Tag Archives: Pope Francis

Arts, Film and TV, Human Interest

POPE FRANCIS POLITELY REFUSES TO ACCEPT GIFT PAINTING WITH FILIPINO CELEBRITIES

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Screen capture of the painting from Marian Rivera's Facebook page
Screen capture of the painting from Marian Rivera’s Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – An oil painting depicting Pope Francis  awaits the pontiff when he arrives in the Philippines this week. It is a gift from Filipino artist Dante Hipolito who was commissioned by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to do the  artwork as a way to welcome the visiting head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Titled ‘Salubong’ (to greet or meet), it shows the Pope in the midst of Filipino farm workers and laborers after a day’s harvest in a rural agricultural field.

But there is a problem.

The ‘ordinary’ people featured in the painting are not ordinary people. They are celebrities from the movie and political world. They include movie stars Vilma Santos, newly-wed Marian Rivera and DingDong Dantes, Coco Martin, Gary Valenciano and presidential sister Kris Aquino. Also included in the painting is Senator Grace Poe.

In refusing to accept the gift, Pope Francis said that while he greatly appreciates the gesture, he would rather be painted or photographed with real ordinary people, like the victims and families of last year’s typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). “The main reason for my visit to the Philippines is to be in the midst of these unfortunate Filipinos,” said Francis who is scheduled to meet with the typhoon victims in Tacloban City, one of the hardest hit areas of the devastating typhoon.

So what’s going to happen with the prized painting?

The Adobo Chronicles learned that it will be displayed at the rotunda of the Batangas provincial capitol in Batangas City, south of the Philippines’ capital. Santos, who is prominently featured in the painting, happens to be the elected governor of Batangas province. She is one of many Filipino movie stars who have chosen to pursue a political career.

Business, International, Religion, The Media, Travel

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

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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.

International, Religion

TEN THINGS TO BRING IF ATTENDING PAPAL MASS IN MANILA

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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.