How you can order BSP's Pope Francis commemorative coins

MANILA – The visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines is a historic one, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will be releasing limited edition coins to commemorate the momentous event.

The BSP will be releasing P50 coins and P500 coins by the last week of January 2015.

The P50-coin will be sold for P100 whole the P500-coin will be sold for P1,000 to cover production, packaging and other costs.

Limited edition P1,000- silver and P10,000-gold Papal commemorative coins will also be available in May 2015.

The P1,000-coin will be sold for P3,500 while the P10,000-coin will be sold for P25,000.

The coins are not available over the counter, and can be availed through order forms issued by the BSP.



Those who wish to reserve can download reservation forms for the P50 and P500-coins here, and for the P1,000 and P10,000-coins here.

The accomplished forms should then be submitted to papalcoins@bsp.gov.ph before the end of June 2015.

Those who sent forms will then receive a confirmation e-mail with the date when you can pay for and pick up the coins at the BSP.

The BSP said the coins are minted under a licensing agreement with the Vatican.

Significant events in the country’s history are commemorated by the BSP through the minting of coins, medals or overprints on Philippine banknotes.

Commemorative coins were also issued for the 1970 visit of Pope Paul VI, and for the 1981 and 1995 papal visits of Pope John Paul II.

Pope Francis visited the Philippines from January 15 to 19. He made a quick trip to Tacloban in January 18 to celebrate Mass and meet survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pope Francis thrills in PH with 'jeepney' popemobile

MANILA - Pope Francis made a triumphant entrance for a mass with millions in the Philippines on Sunday aboard a "popemobile" styled after the nation's iconic, flamboyant and much-loved "jeepney" minibus.

The pontiff, standing in the elevated open body of the uniquely Filipino version of his popemobile, travelled through the streets of the capital Manila for the main event of his five-day visit.

Wearing a think plastic yellow poncho over his vestments, the 78-year-old pontiff smiled and waved to hundreds of thousands who had lined the route to the venue for the mass.

The rectangular vehicle with distinctive giant grille repeatedly stopped so he could reach into the cheering masses and pick up babies to kiss and bless them.

The pope rode the jeepney popemobile to Rizal Park where millions had gathered to hear him celebrate mass, in one of the world's biggest papal gatherings.

The jeepneys are regarded by many Filipinos as a symbol of national ingenuity. Locals created them from surplus US military jeeps after American forces left at the end of World War II.

The bodies of the jeeps were extended, seats were added and a fixed roof put in place. The vehicles were then painted with colourful and Catholic designs.

They proved to be strong vehicles with decades-long lifespans, and can be seen ferrying people through city streets and animals on mountain roads.

However the diesel-powered vehicles are also one the nation's chief air pollution culprits.

Francis's jeepney was an all-white popemobile. It had no doors, after the pope told local organisers he did not want a bulletproof vehicle so he could reach out and touch his followers.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pope makes emotional appeal for world's suffering children

* Pope, moved by abandoned girl, appeals for help for children

* Says world has to "learn how to cry" over their fate

* Men are "too machista", should listen more to women, Francis says

MANILA - An emotional Pope Francis, moved by the tears of an abandoned child, said on Sunday the world needed to "learn how to cry" over the plight of the millions of poor, hungry, homeless and abused children.

During a rally with young people, 12-year-old Glyzelle Iris Palomar asked him: "Many children are abandoned by their parents. Many of them became victims and bad things have happened to them, like drug addiction and prostitution. Why does God allow this to happen, even if the children are not at fault? Why is it that only a few people help us?"

The girl, who was rescued and found shelter in a Church-run community, broke down in tears and could not finish her prepared welcome. The Pope hugged her and later put aside most of his own prepared speech to respond.

"She is the only one who has put forward a question for which there is no answer and she was not even able to express it in words but rather in tears," he said, visibly moved.

"Why do children suffer?" the Argentine pope said, speaking in his native Spanish. An aide translated his words from his native Spanish into English for the crowd of about 30,000 young people on the grounds of a Church-run university.

"I invite each one of you to ask yourselves, 'Have I learned how to weep, how to cry when I see a hungry child, a child on the street who uses drugs, a homeless child, an abandoned child, an abused child, a child that society uses as a slave'?" he said.

