Being in the midst of some broadcast preparation for the Papal Visit, we have already anticipated that there will be a few days that will be declared as non-working holidays in Metro Manila (why not entire Philippines since Pope is visiting Tacloban too). Finally last Monday, President Benigno Aquino III has officially declared special non-working days in January for Filipinos to fully participate during the visit of the Head of State of the Vatican City.
The much beloved Pope Francis will visit the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015. January 15, 16 and 19 are all Special Non-Working Holidays in NCR (National Capital Region) under Proclamation No. 936 for Filipinos to make time to witness the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines.
Pope Francis Schedule:
Jan 15, 2015 (Thursday) – Pope Francis Arrival (Nunciature)
Jan 16, 2015 (Friday) – Pope Francis courtesy visit to Malacanang, Mass in Manila Cathedral, and SM Mall of Asia
Jan 17, 2015 (Saturday) – Whole day visit in Tacloban City. Visit Yolanda-affected sites.
Jan 18, 2015 (Sunday) – Youth mass at University of Santo Tomas (UST), Quirino Granstand Rizal Park
Jan 19, 2015 (Monday) – Departure of the Pope
Sounds like a long weekend holiday to start 2015? If you’re not looking at welcoming the revered Pope and planning a getaway, hold your horses. Before you plan on booking a flight, contact your airline first since the travel industry is saying that approx. 300 flights will be suspended on January 15 from 2pm to 7pm and January 19 from 6am to 1030am. I guess this is the arrival and the departure date of the Pope.
Certain roads will also be closed on these dates: January 15 (3pm-7pm) and January 19 (7am-10am). Most roads that are near the airport like Sales Avenue, Andrews Avenue, Domestic Road, and MIA Road.
I am personally excited for the Papal Visit happening in Manila and Tacloban. Pope Francis has been admired for his humility, his heart for the poor, and his openness to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths.
Even if folks regard him as a rockstar, he apparently has his own Twitter account, he is a very simple man and has a less formal approach to the papacy. His security detail will have a hard time since the Pope supposedly insists on not using the bullet-proof Pope Mobile. We’re the only widely Christian country in Asia and I pray that ill-intent entities will not take the Pope’s visit as an opportunity to bring chaos or propagate their own faction’s message.
Let’s all pray for a safe Philippines visit for Pope Francis.
Thanks for this post! 🙂 Happy new year!