Everyday, on my way to work to Makati (that is on occasions that I go to work), I always pass by that big towering billboard area besides Café Lupe in Guadalupe. During normal business times, those huge squares contain various commercial ads of different products and services.
But for the last two weeks, those colorful ads were all taken out and only one simple poster was placed in the middle. A beautiful picture of Pope John Paul II solemnly praying, with the caption “ We Love You Pope…we will miss you”.
It was such a heartening sight which inspires me to start my working day right. The image of JP 2 was always comforting. And it strengthens my feeling that even though he is dead already, he is still my Pope, watching over us all. I personally admire the owner of that big billboard space for forgoing thousands of revenues for the past two weeks to pay his last homage and bid farewell to our beloved JP II (or to however initiated that humble act, since I heard from the business grapevine that the owner of the billboard is renting the space from the nearby seminary).
Today, I passed by the same billboard and I gazed and lingered at JP II’s charming image once again, this time with a somewhat sad feeling. A new Pope had been elected already*, and I know that poster will be taken out soon. Reality is now sinking in. It’s finally time to say goodbye. I hope the new Pope is as kind, compassionate and effective as John Paul II.
*Early this morning, I was prematurely awakened by my baby’s heartbeat sound (which I now used as my SMS alert tone). I received a text from Jojo, informing me of the election of the new Pope. It was kind of a weird moment because I was currently dreaming of the conclave conclusion, but in my dream, it was Cardinal Vidal who was chosen. Very partial huh? Well, the beloved Cardinal was born and raised in Marinduque, our hometown, and he was a good friend of my great grandfather as well as Riki’s. So yes, I am indeed biased, even in my dreams. Hehe!
But for the last two weeks, those colorful ads were all taken out and only one simple poster was placed in the middle. A beautiful picture of Pope John Paul II solemnly praying, with the caption “ We Love You Pope…we will miss you”.
It was such a heartening sight which inspires me to start my working day right. The image of JP 2 was always comforting. And it strengthens my feeling that even though he is dead already, he is still my Pope, watching over us all. I personally admire the owner of that big billboard space for forgoing thousands of revenues for the past two weeks to pay his last homage and bid farewell to our beloved JP II (or to however initiated that humble act, since I heard from the business grapevine that the owner of the billboard is renting the space from the nearby seminary).
Today, I passed by the same billboard and I gazed and lingered at JP II’s charming image once again, this time with a somewhat sad feeling. A new Pope had been elected already*, and I know that poster will be taken out soon. Reality is now sinking in. It’s finally time to say goodbye. I hope the new Pope is as kind, compassionate and effective as John Paul II.
*Early this morning, I was prematurely awakened by my baby’s heartbeat sound (which I now used as my SMS alert tone). I received a text from Jojo, informing me of the election of the new Pope. It was kind of a weird moment because I was currently dreaming of the conclave conclusion, but in my dream, it was Cardinal Vidal who was chosen. Very partial huh? Well, the beloved Cardinal was born and raised in Marinduque, our hometown, and he was a good friend of my great grandfather as well as Riki’s. So yes, I am indeed biased, even in my dreams. Hehe!
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