Vega siblings, Dr. Bobong, Ely, Olive and Sandy kindly offered a two day stay at the Bay View Hotel at Roxas Blvd.

Jan. 17. My wife, daughter Fatima and I checked in. It was a market place because everyone hurriedly wanted to get his room and the Hotel ID. At 5 PM we went to Luneta (think San Pedro Church to Magallanes School). Surprisingly, there were very few beggars and lots of families looking for possible spots they could stay for Sunday.

Jan. 18. At 8 AM, the hotel’s two breakfast rooms were already filled. Looking out, I noticed crowds near the hotel. A waiter said people began milling along Roxas Blvd. where the Pope will pass in going to Luneta since 5 AM. Many brought their children. I saw a young wife gently carrying her 8-month son while the husband was covering them with an umbrella. Many were standing along the cafes and restaurants waiting for their turn for breakfast. There was no pushing, hurried movement; everyone seemed to give way to the other.

At 10 AM, I waded through thickening crowds on both sides of Roxas Blvd. My wife and daughter seeing that they were too far from the road, walked from Bay View Hotel and seeing smaller crowds fronting the US Embassy (San Pedro Church to Central Elementary) parked themselves along the road from 10 AM to 3 PM until they saw and waved at the Pope who was going to Luneta. Manila ran out of raincoats since Friday, Jan. 16 and though cloudy there was no rain the whole night till Sunday 10 AM. So Gladys and Fatima only had windbreakers. The thick crowds gladly give way when they saw my I.D. Dr. Mike Manalaysay brought me to his place where we could better see the altar. Dr. Mike, like me, only had a windbreaker, a cap and a small shoulder bag with some chocolates because he was diabetic prone.

By 10:30 AM the drizzle became a steady mini waterfall up to the whole night. After the noon Angelus, we (meaning the millions in Luneta) prayed the rosary. When we finished the Memorare everyone was cold, wet, hungry, tired, sleepy. Nobody in our section fronting the altar from where we were seated (think San Pedro Church entrance to Sangguniang Statue) left. From 10 AM to 5:30 PM Dr. Manalaysay and I didn’t eat, drink and pee.

Everyone recovered when at 3 PM the Pope arrived. At our back was a road barrier Dr. Mike and I were surprised when the Pope used this road in going to the altar. All of us were waving shouting Mabuhay/Viva Pope Francis who was so near us (Think San Pedro Belfry and San Pedro Street). Earlier, a 100 plus Sinulog dance troupe from Cebu appeared. We practiced the Sinulog three basic dances steps, the Francis wave and the cheers welcoming the Pope.

Around 2 PM, I thought of leaving because I was hungry and miserable. Dr. Mike was already shivering and I thought he’s 59 years old while I’m 75 years but I’m not shaking so I’ll stay. At 2:30 PM Dr. Mike stopped shaking just when I began my shakes as if I had a malaria attack. Thinking of Dr. Mike and the millions who had to stand from morning till evening in their places cold wet, hungry and tired, I drove off ideas of quitting. I could not let the Davao Archdiocese, Archbishop Valles, my family down. Everyone wet, cold, miserable drew strength not to quit from each other. About 2:50 PM, I told Dr. Mike I’ll pee in my pants because nobody will notice. He said, don’t because the smell of urine will disturb those around us so I did not. (To be continued)