0 Galleon San Diego ready to bring San Pedro Calungsod home

Galleon San Diego is shipshape and ready to set sail.

Officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) yesterday gave the go-signal for the Spanish galleon-inspired vessel to be used for the first fluvial procession of the image of St. Pedro Calungsod on Nov. 30.

The statue of the Philippines’ second saint will be accompanied down the Mactan channel by a festive flotilla to the venue of a national thanksgiving Mass at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

The motorized vessel, owned by the family of the late Ernesto Ouano Sr. of Mandaue City, was retrofitted to look like the galleon used by Spanish explorers and Catholic missionaries in the 16th century.

“We can guarantee you that the galleon is sturdy,” said architect Dorie Narandan of Duros Development Corp.”

“We’re giving our best efforts for this. This is part of history,” he told Cebu Daily News.

The original vessel, an all-white ship, has been used every January for the the fluvial procession of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.

It is now accented with stained wood to resemble the original Galleon San Diego which brought Visayan teenager Pedro Calungsod and Jesuit missionaries to the Ladrones Islands in 1668. The mast will fly a white flag with the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

At least 18 workers have been working on the ship for the past four weeks.

“The galleon is 98 per cent done. The complete cladding is in place,” said Narandan.

The vessel will undergo sea trial tomorrow and sail from the Mactan Channel to the waters off the SRP in Cebu City before Marina issues a special permit allowing the vessel to sail.

“We see no problem with the vessel. In general it is seaworthy,” Philip Geneston, senior shipping operations specialist of Marina, told CDN.

Geneston and Marina supervisor Rico Magsalay visited the ship docked at the Ouano Wharf in Mandaue City.

The same galleon replica can also be used in next January’s Sto. Niño fluvial procession, another event that celebrates Cebu’s patron and most famous religious icon, which was a gift from Spanish invaders to island natives of Cebu in the 16th century.

“We don’t have to dismantle what he have made to transform it into a galleon,” said Narandan.

By Ador Vincent Mayol
Cebu Daily News

0 TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING PLAN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING OF SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD AT SOUTH ROAD PROPERTIES (SRP)

TO: ALL CONCERNED

I.    CITOM and Traffic Patrol Group, Cebu City Police, Cebu City wishes to announce and inform the riding public that vehicular traffic will be re-routed on the affected streets during the celebration of the National Thanksgiving of St. Pedro Calungsod at the South Road Properties (SRP). SRP is closed to vehicular traffic except for vehicles issued with a specified sticker to allow entry on designated access on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 5:00 o’clock in the morning until the celebration will be finished.

• Mambaling Trunk Road is designated as pedestrian access and for VIP vehicles in going to SRP to attend the celebration.
• Vehicular access (to those issued a valid pass) going to the Coastal Road shall be; at Talisay entry from the South and at the junction of Palma St. and Serging Osmeña Blvd. as entry to pass via tunnel/underpass to those from the North.
• One side of the Coastal Road shall be closed for vehicular traffic and shall be utilized for the procession route.
• The other half of the Coastal Road (Sea side) shall be utilized for a two-way flow of vehicular traffic. Vehicles from SRP going to the North shall be above the ground, while vehicles from the North going to SRP shall pass through the underpass.
• Designated drop-off area will be along Palma St./V. Sotto St. and N. Bacalso Ave. near Mambaling flyover.

