It was sometime in 1956 when Bishop Gerard Mongeau, OMI (the first Prelate Ordinary of Cotabato) , invited the Passionists to work with him in his rapidly expanding Prelature. However, negotiations between the Oblates and the Passionists took a little bit longer. Thus, it was not until January 21, 1958 that the first Passionists Fathers, namely, Fr. Quentin Olwell, CP and Fr. Anthony Maloney, CP set foot in Cotabato.

A couple of weeks later, in February of that same year, seven more Passionists arrived, namely, Fr. Leonard Amrhein, CP, Fr. Reginald Arliss, CP, Fr. Jerome Does, CP, Fr. Crispin Lynch, CP, Fr. Lawrence Mullin, CP, Fr. Paschal Smith, CP and Fr. Hilarion Walters, CP.

These nine trailblazers, some of whom were veteran missionaries of China, were truly the pioneers of the Passionist Mission in the Philippines. Soon after, they took up their stations in Norala, Banga, Marbel, Lagao, Dadiangas, and Glan. And much later, Tupi and Kiamba. The rest is history…

It was 10 years ago when I was ordained. Since then I realized many things about my priesthood.

I realized that priesthood is not only about being ordained, but about being a priest.

... not only about celebrating the Eucharist, but living the Eucharist.

... not only about anointing the sick, but being in solidarity with those who are suffering.

...not only talking and fighting for justice and peace, but also being just and peaceful myself.

...not only having friends, but being a friend as well.

...not only listening to the hurts and aches of others, but being able to share my hurts and aches also.

...not only studying to learn, but learning to study too.

...not only praying for others, but believing in their prayers also.

...not only forming others, but being transformed as well.

...not only about being chosen apart from the people, but being asked to be with the people

...not only about administering the Sacraments but to be a sacrament of God's love and unity also.

These are just some of my realizations... and I am still in the process of having them realized in my life...ordination is not a guarantee that I was already perfectly fit and ready. Ordination was just a formal confirmation by the Church that I am called, but the work to listen to God's will is an everyday call.

Nobody was ordained because one is already perfect. As long as I live, perfection and imperfection is only a judgment that God can give. I even believe that we are not judged whether we are perfect or not, but whether we allow God to transform us or not into what He wants us to be.

I will always make myself open to whatever will be better not only to myself, but more importantly, to the people to whom I am being sent. At the end of the day, I still have to ask, Is the direction of my life ends with God or not? Am I configuring Christ in my priesthood? For I know that my relationship to God is still the barometer of my priesthood and relationship with others.

TO ALL WITH WHOM I HAVE WALKED WITH IN THESE PAST TEN YEARS, THANKS. GREAT OR SMALL YOU HAVE HELPED ME IN SHAPING MY UNDERSTANDING OF MY CALLING AND OF MY PERSON. I ASK PARDON ALSO FOR ALL THE WRONGS AND SINS THAT I COMMITTED.

FOR THE FOLLOWING YEARS, I BEG FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FRATERNAL CORRECTION.

WITH GOD'S GRACE AND INTERCESSION OF ST GABRIEL OF OUR SORROWFUL MOTHER, I MAY BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT IS ASKED OF ME BY OUR CREATOR.

GOD BLESS...

The theme of my ordination 10 years ago was "...that they might have life and have it to the full." (Jn 10:10)

Your least servant...