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Body of woman killed in Leyte papal Mass accident brought to Manila
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(Updated 4:34 p.m.) The body of the 27-year-old woman who died from a freak accident at the Tacloban Airport just after the papal Mass last Saturday arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on board a C130 military plane on Monday.
The remains of the Kristel Mae Padasas were accompanied by Juy Baculpo, the victim's workmate at the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Fr. Amadeo Alvero, Palo Archdiocese' Social Communications director.
The plane took off at around 11:30 a.m. and first made a stopover in Mactan, Cebu, before arriving at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
On Saturday, amid strong rains and winds brought by Tropical Storm Amang, a scaffolding of a speaker near the altar where Pope Francis held a Mass collapsed and hit Kristel on the head.
Pope Francis, who ended his five-day visit to the Philippines on Monday morning, arrived in Tacloban City on Saturday amid inclement weather. That time, Leyte and six other areas in the Visayas were placed under public Storm Signal Number 2.
The foul weather cut short Pope Francis' visit to Leyte. He left the province past 1 p.m., four hours ahead of schedule.
Pope Francis met with Kristel's father in Manila to personally express sympathy.
"She loves to laugh"
Meanwhile, in a statement, the CRS expressed sympathy over Kristel's death.
“Her colleagues remember her as someone who loved to laugh and who was always ready to assist outside her normal duties," it said. "She found great joy in being able to contribute to the recovery effort by working directly with communities and families.”
The CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community.
Kristel's close friends told GMA News her attitude can be likened to Pope Francis' advocacy to those in dire need of help.
"She died with a smile on her face"
According to Alecks Veran, a former officemate of Kristel's, she was a cheerful giver, kind-hearted and friendly to everyone.
Prior to her stint at the CRS, Kristel worked in the human resource department of a private firm for five year. She resigned in 2013.
"Napakababa ng loob niya sa kapwa. Napakamatulungin. Yun siguro ang dahilan kaya siya nag-resign at napabilang sa organisyason na ang tanging gustong gawin ay tumulong sa mga nangangailangan," Veran said.
Veran added it was Kristel's dream to see Pope Francis in person.
"Kaya yung pagbisita ng Santo Papa is a dream come true to her. She died with a smile on her face," Veran added.
Kristel remains were placed in a white coffin covered by a handmade wooden casket.
It was brought to a chapel inside the Villamor Air Base. Kristel's father, close friends and co-workers as well as officers of the Philippine Air Force attended a Mass for her.
Her remains were later on brought to their house in Taguig.—with Cesar Apolinario/KBK, GMA News
The remains of Kristel Mae Padasas being loaded to the C130 plane at the Tacloban airport before noon Monday. Amanda Fernandez
The plane took off at around 11:30 a.m. and first made a stopover in Mactan, Cebu, before arriving at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
On Saturday, amid strong rains and winds brought by Tropical Storm Amang, a scaffolding of a speaker near the altar where Pope Francis held a Mass collapsed and hit Kristel on the head.
Pope Francis, who ended his five-day visit to the Philippines on Monday morning, arrived in Tacloban City on Saturday amid inclement weather. That time, Leyte and six other areas in the Visayas were placed under public Storm Signal Number 2.
The foul weather cut short Pope Francis' visit to Leyte. He left the province past 1 p.m., four hours ahead of schedule.
Pope Francis met with Kristel's father in Manila to personally express sympathy.
"She loves to laugh"
Meanwhile, in a statement, the CRS expressed sympathy over Kristel's death.
“Her colleagues remember her as someone who loved to laugh and who was always ready to assist outside her normal duties," it said. "She found great joy in being able to contribute to the recovery effort by working directly with communities and families.”
The CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community.
Kristel's close friends told GMA News her attitude can be likened to Pope Francis' advocacy to those in dire need of help.
"She died with a smile on her face"
According to Alecks Veran, a former officemate of Kristel's, she was a cheerful giver, kind-hearted and friendly to everyone.
Prior to her stint at the CRS, Kristel worked in the human resource department of a private firm for five year. She resigned in 2013.
"Napakababa ng loob niya sa kapwa. Napakamatulungin. Yun siguro ang dahilan kaya siya nag-resign at napabilang sa organisyason na ang tanging gustong gawin ay tumulong sa mga nangangailangan," Veran said.
Veran added it was Kristel's dream to see Pope Francis in person.
"Kaya yung pagbisita ng Santo Papa is a dream come true to her. She died with a smile on her face," Veran added.
Kristel remains were placed in a white coffin covered by a handmade wooden casket.
It was brought to a chapel inside the Villamor Air Base. Kristel's father, close friends and co-workers as well as officers of the Philippine Air Force attended a Mass for her.
Her remains were later on brought to their house in Taguig.—with Cesar Apolinario/KBK, GMA News
