November 1, 2025 — The atmosphere inside Saint Monica’s Parish auditorium in Richmond, British Columbia, was filled with joyful anticipation on October 18, 2025.The Cebuano Society of Canada gathered to celebrate the feast of San Pedro Calungsod and to witness the unveiling of a stunning new mural. The evening blended faith, music, and community spirit. It was a vibrant expression of devotion, hope, and Filipino cultural pride.
Born in 1654 in Ginatilan, Cebu, Saint Pedro Calungsod was a young Visayan missionary catechist who accompanied Jesuit missionaries to the Mariana Islands, spreading the Christian faith. At only 17, he gave his life defending his faith and became a lasting symbol of youthful courage and holiness. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Originally celebrated on April 2, his feast day was moved in 2024 to October 21 to mark the anniversary of his canonization. His unwavering faith, purity of heart, and heroic love for God continue to inspire countless young Filipinos to live with courage, compassion, and conviction.
Artist Leo Cunanan Jr. with Sr. Izah C. Aldover and Fr. Mark Bautista in front of Cunanan’s work.
The evening's highlight was the unveiling of a stunning 15-by-30-foot mural by artist Leo Cunanan Jr., president of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group. For Cunanan, this mural is his largest and most meaningful work. It is a masterpiece created over three months of dedication, combining artistic passion with spiritual reflection. “It has always been a dream of mine to paint a mural,” he shared. “Now my prayers have come true.”
Cunanan also incorporated familiar imagery to link the artwork to the Vancouver community. “The mountain in the background is Grouse Mountain,” he said. “It wasn’t in the original design, but one day, while driving along No. 5 Road, I saw it and felt it belonged there. It connects the painting to our community.” He adjusted the depiction of the church after parishioners shared old photographs, saying, “At first, I painted it gray, but after seeing photos of the original church, I changed it to match its true colour.”
The theological concept was guided by Fr. Mark Bautista, pastor of St. Monica Parish, and Sister Izah C. Aldover, OSA, an Augustinian Sister at St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond. Inspired by an ancient devotion, they crafted a visual narrative of divine comfort—depicting the flow of consolation between Heaven and humanity. At the centre of the mural is Our Lady of Consolation, a devotion cherished by the Augustinian family and closely associated with Saint Monica and Saint Augustine. Mary, radiant and maternal, holds the Child Jesus, both clothed in light to symbolize divine compassion. From Jesus’ hands extends a black cincture, passing through Mary to Saint Monica and Saint Augustine. This represents the flow of His grace and consolation. Mary, dressed in soft blue and ivory, welcomes all seeking refuge. Saint Monica receives the cincture as a symbol of hope and perseverance, while Saint Augustine gazes upward in awe, transformed through grace and his mother’s prayer.
“The devotion is rooted in the lives of Saint Monica and Saint Augustine,” Sister Izah explained. “Mary gave Monica a black leather cincture as a sign of her presence and comfort, which she later passed to Augustine; a deeply symbolic tradition within the Augustinian Order. The cincture represents comfort, guidance and spiritual support. In the mural, it flows from the Child Jesus to Mary, then to Saint Monica and Saint Augustine–an unbroken chain of divine consolation from Christ to His people.” She reflected that the mural shows how hearts burdened by sorrow can find peace, how the prayers of parents hold great power, and how even those who stray can return to God. “May all who gaze upon this sacred image feel drawn into this same chain of grace, receiving and sharing the consoling love of Christ in their own lives.”
As the evening drew to a close, parishioners and guests gathered before the mural in admiration. Its vibrant colours and sacred imagery embody faith, family, and the enduring devotion that unites Filipinos everywhere. For the Canadian Filipino community, the mural is more than just a piece of art; it is a living symbol of hope and unity. It reminds us that faith, like art, transcends time and distance, connecting hearts across generations and cultures.
About the authorSandie Oreta Gillis earned her degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines in 1981. She co-hosted a radio morning talk show at Radio Veritas in Manila before immigrating to Canada in 1983.
Sandie is the author of three books. She co-wrote SYM: The Power of Struggle, a biography of renowned artist Sofronio Y. Mendoza (SYM), with noted art critic Alfredo Roces. In Weaving Our Dreams: The Tboli People of the Philippines, she chronicled the rich cultural traditions of the Tboli people of Mindanao. Most recently, she wrote The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret, a story inspired by her mother’s memories of World War II in the Philippines.
As a freelance writer, she actively supports and promotes Philippine arts and culture, often writing about the country's rich heritage, history, and traditions. Gillis serves as a volunteer Board Director for the Dimasalang III International Artist Group and is one of the founding members of the Narragila Culture and Arts Foundation.
Canadian Filipino Net is an independent, non-profit digital magazine produced by volunteer writers, editors, and webmasters. Your donation will go a long way so we can continuously publish stories about Canadian Filipinos. Click on a donate button and proceed either through PayPal, Debit, or Credit Card.
