What’s your take on the Pope’s PH visit?

What’s your take on the Pope’s PH visit?

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Philippine Reporter’s Opinion Survey

“I think it’s great that the Pope does a yearly pilgrimage and the people in the Philippines must feel really grateful to have Pope Francis. So I’m not surprised by the large number of people who showed up to greet him. Whether you are Christian or not, it’s an honour to have the Pope come to visit. He shows his respects to everyone, other religions and in return they respect his visit.”
— Nicolette Mendoza, University of Toronto graduate, Ontario

NICOLETTE MENDOZA

“With much devastation, suffering, and loss, it is truly a blessing that Pope Francis visited the Philippines. I hope this visit will lift the peoples’ spirituality and bring healing to the ravaged country. It is also quite remarkable for Pope Francis, a person of high stature, to show such great humility. Mabuhay ka! Pope Francis.”
— Carl Dapanas, Auditor, Manitoba

“For a country with a significant Catholic population that strongly believe in their faith, I don’t think it’s overblown at all. I wouldn’t think it’s any different than fans swooning over a celebrity in Hollywood. In fact it’s the response I would fully have expected considering the demographics in the country. As long as his message is well-natured and doesn’t promote violence and/or hatred, it is fine by me.”
— A. Morales, Market Analyst, Manitoba

MARIA BONIFACIO

“A little poor girl asked Pope Francis, “Why does God let people like us suffer?” And the Pope replied “Only God knows the answer to that question.”  Pope Francis has greatly affected the people of the Philippines. His visit touched many people. He left a very strong message for the people, and greatly demonstrated his love for the poor. Even though he has been appointed to be the Pope, he remains humble and honest.”
— Maria Bonifacio, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Manitoba

“It’s heartbreaking to see so many people in desperate times having faith that their religion with bring them out of poverty.  So much people in unfortunate situations have faith that their religion will miraculously save them, but unfortunately the reality is that sometimes that isn’t true.  Instead of teaching our children to be missionaries of a religion, or not to sin, we should focus on educating them with good virtues and characteristics that will be valuable in today’s society. Societies over time change, and the Catholic religion relies on a society from over 2000 years ago, that just doesn’t seem to be applicable in all the time.” — D.C.

“One of the reasons for the Pope’s visit to the Philippines was to help comfort the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. People lost their homes, loved ones and their reason to live. All of them were devastated and felt that they were abandoned by their own government.

MARNIE MERCADO

“Pope Francis came to them with these words, ‘Let us not close our hearts, Let us not lose confidence, and Let us never give up’. These words have lifted the survivor’s spirits, giving them strength to stand and to live not only for themselves, but for one another.

“Pope Francis has inspired every Filipino to live simply, help and love one another especially the poor people. Truly, he is the Pope of the people, a Pope for the people.”
— Marnie Mercado, Senior Consultant Philippines

LORA QUITANE

“I really like Pope Francis. He’s like a breath of fresh air in Vatican because he’s different and contemporary. I think Pope Francis made a right decision to visit the Philippines because Filipinos are very religious. He gives them hope and his compassion moves them. I just hope that the Filipinos take his words to heart and take action.”
— Lora Quitane, File Clerk, Manitoba

MARK MANANSALA

“An estimated 6 million people showed up to see Pope Francis when he visited the Philippines. Not surprising for a country with a Christian majority where around 80% profess to be Roman Catholic. The Pope’s visit has given the Filipino people hope and more. His message undoubtedly addressed the challenges faced by the nation: poverty and corruption. But it shouldn’t stop there. What’s more interesting is to see the actual effect of his message. Was it heard? Will it result in a change for the better?”
—Mark Manansala, Marketing Specialist, Manitoba

DIVINE TEODORO

“Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines is a gift, a blessing especially to a nation that needs to believe in something. He urged the people to take care of their young as each child is a gift to be welcomed, cherished and protected. It breaks my heart to know that some people just don’t seem to care. They keep having more children without thinking about the future and the poor little souls suffer. There are about 1.5 million street children who face fear and hunger everyday, and it’s sad that the government is not doing enough to help.”
—Divine Teodoro, New mom, Manitoba