TRAFFIC RE-ROUTING

1. Vehicles from the North going to the South of Cebu while traversing along Serging Osmeña Ave. shall turn right to T. Padilla St. or at Gen. Maxilom Ave., to Fuente Rotunda, to B. Rodriguez St., right turn to V. Rama Ave., left turn to Happy Valley Road, left turn to Duterte St., right turn to Katipunan St., then to their point of destination.
2. Passenger jeep coming from North Reclamation Area while passing along T. Padilla St., shall turn left to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to Bonifacio St., left turn to Sanciangko St./Colon St., then their point of destination/origin.
3. Passenger jeep going to North Reclamation Area with Route Nos.08F, 12G, 12I and 12J shall follow to Colon St., left turn to Mabini St., right turn to E. Aboitiz St., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to T. Padilla St., left turn to Benedicto St. left turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave. right turn to Andres Soriano Ave., then to North Bus Terminal, except for PUJ Route Nos. 12G together with 09J and 12E while traversing along Andres Soriano Ave., right turn Juan Luna Ave., right turn to J.C. Veyra St., to Benedicto St., right turn to T. Padilla St., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to Bonifacio St., left turn to Sanciangko St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.
4. Passenger jeep with Route Nos. 22D, 21D, 21A and 22A shall follow to M.J. Cuenco Ave., left turn to Juan Luna Ave., right turn to A. Soriano Ave., left turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn to D. Gaisano St., right turn to T. Padilla St., right turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.
5. Passenger jeep with Route Nos. 01B, 01C and 02B bound for Pier area while traversing along T. Padilla St., shall turn left to Benedicto St., left turn to 13th Ave. (going to Blessed Sacrament), right turn D. Gaisano St., right turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn to Benedicto St., right turn to T. Padilla St., then to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.
6. All vehicles with transactions or bound for Pier 3, 2 and 1, Port Area shall only have to access at T. Padilla Extn., then to their point of destination.
7. Trucks, Vans, Trailers and other motor vehicles coming from the South going to SM or to North Area shall follow N. Bacalso Ave., to P. del Rosario St., to Imus New Road, then to the North Reclamation Area.
8. Trucks, Vans, Trailers and other motor vehicles coming from the North Reclamation Area going to the South are advised to pass along North Road, to M.J. Cuenco Ave., proceed to N. Bacalso Ave., then to their point of destination.
9. All motor vehicles coming from Tabunok, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando and Carcar who wishes to go to the North Reclamation Area are advised to pass N. Bacalso Ave., left turn to take F. Llamas St. to avoid vehicular traffic at the Mambaling flyover, then to their point of destination.

II.    Motorist, Drivers and other road users are advised to follow the traffic signs installed on the re-routing areas.

III.    For widest dissemination.

0 Rain floods Mass site ahead of event

WITH barely a week to go before the national thanksgiving Mass for St. Pedro Calungsod, the Cebu Archdiocese is faced with a major problem.

The area intended for dignitaries was flooded with rain water after a heavy downpour early yesterday morning.

Most of the 27-hectare venue at the South Road Properties (SRP) is filled with mud and boulders.

Some visitors have to use boots in going to the site while a vehicle got stuck in mud.

Workers stopped using heavy equipment in the area so loose soil and limestone or anapog that were spread out in the area won’t get destroyed.

Trucks, however, continue to dump limestone there.

“We have to address the issue (on flooding). I’m hopeful that this will be addressed. We still have time,” Fr. Brian Brigoli, co-chairman of the committee on venue, told Cebu Daily News.

He said they have to build canals in the area to solve the flooding.

Most of the area that got flooded was earlier sprayed with cement by SM Cebu City which is responsible for the site development.

“There is still something to do. SM is working (to solve the problem),” Brigoli said.

Workers have to drain the water through a pipe towards a river at the back of the templete. Brigoli admitted that rain has affected their work pace.

He said the area that got flooded yesterday was only seven percent of the entire venue. John Gerzon, site supervisor, agreed.

“Dili katrabaho tungod kay naay mahadlok ma-slide unya dili mahimo mag-welding. (Workers may slip while welding works have to be halted due to the rain),” he said.

He said its up to the organizing committee to have a contingency plan in case the venue gets flooded on Nov. 30.

“Rain or shine man gyud ang celebration. (The celebration would be rain or shine),” Gerzon said.
Workers yesterday constructed the base for the choir stand beside the templete.

The templete, on one hand, is almost finished, said Brigoli. He yesterday met with the florists and the landscapers.

The Cebu Archdiocese expects 3,000 VIPs composed of 50 church dignitaries, 100 government and civil society leaders, 300 archbishops and  bishops, 700 clergy members, 2,000 choir members and 200 orchestra members.

President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay are expected to attend the celebration.
Church officials, including at least four cardinals, will also be around.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the Cebu City police’s Intelligence Branch (CIB) said they’re coordinating with their counterparts in the province and region to monitor the presence of criminal elements in the province.

