Pope Francis Effect part II

It's always nice to see Filipinos united in a single event, especially if it is about glorifying God and welcoming the representative of the whole Catholic community. The recent Papal visit proves how we, Filipinos, are capable of having a sincere, heartwarming hospitality amidst the obstacles we have to go through, especially the weather, and a really huge crowd.

Before the event, there were huge preparations done in every road and places that the Pope would visit. Classes were suspended, barricades repainted, the surroundings were made to look more pleasant and the roads were cleared and eventually blocked. It was a nice sight to behold; government officials in proper action, people cooperating, and a place that finally looked free of excess pollution. But then again, doesn't it feel like we're just putting up a front?

Yes, there is nothing wrong with these preparations, but to think that these only happen when important people visit the country makes you wonder why. By doing so, it seems like we are treating our country as some sort of picture that needs retouching just because some people are to view it.

It feels like putting up a façade, albeit beautiful, if you delve deeper, it becomes the opposite.

We should start doing something real for our country, something that can make us stop putting up necessary adjustments just to look pleasant to certain people. As the Pope departs our country, now, don't you think it's time to stop coining these as "preparations" but rather our "daily responsibilities?"