Pope’s altar, lectern sent to Tacloban

CEBU, Philippines - With Pope Francis visiting Tacloban City this Saturday, the altar and lectern made for the Holy Mass he would celebrate there left yesterday evening the Talamban, Cebu City factory where they were made.

Jennifer Lunod, Mehitabel Inc. customer service manager, said they were happy for the opportunity to create their best quality furniture for the papal visit.

Furniture firm Mehitabel was chosen by the papal organizing committee in Manila to manufacture the altar and the lectern that the Pope will use in celebrating Mass at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City on January 17.

The altar and lectern, both hand-carved and made of Philippine mahogany, left the Mehitabel at about 6:30 p.m. yesterday.

Lunod said they loaded the two pieces of future historical items in a rented boom truck that reached Danao City, Cebu in two hours.

From there, the truck crossed the sea overnight via an Aznar Shipping Corporation cargo vessel and is expected to reach Isabel, Leyte after nine hours.

Upon reaching Isabel, the truck would then travel to Tacloban City, taking three hours before reaching Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport.  Papal visit organizers in Tacloban City would receive the altar and the lectern.

Lenie Fernandez, head of Mehitabel’s product engineering department, said she was thankful they finished the altar and lectern, considering the short lead time.

 “Sa kahamubo sa panahon, nalipay ko nga nahuman ra jud namo on time,” said Fernandez.

To secure the altar and lectern, which Fernandez said weighs 800 to 900 kilograms, Mehitabel placed each in a box and crated them before covering them a plastic.

“Amo gyud gi-secure ang pag-pack sa altar ug lectern nga bisan libaong nga dalan ug kusog ang bawod, dili gyud siya maunsa,” said Fernandez.

According to the weather bureau’s 24-hour forecast, moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will cause moderate to rough seas over the archipelago.

Considering that the weather might affect the trip, Lunod said she hoped that the altar and lectern would safely arrive on its destination.

“We just pray that this (the altar and lectern) will reach Tacloban safely and on time,” she said.  (FREEMAN)