1.

HISTORICAL CONDITIONS OF THE VOCATION

I was born with parents who are non-Catholics. It is so because of our tradition in the
family. However, they are not that practicing members of that church. At a sudden
moment in my life, I became miserable as a child. I was 11-year-old at that time. My
father was imprisoned. Consequently, our family had a big crisis. We needed to
separate to sustain each other needs. We are 6 siblings in the family. One of my uncles
sheltered 3 of my siblings and took care of them. Our relative on my mother’s side took
care of my eldest sister. Later on, the family became lonely. There is only my mother,
my youngest brother and I. On that case, I stood as the father since I am the eldest that
time. I can say I never enjoyed my childhood because of that. I had a great anger to my
father. How I wish to make our family complete again. How I wish that we become one
big happy family again. I prayed to the Lord to grant me that.

On one occasion, my mother brought me to see sports competition. I met sir Carlito
Talaban who introduced me the congregation. “Why don’t you try?”, he said. I doubted
the proposal. I am not even Catholic. I did not know seminary at that time. I didn’t know
the priests. I didn’t know Calbayog. But at the last minute I decided to try. It is then the
moment I decided to be baptized in catholic. T went to Calbayog for the search-in and I
passed.

When I entered the seminary, I was struck and couldn’t believe I was there. It was the
moment God has given me. I wished for a one big family and I was granted that. I got
Fathers, I got brothers, and even mothers. What a grace it was for me. I was called to
leave my family for greater purpose. Up to now, I cannot forget how I started in this
congregation.

2. MOMENT OF THEOPHANY

It was actually my desire to help people. It came to me during my third-year college in

the formation house. In one of our apostolate’s areas, I happened to meet a community
wherein the majority is illiterate. I wonder how they learn about the faith. To find out,
they are not that really well-informed about the faith. They cannot read. They cannot
write well. And what can we expect from them when it comes to the faith? They need
help. Thus, I found the purpose with which God has called me. Up until I decided to join
the novitiate, I carried that experience which I considered as my motivation.

3. GOD INVITES ME TO WHAT MISSION?

I asked myself before, “10 years from now, where would I be? What will I do? What will I
become?” At first, I told myself, I will be having a good job, a family of my own, and a
house. It is unexpected then that my plans changed through my encounter with people
in my apostolate. Since then, I desired to help people by becoming a priest. However,
today becoming a priest is easy but is not enough. I should not only desire to become a
priest. I should first become a good Christian, a good Calabrian religious, and
eventually, I could become a good priest.
I always regard the poor (my love for them) as my motivation. They are the ones who
helped me found my purpose. God certainly called me to be one of the many servants
he has called for the service of the kingdom. Thus, whenever I do my activities and
apostolate, I remember them. I am happy to serve them for the sake of the kingdom.

4. SIGNS AND EVENTS THAT HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE WILL OF GOD

i. Encounter with people in my apostolate. The poor in my apostolate are the ones
who helped me in my motivation of entering the religious life. Being with them are
indeed precious moments. They regarded me as their family and welcomes me
far better than a stranger. On my part, I regarded them as my close friends.
ii. The imprisonment of my father and brokenness of the family.
iii. The suicidal death of my cousin and best friend.
iv. During the Pregnancy of my sister.
v. Encounter with my aunt and uncle before their death.
vi. Encounter with the children in the foundation.
vii. My moment of illness.
viii. My Aunt Vilma