By Evelyn Macairan and Mike Frialde
The Philippine Star 04/09/2005
Roman Catholics gather at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta for a prayer rally for the funeral of Pope John Paul II in Rome yesterday. Photo "By EDD GUMBAN
Thousands of faithful gathered at Manila’s Rizal Park yesterday in a "celebration of life" for the late Pope John Paul II, whose burial was beamed live on four giant TV screens set up in the same place where the pontiff celebrated Mass 10 years ago.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales led the gathering of the faithful in Asia’s most populous Roman Catholic nation, where local officials led by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza joined religious groups and other devotees in bidding a final farewell to the Pope.
Police initially estimated that at least 10,000 people trooped to Rizal Park. The crowd later swelled as religious groups led by the El Shaddai trooped to the park to pay their respects to the late pontiff.
Pope John Paul II drew huge, emotional crowds during his 1981 and 1995 visits. An estimated four million people packed Rizal Park and surrounding areas where the Pope celebrated Mass for the World Youth Day celebrations in January 1995.
He was scheduled to return two years ago for the World Meeting of Families, but the long voyage was considered too taxing for his frail health.
President Arroyo, who was in Rome for the Pope’s burial, declared a national period of mourning and flags were lowered to half-mast.
"He was the first pope who took the time to celebrate a holy Mass for our overseas workers here in Rome," she said in a statement. "This is important, because we have more than eight million Filipinos living and working in foreign lands, who turned to the Pope for guidance and strength when living and working outside the Philippines."
Mrs. Arroyo joined the call by the Filipino prelate for the Church to select another conservative pope. The College of Cardinals set to elect the new pope will start meeting on April 18.
Meanwhile, all over Metro Manila, workers pinned posters and banners on lampposts and erected billboards with the Pope’s picture and signs reading "Paalam (Goodbye), John Paul II."
"Pope John Paul II, We Love You," read another giant streamer. "Farewell Pope John Paul II. Thank You For Your Legacy — The Culture of Life," read another.
El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde said the Pope was a defender of life and was not afraid of death.
"Let me invite you to accept Pope John Paul II’s challenge for us not to be afraid to defend life at all cost. For this is the Lord Jesus Christ’s words Himself. Do not be afraid," Velarde told the crowd.
Atienza led the members of the Manila City Council and local government officials in the gathering.
"This (gathering) is our humble way of paying tribute to a well-loved and well-respected leader of the Catholic Church with whom Filipinos, Manilans in particular, shared a memorable Christian experience that will long be remembered," he said.
Former Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani and Velarde described yesterday’s gathering as a celebration of the life of the late pontiff.
"We are celebrating a life that was taken but was given to us for 84 years and will continue to guide us. He was a person who shared himself with others. We will be fulfilled not by filling ourselves with material things but by sharing," Bacani said.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said remembering the Pope’s death should be a happy occasion.
"There is more joy than grief," he said. "We can feel joy in his passing to the other life. Death is just a part of our journey."
Iñiguez said the late Pope would continue to live in the memories of the faithful and in the Church.
Nuns, priests and entire families sat on plastic chairs or on the grass under the sun about half an hour before the service began.
Thousands watched the Vatican burial ceremonies broadcast on giant television screens scattered about the park.
Western Police District (WPD) Station 5 commander Superintendent Danilo Estapon said about 10,000 people initially gathered at the park to watch the papal burial ceremonies on four giant screens.
Teresita Anudo, one of the faithful who participated in the mammoth gathering, traveled 70 kilometers from Cavite to take a front seat near the park’s grandstand, where workers were busy setting up giant TV screens early yesterday.
"I need to see him for the last time," she said, remembering the Pontiff’s 1995 visit when she waved at him at the airport. "We love him. That’s why we need to see the funeral," she added. — With Cecille Suerte Felipe, AFP