While millions braved the rain at the Rizal Park (Luneta) on Sunday, some devotees have started to leave the area by noon ahead of the Mass to be officiated by Pope Francis at 3 p.m.

 

The exodus caused long lines at the LRT Kalaw station.

 

Maricris Aglipay said they have been in line for more than three hours and they were still meters away from the stairs of the LRT station.

 

She said she decided to go home to their house in Parañaque as she and her children were already drenched.

 

"Basang-basa na 'yung mga bata e. At saka kaninang alas-kwatro ng umaga pa kami dito," Aglipay told GMA News Online.

 

She was with her husband, children, and friends.

 

A group of 25 faculty, staff, and students from De La Salle University-Bacolod also decided to leave early for the same reason.

 

"Basang-basa na kami saka parang hindi tumitigil 'yung ulan," Minmin Ponteras, a member of the group, told GMA News Online.

 

She said they have been in line at the LRT station for two hours.

 

She believed Jesus will understand them.

 

"He will understand. Jesus knows that we love him," she said.

 

Ponteras said they have already seen Pope Francis at the Meeting with Families event at SM Mall of Asia Arena last Friday.

 

She added they were not able to get to the barricaded area near Quirino Grandstand earlier on Sunday morning because of confusion on the guidelines regarding the entrance and exit points.

 

"Pumila kami sa Orosa. Ang sabi 'yung mga may ID lang daw ang papapasukin. Tumuloy kami sa Lapu-lapu entrance. Hindi naman pala papasok 'yung napilahan namin," she lamented. —KG, GMA News