Pope Francis Receives Warm Welcome from 1,200 Schoolchildren from Southern Metro Manila

Pope Francis received a warm welcome from 1,200 schoolchildren from different Catholic schools from the Diocese of Parañaque when he arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon.

The pontiff was welcomed by students dancing to three upbeat songs: “Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas,” sung by artist Angeline Quinto; “Kapayapaan” by the reggae band Tropical Depression; and “Sayaw ng Pagbati”, which is traditionally performed during Easter Sunday in Parañaque.

Parañaque Bishop Rev. Jesse Mercado said they want to convey a message through the presentation.

“Ang mensaheng kanyang (Pope Francis) pinapadala ay mensahe ng kapayapaan. And we are happy to welcome him as a Filipino people, which we will express through dance,” Bishop Mercado said.

“It is more than a welcome sa Papa. It is more of a grand welcome to Christ, whom the Pope represents,” he added.

The Diocese of Parañaque is composed of Catholics from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

Students from different schools participates in welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis during the arrival ceremony the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon (January 15). (Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

The Pope was welcomed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, as well as Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan.

Representing the Church were Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma S.J., Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, La Union Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, Malaybalay Bishop Jose Cabantan, Prelate of Infanta Bernardino Cortez, Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera, Vicar Apostolic of Jolo Angelito Lampon, Lucena Bishop Emilio Marquez, Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado, and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Secretary General Rev. Father Marvin Mejia. PND (ag)