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Biyaya pa ring maituturing ng ma mamayan ng Tacloban at Palo, Leyte ang pagbisita ni Pope Francis isang taon na ang nakalilipas.
Ayon kay Rev. Fr. Mark Ivo Velasquez, Dean of Studies ng Sacred Heart Seminary ng Archdiocese of Palo, buhay pa rin sa kanilang ala-ala ang mga iniwang mensahe ng Santo Papa.
Milagro rin ayon sa pari na matapos ang pagbisita noong Enero 2015 ni Pope Francis sa kanilang lugar ay hindi na sila nakaranas ng bagyo matapos maitala ang 18 bagyo na dumaan sa bansa noong 2015.
“Generally after the Papal Visit, we have observed na nag – boom yung things have become better here in Tacloban and in Palo. Thanks to the Pope visit we have also been strengthened, we have been consoled in many aspects in our spirituality, in our devotion and patuloy naman na nagagabayan kami sa mga turo ni Pope Francis. This has become a very big boost to us especially in our Christian life, because of all the things na nadaanan namin,” bahagi ng pahayag ni Fr. Velasquez sa Radyo Veritas.
Plano rin aniya nilang gunitain ang ikalawang anibersaryo ng Yolanda hindi na ng paghihinagpis kundi puno ng pag – asa.
“In this second anniversary we hoped that the theme would now be more on hope. That having suffered so much and having remembered it. The commemoration of November 8 would be more centered on the spiritual aspect of hope. Not so much more on the tragedy at this time we hope that November 8 would be synonymous with light, with hope, with rising up. That with the help of God we could rise up even despite of the sufferings na na – experienced natin,” paliwanag pa ni Fr. Velasquez sa Veritas Patrol.
Layunin rin nila na ipalaganap Ang debosyon sa Our Lady of Hope of Palo na inililok ng sikat na kapampangan artist na si Willy Layug.
“That is why during this day in preparation also in the second anniversary we hope also to start the devotion to propagate it the devotion to Our Lady of Hope. Which is an image sculpted by a renowned artist Sir Willy Layug on occasion of the Papal Visit. Yung image na yan becomes a symbol not only of the resilience of the Waraynon but also of the people of Leyte and Samar who with the grace of God rose up from waves but also sign of our devotion to the mother of God who was always there especially during the time that we suffer. We hope to convert it from a sad commemoration, commemoration of the dead into a feast of hope and an event that we could find strength also. Just from a commemorating a painful event where we mourn the loss of the many people we love. We want that it would be an occasion to renew our strength and to continue to smile in spite of the sufferings that we have endured,” paglilinaw pa ni Fr. Velasquez.
Noong manalasa Ang bagyong Yolanda November 8, 2013 umabot sa 10,000 ang nasawi. Samantala, nagbahagi naman ng Bags of Blessing ang Metrobank Foundation sa may 500 residente mula sa Tacloban at Palo.
