Blessed Pedro Calungsod : 2nd Filipino Saint
This coming Sunday, another Filipino will be granted sainthood. Who is Blessed Pedro Calungsod? Blessed Pedro Calungsod was born on 1655. Historical records never mentioned his exact place of origin and merely identified him as Bisaya. Historical research identifies Ginatilan in Cebu, Hinunangan and Hinundayan in Southern Leyte, and Molo district in Iloilo as probable places of origin. Loboc in Bohol also makes a claim. These places were parts of the Diocese of Cebu during the time of Calungsod’s martyrdom. Blessed Pedro Calungsod Few details of his early life prior to missionary work and death are known. It is probable that he received basic education at a Jesuit boarding school, mastering the Catechism and learning to communicate in Spanish. He likely honed his skills in drawing, painting, singing, acting, and carpentry as these were necessary in missionary work. Calungsod would have been expected to have some aptitude in serving in the Tridentine Mass (now...