CEBU, Philippines — Many of the devotees of sainthood candidate Archbishop Teofilo Camomot have testified to how the late Cebuano prelate’s intercession helped them heal their lingering sickness and pass government-initiated examinations.
Some of these testimonies were on display inside Domus Teofilo House, the structure that also doubles as Camomot's museum and chapel at the same time.
“Daghan na gyud kaayo og mga testimonies nga naayo sila ilang mga sakit ug nakapasar sa ilang mga examinations with the intercession ni Archbishop Camomot. Ang ubang letters naa gibutang sa museum but mas daghan ang wala mabutang nganha,” said Rev. Mother Maria Louella Grace Buscato, Mother House Superior of the Daughters of Sta. Teresa (DST).
“Daghan pa mi og mga letters nga nadawat nga wala pa gyud namo mabasa tungod sa kadaghan,” she added.
DST is the congregation founded by the former archbishop. It is the one advocating for Camomot's beatification and canonization.
Inside the museum, in one of the many enclosed cases, one could see several letters from students who passed various licensure examinations for nurses, teachers, physical therapists, physicians, among others.
Aside from their respective letters, the devotees also attached their ballpens they used during the exams, or the uniforms they wore when their oaths were administered.
Some said they also experienced first-hand the generosity and goodness of the late Cebuano prelate.
“Maayo gyud kaayo to siya nga pagkatawo, dili kamao masuko. Bisan kadtong nag-ilad niya, wala gyud siya nasuko. Grabe gyud ang iyang panggihatagon. Usa gyud ko sa iyang natabangan financially,” said the 62-year-old Elflida Canasa, a resident of Upper Dapdap, Poblacion 3 in Carcar City.
Canasa said that it was Camomot who officiated her wedding ceremony with her husband, Romeo. She was 21 years old while her husband was 20 when they got married in 1980.
Camomot was born on March 3, 1914 in Carcar City and died in a vehicular accident in the town of San Fernando, Cebu on September 27, 1988 while on his way home to Carcar.
“Ang iyaha gyud pirmi tambag namo nga kung naay problema ihangad gyud sa Ginoo. Atimanon gyud ang pamilya ug likayan ang mga bisyo,” said Canasa.
Canasa also recalled that in the 1970s, particularly in Lunluan P. Vasquez St. in Poblacion, Carcar, the flood in the area reached up to the chest level.
“Ang baha anang dapita taga dughan unya si Camomot niadto siya sa lugar, iyang giisa ang Santo Kristo, nihubas ang tubig sa baha. Sukad ato hangtud karon, wa nay baha ang maong lugar,” said Canasa.
Canasa added that even if Camomot had already died, they continue to pray and ask the latter's help, especially during the time she was being operated and badly needed money to pay for hospital expenses.
“Nag-ampo gyud ko ni Archbishop Camomot atong panahona nga unta iyaha ming tabangan kay dako kaayo mi og bayranan sa hospital. Mao to naa gyud mga tawo nga nitabang namo og nakabayad mi,” sje said.
Canasa visited the Domus Teofilo last week to accompany his ailing brother.
“Niari mi kay naghinaot mi nga maayo siya sa iyang gibati nga sakit,” said the mother of four.
The Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints has already approved the diocesan process for the cause of Camomot's sainthood.
“We hope and we are optimistic that he will become a saint. Hopefully, in this lifetime, he will be canonized,” said Buscato. JMD (FREEMAN)