Children can be seen living on the streets of the Philippine capital, like in many poor countries in Asia, surviving by begging and picking through garbage in vast dumps.

The United Nations says 1.2 million children live on the streets in the Philippines. According to the Child Protection Network Foundation, 35.1 percent of children were living in poverty in 2009, the last year such data was available. Nearly 33 percent of Filipinos live in slums.

MEN "TOO MACHISTA"

Francis noted there were more men than women in the crowd and that it was a little girl who was able to move everyone.

"Women have much to tell us in today's society. At times we are too 'machista' and don't allow room for women," he said, using the Spanish term for male chauvinist. The crowd laughed.

"But women are capable of seeing things with a different angle from us, with a different eye, and pose questions that we men are not able to understand ... so when the next pope comes to Manila, let's please have more women among you," he said.

The Pope spoke at the university as huge crowds converged on a Manila park to see him wrap up his Asian trip with an outdoor Mass expected to draw one of the largest crowds in Philippine history later on Sunday.

Organizers say as many as 6 million people might attend the afternoon service at Manila's Rizal Park, more than about 5 million who flocked to a Mass there by Pope John Paul 20 years ago in Asia's largest Catholic country.

The faithful began arriving at the sprawling park on Saturday night and police expect the crowd to flow over into surrounding areas.

About a dozen people were injured in a minor stampede when people rushed to get into the park, Johnny Yu of the Manila city disaster office said in a radio interview. He said some people jumped over steel railings and some concrete barriers were breached.

Earlier at the university, the Pope asked for prayers for a 27-year-old volunteer who was killed by scaffolding that collapsed in strong winds during his visit on Saturday to the central Philippines city of Tacloban. He went there to comfort the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which killed at least 6,300 people in November 2013.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pope had different homily for Tacloban Mass

TACLOBAN - Pope Francis' message for typhoon victims in Tacloban on Saturday was very different from the homily he had prepared before the outdoor Mass.

According to a Vatican report, the Pope set aside his prepared homily in English and spoke from his heart in his native Spanish to thousands of victims of typhoon Yolanda who braved wind and rain to take part in the liturgy at the Tacloban airport.

Below is a transcript of the Holy Father's remarks, which were translated on-site by one of the ministers in the sanctuary.

************************************************

We have a high priest who is capable of sympathising with our weaknesses. Jesus is like us. Jesus lived like us and is the same us in every respect, except sin because he was not a sinner. But to be more like us he assumed our condition and our sin. He made himself into sin. This is what St Paul tells us. And Jesus always goes before us and when we pass an experience, a cross, he passed there before us. And if today we find ourselves here 14 months afterwards, 14 months precisely after the Typhoon Yolanda hit, it is because we have the security of knowing we will not weaken in our faith because Jesus has been here before us. In his Passion he assumed all our pain. Therefore he is capable of understanding us, as we heard in the first reading.

I’d like to tell you something close to my heart. When I saw from Rome that catastrophe I had to be here. And on those very days I decided to come here. I am here to be with you – a little bit late, but I’m here. I have come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. And he never lets us down. Father, you might say to me, I was let down because I have lost so many things, my house, my livelihood. It’s true if you say that and I respect those sentiments. But Jesus is there, nailed to the cross, and from there he does not let us down. He was consecrated as Lord on that throne and there he experienced all the calamities that we experience. Jesus is Lord. And the Lord from the cross is there for you. In everything the same as us. That is why we have a Lord who cries with us and walks with us in the most difficult moments of life.

So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you have lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silence and walk with you all with my silent heart. Many of you have asked the Lord – why lord? And to each of you, to your heart, Christ responds with his heart from the cross. I have no more words for you. Let us look to Christ. He is the lord. He understands us because he underwent all the trials that we, that you, have experienced. And beside the cross was his Mother. We are like a little child in the moments when we have so much pain and no longer understand anything. All we can do is grab hold of her hand firmly and say “Mommy” - like a child does when it is afraid. It is perhaps the only words we can say in difficult times – “Mommy”.

Let us respect a moment of silence together and look to Christ on the cross. He understands us because he endured everything. Let us look to our Mother and, like a little child, let us hold onto her mantle and with a true heart say – “Mother”. In silence, tell your Mother what you feel in your heart. Let us know that we have a Mother, Mary, and a great Brother, Jesus. We are not alone. We also have many brothers who in this moment of catastrophe came to help. And we too, because of this, we feel more like brothers and sisters because we helped each other.

