(Warning: this is a VERY CATHOLIC and personal post - part of travel, not about food!)
On the evening of our first day in Rome, we went to St. Peter's Square to get a sneak peak at the stage where the canonization was to take place. To see Saint Pedro's image there practically in the center was hair-raising for RepRachel and a proud Pinoy moment for me.
The following day, this was how it looked:
As early as 4am, Filipino pilgrims from Rome and especially overseas were already lining up on the roads leading to St Peter's Square.
These pilgrims had an especially touching story. They went to the Vatican without tickets to the canonization rites. Tickets were needed to enter, distributed through the Holy See embassy. Green tickets were issued for VIPs while orange tickets were issued for the rest. By pure chance, they happened to be on the same plane as the image of Saint Pedro and even got to 'sit with him' at the Cathay Pacific lounge! When the went to the Holy Embassy, they had to return twice and thought that they would not be issued tickets anymore when out of the blue, a man randomly asked them how many tickets they needed and gave them 1,000 orange tickets! To top it off, they were also given 6 green tickets and their party was comprised of exactly 6 persons. 
When the gates opened, the crowd became quite chaotic when the entrance for both green and orange tickets were combined. It felt like a rock concert.
It was a truly a beautiful day, although as noon approached we felt like we were being roasted. Now I understand why nuns wear veils - it's to protect your batok from the sun!
When
we finally got to our seats, thanks to the stature - in both senses (height and position) -
of Cardinal Vidal's right hand Mr. Lino Lebron, we found our seats near
the stage where we spotted Vice President Jojo Binay, MMDA Chairman
Francis Tolentino and newly appointed Secretary to the Cabinet
Almendras.
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| With Vice President Jejomar Binay |
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| Secretary Almendras |
Also
got to chill for a bit with former colleague, GMA News Anchor/Reporter
Jiggy Manicad. I can still remember his breakthrough moment during Edsa
Tres - I was on duty in the studio - when a stone from an Erap supporter
hit his head. Truly admire journalists, risking their lives just to
deliver the news.
But
I crossed over the the other side where the bishops and priests were
seated - thanks to RepRachel and Father Ricky for moving the moon to
allow me to cross over! - to join my mom, whom I was so happy to share
this moment with :)
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| Right: Cebu Rep. Rachel 'Cutie' del Mar |
I
felt the awesomeness of the Pope when he arrived. The 80,000-packed St.
Peter's Square fell silent out of respect. You could hear a pin drop. I
have never experienced any such reverential respect in my life.
As
the congregation honored the Pope, the Pope honored God and the
Catholic Church through those who were on that day canonized. At the end
of the rites, he even mentioned Cardinal Vidal for his efforts in
presenting then Blessed Pedro Calungsod to the Vatican.
What a blessed day!
On the American saints
