Fr. Rodolfo Bugna, OSA, was born to Valentin Pasingca Bugna of Pavia, Iloilo and Conchita Alolin Bugna of Bugasong, Antique on June 2, 1963 in Cadiz, Negros Occidental. Twenty five days later he was baptized at the Parish of St. Roch in Manapla, Negros Occidental. He had one sister named Dorothy and a brother called Roque.
He was fondly called Fr. Rudy or “RudyBugs” by his contemporaries in the seminary. He grow up in Iloilo City completing his elementary studies at the Jaro Elementary School in Jaro and his high school at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) in La Paz. He studied a college course at WIT for a couple of years (1981-1983), but on June 12, 1984 he joined the Augustinians at the Guadalupe Monastery in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. During this time he earned the degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary in España, Manila. He proceeded to his novitiate formation on June 13, 1987 at the Augustinian Novitiate and Prayer House in Mohon, Talisay City, Cebu. After completing his novitiate, he received his simple profession on June 12, 1988 at the San Agustin Center of Studies in Quezon City.
He further pursued his theological studies at the Maryhill School of Theology in New Manila, Quezon City and received the Licentiate in Theology in 1992. On June 6 of the same year, he received his solemn profession and was ordained to the Order of Deacon five (5) months later on Nov. 24 by Most Rev. Manuel Sobreviñas, D.D. at the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish, Guadalupe Viejo in Makati City. Fr. Rudy was finally ordained priest on April 26, 1993 by Most Rev. Manuel Salvador, D.D. at the historic Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City.
As a young Augustinian priest, his first assignment was at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City. In here he started honing is talent in teaching, at the same time balancing his time as procurator of the house and as member of the university administration. In 1996-2000 he was assigned as Master of College students at the San Agustin Center of Studies in Quezon City. This assignment instilled in him a fulfilment in guiding young and aspiring Augustinians. His expertise in formation was further enhance with his attendance to the Augustinian International Formators’ Conference in July 1999.
Fr. Rudy was a restless learner, a genuine lover of intellect and books. So in 2000, he applied for further studies at the Villanova University in Philadelphia, USA completing a master degree in Arts major in Theology in 2002. Upon returning to the Philippines, he was assigned as Prior and House Treasurer of the University of San Agustin. For the term 2004-2008, he was House Treasurer of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod in Bacolod City.
It seems the treasury task in Bacolod was a preparation for him because during the Provincial Chapter in Feb. 2008, he was elected Provincial Treasurer of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines. As if this was not enough, he was also one of the elected counsellors of the Province and also appointed Rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, all of these for the term 2008-2012. With God’s grace, he persevered and managed to accomplish the tasks demanded from his different offices.
A second term as Provincial Treasurer followed for the term 2012-2016 with a short stint as Provincial Secretary from 2012-2014. In here he poured his time, efforts and skills in the varied projects and plans of the Province. But the demand of the office did not prevent him to continue his passion to read and share his wisdom, so he was handling classes for the seminarians of the Order of Augustinian Discalced in Talamban Cebu City and to the Province’s novices as well.
His love for formation and teaching inspired him further as he was assigned Prior and Treasurer of the Asia-Pacific Novitiate of the Order at the Augustinian Novitiate & Prayer House in Talisay City, Cebu for the term 2016-2020. His passion to teach and preach further gave him satisfaction while he also gave retreats and collections to fellow Augustinian families and other archdiocesan groups. Unfortunately, although he enjoyed doing all these tasks, the physical toll affected him after cancer was discovered to threat his health.
For the term 2020-2024, he requested to be transferred to Iloilo to be near his ailing mother, so he was assigned as member of the Augustinian community in the University of San Agustin-Sambag campus in Sambag, Iloilo City.
With so much positivity and strong determination, he tried to persevere to conquer the illness with much faith in the Almighty. However, God has other plans and He wants him to be freed from the pain and suffering. So on the evening of Friday, September 30, 2022 around 8:15 P.M., Fr. Rudy departed, left us…..but for the Almighty, he has arrived….has come home to his final destination. REST IN PEACE, FR. RUDY !