This is what comes from my heart. Forgive me if I have no other words to express myself. Please know that Jesus never lets you down. Know that the tenderness of Mary never lets you down. And holding onto her mantle and with the power that cones from Jesus’ love on the cross, let us move forward and walk together as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

----------

Below is the prepared text of the Pope's Homily that was no delivered:

Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis
Holy Mass
Tacloban, Airport Area
17 January 2015

What words of consolation we have just heard! Once again, we have been told that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior, our high priest who brings us mercy, grace and help in all our needs (cf. Heb 4:14-16). He heals our wounds, he forgives our sins, and he calls us, as he did Saint Matthew (cf. Mk 2:14), to be his disciples. Let us praise him for his love, his mercy and his compassion. Let us praise our great God!

I thank the Lord Jesus that we can be together this morning. I have come to be with you, in this city which was ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda fourteen months ago. I bring to you the love of a father, the prayers of the entire Church, the promise that you are not forgotten as you continue to rebuild. Here, the strongest storm ever recorded on earth was overcome by the strongest force in the universe: God’s love. We are here this morning to bear witness to that love, to its power to transform death and destruction into life and community. Christ’s resurrection, which we celebrate at this Mass, is our hope and a reality which we experience even now. We know that the resurrection comes only after the cross, the cross which you have borne with faith, dignity and God-given strength.

We come together above all to pray for those who died, those who are still missing and those who were injured. We lift up to God the souls of the dead, our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, family, friends and neighbors. We can be confident that, in coming into the presence of God, they have encountered mercy and peace (cf. Heb 4:16). There remains much sadness because of their absence. For you who knew and loved them – and love them still – the pain of losing them is real. But let us look with the eyes of faith to the future. Our sadness is a seed which will one day bear fruit in the joy which our Lord has promised to those who trust in his words: “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted” (cf. Mt 5:4).
We have also come together this morning to give thanks to God for his help in time of need. God has been your strength in these very difficult months. There has been great loss of life, suffering, and destruction. Yet we are still able to gather and to thank him. We know that he cares for us, that in Jesus his Son, we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with us (cf. Heb 4:15), who suffers with us. God’s com-passion, his suffering with us, gives eternal meaning and value to our struggles. Your desire to thank him for every grace and blessing, even when you have lost so much, is not only a triumph of the resilience and strength of the Filipino people; it is also a sign of God’s goodness, his closeness, his tenderness, his saving power.

We also give thanks to Almighty God for so much that has been done to help, to rebuild, to assist in these months of unprecedented need. I think in the first place of those who welcomed and housed the great number of displaced families, elderly, and youth. How hard it is to flee one’s home and livelihood! We thank those who have taken care of the homeless, the orphaned and the destitute. Priests, and men and women religious, gave as much as they could. To those of you who housed and fed people seeking safety, in churches, convents, rectories, and who continue to assist those still struggling, I thank you. You are a credit to the Church. You are the pride of your nation. I personally thank each one of you. For whatever you did for the least of Christ’s brothers and sisters, you did for him (cf. Mt 25:41).

At this Mass we wish also to thank God for the good men and women who served as rescue and relief workers. We thank him for the many people around the world who generously gave of their time, money and goods. Countries, organizations and individuals across the globe put the needy first; it is an example that should be followed. I ask government leaders, international agencies, benefactors and people of goodwill not to give up. There is much that remains to be done. Though the headlines have changed, the needs continue.

Today’s first reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, urges us to hold fast in our confession, to persevere in our faith, to draw near with confidence to the throne of God’s grace (cf. Heb 4:16). These words have a special resonance in this place. Amid great suffering you never ceased to confess the victory of the cross, the triumph of God’s love. You have seen the power of that love revealed in the generosity of so many people and in so many small miracles of goodness. But you have also seen, in the profiteering, the looting and the failed responses to this great human drama, so many tragic signs of the evil from which Christ came to save us. Let us pray that this, too, will lead us to greater trust in the power of God’s grace to overcome sin and selfishness. Let us pray in particular that it will make everyone more sensitive to the cry of our brothers and sisters in need. Let us pray that it will lead to a rejection of all forms of injustice and corruption which, by stealing from the poor, poison the very roots of society.

