Fr. Agustin Sumbang Ty, OSA was born on June 9, 1954 in Cateel, Davao Oriental to Antonio Thong Ty and Gloria Segaya Sumbang. He was baptized on July 22, 1954, at Saint James Parish in Tagum, Davao del Norte. Fr. Boy, as he was fondly called by everyone in the Province, grew up in Barrio Obrero in Iloilo City where he also completed his elementary education. In 1968, he entered Saint Joseph’s Junior Seminary in Greenfields, Jaro, Iloilo City where he finished his secondary education. He then proceeded to Baguio City and entered what is presently the Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary (formerly Seminario Mayor Recoletos) to study Philosophy for two formation years. He finished his Bachelor of Arts, Major in English Literature at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City in 1976. He also finished another course, Maritime Engineering in 1980 at the Iloilo Maritime Academy.
In 1986, at the age of 32, he was accepted as an Aspirant to the Order at San Agustin Center of Studies (SACS) in Quezon City. During his Postulancy in 1987, he started to study Theology at the Maryhill School of Theology (MST) in Quezon City. He completed this course in March 1992 earning his M.A. in Theological Studies. Meanwhile, he entered the Augustinian Novitiate and Prayer House in Talisay City, Cebu on June 13, 1988. He professed his simple vows on June 7, 1989 at the Basilica del Santo Niño in Cebu City. Four years later on June 5, 1993, he professed his solemn vows at the public chapel in SACS. His very first assignment was as a Member of the Basilica del Santo Niño Community in Cebu City. He also served as Museum Curator and Library Director during this time.
On August 21, 1993, he was ordained to the Diaconate at the Basilica del Santo Niño by His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, DD (the then Archbishop of Cebu). On December 20, 1993, he was ordained to the Presbyterate by His Excellency Most Rev. Alberto J. Piamonte, DD (the then Archbishop of Jaro) at the Augustinian parish church of San Jose in Iloilo City.
Fr. Boy was elected Provincial Secretary during the 4th Ordinary Provincial Chapter and served in that capacity until the end of the Quadrennium, 1996 – 2000. He was also the Provincial Archivist (1996 – 2000), School Treasurer (1996 – 2000), and School Director (1998 – 2000) of Colegio del Santo Niño in Cebu City.
transferred to Talisay City and served as Prior of Santo Niño de Cebu Parish Community and Parish Priest of Santo Niño de Cebu Parish (2004 – 2008). He was Local Prior of Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod Community in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental from 2008 – 2012. He moreover served as a Friar-Administrator of Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod. Further, he served as Local Prior of the Mother of Good Counsel Parish (MGCP) Community in Chrysanthemum Village, San Pedro, Laguna and Parish Priest of the Mother of Good Counsel Parish from 2012 – 2016.
In 2014, Fr. Boy celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his 1st Profession of Vows together alongside his batchmates + Fr. Richard L. Pido, OSA, and Fr. Armando M. Dayao, OSA. The silver anniversary of his priesthood was celebrated on December 28, 2018, at the San Agustin Chapel in Sambag.
From 2016 to his passing on the morning of January 27, 2022, Fr. Boy was assigned in different capacities (Procurator, House Secretary, Sacristan, Liturgist, Local Director of Vocations, Chaplain of San Agustin Chapel, Chaplain of USA Sambag Campus and finally as Member of the Residence) at the Augustinian Residence of Sambag in Barangay Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City.
Fr. Boy lived a full life indeed although he experienced dialysis three times a week during the last few years before his demise. Fr. Boy will be remembered as a devoted and friendly pastor by his previous parishioners in Iloilo, Cebu and Laguna. Numerous alumni of Augustinian schools in Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod will moreover cherish their recollections of Fr. Boy as a generous and dedicated school administrator and chaplain. His love for the Order and his fraternal solicitude will stay within the hearts of the friars of the Province for a long time.
Fr. Boy has served the Lord and his Church as an Augustinian religious for 32 years and as a priest for 28 years. His wake was held for several days at the Assumption of Our Lady Parish Social Hall in Barrio Obrero, Iloilo City and finally at the San Agustin Chapel in Sambag. Fr. Boy’s remains were laid to rest on February 3, 2022, at the Forest Lake Memorial Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
May all the Augustinian saints intercede for Fr. Boy and may the Lord receive his soul into paradise and grant him eternal rest.