Pope’s life in Cebuano pilot’s hands in ‘81 visit
As the Christian world celebrate the sainthood of Pope John Paul II, this Cebuano is sharing something personal about the new saint who is close to the hearts of Filipinos.
Capt. Tereso Lebumfacil, 79, a retired pilot owns a collection of model airplanes. But a particular model of a Boeing 727 aircraft is the most prized article in his collection.
The 79-year-old retired pilot skippered a Philippine Airlines B727 jet that was used to ferry Pope John Paul II around the country during his 1981 visit.
The pope went to the cities of Cebu, Baguio, Bataan, Legaspi, Bacolod and Davao.
The special PAL flight was manned by a dedicated crew led by Lebumfacil.
As the pontiff boarded the aircraft, Lebumfacil recalled the Holy Father telling him, “My life is now in your hands.”
As a gesture of his appreciation, the Holy Father gifted Lebumfacil with a rosary.
Now, the 79-year-old retired pilot believes that the Pope has been with him in his journeys in life.
He had long been praying for the Pope.
“I know he is guiding me,” says Lebumfacil.
He may not be able to go to Vatican for the Pope’s canonization yesterday, but Lebumfacil is happy knowing that he and the rest of the Filipinos have a special place in the Pope’s heart.
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