JEM's QuirkyWorld: BIENVENIDO PAPA FRANCISCO

Last January 15, 2015 Thursday, we have witnessed a significant event in the lives of our christian brothers and sisters, the arrival of our Holy father Pope Francis in the Philippines. This event is a significant one because Pope Francis Chose to visit our country to show his love and compassion to our citizens who are survivors of the super typhoon haiyan or "Yolanda" he also wants to share his advocacy to the whole world which is "Mercy and Compassion" this advocacy is with him
throughout his papal visit in the different counties in the world. The holy father is really a Pope of surprises, simplicity, and mercy he showed the filipino citizens what a true christian should be. I have waited three times just to see and witnessed the activities of the pope why? maybe it's because of this what they called "francis effect" let me share some of those "francis effect" experience.

On my first attempt to see Pope Francis i am with my aunt and cousin they ask me to go with them in pandacan, manila, last friday january 16 where Pope Francis will pass through going to Malacañang palace. We woke up 3 in the morning just to make sure to have the best spot to see the Holy father as we wait for the Pope, different reactions and emotions comes out some push other people just to have a clear view of the Pope. When the Pope arrives in the place where we are, all of the people cheered and shouted different statements to caught the attention of the pope but suddenly the pope is inside a Volkswagen car instead of a Pope mobile and we found out that it's a protocol because the Pope is heading to Malacañang palace that's why he can't ride his pope mobile. We felt that it's not enough to see the Pope in a fast view that's why we decided to try to see the Pope again on his way to MOA Arena where encounter with the families will take place.

We waited for Pope Francis for almost 2 hours and when we he left Malacañang going to MOA Arena we are all excited to see him for the 2nd time all of the people in the vicinity raise all of their phones, cameras, and tablets just to take a perfect photo of the Pope. When his Pope mobile pass through in front of us with his blessed smile we all felt a wide range of feelings from slight disappointment to something that can only be described as a "warm feelings."

We are all excited for Pope Francis

A lot of kids are also here to be bless by the Pope

First set of Pope Francis Convoy

Pope Francis Finally arrived riding his closed car.

My 3rd encounter with Pope Francis is in University of Sto. Tomas. His visit in UST focuses on youth that's why i am so eager to visit UST for his mass and encounter with the youth. Me and my cousin went there at exactly 10 pm after we attended an anticipated mass last Saturday and waited for almost 6 hrs because the gate will open at 4 am. All of the sacrifices, waiting, and hours of standing are all worth it after I saw the Holy Father for the third time and attended his mass. His homily was very inspiring it talks about the head or mind the heart and the hands. Like what he said:

"What you think, you must feel and put into effect. Your information comes down to your heart and you put it into practice. Harmoniously. What you think, you feel and you do. Feel what you think and feel what you do. Do what you think and what you feel. The three languages..."

In order to express real love and compassion to others we must harmoniously use these values Pope Francis Told us.