Pope shirts, raincoats bestsellers for pilgrims

MANILA, Philippines - Papal visit t-shirts, raincoats and handkerchiefs were easy to sell items yesterday as pilgrims braved Tropical Storm Amang to attend Pope Francis’ mass in Rizal Park yesterday.

White round-collar shirts bearing the pope’s image sold like pancakes along Roxas Boulevard from P80 to P150.

Some did not mind getting wet. They just ignored the rain and indulged in the “blessing from heaven.”

Street hawkers have made a killing on pope memorabilia since the pontiff arrived last Thursday.

“Our only problem is we might catch a cold and get sick,” a vendor told The STAR.

For those with only P20 to spare, square plastic rain gear and recycled rice sacks were popular.

But for those who want full body protection from the rain, plastic raincoats were sold from P50 to P100.

Some pilgrims bought plastic covers for the Sto. Nino and other religious items they were carrying.

White handkerchiefs bearing Pope Francis’ image and his “quotable quotes” also sold fast.

Street food and other snacks were also a hit from puto and suman that sold for P10 to fish balls, squid balls and kikiam.

Pedicabs were not that popular yesterday as pilgrims opted to walk on their way to Quirino Grandstand despite the bad weather.