Palace declares National Day for Pedro Calungsod

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has declared Oct. 21 as a national day of celebration on the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

Aquino issued Proclamation No. 481 to honor the life and martyrdom of Calungsod, the soon-to-be second Filipino saint.

The President said that Calungsod’s canonization on Oct. 21 in Rome, Italy “shall instill national pride in the hearts of Filipinos worldwide.”

“The said event shall encourage Filipinos, particularly the youth, to get involved in public and civic affairs,” the proclamation read.

“The life and martyrdom of Blessed Calungsod shall serve as an inspiration to Filipinos, particularly the youth, to live a life anchored on values and principles,” it added.

Calungsod was a teenage catechist from the Visayas who accompanied Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores in Tumhon village in Guan, Marianas, where they were killed on April 2, 1672.

Pope John Paul II beatified him in March 2000.

Over a thousand Filipinos are flying to the Vatican for the canonization rites of Calungsod, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines posted on its website.