My Vocation Story

When I took the entrance exam for special class last March 7, 2009, I was asked to write my vocation story. During the live-in orientation, I was also asked to write, and share my vocation story. When I took the entrance exam in San Carlos Seminary College, I was also asked to write my vocation story. During vocation campaigns and May Apostolates, I was also asked to share my vocation story. One of the requirements in the entrance examination for SMSC was also to write my vocation story. When I am already in the SMSC, again first years are required to share their vocation stories. Now, I have no choice but to share with you my vocation story. Honestly, during my early years in the seminary, I was very sure that I have a vocation. But now, I realize that there may be a possibility that I am not really called by God. Who would know if He is really calling me for priesthood? That is why I am really not sure if I really have a vocation or not. But maybe like many of you, I have pointers where I can say that maybe I am called by God.

It all started when I was a young boy. My mother told me that when I was still a little boy, I would always say that I wanted to become a priest. I don’t know why. Maybe because my parents always brought me to Church every Sunday to attend mass. Maybe like many young boys, I was also attracted to the vestments of the priest. After the 1^st death anniversary of my father, we migrated from Davao to Cebu, and stayed at my grandmother’s house. Even though the parish church is about three kilometers away from the house of my grandmother, we still went to the Church every Sunday to attend mass. There were even times where we just walk in going to the church because of financial difficulties. As I grow older my desire to become a priest also grows. I was in my elementary years when I noticed that our parish priest played a very delightful role during fiestas. The so called ‘kumbira’ would not start if the priest is not yet there to bless the food. What I saw was that special foods were usually served for the priest. My attraction to priesthood shifted from vestments to food. When I was in high school, I saw that seminarians that were assigned to our parish were very famous especially for the ‘chicks.’ Seminarians were always treated nicely, and I was envious of that. I realized back then that if I will enter the seminary, I would also be treated nicely and “chicks” would love me. The attraction to priesthood again shifted from food to ‘chicks.’ After my graduation in high school, I was not able to enter the seminary because of financial difficulties. My mother would always tell me that it is very expensive to enter the seminary. To cut the long story short, instead of entering the seminary, I studied a 3-year vocational course, and had a regular job for another three years after that. But my desire for priesthood was still there, so I did everything I could in order to enter the seminary. It was Rev. Fr. Margarito Soco who assisted me in my entrance exam for special class. He was still studying in the SMSC during that time. Then, I asked help from our parish priest, Rev, Fr. Glenn Therese Guanzon to look for a benefactor. With the help of God, Mrs. Carmen Martinez helped me in my monthly board and lodging payments in the seminary. But when I was about to enter SCSC, I had a problem with one of the requirements. I needed about 33 thousand pesos for me to get this requirement. And again God never left me, our new parish priest, Rev. Fr. Jose Arniel Mante lent me money so that I can procure this particular requirement. From then on, I realize that God is always with me, guiding me in my journey to priesthood. There were also many times in the college seminary that I faced different difficulties but as I said earlier I was able to overcome these difficulties through the help of God.

My attraction to the priesthood started from the vestments, then to the food, then to the ‘chicks.’ Now that I grew older, this attraction again shifted. I was able to see that priests have the greater opportunity to serve and to help people. If ever God will give me an opportunity to continue my vocation, I will really grab it. It is because vocation is a precious gift coming from God. Whether God really called me or not, I am still here obediently following His will for me.

vocation campaign

How Do I Say, God

When the super typhoon, Yolanda struck at our place in Bogo City last November 8, 2013, I was personally there to witness it. We had our home visit during that time, so I was able to be with my family during the incident. I can still picture out in my mind the houses that I saw when I roamed around our place the day after the typhoon. Almost all of the houses were really devastated. Even the newly built concrete houses were also ruined. As I was reflecting on that incident, I was able to ask God why He let that instance happen. Of course, God did not give me an answer immediately. As days passed, I noticed that there were many groups & organizations who came to our place, and helped us. We received countless of relief goods, that even some were able to have their own mini sari-sari store. I also observed that in every group of houses in our barangay, there were one or two houses that were not damaged by the typhoon. Because of that, on the occurrence of the typhoon, those people whose houses were demolished by Yolanda had a place to stay in for a while. With this, I can really say that God indeed is watching over us. He is always there for us. Then, I realized that because of the super typhoon, Yolanda, God was able to awaken the hearts & minds of some people, and led them to help those in need. In a way, God also made the people living in a particular place to be united with each other because after the typhoon, they helped each other in rebuilding their homes. To sum up, I can say that God is a loving and merciful God.