If we were like the Scribes and the Pharisees in the Old Testament, we would prepare for the papal visit with a single objective: in order to impress the very important visitor to our country. We would relocate the still homeless victims of Yolanda who are still living in makeshift boxes unfit for human dignity. And we would, of course, transfer them to some well-appointed apartments for Pope Francis to see and be impressed. Just for the duration of the visit, which are some few hours of a single day. And, to use a Latin phrase, just for "Ad Ostentationem." Or for display only, just to show off. These are indicative of our culture of social pretension and our congenital predisposition to put up a front of goodness.
When I was in grade school in the mountain barangay of Langin, in our town 81 kilometers south of Cebu, many decades ago, our principal would rush us to dig a new toilet because the District Supervisor or the Division Superintendent was about to visit our barrio school. We would gather cogon grasses for the roof and weave coconut leaves for the walling. Then he would close the toilet with iron chains. The toilet was not to be used by us or even by the teachers. That was only for the inspection by the supervisor and the superintendent. I am afraid that in preparing for Pope Francis' quick visit to Tacloban, the local politicians are reportedly doing exactly like that: just to impress the Pope.
When Pope Paul VI visited our country during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, the elegant former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos (who is, by the way, Tacloban's most "famous" daughter), made it sure that no squatter area would be seen by the Supreme Pontiff. There was a massive clean-up and refurbishing of the whole Metro Manila. Madam Imelda was the Metro Manila Governor, aside from being an eminent member of the Batasang Pambansa and Minister of Human Settlements, among others. She was executive and legislative all rolled into one. And the Chief of the Judiciary would hold her umbrella when they met the Holy Father at the airport. In her various capacities, the Madam could make all things beautiful, in her own time.
When Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines, not once but twice, the same preparations were made. The objective was the same. Hide the garbage and the skeletons in the closets. And show the "true", the "good" and the "beautiful." In fairness to Madam Imelda and the Marcoses, these are not peculiar to them. This is an endemic cultural of idiosyncrasies that afflict almost all Filipino soul. Even priests try to show off when the bishop or the cardinal is about to visit, they would engage the services of the band, the orchestra, the choir, or even the public school teachers to serenade the visiting chief of the archdiocese or diocese. They would prepare the most delicious food and procure the most sought-after local wine and delicacies, not just to be consumed but for "take home" to the bishop's palace.
And so, today, whatever are the preparations being done by Mayor Alfred Romualdez (Imelda's nephew, by the way) and by Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla (brother of Energy Secretary Ecot Petilla and the less famous son of Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla), all these might be shelved and set aside by a very simple and folksy Pope. Pope Francis does not want lavish preparations. He does not want to sit beside politicians and modern-day Pharisees and Scribes. He just want to have real moments with the poor, the victims, the marginalized and the often forgotten members of the holy, Catholic and apostolic church. And so, the best unsolicited advise that can be given to Tacloban leaders: Just be yourselves. Leave the truth as they are. Do not embellish the realities with the pretensions of wanting to impress. And pray for the visit to touch all of us to come to our senses.
Magpakatinuod kita. Lunsay nga tinuod.
attyjosephusbjimenez@yahoo.com