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An 83-year-old Catholic cardinal in the Philippines came to the rescue of thousands of stranded motorists over the weekend after single-handedly untangling a traffic jam in Manila during a typhoon.
Gaudencio Rosales took matters into his own hands on Sunday as he traversed a typhoon-lashed Philippine highway on the outskirts of the capital to help settle a traffic dispute.
“We were trapped for over an hour and we were rushing to another engagement. I said to myself: ’we cannot take this anymore,’” the retired Manila cardinal said Tuesday.
With no traffic policemen in sight amid the onslaught of Typhoon Goni, Rosales said he zipped up his raincoat and walked nearly a kilometre to find out what was causing the 1.6-kilometre long snarl, the likes of which have become a daily misery for Filipinos.

“We’re all in a hurry,” he said to the erring motorists, after discovering six cars fighting over two lanes in Santo Tomas town on Manila’s outskirts.
As his boots filled up with rainwater, the hooded old man used hand signals to force the vehicles to back up, freeing up the jam.
The rain later let up to reveal a giant crucifix peeking out of his jacket. The chastened motorists then got out of their vehicles to kiss his ring.
“They were very apologetic,” Rosales said of the culprits.
About 80 percent of the Philippines’ 100 million strong population are Roman Catholic, who are considered among the world’s most devout. Last January, six million attended Pope Francis’ rain-soaked Manila mass.

Traffic jams in the Philippine capital of 12 million have worsened in recent months, as the government rushed to build elevated tollways to accommodate the growing number of vehicles acquired amid a booming economy.
Rosales, who is one of the four cardinals in the country, said he endured his share of hours-long traffic jams during his eight-year term as archbishop of Manila beginning in 2003.
But for as long as the gridlocks are there, Rosales said he would serve as a make-do traffic cop given the chance.
“Next time, I’ll be sure to bring a whistle,” he said laughing.



‘Hand of God’ untangles Philippine traffic mess as cardinal single-handedly rescues thousands stuck in jam

Traffic was heavy - as usual - during a downpour in Quezon city, east of Manila, last Thursday. Photo: EPA

Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.

A Filipino man looks bored during a traffic jam in Manila as Typhoon Goni exited the country on Monday. Photo: AP

A dove lands on the head of Philippine president Benigno Aquino next to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales in 2011. Photo: EPA

Indonesian man called God faces denial of public services if he doesn’t change his name

The Indonesian man known as Tuhan, or God.  Photo: SCMP Picture

Philippine girl asks Pope Francis how could God allow child prostitutes

Pope Francis hugs a weeping Glyzelle Palomar. Photo: Reuters

Pope Francis hugs a weeping Glyzelle Palomar. Photo: AFP

Pope tells Catholics ‘you don’t have to breed like rabbits’, after Philippines visit

The pope speaks to journalists on board the papal jet, where he addressed the church's views on birth control. Photo: EPA

Pope Francis celebrated Mass with as many as seven million Catholics in the Philippine capital on Sunday, in one of the world's biggest outpourings of religious devotion. Photo: AFP

The pontiff kisses a Filipino baby prior to leading Mass in Manila on Sunday. Photo: EPA 

President Benigno Aquino greets the pope on his arrival in Manila. Photo: Reuters

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