D. Edgard Cabangon: A Legacy of Faith
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Excerpt from the speech of Mr. D. Edgard A. Cabangon, Chairman of the ALC Group of Companies and Chairman of the Catholic Mass Media Awards, at the 2024 anniversary of the Knights of Columbus
As I ponder what to share with you today, I thought of our first Filipino saint, who I know is very close to your hearts: San Lorenzo Ruiz.
San Lorenzo Ruiz' life and martyrdom embodied the values and mission of the Knights of Columbus. Like the courageous Knights who defend our faith, San Lorenzo Ruiz fearlessly stood by his beliefs even in the face of persecution.
San Lorenzo Ruiz' unwavering faith and dedication to the Catholic Church serve as an inspiration to all of us, especially to the members of the Knights of Columbus, who strive to live their faith boldly in every aspect of their lives.
Allow me to share a chapter of our family's history that is intertwined with the remarkable journey towards the sainthood of San Lorenzo Ruiz—a journey that was deeply significant to my father, Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua.
In 1980, Pope John Paul II beatified Lorenzo Ruiz in Manila. My father, knowing his close friend Celso Carunungan was deeply involved in organizing the event, my dad had longed to attend but hesitated to ask. When Tito Celso learned of this, he kindly secured tickets for my parents and they attended together. My dad regarded the beatification day as the first true spiritual experience of his life—one of the greatest events he had ever attended. Dad promised Cardinal Sin that he would be actively involved in promoting Beato San Lorenzo Ruiz, a commitment he fulfilled.
My father was tasked by Cardinal Sin with promoting its goals, including spreading knowledge and devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz for his canonization. Realizing then that there was no image of Beato San Lorenzo, my father commissioned a statue, believing (that) a Filipino hero deserved a tribute by a Filipino artist. My dad talked to Caedo (Florante “Boy” Caedo) and requested him to create a pilot model of the Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz. Within two weeks, Caedo delivered a scale model of the statue based on a drawing of Beato Lorenzo that was circulating as stampitas.
My father was immediately taken with the model and awarded Caedo the commission. The bronze statue stood 23 feet high on a 7-foot pedestal that was unveiled and blessed by Cardinal Sin on September 26, 1985 at Eternal Gardens-Baesa, Caloocan City.
My father actively promoted the (veneration) of the first Filipino saint by commissioning smaller versions of the statue for donation to churches, offices and friends. Cardinal Sin received 100 statues of Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz. One of the statues found its permanent home at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, where it was enshrined on October 25, 2023, marking another significant moment for Filipino Catholics.
My dear friends, I believe that God has orchestrated this moment for me to share this story with you. Not to brag, not to boast, but to remind us of how each of us can in our own way (contribute) to spreading his teachings and supporting the Church—whether through small gestures or significant actions. We can all play a part.
Let’s embrace the mission of the Knights of Columbus to empower Catholic men who boldly live out their faith in every aspect of their lives—at home, in their parish, at work, and in their community. The mission resonates with the commitment of San Lorenzo Ruiz who remained steadfast in his faith despite facing his enemies.
To everyone present—
let us try to live our lives that honor God, dedicating ourselves to causes that will bring joy. Our faith calls us to serve others with love and compassion, making a positive impact wherever we go.
***
D. Edgard A. Cabangon joined our Maker on March 8, 2026. His legacy as a true servant of the Lord will live on.
Video, photo and transcription by Margaux Salcedo
Comments