Woman recalls how Pope Francis changed her life

CEBU, Philippines — They say “third time’s a charm,” but for one Cebuana, each encounter with Pope Francis was not merely a bling of fortune --it was a calling, an affirmation, and her compass for a lifelong mission.

Fe Mantuhac Barino, a charismatic international leader from Cebu and the chairwoman of the Commission on the Laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu, once stood humbly among thousands at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

The facade of the basilica loomed in the background, but her heart was focused only on one figure, Pope Francis who had unknowingly set the trajectory of her life into motion years prior.

Her journey began not in Rome, but on the storm-battered soil of Palo, Leyte, where Pope Francis visited the Philippines in 2015, two years after the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.

“Ang akong feeling ato mura kog nakakita og tinugyanan sa Ginoo,” she narrated.

Two years later, divine intervention would pull her closer.

On May 31, 2017, through Msgr. John Thomas Limchua, Barino was introduced directly to Pope Francis. This time, they were face-to-face and hand-to-hand.

“Gi-introduce ko ni Msgr. John Thomas Limchua ngadto ni Pope Francis,” she said.

Limchua explained her advocacy on drug addiction to the pope in Italian. The pope responded --with words Barino could not understand but felt with her soul.

“Honestly mura kog galutaw sa panganod kay naa na siya sa duol unya gigunitan na niya akong kamot… Wa ko kasabot sa iyang gisulti so nangutana nalang ko ‘monsignor, unsa ang gisulti ni Pope Francis?’” she recalled.

Limchua relayed the pope’s message: “That is very important.”

Those phrases echoed and were etched in her heart. For Barino, it wasn’t just an acknowledgment but it was an affirmation of her calling.

“Mao to para nako mora’g ang Ginoo ang nagsulti nako nga ‘nalipay ko sa imong gibuhat kay importante kaayo na’,” she reflected.

The moment sparked something deep inside her and that’s when she took it as a mission bestowed upon her by God himself to care for individuals battling drug addiction.

The program she had initiated called “SuGod,” short for Surrender to God, a program that aids drug-dependent individuals in seeking rehabilitation and personal reform.

“Tungod ato mao toy nakapadasig nako since then until now ako gud gidawat nga mao nay mission nga gihatag sa Ginoo nako nga pag atiman sa mga drug addict,” she said.

Her commitment deepened through her faith, and the inspiration she drew from Pope Francis became her source of strength.

“Ang Ginoo naga uban nako kanunay,” she said, “kato nga experience nako ni Pope Francis nahimo to nakong inspiration.”

Her last encounter with Pope Francis took place on November 4, 2023, a date she will forever remember as another moment that felt divine.

During that time, Barino had recently been appointed a member of the International Service of Communion of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service.

During a special Vatican event, she was placed right where Pope Francis would pass. This time, the blessing came directly, both spiritual and physical.

She reached out and grasped the pontiff’s hand, her soul once again stirred by the encounter.

“Ako g’yud gigunitan og maayo iyang kamot nga nangayo ko’g blessing,” said Barino.

The Cebuana advocate added, “Dako kog pasalamat sa kinabuhi ni Pope Francis labi na gud sa iyang pagtulun-an… Nakaingon ko nga mao’y nakahatag sa kadasig og paglig-on sa pagtuo.”

Nothing could have prepared her for the shock of hearing of Pope Francis’ passing.

Barino was in the Archbishop’s Palace last April 21 for a meeting when the news broke.

When asked for her reaction, she described it as if time seemed to stop.

“Mora’g nihunong ang kalibutan… Way nakalihok namo tanan,” she said.

Pope Francis, whom she believed to be the earthly representative of God, had returned to his eternal home

Still, even in mourning, Barino remained steadfast in her hope and faith.

“Dili ta mawad-an og paglaum nga nitaliwan ang santo papa kay ang Ginoo anaa kanunay,” she said in a message to all Catholic faithful.

The pope’s life, she said, was a catalyst for change --not just for her, but for millions of Catholics around the world.

“Ang kinabuhi ni Pope Francis nakahatag og kausaban, daghan kausaban sa simbahang katoliko,” she said.

She called for the next pope to carry on the mission, urging that the Church maintain its momentum even in the late pope’s absence.

“Hinaot atong i-ampo nga mapadayon, dili maputol bisan wala na si Pope Francis,” she said.

Her hope now is to see Pope Francis’ legacy, especially his emphasis on synodality (walking together) and unity, carried forward by the Church.

In her heart, Barino remains the woman who once stood before the pope, hand in hand, ready to serve.

For her, the three encounters weren’t just a charm but blessings a thousandfold. –/BRP (FREEMAN)