Filipino Catholic Cardinal Single-Handedly Untangles Traffic in Manila

An 83-year-old Catholic Cardinal from the Philippines single-handedly untangled a traffic jam in the country's capital on Sunday, saving thousands of stranded motorists during the onslaught of Typhoon Goni.

Filipino Catholic Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales took matters into his own hands after realizing that he and many others would get stranded in the middle of the road.

According to a report from the AFP published by Yahoo News, the traffic situation had been worsened by a powerful typhoon.

"We were trapped for over an hour and we were rushing to another engagement. I said to myself: 'we cannot take this anymore,'" Rosales explained.

Seeing that there is no traffic enforcer around and that no one else would do the job, the retired Catholic cardinal decided to take action.

Zipping up his raincoat, Rosales walked out of their vehicle and went on to the root of the traffic jam located about one kilometer from where his caravan was halted.

Apparently, six motorists were arguing over who should pass through a two-lane road in Santo Tomas along the outskirts of Manila.

The highway where Rosales and over a thousand others were stranded had been one of the sources of "daily misery" among Filipinos who have no other choice but to take the route.

The Filipino cardinal then went to talk to the arguing motorists pleading that they get along as all of them are in a hurry.

With boots already filled with water, he then decided to manage the traffic jam himself using hand signals traffic enforcers use to order vehicles to back up and give way for the other vehicles, thereby untangling the traffic mess.

According to him, the drivers who caused the traffic jam were 'apologetic,' apparently realizing their fault.

After the incident, Rosales seemed to have enjoyed playing the role of a traffic enforcer and admitted that he would not hesitate doing it again if needed, saying with a laugh: "Next time, I'll be sure to bring a whistle."

The outlet also reported that Filipino drivers got out of their vehicles get out of their vehicles to kiss his ring after seeing the big crucifix under his neck that peeked out of his jacket.

The Philippines is home to 100 million Roman Catholics who are deemed one of the most devout Christian groups in the world. In January, over six million of them attended a mass celebrated by Pope Francis in the midst of rain and strong winds.