Filipino businesswoman and lay leader recalls her first close encounter with Pope Francis

A prominent Filipino businesswoman and lay leader recalls her first close encounter with Pope Francis in 2017. 

“I must prepare so that Pope Francis can bless the many rosaries I have with me,” said Fe Mantuhac Barino, a leading laywoman from Cebu, central Philippines.

“While I continued to video, Pope Francis came closer. Because he was too excited, I didn't realize that I was covering the camera, so the audio was heard,” she said.

“I was filled with joy when Pope Francis held my hand during their conversation with Msgr. Jan Thomas Limchua about my advocacy for the Surrender to God drug recovery program,” she said.

Limchua is a Filipino priest and Vatican diplomat.  He currently serves as the Deputy Head of Mission of the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in The Hague, Netherlands.

At that time, Barino couldn't use her cell phone anymore because it seemed like the sky was floating. I did not understand what Pope Francis and Limchua were talking about. I asked Msgr. later. In January, Pope Francis said, "That is critical,” as Limchua briefed Pope Francis about Fe and her work of rehabilitating drug-dependent individuals in the Philippines.

Fe was happy because she thought it was a message from Jesus. And she put it in her heart; that's why she gave the mission to the Lord.

“Since then, as a warning about that incident in my life, the clothes I wore were taken care of, and I would only wear them on special occasions. Thank you, Holy Father Francesco. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Pope Francis,” Fe said.

Fe is a part of the 18-member CHARIS International Service of Communion at the Vatican. As the president of Duros Hotels, she has garnered recognition as an inspiring entrepreneur.

She is also involved in advocacy work, particularly in helping drug-dependent individuals through a program called "Surrender to God." She has met Pope Francis multiple times and sees him as a representative of God. 

Fe is the president of Duros Hotels and has been recognized for her contributions to the hotel and tourism industry. She has also been recognized as an inspiring entrepreneur by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

She is a leader within the National Charismatic Renewal in the Philippines and is part of the CHARIS International Service of Communion at the Vatican. 

She is passionate about helping drug-dependent individuals find rehabilitation and reform through her "Surrender to God" program.