Kristel gets highest police honors

MANILA, Philippines - Kristel “Mae Mae” Padasas, the 27- year-old volunteer who died after the mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Tacloban City, was buried at the Heritage Park in Taguig City yesterday.

The Philippine National Police gave funeral honors for Padasas, whose white casket was draped with the Philippine flag.

A mass, which was attended by Padasas’ friends and relatives, including her parents, Paulino and Judy, was held at the Sto. Niño de Taguig Parish Church by Papal Nuncio Guiseppe Pinto assisted by Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara prior to her interment.

A short program was also held with the song “We Are All God’s Children” playing in the background. Her close relatives and friends wore white shirts printed with her photo taken during a trip to Batanes with the words “To Travel and Inspire People.”

Padasas’ relatives released butterflies while one of her nephews read a farewell poem as her casket was being lowered to the ground.

In his message, the papal nuncio recalled how Pope Francis thought of Padasas.