Last Monday, a dry run was done by the San Pedro Calungsod Security Task Force  at the 27-hectare site for the Mass at the SRP.

The Inquirer | Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol with Correspondent Chito Aragon

0 Cardinals, P-Noy confirmed on Nov. 30 Mass

Three cardinals will join Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal in  the national thanksgiving celebration of St. Pedro Calungsod at the  South Road Properties (SRP) on Nov. 30.

Cardinal-designate Luis Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila; Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, and Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in Rome  are expected to attend next week.

Fr. Fernando Rojo of the Order of St. Augustine and the chief postulator of Calungsod’s cause will also come to Cebu from Rome.

Tickets are not needed to enter the SRP, said Msgr.  Dennis Villarojo, overall chairman of the Cebu celebration of Calungsod’s sainthood.

Vehicle passes will be given by parish priests starting today, he said.

“The car passes will be distributed through the parishes,” he said.

Villarojo said those who have vehicles must organize themselves into groups. Vidal said the archdiocese has allowed President Aquino to speak during the national event.

“There was a request (from the president). We allowed him but (only) after the Mass. We have to finish first the whole Mass and he will be coming in to say something to the people,” Vidal said.

The 81-year-old prelate said they do not have to tell the president what to say and what to avoid in his speech.

“He is the president,” Vidal said.

Asked what would happen if Aquino chose to talk about the  Reproductive Health (RH) bill in his speech, Vidal said “bahala siya. Sinong mapapahiya? (It’s up to the president. Anyway, who would  get embarrassed?)”

The Cebu Archdiocese expects 3,000 VIPs composed of 50 church dignitaries, 100 government and civil society leaders, 300 archbishops and  bishops , 700 clergy members, 2,000  choir  members and 200 orchestra members for the event.

Vice President Jejomar Binay will also be special guests.

Msgr. Villarojo  said local government units in Cebu were invited to the national thanksgiving celebration.

“Everything is on track although not everything is finished. We still have a few things to iron out,” Villarojo said.

Around 500 to one million people are expected to attend the thanksgiving celebration.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma designated Vidal to preside over the Thanksgiving Mass.

“It is only proper because since the start of the process up to the beatification and canoniozation (of Calungsod), Cardinal Vidal has been the mover and inspirer,” he said.

Palma said the archdiocese so far collected  P42 million in donations for the event.

“We will give you the report of how much we have solicited and how much we have spent,” he  told reporters.

Vidal and Palma yesterday met with all the committees for the thanksgiving celebration.

The two prelates will travel to Rome this Thursday to attend the consistory of the new cardinals, including Archbishop Tagle of Manila, on Nov. 24.

They will return to Cebu next week for the thanksgiving celebration.

Last Sunday, the San Pedro Calungsod Security Task Force held a dry run for its security coverage of the site.

For his part, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said they could only provide  tents as drop-in shelters for visiting devotees since there weren’t enough container vans to put up a Devotee City as what is done during the Sinulog.

“Anyway a lot of them will go straight home after the Mass. If we use container vans, a lot of them will lie around waiting for disposal,”  he said.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, head of the city’s Sinulog devotee city committee, said a temporary shelter may be set up at the Compania Maritima grounds beside the Malacañang sa Sugbu which the city uses for its Sinulog devotee city.

The Inquirer /Ador Vincent Mayol, Reporter with Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Chito Aragon

0 The Paradox of Falling In Love

“What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.”

Who would have thought these the lines come, not from a romance novelist, but from a priest? Those are the words of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, Superior General of the Society, who talked not of falling in love, the way a man falls in love with a woman, but of his falling in love with God, and answering His special call.

That is, I suppose, the essence of vocation. Vocation is falling in love. It means having to leave one’s family and home, carving out your new life with your Beloved. It means having to change one’s lifestyle, adjusting your habits and ways for the sake of the one you love. Falling in love is difficult. It is tough work, but it gives a person great joy. For true love means that one can no longer live without his or her love, so much so he or she is willing to give up everything for the one he or she loves.

