San Pedro’s October

More outstanding events continue to crowd up as this year draws to a close. Most significant for Cebuano speakers of the country is the canonization of the first Bisaya saint, San Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint 25 years after the canonization of our first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Last Sunday afternoon I viewed live over EWTN, the Catholic television station broadcasting worldwide, the canonization rites at the Vatican in Rome of seven Blesseds, including Pedro Calungsod. The event was also covered by a number of other Philippine broadcast stations.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for the canonization at an altar in the piazza fronting St. Peter’s Basilica. In attendance were principalities of other Christian, as well as non-Christian religions, in a wonderful manifestation of ecumenism. The Pope welcomed everyone, especially relatives of the canonized saints, particularly of our Blessed, and now San Pedero Calungsod. Filipinos appeared to be the majority in the vast crowd and waved high, large prominent Philippine flags.

Two Filipinos showed in close-ups were our own Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Ricardo Vidal who did one of the readings at Mass, and Cebuana Mary Rose Villacastin-Maghuyop in a modified Maria Clara gown, reading one of the intentions for the canonization Mass. Among those in the Mass offerers after the homily were a family, obviously Filipino, the father and son(s) in barong Tagalog.

Large portraits of the seven canonized saints were displayed high on the facade of St. Peter’s with that of San Pedro Calungsod near the center. Cebu columnists, including Cebu Daily News’ Jose “Jobers” Bersales have reported at length about this significant event, God bless them!

The specially sculpted three-foot image of our new saint was flown to Rome for the Mass and canonization rites as a Cathay Pacific flight passenger. It shows him holding to his breast the familiar green palm frond signifying his being a martyr, together with the brown Doctrina Cristiana book. The image, now as San Pedro Calungsod, arrived back in Manila yesterday afternoon, the stormy weather permitting, and again as a Cathay Pacific passenger. The arrival signals the start of the Duaw Nasud, a pilgrimage of thanksgiving around the country, visiting 36 areas across the Philippines starting in Manila to be back in Cebu for the Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 30th.

The other day at Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI, during his weekly general audience, named Manila Archbishop Luis Tagle and five other prelates from Lebanon, Nigeria, Columbia, India and the United States, as new cardinals, saying they will be elevated at a consistory on Nov. 24th.

Archbishop Tagle at 55, is the world’s youngest cardinal. He heads the largest archdiocese of the country. He is the Philippines’ seventh member of the College of Cardinals whose members will elect Pope Benedict’s successor. He has been serving as the 32nd archbishop of Manila since last December.

Significantly, the column of CDN’s Jobers Bersales yesterday on “Lessons from a canonization” was illumniating.

And now, I transition, as in last week’s column, from things religious, to more mundane concerns.

One significant national development from last week was the pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front contained in the “Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro” designed as a legacy for peace. It continues to be a work in progress and we pray that despite all the present comments pro and against it, that it will truly turn our to be a legacy for peace with our Muslim brothers in the country.

Two organizations where I am involved are the Zonta Club of Cebu I of which I am a member and the Cebu Council of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, of which I am a Board and Charter Member. We took up many relevant issues regarding our girls and women in our meetings Thursday for the Girl Scouts, and Friday for Zonta, last week that have been overtaken by current national concerns, including the stormy weather that my relevant reports on them will have to hold for next week.

Turning to historical dates, thanks to historical records, last Oct. 18th, Filipino-Americans marked 425 years of US history when, on Oct. 18, 1587, the first Filipinos in America landed in Morro Bay in California, 33 years before the pilgrims arrived in New England, and 20 years before the founding of Jamestown in Virginia!

Then last Oct. 20th, in Palo, Leyte, the 68th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf landing was commemorated by thousands of people who gathered here, with the MacArthur Landing Memorial Shrine at Red Beach as the backdrop.

Last Wednesday, the 24th, was United Nations Day, with the United Nations observing its 67th anniversary in this month of October

Now, belatedly, Happy Birthdays to two prominent and active political, government and civic personalities: Gov. Gwen Garcia last Oct. 12th and Rep. Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas on Oct. 13th!

In a few days, the month of October will come to a close with the observance of All Hallows’ Eve (“Halloween”) on the 31st, to move us into November, All Saints’ Day on the 1st, and All Souls’ Day on the 2nd of November. These days, many are already bound for their hometowns to observe those significant first two days of November to remember their departed ones, for whom we all pray that they may rest i peace.

Regarding cultural events, I regret missing the ‘Minggoy” Lopez exhibit of the well-known Cebuano composer’s works and memorabilia to commemorate his 100th anniversary, at the Jose “Dodong” Gullas Halad Museum, which ended yesterday. Minggoy was a colleague of mine during the pre-martial law years at radio station dyRC.

Until next week, then, as always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!