John Paul 2, We Love You

Let's travel back in time.... to January 1995, Manila Philippines

As a member of Rover Scout Circle 8, we were volunteers for the Infrastructure, Sites and Layouts committee for the World Youth Day. What does that mean? We were responsible for ensuring that the Luneta park for prepared prior to the big crowds coming, and that it was clean at the end of the event. We touched the Jubilee Cross when no one else was there (hey, we even had our picture taken with the cross and it was published in one of the broadsheets).

It was the culminating activity for the world youth day. Millions of people came to be with the youth and the Pope who travelled halfway around the world to be with his flock. As ISL volunteers, we would go around the place ensuring cleanliness and orderliness. We could just watch from the big screens from afar as we had other duties to attend to.

That fateful Sunday, 30 minutes before the Pontiff was to arrive in a helicopter, our team, dressed in our scout uniforms, was summoned to be part of the civilian security during the last mass. Amidst the sea of people, we were able to get from where the Planetarium was, to the front of the Quirino Grand Stand in less than 20 minutes. The previous night, just to cross Roxas Blvd. would take 2 hours!!!! And there we were, right after the priests and the Pope's security, praying, singing and rejoicing with all the youth. His presence comforting and instilling hope in all the people in the vicinity.

Surely, JPII has touched a lot of people especially the youth. He has been an inspiration to us all.

Today, our dear pope has passed on... for sure the angels in heaven are singing and Jesus is right there to received him at the gate saying... Well done, good and faithful servant.