An estimated half a million people attended the "national thanksgiving" celebration for the canonisation of Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint, in Cebu on Friday, reports Ucanews.
At the event were President Benigno Aquino, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu and several other leading clerics.
A foot procession of 80 carrozas, floats of Catholic saints, from parishes around the province opened the celebration early in the day.
At noon, a waterborne procession brought the image of Calungsod on board a galleon to a new site dedicated to the saint, which stands on a 27-hectare beachside property.
Archbishop Palma told reporters that the fluvial procession depicted the travel of Calungsod to Guam, where the martyr died as a catechist in the late 1600s.
He said the galleon that took Calungsod to Guam was God’s instrument for bringing him and offering his life for the faith.
“This is also a reminder that life is a journey,” the prelate said. He urged the faithful to emulate Calungsod.
President Aquino, who arrived in the city early in the day, delivered a message after the Mass, which was followed by a cultural presentation and a grand fireworks display.
FULL STORY Half a million at Philippines sainthood celebration (Ucanews)