Pope Francis in Leyte

My father, Edgardo. I miss him so.

I remember that early morning when I woke up to white smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and “Habemus Papam!” cheers on the TV.  Minutes after, we got a call from Tiya (auntie) Lydia from the States, Papa has just gotten out of the operating room.  He underwent a surgery that had to do with his being diagnosed with the big C.  He was able to speak at once, as if he had not gotten under the knife.  I cried a lot then, thinking how we had a new pope who chose Francis as his name (a name close to my heart) and how my father was fighting cancer bravely.

Today, almost two years after having a new pope and Papa with better conditions and having a renewed and stronger faith in God, I saw Pope Francis with my family.  The very same Pope Francis I saw on TV years ago.  Hours before his motorcade, I can’t help myself from tearing up because of his homily.  His empathy in our time of healing because of supertyphoon Yolanda, the Bohol earthquake and other disasters means so much to me, if not all of us.

Pope Francis holding a mass at the Tacloban Airport.

Left to Right: Sister-in-Law Betsy, little niece Elizabeth, Mama Imelda, me, and Kuya (big brother) Jed, our lucky charm.

Pope Francis reminded us that we are not alone, we will never be alone because Jesus is with us.  Jesus came before us and he has experienced suffering the way we did, the way we do.  Jesus understands us, let’s call him as we do a big brother in times of need and rejoice with Him in times of joy.  And finally, as a child who calls on his mother in times of hurt, let’s call on Mother Mary, our mother.  When he said this, I cannot help but look at my Mama and think to myself, even up to now, I still shout her name in times of despair, even if she is not there.  I know that in my Mama’s embrace, I will always be comforted.  In Mother Mary’s embrace we will all be comforted.

2013 may have been a year of struggles for our family, Papa’s cancer diagnosis, supertyphoon Yolanda and many others but we have carried on.  We are trying our best to remember that in life, every time you stumble, stand up with chin high and keep moving forward.

Our house after supertyphoon Yolanda/Haiyan.

January 17, 2015…  This day will forever be embedded in our hearts and embossed in our minds.  My boyfriend, Francis Michael, and I are celebrating our sixth year and 1 month together today.  He managed to catch up at the Pretencio residence in San Jose where we stayed to find shelter from the storm and where we waited for the pope to pass by.

Patrina Kaye and Francis Michael were together on January 17, 2015

Thank you Pope Francis for visiting us in Leyte.  You have shown me what passion means.  Sacrificing comfort for the sake of many and doing what you do with a lot of love in your heart.  You are an inspiration.  I will do my best to be a better person by emulating Jesus Christ’s example.

Pope Francis in San Jose, Tacloban City going to Palo, Leyte.  Uncle Bebot in yellow (arm only) waves for his blessing.

Pope Francis on the way back to the airport. Uncle Ony in yellow and cousin/godson Jeanpaul look on.

Pope Francis, pray for me, my Papa Edgar, my Mama Imelda, my three elder brothers Lem, Leo, especially Jed, our lucky charm (diagnosed with autism) who will celebrate his 30^th birthday on January 25, my sisters-in-law Leah and Betsy, my nephew Frandon, my niece Elizabeth, Francis Michael (Mikki) my partner, my relatives, my friends, all Leyteños, Filipinos and everybody in the world, especially those who are suffering

Family in my mother’s side. Guirindola-Nartea. December 23, 2014 – Grandfather’s birthday celeb (9th without him around) and Christmas party.

Frandon, eldest brother’s son on left of the picture. Tiya Lydia in pink, far right. And some of my family in my father’s side. Gernale-Caceres.

I pray this go out to Pope Francis and he be able to read it.  With God anything is possible!

– Patrina Kaye Nartea Caceres