Dear brothers and sisters, throughout this ordeal you have felt the grace of God in a special way through the presence and loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. She is our Mother. May she help you to persevere in faith and hope, and to reach out to all in need. And with Saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod and all the saints, may she continue to implore God’s mercy and loving compassion for this country, and for all the beloved Filipino people. Amen

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pope Francis speaks out vs 'confusing' family values

MANILA - Pope Francis on Friday urged Catholic leaders in the Philippines to resist powerful forces that are tempting youth with "confusing" versions of sexuality, marriage and the family.

The 78-year-old pontiff delivered his message in a sermon to priests and nuns in the centuries-old Manila Cathedral, on the first full day of a trip to the Catholic Church's Asian stronghold.

The pope urged them to counsel young people, who may be confused and despondent living in a corrupt society, on traditional values.

"Proclaim the beauty and truth of the Christian message to a society which is tempted by confusing presentations of sexuality, marriage and the family," Francis said.

"As you know, these realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God's plan for creation and betray the very values which have inspired and shaped all that is best in your culture."

His comments come amid a struggle in the Philippine Catholic Church between a conservative hierarchy and many followers living lives more in line with some modern Western values.

Aside from the Vatican itself, the Philippines is the only state in the world where divorce is illegal, while abortion and same-sex unions are also banned.

However the Church in 2012 lost a 15-year battle on birth control, as Congress passed a law allowing the state to hand out free contraceptives and teach family planning at schools.

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics also have illegal abortions each year, while many are pursuing live-in relationships without marrying.

Many Filipinos had hoped a visit by Francis, seen by many as being a surprisingly bold reformer, would nudge Philippine Church leaders away from some of the their most conservative positions on social issues.

Francis received a rapturous welcome when he arrived in the Philippines on Thursday for a five-day visit that is part of the Catholic Church's drive to attract more followers in Asia.

The Philippines is the Church's bastion in Asia, with Catholics making up 80 percent of the former Spanish colony's 100 million people.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Netizens swoon over 'cute responsorial psalm guy'

MANILA – A young man who sang the responsorial psalm during Pope Francis’ mass at the Manila Cathedral became a local Internet sensation on Friday for his looks and good voice.

Netizens have identified the young man as Kenneth Rey Parsad, referring to an old photo of him at The Benavides, the official online publication of the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary.

Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook were flooded with comments about “the man who sang the responsorial psalm” as the Papal mass was aired live on television on Friday morning.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Wondering why there's no signal? Smart explains

MANILA, Philippines - The government has ordered mobile phone operators to temporarily suspend cellular services in Metro Manila and other nearby areas, as Pope Francis attends various events in the metropolis.

Mobile phone subscribers had complained of erratic service on Thursday evening when the Pope arrived in Manila, and on Friday morning when he was in Malacanang and Manila Cathedral.

"In compliance with an order to mobile phone operators from government authorities, the cellular services of Smart and Sun Cellular were temporarily suspended today (Friday) in Metro Manila, including some municipalities of nearby provinces. This was done in the interest of public safety during the ongoing visit of His Holiness Pope Francis," Smart head for public affairs Mon Isberto said in a statement.

Smart has 69 million mobile subscribers, including Talk 'N Text, and Sun Cellular.

Isberto appealed for understanding from its subscribers "if similar situations arise in the next few days here in Metro Manila as well as other sites on the Papal itinerary."

Earlier, Smart and Globe issued separate advisories to its subscribers explaining the temporary disruption of services during the Pope's visit.

"You may have experienced temporary loss of mobile signal and internet connection during Pope Francis' arrival, especially in the areas surrounding his motorcade route. This was done in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission for security reasons. We hope for your understanding," Globe said on its Facebook page.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pope Francis concerned over security threats in PH

ABOARD the Papal flight - Pope Francis admits he is concerned about reports of alleged threats to his security during his visit to the Philippines.

In a press conference on board Sri Lankan Airlines flight ALK4111 that brought him from Colombo to Manila, the pontiff said he has asked for updates from the Vatican security personnel accompanying him on this two-country apostolic voyage.

Travelling with the pope are two officials of the Pontifical Swiss Guards, his personal security group, and four members of the Gendarmerie Corps, the police force of the Vatican City State.

