Calungsod Fundraising, Cars to be raffled off to donors

CEBU, Philippines - Cars will be raffled off as part of the efforts to raise funds for the National Thanksgiving Mass and for the templete that is being constructed at the South Road Properties.

Last November 1, a booth was opened at the SM City Cebu for those interested to help in the fundraising for San Pedro Calungsod.

Those who will donate P25, 000 or $600 will receive an official certificate of donation as well as a limited edition of the commemorative San Pedro Calungsod pieces designed by world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

A certificate of donation is equivalent to a raffle ticket which gets the donor a chance to win either two BMWs or a Kia Sorento, which are  displayed in the SM booth.

Another booth will be set up in Ayala Center Cebu.

The booths will be  open until December 8, the scheduled date for the raffle and announcement of winners to take place at SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium.

But Msgr. Roberto Alesna earlier reminded the would-be donors to support the fundraising not because of the prizes at stake but because of San Pedro Calungsod.

He said that donations should be made for San Pedro Calungsod and for one’s devotion to the second Filipino saint.

Calungsod’s image is scheduled to return to Cebu on November 27, in time for the Triduum masses prior to the National Thanksgiving Day on November 30.

It is now in Luzon for the Duaw Nasud where the official image is scheduled to visit various parishes all over the country.

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal encouraged everyone to attend the event and spread out the devotion to the newly-canonized Filipino saint.

“We should imitate him (Calungsod) and understand that if he was able to do it, why not us? There’s nothing impossible to God.  Let’s all thank Him for giving us that kind of opportunity to be able to translate holiness into a reality among ourselves, especially among our young people,” Vidal said.

Earlier, Cardinal Vidal said they will be pushing through with the process to establish San Pedro Calungsod as the patron saint of the youth and the Overseas Filipino Workers.

Calungsod was said to be just 14 years old, one of the youngest catechists, who left for Guam with Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores and other missionaries.

Cardinal Vidal also said a commission has been organized and is now studying the life of Msgr. Teofilo Camomot, who is among the three names pushed to be the next Filipino to be beatified and possibly canonized.

Camomot was a resident of Carcar, south of Cebu, and was known for his generous service and love for the poor.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Vidal is asking the public not to treat “Pedrito”, a doll image of San Pedro Calungsod, like a toy.

 “It should not be like that. It is intended to spread out the devotion to San Pedro Calungsod,” Vidal said. — (FREEMAN)