MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Amang (international name Mekkhala) dumped rains over Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon yesterday but failed to dampen the fervor of millions of Filipinos who went to see Pope Francis on the eve of his departure.
Millions of people who gathered in Rizal Park in Manila yesterday afternoon were drenched as they waited for his concluding mass.
Earlier in the day, thousands of Filipinos attended the pope’s encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Pope Francis wore a plastic raincoat in his mass in Tacloban, Leyte last Saturday. He also donned a raincoat so that he could ride the popemobile and bless the crowd that waited along the route.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Amang weakened further yesterday after hitting Camarines Norte.
Improved weather
PAGASA senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente said improved weather is expected in Metro Manila and other parts of Southern Luzon today.
Pope Francis is scheduled to depart for Rome this morning.
“Light rains are still expected in Metro Manila tomorrow. But we may get a glimpse of the sun in the afternoon,” Paciente told The STAR.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm signal No. 2 was still raised over Camarines Norte, Northern Quezon, including Polillo Island and Aurora.
Signal No. 1 remained up in Camarines Sur, rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino and Isabela. – Helen Flores, Jaime Laude, Celso Amo