Fr. Arsenio Cayasan Pioquinto, O.S.A., born on December 14, 1935, in Nueva Caceres, Oslob, Cebu, was the son of Moises Pioquinto and Isabel Cayasan-Pioquinto. He grew up with four brothers and three sisters.
Fr. Arsenio embarked on his educational journey at Nueva Caceres Elementary School, followed by Colegio del Santo Niño in Magallanes, Cebu City, where he completed his high school studies. His pursuit of knowledge led him to the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where he majored in Philosophy as part of his Liberal Arts program from 1958 to 1961. He furthered his education with a Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology at the Seminario Agostiniano in Valladolid, Spain, from 1961 to 1963.
In June 1953, Fr. Arsenio entered the Order of St. Augustine and continued his formation at the San Agustin Seminary in Intramuros, Manila, eventually taking his Simple Profession on June 15, 1959. His dedication to his calling led him to the Novitiate in the same seminary in June 1959.
Fr. Arsenio’s commitment culminated in a series of ordinations and assignments. He took his Solemn Profession on October 3, 1962, and was ordained as a priest on July 21, 1963, both at the Seminario Agostiniano in Valladolid, Spain.
Over the years, he served the Church and the Augustinian community in various capacities, including as a Parish Priest at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, from 1967 to 1970, and later at Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish in Makati City from 1970 to 1974. He also held positions such as Vice Rector and Dean of Religion at Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod in Bacolod City from 1974 to 1978 and Chaplain at Colegio del Santo Niño in Cebu City from 1978 to 1979.
Fr. Arsenio faced a period of sick leave from 1979 to 1984, during which he resided at the San Agustin Monastery in Intramuros, Manila. Later, he became a community member at the San Agustin Center of Studies in Quezon City from 1984 to 1991 and at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City from 1991 to 1999.
On November 11, 2009, Fr. Arsenio Cayasan Pioquinto passed away due to Parkinson’s disease in Cebu City. His remains were laid to rest at the Cebu Memorial Park, Cebu City, marking the end of a life dedicated to the service of God and the Church.