Locals from Tacloban City and other parts of Eastern Visayas gather at the New Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport tarmac — the same site where Pope Francis once officiated an outdoor Mass amid pouring rain and howling winds brought by Tropical Storm Amang, to console a grieving nation on Jan. 17, 2015 following the Super Typhoon Yolanda devastation on Nov. 8, 2013 — for a solemn Mass honoring his life, legacy and lasting impact on Eastern Visayas and the world.
TACLOBAN, City – SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday afternoon led public officials and Waraynons in attending a solemn Mass with church leaders and the people of Eastern Visayas to honor the legacy and mark the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ historic visit on January 17, 2015, at the tarmac of the New Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here.
He said the visit gave the people of Eastern Visayas not only hope but the strength to rise from the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
The Holy Mass – held in the same area where Pope Francis once stood in the rain to offer comfort to a grieving nation – was officiated by
Msgr. Ramon Stephen Aguilos as the main celebrant, joined by Rev. Fr. Mark Ivo Velasquez, Rev. Fr. Paulino Cabahit Jr., Rev. Fr. Engelbert Tiu, Rev. Fr. Goldie Kenn Zabala, Rev. Fr. Aldwin Roy Cabelin Nartea and Rev. Fr. Michael Kirby Lauron as co-celebrants.
“Pope Francis gave us more than hope,” Speaker Romualdez said after the commemoration, titled Paghinumdom: A Tribute of Gratitude. “He showed the world how to lead with compassion. He stood with us—not just as a Pope, but as a father to the suffering. His presence gave us strength to rise.”
“He gave us the courage to begin again. When we felt forgotten, he remembered. When we were broken, he came to bless the brokenness. That is something no people ever forget,” he added.
Before the 3 p.m. Holy Mass, a series of videos featuring the life of Pope Francis were shown, accompanied by worship songs performed by the I Love Tacloban Singers.
Attendees emphasized that the Mass is not only an occasion for mourning, but a tribute to a spiritual leader who walked with the suffering, led with humility, and offered the world a powerful example of mercy.
As the Catholic Church laid Pope Francis to rest Saturday, the people of Eastern Visayas marked this tenth anniversary with hearts full of remembrance—and a promise never to forget the man who brought light to their darkest hour.
The Mass that started 3 p.m. served as both a remembrance and thanksgiving for His Holiness, who brought compassion and comfort when the region needed it most.
The tribute drew Church leaders, local officials, Yolanda survivors, and residents, many of whom braved storm-like conditions ten years ago just to see the Pope, who had insisted on pushing through with his visit despite the inclement weather.
Speaker Romualdez said the people’s lives were forever changed by the Pope’s visit on January 17, 2015.
“Ten years ago, Pope Francis did not just visit us: he stood with us, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“His presence was a comfort to our grief, a spark to our resilience and a reminder that even in the darkest storms, the light of compassion can shine through,” Speaker Romualdez continued.
“Hindi po kailanman mababayaran ng salita o panahon ang ginawa ng Santo Papa para sa mga taga-Tacloban at buong Eastern Visayas. Ang kanyang pagyakap sa ating lungkot ay nagsilbing paalala ng pagmamahal ng Diyos sa mga nawalan at nasalanta ng bagyo,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Speaker also reflected on the historic image of the Pope celebrating Mass under stormy skies in a yellow raincoat, a moment that became emblematic of solidarity between the Church and the suffering Filipino people.
“That yellow raincoat became our banner of faith. We saw in him not a distant leader, but a loving father: present, soaked in our sorrow, and filled with love,” Speaker Romualdez expressed.
The tribute was not only an act of remembrance but also an expression of thanksgiving. Eastern Visayans, Speaker Romualdez said, have rebuilt not just infrastructure but the very spirit of their communities since Yolanda, inspired in part by the Pope’s words and presence.
“Hindi lang siya nakiramay. Pumunta siya, nakiiyak at nakisama sa paghihirap ng mga taga-Tacloban City at buong Eastern Visayas. Hindi lang po ito pag-alala, ito ay pasasalamat. Isang dekada na ang lumipas, pero sariwa pa rin sa alaala namin ang pagmamahal na kanyang ipinadama. Kaya ngayong araw na ito, sinasabi naming muli: Damo nga salamat, Pope Francis,” Speaker Romualdez who attended the mass officiated by Pope Francis 10 years ago said.
“We honor not only the man who came to comfort us, but the spirit he awakened in us: a spirit of unity, of resilience, and of boundless hope,” Speaker Romualdez said. “In Tacloban, we don’t just remember the Pope: we carry him in our hearts. His visit was brief, but the impact was eternal.”
The local government of Tacloban City, church leaders, and residents from Eastern Visayas joined in the Mass.
“Let us live the message he left with us: to care for the forgotten, to comfort the afflicted and to serve with humility and love,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Government officials who joined Speaker Romualdez in the event include Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list, Mayor Angel Sia (Lapaz, Leyte), Mayor Rudin Babante (MacArthur, Leyte), Mayor Alexander de Paz (Mayorga, Leyte), Councilor Rene Rebato (San Jose de Buan, Samar), Councilor Rolly Rebato (San Jose de Buan, Samar), and Mayor Amparo Monteza and Vice Mayor Eduardo Toreros (Sta. Fe, Leyte).
Others were Mayor Gina Merilo and councilors (Tanauan, Leyte), Mayor Carlos Veloso (Villaba, Leyte), Councilor Bunsoy Villas (Palo, Leyte), Councilor Ian Sevilla (Palo, Leyte), Edward Frederick Chua (Councilor, Tacloban), Mayor Reinbert Costelo (Tunga, Leyte), Mayor Marciano Batiancela Jr. (Calubian, Leyte), Mayor Lovely Yu-Castro and councilors (Alangalang, Leyte), Mayor Joy Que (Dulag, Leyte), Mayor Juanito Renomeron and Councilor Vincent Enerlan (Burauen, Leyte), and Councilor Deo Gaviola (San Sebastian, Samar).
man who came to comfort us, but the spirit he awakened in us: a spirit of unity, of resilience, and of boundless hope,” Speaker Romualdez said. “In Tacloban, we don’t just remember the Pope: we carry him in our hearts. His visit was brief, but the impact was eternal.”
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