5 Bohol quake survivors excited, nervous to meet Pope Francis

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Andrea Trinidad Echavez of USAid Compete on Visit Bohol 2015 Bohol Travel Fair at Glorietta: Such a glorious, blessed day! Today's opening of the Bohol Travel Fair was very successful. To God be the glory! Congratulations to Gov Chatto and team and all tourism stakeholders! And thanks to all friends who supported in one way or another. 

 

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Sam Penaso (2^nd from right) and friends on
 The Metalscape.  -Contributed Photo

cene: The Metalscape, the 22nd solo exhibit, of Boholano virtual artist Sam Penaso at Altro Mondo Gallery, 3rd level of Greenbelt 5 on Jan. 8.

 

Scene: Despite heavy rains, devotees climbed the Mt. Calvary in barangay Malinao, Garcia-Hernandez for the feast of the Black Nazarene on Friday. Visionary Marina Tadle-Reblinca said that the image of the Black Nazarene came from Palawan. While their counterparts paid respect to the Black Nazarene, devotees also paid similar homage to the White Nazarene in barangay San Agustin, Talibon town.

 

Scene: The Laugh Out Loud Benefit Concert featuring K Brosas and two of Manila’s best comedians, Sweet Iyah and Divine Tetay, on January 10, 2015 at HNU Dampas Campus Oval, Tagbilaran City. Tickets are available at Dunkin Donuts Plaza Rizal, Gelateria Milano, Tambayahan Café, Gerisonic, Renaissance Spa, and DRC at P150 (student price), P200 (general admission), and P1,000 (VIP). Proceeds go to the rebuilding of classrooms in Bohol.

 

Scene:  The Rock N Rebuild 2! with Rivermaya and Paolo Valenciano on Jan. 28 at Ubay gymnasium.  According to Van Delima, there will be an after party, Back 2 Back Live Band/ Disco performances ‘til the break of dawn. Call or text 0939-765-4093 for info.

 

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Last year, I was able to interview the five survivors of the powerful earthquake in Bohol province who will have lunch with Pope Francis on Saturday, Jan. 17. The Pope’s visit is to assure us of God’s mercy and compassion.

 

The five Boholano survivors who will meet Pope Francis are Veneranda Gentallan of San Roque, Maribojoc; Shirley Bongay of Lintuan, Loon; Niza Flores of Poblacion, Sagbayan; Saturnino Barace, Jr. of Tagubaas-Obujan, Antequera;  and Salome Israel of Tubigon.

 

 Niza Corbita Flores lost her youngest son, Geevie, 12, who was covered by rubbles of the collapsed internet cafe. She said that she’s can hardly overcome what happened to her youngest son.

 

Salome Israel lost her right arm and broke her pelvic bone when earthquake struck. However, the cheerful Salome said that“everything happened has a purpose.”

 

Shirley Bongay of Loon town lost her right hand after being trapped in wreckage for nine hours.

Veneranda Gentallan almost died when her house collapsed. She suffered a head injury and was brought to Cebu province to undergo an operation. She stayed at the hospital for one month. Her recovery was said to be a “miracle.”

 

Half of Saturnino “JR” Barace, Jr's body was buried underground after the quake. He too was injured, but managed to survive. Unfortunately, Barace lost four of his family members who died during the earthquake.  After the tragedy, Barace entered the seminary.

 

All of them couldn't help but get excited — and nervous — about their scheduled face-to-face meeting with Pope Francis. There can be no other more rewarding experience in this lifetime than “being with the Pope.”

 

After one year, how are you?

Salome Israel: If I am going to rate 1-10 about the recovery, it’s only 6 because I am not totally okay. A little bit.

 

Veneranda Gentallan: Ania gihapun buhi tungod sa presensya sa Ginoo. Ang Ginoo nag-uban kanato ilabina sa nahitabo nako niadtong linog. Wala nawala akong pagsalig sa Ginoo.

 

Saturnino Barace Jr:: Makahinumdum gihapun ko sa akong pamilya.

 

Shirley Bongay: Padayun ang life.  Wala gihapun nawala akong pagtuo sa Ginoo.

 

 

How does it feel being one of the chosen five Boholanos to dine with Pope Francis?

Veneranda Gentallan: Wala ko kasabot sa akong gibati sa pagkahibaw nako makauban nako si Pope Francis. Nahadluk ko nga murag excited. Wala jud ko kasabot sa akong gibati.

Shirley Bongay: Nalipay ko nga ako ang napili sa parokya namo.

 

Salome Israel: My feelings can’t be measured. I feel I am so blessed... we all know millions of Catholic people want to have that opportunity. I feel so happy and lucky to be given the opportunity to meet Pope Francis.

 

Niza Flores: Kinaunhan wala jud ko makatug sige ko hunahuna kung “tinuod ba ni? Nga makauban nako si Pope Francis?’ Nalipay ko pag-ayo kung mahitabo na.

Saturnino Barace, Jr.: Sa pagkahibaw nako nga usa ko sa napili makauban ang Santo Papa, nalipay ko pag-ayo kay wala nako damha nga sa kadaghan sa biktima sa linog napili ko.

  

What will you tell Pope Francis?

Veneranda Gentallan: Magpasalamat ko sa Santo Papa nga iya mi gitagad kaming mga pobre sama nako ug ubang mga biktima sa kinaiyahan. Nga maskin wala ko nakadawat og hinabang nga naguba akong balay aduna man diay labaw nga giandam ang Ginoo mao kana nga makauban nako ang Santo Papa.

 

Salome Israel: Actually, I want to surprise the Pope.  I will give you a hint. I just want to tell Pope about my experiences during the earthquake at that time it happened. For me, it’s a remarkable or tremendous or anything I can say about the calamity. Maybe I will ask Pope to pray for me, to give me guidance especially now that I am disabled. It’s really hard to be like this.

 

 Niza Flores: Magpasalamat lang ko kang Pope nnga mingduaw diri sa Pilipinas nga makauban niya ang mga biktima sa trahedya sama namo diri sa Bohol.

 

Shirley Bongay: Magpasalamat ko ni Pope nga nagpasalamat ko sa Ginoo nga buhi pa ko ug blessed nga makita nako siya personal.

 

Saturnino Barace, Jr.:  Magpasalamat ko nga buhi pa ko, magpasalamat ko nga makita nako siya sa personal ug kini usa ka blessing para nako ug sa akong family.

 

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