FILIPINOS lost a friend, a father and a spiritual leader when Pope John Paul II passed away.

Churches across predominantly Catholic Philippines streamed with tears for the Pope who won the hearts of millions during his two journeys to the Philippines.

Fittingly, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a national period of mourning, only the fourth country to do so after the Pope’s native Poland, Italy and, surprisingly, Cuba.

“Our people received the news of his death with a deep sense of grief and loss,” said President Arroyo. “He was a holy champion of the Filipino family.”

Hailed as a world leader and champion of human rights, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years put a human face on his epic papacy.

For instance, television audiences around the world watched bemused, perhaps thrilled, as a male youth performed breakdancing in front of a smiling Pope inside the Vatican.

Long-gone popes must be turning in their holy resting places!

But that was true to his character. He had allowed his voice used in a CD for international release.

Footloose, he travelled to the four corners of the earth, spreading not only the word of God, but joy, peace, goodwill and love for one another.

And how the media loved him. He was such a good copy that reporters travelling with him always had a warm story to file for their readers and viewers.

He used his media savvy to the hilt, understated, of course, that earned him the title Great Communicator.

Television was still in its infancy when he began his papacy. He had a knack for a good angle. Like a seasoned politician, he had an eye for photo-ops.

The Pope was an avid outdoorsman and athlete all his life. In his early years, he was lithe and moved nimbly.

He played soccer, was a backpacker, a camper and a long-distance runner.

All these physical attributes served him in good stead running a church of one billion members.

His mind was agile. He was a playwright, an actor and a poet.

Besides his encyclicals, he wrote at least seven books, articles and essays in scholarly journals.

The Pope was a man for all seasons. He now belongs to the ages.