A Filipino man who took a selfie with Pope Francis still uses the image as his Facebook profile picture even though 10 years have passed.

An engineering graduate, Rikki Macolor was one of four people selected to speak publicly to the pope during his visit to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on January 18, 2015.

Talking to GMA News Online, Macolor said he had kept his selfie with Pope Francis until now because he considers their encounter the “most memorable” event and a “turning point” in his life.

“Spontaneous siya (taking a selfie with Pope Francis was spontaneous). I was lucky to be one of the few folks to have a selfie with the pope,” Macolor said, adding he was at the “right place at the right time.”

“I've kept that profile picture for everything. Hindi ko na siya binago (I didn't change it) ever since,” he added.

Currently a senior program manager in a technology company in the United States, Macolor said that he kept the same photo in his work profile.

Recalling his 2015 experience, Macolor said he was excited and anxious since he was about to speak in front of so many people. He also questioned himself if he was deserving of the opportunity.

“I'm thankful, but at the same time, am I going to say the right things? Parang, ako ba talaga dapat yun dito? (Should I really be the one here?) I feel that there are a lot more people deserving,” Macolor said.

Photo: Rikki Macolor

Self-care

One of the things that Macolor learned from Pope Francis is to care for oneself.

During their encounter, Macolor asked the pope how the youth can become agents of mercy and compassion.

“Sabi niya (He said), ‘Before you learn to love others, or to give to others, learn to allot something for yourself,’” Macolor said, recalling Pope Francis’ response.

Macolor helped develop a portable solar night light that was distributed to affected families in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

“I was happy that I was able to kind of like help a lot of people, but I also put myself at risk because we’re going there in the middle of the storm,” Macolor said.

Macolor said he felt that his struggles were understood by the pope.

“I still try to serve others the best way that I can, but, at the same time, I make sure that I leave some for myself to ensure that I can help more people in the future,” Macolor said.

Closer

Macolor also said meeting Pope Francis drew him closer to the Catholic Church.

He shared that the Vatican sent him a medallion a year after meeting the pope and some letters for about five years.

“I'm not just a speck in the dust that people of his stature would not even notice, so I think that brought me closer to the community or to the Church,” Macolor said.

“They're people that are also approachable, and they also understand the situations that we're in,” he added.

After speaking publicly at UST, Macolor had a brief one-on-one conversation with the pope, where he asked for prayers for his friend and relative who recently passed away.

The pope also gave a rosary to Macolor, which he brings everywhere he goes.

“I actually still bring it with me every day. It never left my bag or pocket. So, wherever I go, I still bring it with me,” Macolor said.

Photo: Rikki Macolor

Lessons

With the passing of Pope Francis, Macolor hopes Filipinos will honor him by living according to his teachings.

“Just being able to incorporate in our lives the lessons that he has imparted to us, I think that's the best way to honor him, to remember what he has done for us so far," Macolor said.

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected as successor to the late Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

He died on Monday at the age of 88. According to Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli in a death certificate, Pope Francis died of a stroke and irreversible heart failure.

The pope will be laid to rest on Saturday. — VBL, GMA Integrated News