New Filipino cardinal set to visit hometown

LAOAG City, March 3, 2014—“The Favored Son of Sarrat” is how the Diocese of Laoag calls Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, who is set to visit his hometown in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte this March 30, 2014.

According to a circular letter issued by Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba, the Diocese invited Cardinal Quevedo for a special fête to honor him for being elevated to the College of Cardinals, together with 15 other prelates, by Pope Francis last February 22 in Rome, Italy.

Arriving in Laoag City on March 29, Cardinal Quevedo will preside the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the St. William’s Cathedral the following day, March 30 at 10:30 in the morning.

Afterwards, he will proceed to Sarrat, the place of his birth, for a special reception prepared by the diocese. Notably, Sarrat is also the hometown of the Marcos family.

Cardinal Quevedo was born in Laoag City on March 11, 1939. After finishing his third grade in Laoag, the Quevedo family transferred to Marbel, South Cotabato. In 1956, he entered the Novitiate of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).

He was ordained a priest on June 5, 1964 at Washington, DC, USA. He was ordained Bishop of Kidapawan on October 28, 1980 and held the position until 1986. In 1986, he was appointed the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia (Vigan) until his eventual appointment as Archbishop of Cotabato in 1998. [Mark Vertido]