Some months back, fundamentalists belonging to the Islamic State aired threats against the Pope, although Philippine authorities insist there is no verifiable information that the pontiff will be in danger.

Speaking in Italian, the pope said the best way to deal with such threats is to stay meek and humble.

And in his trademark self-deprecating humor, Francis said he has prayed to the Lord and asked him that "if anything should happen to me, don't make it so bad because I'm not good at facing pain."

The pope said he is looking forward to seeing as many Filipinos as he can, but also acknowledged it would not be possible to see everyone.

His message to those who are unable to see him, much less participate in "personal encounters" with him: "I am thinking of you."

The pope said his thoughts go especially to the poor, the exploited, those suffering from social or spiritual injustice, as well as overseas Filipino workers who are far from family and country.

In Sri Lanka, which was torn apart by decades of civil war between Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic groups, one of the Pope's recurring themes is forgiveness and reconciliation, but also truth and justice.

Asked if he would support the creation of a truth commission in countries that suffered from internal conflict, Francis said he supported the creation of such in Argentina where he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

However, he said he could not say if it would apply to other countries because he doesn't know their respective situations.

The pope also shared his thoughts on other issues that can be summed up in the following themes:

    1. Religious freedom is a fundamental right; however, religion should not be used to commit violence or wage wars;

    2. Freedom of expression is also a fundamental right; but it should not be used to mock, insult, or provoke especially other religions;

    3. Rather than focus on their differences, various faiths and religions would do better to focus on what they agree on for the common good.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pope Francis arrives in Manila

MANILA - Pope Francis arrived in the Philippines on Thursday, the second and last stop in his week-long Asia tour, to send a message of mercy and compassion to millions of poor Filipinos, including those hit by one of the strongest typhoons to ever hit land.

Asia's most populous Catholic nation mounted its biggest security operation for Francis' visit, deploying nearly 50,000 soldiers and police in the capital and in the central Philippine province of Leyte for his weekend trip there.

Francis is the third pontiff to visit the world's third biggest Roman Catholic country after Brazil and Mexico. About 80 percent of the Philippines' 100 million population are Roman Catholics, accounting for half of Asia's total. (Reporting By Manuel Mogato; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cathay Pacific reschedules flights for Papal visit

MANILA – Cathay Pacific announced on Wednesday that it is rescheduling several flights to give way to the visit of Pope Francis from January 15 to 19.

The airline said the following flights for Thursday (January 15), Saturday (January 17), and Monday (January 19) are rescheduled:

January 15 (Thursday)

CX918, Manila to Hong Kong - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1755-2010, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1500-1715
CX902, Manila to Hong Kong - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1955-2205, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1510-1720
CX919, Hong Kong to Manila - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1440-1645, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1055-1300
CX903, Hong Kong to Manila - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1635-1845, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1135-1345

January 17 (Saturday)

CX912, Manila to Hong Kong - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 0845-1055 - New Flight No. CX2912, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 0640-0840
CX918, Manila to Hong Kong - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1755-2010, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1900-2115
CX902,Manila to Hong Kong - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1955-2205, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 2110-2320
CX903, Hong Kong to Manila - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1635-1845, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1750-2000

January 19 (Monday)

CX906, Manila to Hong Kong - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 1100-1320, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 1155-1415
CX907, Hong Kong to Manila - Original Schedule (ETD-ETA) 0750-0950, Rescheduled to (ETD-ETA) 0300-0500

Only one flight — CX912 Manila to Hong Kong — scheduled for Monday is cancelled.

Cathay Pacific is reminding passengers to be at the airport at least 3 hours prior to flight departure to ensure on-time arrival at the airport, particularly on the following dates due to road closures:

January 15 (3 p.m.-7 p.m.) - Sales Avenue-Andrews Avenue-Domestic Road
January 19 (7 a.m.-10 a.m.) - Sales Avenue-Andrews Avenue-Domestic Road

The airline said passengers may contact Cathay Pacific's Reservation Hotline at (02) 757-0888 for further inquiries and clarifications.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

SM issues advisory on Pope's visit to MOA Arena

MANILA – The management of SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena is reminding the public that its gates will open on 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, for the visit of Pope Francis.

