Taclobanons to dance for pope

CEBU, Philippines - It will not just be simple welcome with tight security that will greet Pope Francis in Tacloban City, but a tableau of songs and dances representative of the culture of the people of Eastern Visayas.

Four cultural groups, besides the papal Mass grand choir, will simultaneously dance and sing songs during Pope Francis and his entourage's welcome and departure on January 17.

"We were told that the reception should be as simple, but as Leyteños, we cannot avoid but give him the best hospitality that we could," said Father Bryan Restituto, member of the church committee on the papal reception at the airport..

The committee, jointly led by Monsignor Ramon Aguilos and Tourism Regional Director Karen Tiopes, said the performers will be from the Leyte Normal University Dance Company, the Samleyaw of Eastern Visayas State University, the Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company and the Inagta Children.

Restituto said that, upon the pope's arrival at around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 17, the 8th Infantry Division's band and the LNU brass band will play the traditional Mabuhay song and a tableau dance presentation will proceed to the tune of the famed Curacha.

As a matter of security, the performers will only enter the performance area upon the Holy Father's arrival, and that the entire arrival dances will last for only five minutes. Then, during the departure, the 250-man grand choir will render three songs, including the Argentinian song Los Amigos, which is familiar to Pope Francis.

Three Philippine Airlines chartered planes are expected to fly in the Pope and his entourage, which includes dignitaries from the Vatican state in Rome and the Roman Curia. — Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros/CBCP News