In this light, Jesus’ words never seemed so concrete. He says, “It It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.” We read St. Paul saying, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Or Jeremiah’s words, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you.”

Talk about romantic. Imagine it is the Lord Himself asking you to fall in love with Him. Not just “loving God”, which is asked of everyone, but “falling in love” with God — dedicating one’s entire life to Him. Priesthood and religious life are never easy; it entails willingness to be crucified with Christ Crucified, to be spurned with Christ spurned, to be poor with Christ who was poor. But despite the sacrifice, it is love — the deep love implanted into the heart by God Himself — that sustains us.

This is the same story of San Pedro Calungsod. He found joy in joining the Marianas mission, despite the bitterness of having to leave his loved ones behind, adjust to a different culture and language in the Marianas. Eventually, he had to die for this love, at the tender age of 17. He was a witness — a martyr in every sense of the word — not only for the faith, but also to the movement of the Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit that moved him to respond to the call of falling in love with the Lord.

Let us pray that the canonization of Saint Pedro Calungsod leads to more vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our country and in the whole world. May many young men and women also fall in love with God, discovering the Pearl of Great Price that our new saint found.

“Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

(Aaron James R. Veloso)

0 San Pedro Calunsod MTV

...uploaded by San Pedro Calungsod

0 Thousands flock Calungsod’s Malolos visit

MALOLOS City - Thousands of young people, catechists, and pilgrims gathered at the Basilica Minore of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral last November 6 to welcome the official image of the 2ndFilipino Saint Pedro Calungsod.

The image of St. Pedro Calungsod venerated at the Malolos Cathedral last Nov. 6. Photo Courtesy: Ako si AJ facebook page.

Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros in his homily during the Mass, extolled the characteristics of the Filipino saint, his being a young catechist and a martyr and challenged the young people to imitate the examples of the teen Saint.

He said a person’s holiness is not determined by age or status but by his service and offering of life for God and his people.

Oliveros also commended Calungsod’s calling as a catechist whose main purpose is to teach the faith. “Catechists also give a great service to God and the Church.”

The image was welcomed by Bishop Oliveros, together with Malolos Emeritus-Bishop Curilo Almario Jr. and Msgr. Andres Valera, the vicar general of the diocese.

Fr. Gino Carlo Herrera, coordinator of the visit of Saint Pedro Calungsod’s image to the diocese thanked organizers and all who prepared and participated in the celebration especially the youth and the catechists.

The visit include other activities such as veneration of the image, a catechesis on Calungsod’s works and life which was presented through audio-visual presentation, Taize prayer, and an overnight vigil.

A youth from Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Hagonoy who participated in the activities said that as a youth, he is very proud to know the second Filipino saint and was overwhelmed of the image’s visit to the Diocese.

He added that Saint Pedro Calungsod is a true model and symbol of a youth who loves and serves God.

Some catechists from Sto. Niño Parish in Santa Maria said that the saint is an inspiration to them as catechists and vowed to emulate his examples.

They added that now, they are more committed in catechizing the children whom they teach the Catholic faith.

The official image is currently at the diocese of Imus and is also set to visit Lipa, Lucena, Daet and Legazpi for the Luzon leg of the Duaw Nasud or the national visit of Saint Pedro Calungsod.

It will then proceed for the Visayas and Mindanao and will be brought back to Cebu on November 27 for the last stop of the Duaw Nasud and in preparation for the national thanksgiving celebration on November 30 in the said city.

(Ryan Rayos/Jandel Posion)

0 Devotees throng to venerate Saint Pedro Calungsod image

MANILA - Braving the heat, thousands of Filipinos stood in line Wednesday to see and kiss the image of the second Filipino saint at the country’s biggest Catholic church.

Saint Pedro Calungsod’s image arrived in the Philippines from Rome last Oct. 25 and immediately made  rounds to different areas in Metro Manila and Northern Luzon as part of a thanksgiving pilgrimage around the country.

The statue made its second to the last stop at the Manila Cathedral before proceeding to Southern Luzon dioceses down to Visayas and Mindanao starting Thursday.

After the Mass led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, swarms of worshippers pressed forward to touch, kiss or wipe their handkerchiefs on the image in the hopes its powers will touch their lives.

