Rama, Garcia to attend Calungsod's canonization

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia plan to witness the canonization of Visayan martyr Pedro Calungsod in Rome on October 21.

Calungsod will then be the second Filipino Saint.

“Officials from other places will even attend, why not I, who will represent Cebu City?” Rama said, assuring that his trip will not be funded by City Hall.

Former Mayor Alvin Garcia attended the beatification of Calungsod in Rome in 2000.

Garcia, for her part, said the event will also fall on the birthday of her eldest son Paolo. “I’ll attend the canonization rights especially that the name of Cebu was given this special prominence,” she said.

“We are truly blessed and we feel very, very proud to have a second Filipino saint soon to be canonized. How blessed are we Cebuanos,” she added.

Rama also has no problem holding the celebration of Calungsod’s canonization at the South Road Properties. An overwhelming number of faithful is expected to gather to celebrate Calungsod’s sainthood, thus, a bigger venue would be needed.

The church is still raising funds to cover the expenses of their planned nationwide celebration.

Rama said he would want the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) of the city to be involved in the preparations and to “pursue” the historical and cultural part of the canonization.

“The Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission can come in since it also has something to do with our culture,” Rama said.

He said the city may be able to help financially, but the assistance may have to be coursed through CHAC to avoid questions on separation between church and state.

Garcia also said the provincial government will be most willing to assist in the fund-raising activity of the Archdiocese of Cebu. The church needs to raise P50 million for the canonization rites.

Calungsod’s sainthood, the governor further said, goes without saying that Cebu, again, will have international recognition.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said every Cebuano has reason to celebrate and rejoice with Calungsod’s canonization.

“It should be caused cause for celebration and rejoice for every Cebuano,” Magpale told reporters yesterday, saying, however, that she might not be able to fly to Vatican to witness the canonization personally. She said, though, “I’ll be there in spirit.”

Magpale said Cebuanos might only know little about Calungsod except that he is reportedly from Ginatilan in the southern part of the province.

She also expressed confidence that private sector will give donations to the church to raise the P50 million needed for the liturgical rites in Vatican.

To be patron of the youth, Pedro will be called Saint Peter of Cebu. – (FREEMAN)