For t-shirt vendor, papal visit gives hope — and help with school fees

It was just after Pope Francis’ convoy passed through the intersection of Taft and Quirino Avenues on Friday that I stumbled upon a 19-year-old girl selling pope shirts on the busy sidewalk.

 

For the thousands gathered in the area, getting a glimpse of the pope was a blessing, but for Charlene Longcanaya it also meant that she can earn more money to pay for school.

 

Longcanaya said she started selling event-themed shirts — she sells them for P150 each — three months ago.

 

The choice of colors was limited, just white, black and yellow, but she said whatever little she earns will help pay for her education.

 

“Sakto lang [ang benta], medyo maraming tumatawad pero magagamit ko ‘yung kikitain para sa pang tuition ko,” she said.

 

Longcanaya lives in Caloocan City but because most of the papal events were in Manila, she had to bring her wares to where the pope was.

 

“Sinusundan namin si pope kung saan man siya nagpupunta. Mamaya pupunta kami sa MOA [Mall of Asia in Pasay City]. Kanina naman, galing kami sa Malacañang,” she said.

 

She said it was tiring since she had been camped there since Thursday — when the pope arrived — but added that seeing Pope Francis was an extraordinary experience.

 

“Nung una kong nakita si pope kinilabutan ako. Kanina pag-daan niya, pangatlong beses ko na siya nakita pero kinilabutan pa rin ako,” Longcanaya said.

 

“Sobrang dami ng tao kahapon at sinalubong nila si Pope Francis. Excited sila at tilian ng tilian kahit wala pa siya,” she recalled.

 

For someone who relies on selling event-themed shirts, Pope Francis’ visit is a blessing that gives hope for the future.

 

“Kung walang event, kung hindi dahil kay pope, wala kaming benta,” Longcanaya said.

 

Pope Francis will be in the Philippines until Jan. 19, when he will conclude his five-day tour to the predominantly Catholic Philippines. — JDS, GMA News