THE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – The Philippines, a country of more than 100 Million people, about 80 percent of whom are Catholics, has its share of saints.

There are now two Filipino saints, both male — Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod.

There is a growing clamor in the Philippines to name former President Corazon Aquino as the third Filipino saint, and the first woman.

Sainthood is a long and tedious process.

The process of documenting the life and virtues of a holy man or woman cannot begin until 5 years after death. This waiting period insures that the person has an enduring reputation for sanctity among the faithful. It can be waived by the Supreme Pontiff, and has been done on two occasions. Pope John Paul II waived 3 years of the waiting period in the case of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Pope Benedict XVI waived all five years in the case of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

It’s been six years since Aquino passed away from cancer.

Aside from being president, Cory is the widow of former Senator Benigno Aquino who was assassinated in Manila upon his return from years of exile in the U.S.

Many consider the senator as a martyr. So it is their belief that it would only be fitting for the widow of a martyr to be named a saint.