MANILA, Philippines – Everyone’s excited to see the Pope. With the number of faithful who are thrilled to get a glance of Pope Francis, getting through the eager crowd is definitely a challenge.
In line with that, here are some useful survival tips to keep your head above the water:
Bring you’re A game, memorize the itinerary
First thing’s first. Before heading out, make sure that you got the whole plan covered. Knowing the Pope’s itinerary will always get you one step ahead of the others.
Here is the link showing, which places will the Pope visit during his stay.
Be smart enough to know your ways
As you may know, part of the preparation of the Papal visit is closing some roads. Avoid getting stuck on traffic and especially avoid the dead ends to avoid unnecessary delays.
Here is the link showing the blocked routes for the Papal visit.
Be digital wise
Cellphones are your friendly and handy guide during your Papal trip. Did you know that there is a Papal App to keep you updated? I bet you didn’t. But here’s the link where you can download the app.
You may also follow our own website for live updates.
Keep your bag locked and loaded
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that those who will be attending the Mass on January 18 may only bring transparent bags or containers. Moreover, umbrellas are prohibited. But that does not mean you cannot carry anything at all. During the Papal visit, you will do a lot of walking. It is important that you have something in your bag (transparent) to keep you safe. Here are some items you could bring for a safe Papal journey:
- Drinking water (in transparent containers)
- Cap
- Foldable fans
- Raincoat
- Sunglasses
- Towellete/Wipes/Handkerchief
- Extra T-shirt
- Bandaids/Napkins/Tampons
- Alcohol/Sanitizers
- Candies
- Slippers
- Shades
- Basic medicines (painkillers, anti-LBM, etc.)
- Fruits (bananas, apples, etc.)
- Optional: binoculars and powerbanks!
Wear something comfortable!
Forget high heels, crop tops and long sleeves! Go for T-shirts and comfortable pants for the Papal visit. Again, you will do a lot of walking, so it is important to be on your most comfortable outfit, like wearing a shirt with cotton fabric to help you combat the heat.
Keep calm, be patient
Aside for being physically prepared, you also have to be emotionally and mentally prepared for the Papal visit. Yes, we get it, it's hot and it's crowded, but during the Papal visit, there is no room for impatience. Everyone in the crowd will be there for one reason, to see the Pope. It's not just about you, it's about the whole nation with one purpose. So if you are the type of the person who is hot-headed and extremely impatient, better stick to the television updates.