Pope Francis souvenir items popular in Bicol

Bicol may not be on Pope Francis' itinerary, but that did not stop devotees from making Pope-inspired souvenir items there.

Jay Estrada of Minalabac town in Camarines Sur has produced T-shirts and mugs with an image of the pope, GMA Bicol's Chariza Pagtalunan reported.

Some of the items even have quotes from the pope, who is due to visit the Philippines in January 2015.

But Estrada said he promised to give his proceeds to the local church once the pope arrives in the Philippines.

"Kahit sa maliit na bagay at halaga, at least makatulong man lang," he said.

Meanwhile, a priest from Libmanan diocese will be one of 10 lucky priests who will concelebrate with the pope in a Mass at the Manila Cathedral.

"I'm very happy. I'm very glad na magkaroon ng pagkakataon na makalapit sa Santo Papa," said Fr. Nestor Parma.

Pope Francis is due to arrive in the country for a visit from Jan. 15 to 19.

He is expected to have engagements in Manila and in Leyte, which was hit hard by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last year. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News