Antique: The privilege of meeting Pope Francis strengthened the conviction of several Antique±os, who are now making themselves available to serve the Catholic faith. Among those fortunate to meet the Holy Father was the family of Dr. Mary Rose Gemma Rodriguez, chosen to do the offertory during the Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square on April 21, 2019. 'I am so overwhelmed to be granted such an opportunity to do the offertory with my family,' she said.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rodriguez mentioned that her husband Rani initially planned to visit Rome and the Vatican City to renew their vows during their 25th wedding anniversary. Her cousin Pierette Dioso, a nun assigned at the Hospitalier in Rome, requested through Bishop Guido Marini, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies under Pope Francis, for them to do the offertory. 'When we did the offertory, I told Pope Francis, 'The Philippines loves you so much'. Please pray for the Philippines,' Rodriguez said. The Pope then touched their hands one by one, giving them his blessings. He also smiled when he saw her holding a rosary, which she has kept until now. She said she gets emotional each time she recalls the rare opportunity given to them. 'If given a second chance, I want to serve, to make a sacrifice by cooking in the kitchen of the new pope, even just for two days,' she said. Rodriguez is the author of the coffee table book 'Culinary Heritage of Antique.'

An Antique±a, Irene Duldoco, instituted to serve as a 'Reader of the Word' on Jan. 26, 2025, at St. Peter's Basilica, said that she finds it hard to describe her feelings about the passing of Pope Francis. 'During the Sunday mass in Rome, there were 40 of us from all over the world that Pope Francis instituted as Readers of the Word,' she said. The institution is done every 25 years during the Jubilee celebration. Five of the 40 readers were from the Philippines, including Duldoco. She was the only one from Antique. She also said that the Pope gave them a bible and rosary that she treasured so much. 'I have now a lifetime commitment to be a reader of the word of God during masses,' Duldoco said.

She was chosen to be one of the Readers of the Word for her being a volunteer catechist and a member of the Ministry of Lectors and Commentators at the Santa Monica Parish in Hamtic, Antique. She is also president of the World Apostolate of Fatima in the Municipality of Hamtic and the Antique Diocesan. 'I intend to gather children for catechism, for them to know more about the Word of God,' she said.