Philippines gets ready to welcome Pope Francis

DPA/Manila Ernie Leang ducked out to the back of his stall to fetch more Pope-themed memorabilia, as people flocked to his stand outside a church in Manila where preparations for Pope Francis’ visit have reached a frenzied pace.  “Since the start of the year, everyone has been looking for Pope Francis souvenirs,” the 45-year-old father of five said, giving change to a woman who bought three T-shirts, a key chain and a calendar bearing pictures of the pontiff.  “Sales are really good,” he added, noting that excitement for the Argentinian cleric’s arrival was the same pitch as when his predecessor visited 20 years ago.  “I also sold souvenirs when Pope John Paul II visited in 1995, and the demand is very much alike,” he said. “We Filipinos love the Pope, and there is no doubt that we are all excited.”  The Philippines, the largest predominantly Catholic country in Asia, is sparing no expense or trouble in ensuring a smooth welcome for Pope Francis, the third pontiff to visit the country since 1970.  The anticipation is palpable outside Quiapo Church in Manila, where Leang is just one of many vendors selling souvenirs to Catholic devotees attending a feast that draws millions every year.  Colourful T-shirts, calendars, key chains, bag tags, pins, bracelets, refrigerator magnets and fans were some of the items displayed on makeshift stands and tables. Some vendors walked around the plaza in front of the church, carrying their wares.  The souvenirs had various photos of Pope Francis, waving and smiling, with messages such as “We love you Pope” and “Viva Santo Papa, Mabuhay,” or welcome in Tagalog.  Commemorative stamps issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation were snapped up by collectors and devotees within hours of their release, one week before the Pope’s arrival scheduled for January 15.  Workers were busy cleaning streets and setting up black-and-white concrete barriers along the Pope’s route between events in Manila.  Welcome banners hung on electric posts by the roads, while streamers and billboards were strung from hotels and restaurants all over the capital and the eastern city of Tacloban, where he will visit for one day on January 17.  Authorities have declared a public holiday during his visit, and are keeping a close eye out for trouble.  A liquor ban will be in force, and the authorities have suspended permits to carry firearms in Manila as part of security measures. Some 40,000 police officers, soldiers and traffic officials will be on duty during the visit.  With millions expected to take to the streets, traffic officials are being required to wear adult diapers during their deployment so they don’t need to leave their posts to answer the call of nature.  “It might take an hour for deployed personnel to queue at portalets (portable toilets) and return to their posts,” said Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.  “If all personnel would attend to their personal necessities all at once, no one would be left at their posts,” he added.  A grandstand at Rizal Park, where Pope Francis is scheduled to celebrate a mass on January 18, has been spruced up with a new coat of paint, new seats, stage and additional bathrooms at the holding area for a budget of 20mn pesos ($450,000).  Additional air-conditioning systems were installed at the Manila Cathedral for a meeting with Catholic Church leaders, while two dedicated but simple “Popemobiles” have been prepared locally.  One was fashioned from a jeepney, the ubiquitous open-sided vehicle used for public transport across the country, and another from a pick-up truck.  The modest Korea-made car he used for his Seoul visit last year has been sent to the Philippines as a backup.  New vestments for Pope Francis, Filipino bishops and priests, as well as an altar and chair especially designed with Filipino motifs have been made for the mass at Rizal Park.  Amid the euphoria, Catholic Church leaders have reminded the public to also prepare themselves spiritually for the visit.  “Our preparations should not stop with cleaning up the roads, implementing security measures, putting up welcome banners and buying T-shirts with his face on,” Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said.  “Those are all important because they will form part of our memories,” he added. “But let us also prepare spiritually. Let us experience the grace of God by listening to the Gospel, hearing Mass and confessing our sins.”  Tagle also urged the faithful to perform “works of mercy” by helping the poor and vulnerable. “Let us make mercy and compassion a part of our lifestyles even after the Pope’s visit.”  Gallano Corbito, a 74-year polio survivor selling Pope calendars outside Quiapo Church, said he intends to wear his nicest trousers and a new Pope Francis shirt for the occasion.  “I wish I can get near Pope Francis so he can bless me and give me strength,” the father of seven said from his wheelchair. “I also wish he will bless our country to protect us against violence, calamities and all bad things.”