Category Archives: Religion

POPE FRANCIS’ PHILIPPINES VISIT : VATICAN DEMANDS THAT PEPSI TAKE DOWN ADVERTISING OR PAY UP

imageTHE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Big corporations, small businesses and politicians usually pay big bucks to feature celebrities in their advertising campaigns, or to have famous people endorse their products or services.

The visit to the Philippines next week is no exception to the mad rush among companies to promote their products. In the last month or so, billboards, tarpaulin signs and posters have sprung all over Manila’s crowded streets, lining the paths that will be traversed by the Pope’s motorcade.

But there is one tarp sign that The Vatican is not happy about. It is a sign welcoming the Pope featuring Francis’ image alongside the commercial logo of Pepsi Cola. In addition, the sign also bears the name of a local public official, the chairman of a local Barangay (political district).

The Adobo Chronicles has learned that The Vatican has sent a letter to the Manila headquarters of Pepsi to pay One Million Pesos for every single one of these tarp signs. The money, according to a Vatican official, will be donated by Pope Francis to the victims of last year’s typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The Pontiff is scheduled to visit Tacloban to spend time with the victims and their families.

In addition, citing the separation of church and state, asked Pepsi to remove the name of the local official from thhe advertising.

“If Pepsi refuses to pay up, we demand that all the signs be taken down immediately,” The Vatican said.

TEN THINGS TO BRING IF ATTENDING PAPAL MASS IN MANILA

pope-francis-child-1MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – For a country where more than two-thirds of its 100 Million population is Roman Catholic, a visit by the Pope is an event that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for its citizens.

Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines next week will see millions of Filipinos lining the streets and holding 24 to 48-hour vigils to secure their place where a public mass will be officiated by the pontiff. We have put together a top ten list of things you must bring or have if planning to attend any of the Pope’s public appearances in Manila:

  1. A hat or umbrella to protect you from the sun or rain.
  2. A gallon of drinking water for every person attending.
  3. A travel size deodorant. The smell could get nasty in a crowded environment . (A Brut cologne would work just fine).
  4. A clean hand towel to wipe off perspiration, or to keep dry if it rains or drizzles.
  5. An anahaw (dried palm leaves) or Chinese accordion silk fan to keep your cool in 100-degree weather.
  6. A can of SPAM, pork and beans or Vienna sausage for every person attending, plus a can opener if the can does not have a lift-off top. The street food vendors will be taking the day off. Of course they also want to see the Pope.
  7. Bring your pets so they can be blessed by the Pope.  Remember, he recently said all animals go to  heaven. Make sure, they live (and die) in grace.
  8. Your favorite rosary so that it can be blessed by the Pope. If you don’t have one, buy one NOW. The selling price could double or triple in the coming days. Especially pearl rosaries.
  9. Your cell phone so that you can text your friends and relatives if you get separated or lost in the crowd.
  10. Last, but most important of all, heed the advice of the head of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA): wear an adult diaper. There will not be enough portable toilets for everyone to use.

ADULT DIAPERS IN SHORT SUPPLY AT WALMART, COSTCO AND OTHER U.S. OUTLETS

Philippine police try on adult diapers for size in preparation for Pope Francis' visit next week
Philippine police try on adult diapers for size in preparation for Pope Francis’ visit next week

When Pope Francis visits the Philippines next week, traffic enforcers won’t let the capital’s streets get gridlocked if they have to answer the call of nature. About 2,000 traffic enforcers who will be on duty during the papal visit will be required to wear adult diapers, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman, Francis Tolentino, said.

Tolentino also encouraged people , including priests, nuns, seminarians and the elderly who will wait for hours to see the pope to also wear diapers. He said that there won’t be enough portable toilets for the millions of people expected to see Pope Francis hold an open-air mass at the seaside Rizal Park on 18 January. “If you attend an event that will last for 24 hours, you cannot go around looking for a [portable toilet],” Tolentino said.

Our investigation confirmed that the MMDA purchased all available adult diaper supplies from the big box stores in the U.S. in order to meet the demand during the Pope’s visit.

Filipino Americans were also seen buying the adult diapers in bulk to send via Balikbayan Box (Tax-free shipping boxes) to their relatves planning to participate in the papal visit activities in Manila.

Unconfirmed reports also revealed that Pet stores are seeing a sudden increase in their sales for puppy training wee wee pads. Go figure.