Fr. Melchor Laguartilla Mirador was born to Ruperto Mirador and Ramona Laguartilla in La
Paz, Iloilo City. He had four brothers and one sister and grew up with them in Dueñas, Iloilo.
He completed his elementary education at Dueñas Central Elementary School in 1969. At a
young age, he already manifested a deep restlessness to serve the Church, which led him to
enter St. Joseph’s Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City for his secondary education. His yearning to
follow his religious calling continued after high school, which led him to join the Order of
Augustinian Recollects (OAR) and begin college studies in Philosophy at the Seminario
Mayor Recoletos in Baguio City in 1973.

After two years, he transferred to San Carlos Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati City in 1975,
where he completed his Philosophy studies. It was during this time that he joined the Order
of St. Augustine through the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and continued his
Augustinian formation at San Agustin Seminary in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City. He
completed his postulancy in 1977 and continued his novitiate formation at San Agustin
Convent in Intramuros. Upon completing his novitiate, he made his simple profession to the
Order of Saint Augustine on June 5, 1978.

Fr. Melchor began his theological studies at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Noticing his dedication and exemplary performance in his studies, his superiors sent him to
Rome in 1979 to complete his theological studies at the Order’s Institutum Patristicum
Augustinianum where he earned his Bachelor in Sacred Theology (STB) in 1981. He
professed his solemn vows on May 30, 1982, at the chapel of Colegio Internazionale Santa
Monica. His intellectual restlessness was accompanied by a sincere desire to serve the
Church more deeply. With his superiors’ blessing, he pursued studies in Canon Law at the
Pontifical University of St.Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum).

In 1983, Fr. Melchor earned a Licentiate in Canon Law. He was ordained deacon in the same
year. He returned to the Philippines and was ordained to the priesthood on November 5,
1983, at San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila—just a month before the birth of the
new Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu–Philippines on December 25, 1983.

Upon returning to the Philippines, he was elected the first Provincial Secretary of our
newly founded Province (1984–1988), then served as Prior of the Basilica Minore del Santo
Niño community and School Director of Colegio del Santo Niño from 1988 to 1990. In 1990,
at the request of then Prior General Fr. Miguel Ángel Orcasitas, OSA, he served at the
General Curia in Rome as Sub-Secretary to the Secretary General until 1993.

He was assigned to Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish and San Agustin Seminary in Makati,
where he also served as Prior from 1994 to 1996. During this time, Fr. Melchor was
appointed Defender of the Bond for the Metropolitan Matrimonial Tribunal of the
Archdiocese of Manila.

In 1996, Fr. Melchor was elected the third Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of
Santo Niño de Cebu–Philippines (1996–2000). It was during this time that his endearing
nickname “Fr. Chong” became widely known. While serving as Prior Provincial at the Santo
Niño Pilgrim Center, he once again held the role of Defender of the Bond in the
Metropolitan Matrimonial Tribunal, this time in the Archdiocese of Cebu.

After his term, he was assigned to the Basilica del Santo Niño Community, but was once
again called to Rome in 2001 to serve as Sub-Secretary at the General Curia. This
assignment reunited him with his longtime classmate and friend, Fr. Robert Francis Prevost,
OSA, then newly elected Prior General. During his home visits, Fr. Chong would fondly
refer to “Fr. Bob” as his closest companion in their days of study at Santa Monica
International College.

He concluded his service in Rome in 2004 and was assigned to the University of San
Agustin in Iloilo City from 2004 to 2008). From 2008 to 2012, he served at the Augustinian
Novitiate and Prayer House in Mohon, Talisay City, Cebu. In 2012, he returned to the
General Curia to assist with the communications and later took on mission tasks to
Augustinian communities in the United States of America and Canada between 2012 and

He resumed his role in the Order’s communications office until the end of 2015.
On his return to the Philippines, he was elected Provincial Counselor for the term 2016 to
2020 and was assigned as Prior of the Colegio San Agustin–Biñan community. Beginning in
June 2023, he was assigned as Member of Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Community, while
residing as de familia member in San Agustin Center of Studies in Quezon City. On August
19 2023 he suffered an accident that resulted in semi-paralysis, significantly altering the
course of his life. Despite this, Fr. Chong abided with trust in the Lord and remained
connected to his fellow Augustinians and friends, drawing consolation from their
friendship and prayers.

In March 2025, he was diagnosed with colon cancer-a cross he bore with persevering faith
and quiet strength. He remained active in correspondence and posted reflections up to May
21, 2025, the day his beloved classmate and friend, Pope Leo XIV, then Card. Robert Francis
Prevost, OSA, was elected Supreme Pontiff. His final post was a tribute to St. Rita of Cascia
on May 22, to whom he had deep and enduring devotion. Until his last breath on July 8,
2025, Fr. Chong remained a mentor, educator, and faithful Augustinian. With faith and hope,
we entrust our brother to the mercy and love of our Lord.

Rest in peace, Fr. Melchor! Thank you for your life of dedicated witness, profound wisdom,
and faithful service to the Province and the Order.