Children hearing papal Mass get separated from relatives in Luneta

MANILA, Philippines - Several children got separated from their relatives as thousands of people troop to Rizal Park (formerly Luneta) to hear the Mass that will be celebrated by Pope Francis on Sunday afternoon.

The Metrpolitan Manila Development Authority, through its “lost and found” tents across the park, was able to reunite a missing girl and a 55-year-old woman with their relatives shortly before the Pope arrived.

Ten-year old Jean Marie Parcedes of Sto. Nino Paranaque was brought to the MMDA’s monitoring center at the Luneta Hotel along Kalaw Avenue by two police officers.

Parcedes was found roaming along Maria Orosa Street shortly before lunch by a woman as she was looking for her mother Arminda. The woman then approached the two police officers for assistance.

Parcedes was clutching an image of the Sto. Nino when she arrived at the MMDA monitoring center. Parcedes told reporters that she got separated from her mother as they were lining-up to enter the park’s Maria Orosa gate.

Immediately, the MMDA personnel on duty tried to get in touch with her relatives using Facebook and police radio.

Shortly after, the MMDA was able to contact her brother JR who went to the hotel to fetch her.

When asked why she joined her mother to see the Pope in Rizal Park, Parcedes said Pope Francis reminds her of Jesus.

“Sobrang mahalaga. Nagbibigay siya ng pag-asa na baguhin ko ang ugali ko,” she said.

Just before the Pope arrived at Rizal Park, a crying Francesca Perez, 9 years old sought the MMDA’s help to find her 55-year-old grandmother Conchita Guinto.

After two hours of searching, MMDA personnel were able to track down Conchita and reunited her with Francesca.

As of 3 p.m., six children who got separated from their relatives remained in the care of the MMDA.

The MMDA identified them as Nicole Coryna, 9; Trishia Yanib, 8; Mary Zyle Guinto, 12; Leegil Bret, 12; Eriza Zapico; Joshua Dalmatio, 7.

Two adults were also brought to the MMDA’s “lost and found tents” after they were found separated from their relatives. They were identified as Nena Clark, 66; and Sol San Dingan, 57. with Jona Espejo