Pinoys themselves say that their own cultural memory is notoriously short, but for sure they won’t be so quick to forget the jolly pontiff.

 

After waiting hours for a last glimpse of the Pope before his departure for Rome, Vivian Remoriata said she will remember Pope Francis’ jokes best.

 

“Yung sabi niya noong nasa Tacloban siya, unang una daw ipagdasal siya, tapos susunod, be quiet. Nakaktawa siya, joker! At nandun yung pagmamahal niya sa Pilipino lagi,” she told GMA News Online.

 

Beyond the jokes, Remoriata said she will also remember Francis’ rallying words for those who experience hardships in life.

 

“Pananampalataya at tibay, tiwala ng loob at dasal. Yun na lang ang gawin natin, para yung mga sakuna sa buhay natin, malampasan natin yun. At yung pagmamahalan sa isa’t isa, laging tandaan,” she said.
 

Meanwhile, for Mary Lou Quinto, Pope Francis' visit gave her a new perspective into how she should protect her children.

 

"Yung sabi niya mas kailangan i-protect yung mga bata. Tumatak yung kelangan mag focus sa kanila. Pati yung sinabi niyang para maovercome natin ang mga trials, dapat matuto tayong umiyak, at yung sinabi niyang matuto ka rin at maranasan mong maging beggar ka rin," she said, smiling.

 

Quinto, who bid the Pope goodbye with her husband and two children, said that she hopes Pinoys will continue to live out Pope Francis' messages, even as Filipinos go back to their everyday routines.

 

"Ang question mark doon, after ba umalis ni pope, maa-apply ba ng tao, nung crowd na humahabol sa kaniya yung yung mga turo niya? Sana hindi yung ngayon lang, na pag alis ni pope, wala na, back to normal yung ugali ng mga Pilipino," she said.

21-year-old Bernidith Medina, who travelled all the way from Pangasinan to see the pontiff, said she was particularly touched by Pope Francis' humility, and aspires to live similarly.

 

"Kahit na po nasa mataas siya, napaka humble pa rin po niya. At alam niya kung sino yung mga dapat niyang tulungan. Mas inuuna niya yung mga nagangailangan kesa yung mga nakatataas, napakababa po niya kaya abot kamay lang po siya. Dapat ganun din po tayo," she shared while wiping away tears.

 

"Sa family ko po, mas magiging sensitve na ako kahit 'di nila sinasabi , dapat alam mo yung mga kailangan nila. Ganun din sa mga kaibigan, " she added.

 

Medina, who just graduated from college last October, said she prayed in particular for a her family's health, and a good job, so she can help her single mother provide for their family.

 

"Kanina naiyak ako kasi gusto ko po i-bless niya ako at yung pamilya ko. Dadalin ko po yung blessing na yun sa Pangasinan. Pinagdasal ko rin po si mama ko, yung health niya. Pinagdarasal ko rin po na makahanap akong magandang trabaho para makatulong ako sa mama ko at sa dalawa kong kapatid," she said. — VC, GMA News