The family of the volunteer who died in an accident after Pope Francis' Mass in Tacloban City said they find comfort in the stories of her good deeds, as well as the special attention that the pontiff himself asked local church leaders to provide.

 

In a report on News To Go on Wednesday, GMA News' Hadji Rieta said they were surprised with stories of quiet good deeds from the friends of Kristel Mae Padasas, who died after a sound box fell on her shortly after the papal Mass.

 

Friends interviewed by GMA News remembered her as "very jolly" and a "very nice person." They also filled a tarpaulin at the wake with messages of thanks for Kristel.

 

Catholic Relief Services, where Kristel was a volunteer, issued a citation for her, which was placed on her coffin during the wake.

 

Pope Francis himself has asked Filipino church leaders to personally oversee the volunteer's wake, and Masses have been held in keeping with the pope's guidance. 

 

Before returning to the Vatican, the Pope met with Kristel's father, Paulino, to personally express his condolences.


 

 

In a separate interview with QRT, also on Wednesday, Mr. Padasas said: "Hindi ko inaasahan... nagulat ako, ito pala ang pakikiramay sa amin, ang dami ng tao."

 

Of Kristel's volunteer work, he added: "Malalaman ko na lang sa mga kasamahan niya kasi hindi nagkukwento sa bahay 'yan."

 

For her part, Kristel's mother, Judy, said she hoped her daughter will inspire others with her good work for others.

 

"'Yung mga ginagawa niya talaga, hindi niya iniisip 'yung sarili niya. Sana tularan ng kabataan 'yung ginawa ng anak ko," she said.

 

Mrs. Padasas came home Saturday from Hong Kong, where she has been working since 1991 to help support her family.

 

She said she's thinking if she will still return to Hong Kong since Kristel was the reason she chose to work as overseas.  — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ELR, GMA News