In his homily, Tagle said that to better appreciate the blessing of having a second Filipino saint, the people should study the life of the 17-year-old Visayan martyr.

Cardinal-designate Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle offers incense to the official image of Saint Pedro Calungsod during a Mass attended by around 2,000 faithful to welcome the statue of the second Filipino saint at Plaza Roma, located in front of the Manila Cathedral, Nov. 7, 2012. (RL/CBCPNews)

“After this very big blessing, let us ponder on what it means to be martyr. Read about the life of Saint Pedro Calungsod and listen to the many catecheses about him,” he said.

“These are available in online publications, instead of uploading or downloading about other topics, do a search on Saint Pedro Calungsod,” said Tagle.

Among those present in the noontime Mass were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim; presidential sister Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee; Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes and three commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Rene Sarmiento and Christian Robert Lim; former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., and former Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez, Novaliches Emeritus Bishop Teodoro Bacani and several other priests concelebrated the Mass with Cardinal-designate Archbishop Tagle.

From the Manila Cathedral, the image was brought to the San Roque Cathedral in the Diocese of Caloocan. It is expected to be at the Diocese of Imus by tomorrow.

The image is also set to visit Lipa, Lucena, Daet, and Legazpi, in Southern Luzon and Catarman, Calbayog, Palo and Maasin, in Visayas.

It will then proceed to Surigao, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Pagadian, Ozamiz, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Kabankalan, Bacolod, Jaro, San Carlos, Tagbilaran, and Talibon, all in Mindanao.

On Nov. 27, the image will be brought back to Cebu City from Bohol, the last stop of the “Duaw Nasud” or Nation Visit, in preparation for the national thanksgiving celebration on Nov. 30.

(RL/CBCPNews)

0 ‘Saint Pedro inspires Filipino youth’

DAGUPAN City—As the official image of the 2nd Filipino Saint Pedro Calungsod visited Northern Luzon, a Catholic Archbishop commented that the Teen Saint will remain in the heart of every Filipino youth.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in his homily during the visit of the official image in his archdiocese, that even if the icon has left the archdiocese, the presence of St. Pedro Calungsod will remain in Dagupan for as long as there are young people searching for Christ.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas welcomes the image of St. Pedro Calungsod at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral last November 4. Photo Courtesy: Jerome Marquez.

He also told the youth that even at a tender age, the young can already inspire others.

Villegas asked his flock to pray for those who are poor and confused because the way to heaven is finding, caring and loving the poor and also the young and confused.

The prelate then mentioned that the arrival of the second Filipino saint in the diocese was timely because it was his third anniversary as the archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Thousands of people from all walks of life gathered at the St. John Metropolitan Cathedral in Dagupan City last November 4 and 5 for the official visit of the image of St. Pedro Calungsod.

A video presentation on the life and journey of Calungsod with Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores was shown to the people. An overnight vigil also took place at the cathedral.

The image is currently visiting the diocese of Malolos. Tomorrow, the official image will be at the Manila Cathedral at 12 noon for a mass, as part of the Duaw Nasud visit in Luzon.

(Kurt Russel Cayabyab/Jandel Posion)

0 Youth commission dedicates an institution to 2nd Filipino saint

LAOAG City - Inspired by the 2nd Filipino Saint Pedro Calungsod, the Diocesan Youth Commission (DYC) of the Diocese of Laoag dedicated an institution to the newly-canonized saint.

Named San Pedro Calungsod Institute for the Young (SPCIY), the institute aims to form and mobilize the young to be missionaries for the New Evangelization.

“SPCIY will serve as a venue for the young and the youth ministers of the diocese to grow in the ministry. It will also be a place to develop their God-given talents and use these in reaching out to fellow youth in any forms as new missionaries to the world,” the commission said.

“It will also continue and will make sure that formation among the youth and the youth ministers of the diocese remains relevant and up-to-date,” they added.

SPCIY will be an official arm of the youth commission for the formation of the youth in the diocese. It was formally introduced last October 26 to 28 during the Diocesan Youth Leader’s Assembly at the St. John Bosco Parish in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

(Mark Vertido/Jandel Posion)