The Pope is expected to arrive at the MOA Complex at 5:15 p.m. SM MOA Arena management said gates will be closed at 3:30 p.m. The South Open Parking will open at 9 a.m. and also close at 3:30 p.m.

Pope Francis will celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, which will involve a reading of the Holy Gospel, reflection, prayer, and blessings for all families present.

Selected families will also be sharing testimonies on poverty, migration, and disability, with the Pope and the public.

The event, dubbed “Encounter with the Families,” is expected to end at 7 p.m.

SM MOA management said all tickets are free and issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which organized the event.

Local dioceses will also issue free tickets for the 16 cinemas that will show live streaming of the Pope’s MOA appearance, namely SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Southmall, SM City Manila, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Fairview, SM City Marikina, SM City Bacoor, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Clark, SM City Pampanga, SM City Cebu, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao, and SM City Lanang.

Those who are in the vicinity of the MOA Arena can also see the Pope during the motorcade as well as the proceedings inside the MOA Arena through LED screens with speakers within the MOA complex.

SM management said the MOA Arena Annex building, located in front of MOA Arena, will open at 4 a.m. onwards (on a first come first served basis).

Only those who will present official Papal visit 2015 IDs and the red-colored Arena tickets (for the pre-seated delegates inside the MOA Arena) will be allowed entry, and white colored Arena tickets (for the seated delegates in the South Open Parking between MOA Arena & SMX).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Cyclone could cancel Pope's Leyte visit, says exec

MANILA – A member of the Papal Visit Executive Committee said bad weather may force the cancellation of Pope Francis' visit to Leyte.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, member of the Papal Visit Executive Committee, said the approaching cyclone east of the Visayas-Mindanao region has cast uncertainty on the pope's January 17 visit to Yolanda-ravaged Tacloban.

''Talagang hindi natin masasabi, pero siyempre ang pinaka (concern) nga is iyung weather ho,'' Paynor told dzMM.

''Kung masyadong malakas ang ulan o hangin, hindi pwedeng mag-landing ang eroplano sa Tacloban. Iyun ang pwedeng makaapekto. Pero pinag-darasal natin na huwag mangyari iyon."

The pope's visit to the typhoon-stricken region is considered the most important part of his visit to the Philippines, which carries the theme ''Mercy and Compassion''.

The pope is scheduled to celebrate Mass at the Tacloban airport, considered the ground zero for Yolanda, and have lunch with 30 survivors of the super typhoon and the destructive Bohol earthquake.

Cyclone
State weather bureau PAGASA said a tropical depression was spotted 1,610 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 4 a.m.

The tropical depression was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and was moving west northwest at 19 kph.

PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz told dzMM that the tropical depression will enter the Philippine area of responsibility between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, at which point it will be locally named ''Amang''.

Loiz said the cyclone might re-curve due to the high pressure area. He, however, said even if the cyclone re-curves, it's trough or outer cloudbands will still bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao.

PAGASA said by Friday (January 16), Tacloban City will experience light rains as the tropical cyclone moves closer to the country.

By Saturday (January 17), light to moderate rains and moderate to strong winds will prevail over Tacloban and thunderstorms are likely to occur.

People surge
Meanwhile, Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara, head of the media committee for the papal visit to the Philippines, said people who want to bring children to any of the papal events in the Philippines, especially in the pope's mass in Luneta, should not be discouraged from doing so.

''Everyone should go. I think even some elderlies are excited to go there. There will be persons with disbailities who would be attending the mass, so why not?" he told ANC's Headstart.

Citing the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene, Vergara noted the Philippines is no stranger to events that see a large number of people converging in one place.

''Ang poong nazareno happens every year. It is something that we look forward to. It is always asked of me, are you afraid of the people surge? Eh people surge na yung poong nazareno hindi ba? And things fall into place afterwards. We do the best in security, in management of the crowd,'' he said.

Nearly 40,000 soldiers and police are being deployed to protect the pontiff during his five-day trip to the Philippines, a majority Catholic nation where attempts have been made to kill visiting popes twice before.

"For this year, this will be the greatest security nightmare that we can have," Philippine military chief General Gregorio Catapang said as he readied his troops for the pontiff's arrival.

Authorities have stated the huge crowds of devout Catholics are their main worry, with up to six million people expected for a mass in Manila on Sunday. – with Agence France-Presse

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com