MANILA, Philippines–It was a “buzzer-beater miracle.”
The 11th-hour reprieve of Mary Jane Veloso lit up cyberspace throughout Wednesday, with netizens seeing Indonesia’s decision as the hand of God.
On Twitter and Facebook, #MaryJaneLives became a hot topic as soon as news of the reprieve broke.
Twitter user Clarissa Dampil (@clarissadampil) expressed her relief in capital letters: “GOD KNOWS! THANK YOU LORD! Buzzer beater miracle! #MaryJaneLives #MaryJaneVelosoIsAlive.”
User ariesgirl (@MitchMalillos) exclaimed: “Prayer is powerful!! To God be the glory!!”
While we slept…
“Never underestimate the power of prayers. Thank God #MaryJaneLives,” a netizen with twitter handle @Manonghugot said.
“A miracle while we were sleeping. Thank you God. Keep fighting for her @govph,” Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) said.
Mat Lecaros’ (@lecarosmat) posted that there should be no doubt about why Veloso was spared. “Don’t say it was like a miracle. It was a real miracle. God’s grace shines upon her. Prayers are powerful,” he said.
Leah Paz (@ginging) also credited the nation’s “collective prayers” and thanked God, saying “…with God, nothing is impossible.”
Indonesian tweet
Indonesian Twitter user Deni Umbu Datamerang (@deni_datamerang) also pitched in.
“I am Indonesian and I am grateful to God that #MaryJaneLives. Be thankful. This is a miracle, only God did this! God bless you everybody!” he tweeted.
Other users shared how news of the reprieve brought them to tears.
“When was the last time you witnessed a miracle this grand that you just end up crying?” said Twitter user Karl (@karl_molina).
User Patreng @itsrealpats even decorated her post with crying emoticons: “OMG IM CRYINGGGG! TRULY THERE’S A MIRACLE!! OMG THANK YOU LORD! #MaryJaneLives.”
Even humor accounts paused the joke posts for a bit to express relief after the reprieve.
“Philippines may not be rich in terms of [the] financial aspect, but we’re rich in prayers and love for our countrymen #MaryJaneLives,” read a post on the @SirBanatero account.
Limits of science
The turn of events even prompted the Engineers of MNL (@EngrsOfMNL) to acknowledge the limits of science.
“Engineers can explain science, but only God can do a miracle. Thankful that #MaryJaneLives! Keep praying, Engineers!” it said.
User Sherald Sanchez (@sheraldsanchez), meanwhile, reminded netizens about the eight other drug convicts whose executions pushed through despite appeals from the international community.
“While we celebrate the miracle that #MaryJaneLives, let us also take a moment to grieve and remember the eight others who weren’t as fortunate,” Sanchez said.
Other netizens used Twitter to seek justice.
“Hoping for justice,” Kim Arvin Faner @qimphanerr said.
“It’s only been delayed. The fight’s not over yet,” Rama Co with handle @ramaoco said.–With a report from Niña P. Calleja
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