As the Province embarked on another chapter of service within the Filipino Church, a new set of leaders emerged from the ranks of the sons of Saint Augustine— all committed to the profound sharing of lives in the community for the service of the Church.
Let us get to know the newly-elected leaders of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu- Philippines.
Our Prior Provincial
Rev. Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSA who hails from Bantayan Island, Cebu is the 11th Prior Provincial (by term) of the Province in its 40 years of existence. His election was announced and confirmed last July 11, 2023 and he was installed on February 19, 2024 on the opening of the 11th Ordinary Provincial Chapter.
He professed his solemn vows in 2000 and was ordained to the priesthood in the following year. Fr. Andrew served deeply both in the education and religious ministries. He was a professor of Biblical and Augustinian Studies at various institutions, including St. Monica Institute of Religious Life, Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute, and Colegio San Agustin- Biñan. He has also been giving lectures on Augustinian Spirituality in numerous conferences and congresses both locally and internationally.
Fr. Andrew’s extensive work experience includes various roles within the Augustinian communities, such as Prior, Rector, and Provincial Counselor. He has held leadership positions in educational institutions, serving as President of Colegio San Agustin– Biñan and Colegio San Agustin– Bacolod. Moreover, he has been actively involved in the commissions and committees focused on education, formation, and spirituality within the Augustinian Order.
Currently, Fr. Andrew is the Prior of the Sto. Nino Pilgrim Center (Provincialate) Community and the Director of the Colegio del Sto. Niño. He is also the Chairman of the Commission of Augustinian Affiliates and Laity, further demonstrating his dedication to fostering spiritual growth and education within the community.
Our Provincial Counselors:
Rev. Fr. Donato E. Ellezar, OSA, a seasoned Provincial Counselor, embarked on his third term in office, having served from 2000 to 2004 and 2022 to 2024 respectively. He has chaired various commissions, including the Commission on Socio-Apostolate, the Commission on Vocation and Initial Formation, the Commission on Mission, and the Commission on Campus Ministry of the Province. Originally from Igbaras, Iloilo, Fr. Donats, as he is fondly called, professed his solemn vows in June 1991 and was ordained to the priesthood in November of the same year. He is currently assigned at the Sambag Residence in Jaro, Iloilo City.
Rev. Fr. Jose Rene Delariarte, OSA who hails from Calinog, Iloilo has also been re-elected as a Counselor for another four-year term, following his service from 2020 to 2024. Fr. Delariarte previously served as Provincial Treasurer for eight years, from 2016 to 2024. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2001. Fr. Bong as known by many has previously chaired two commissions of the Province: the Commission on Initial Formation and the Commission on Governance and Finance. At present, he is assigned to the Provincialate Community at the Santo Niño Pilgrim Center, Cebu City.
Rev. Fr. Rommel D. Par, OSA, currently serves as a member of the San Agustin Center of Studies in Quezon City. He returned to the position as Provincial Counselor, having served from 1996 to 2000. Fr. Par, a native of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, professed his solemn vows in 1992 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1998. He has also served as Assistant General in the General Curia in Rome, Italy from 2007 to 2013.
Rev. Fr. Dante O. Juloc, OSA professed his solemn vows in 2002 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2003. He is currently the Director of the Saint Thomas of Villanova Institute at the San Agustin Center of Studies, Quezon City. Fr. Dante, who hails from Legazpi, Albay, previously served as the National Vocations Director from 2016 to 2021 and was the Provincial Secretary for a period of time.
Rev. Fr. Danilo Carido, OSA who is from Bilar, Bohol steps into the role as Counselor for the first time. He solemnly professed his vows in 2002 and was ordained to the priesthood the following year. Fr. Carido previously served as Prior of the communities in the Monasterio de Guadalupe in Makati City, the Colegio San Agustin– Bacolod, and the Mother of Good Counsel Parish Community in San Pedro, Laguna.
Rev. Fr. Arnel Dizon, OSA professed his solemn vows in 1999 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. Fr. Dizon held various positions in the Province before his election as Provincial Counselor namely: Chairman of the Commission on Augustinian History and Cultural Heritage and Archivist. He currently serves as President and Prior of Colegio San Agustin– Bacolod. Fr. Arnel is from Bacolor, Pampanga.
Our Provincial Treasurer
Rev. Fr. John Ion Miranda, OSA who hails from Manticao, Misamis Oriental, is the youngest among this term of Provincial leaders. He solemnly professed his vows in 2016 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2017. Before assuming the role of Provincial Treasurer, he was the Head of the Commission on Justice and Peace from 2020 to 2024. Additionally, he holds the position of Executive Director of the Santo Niño Augustinian Social Development Foundation, Inc. (SNAF).
Our Provincial Secretary
Rev. Fr. Nestor Bandalan Jr., OSA assumed the role of Provincial Secretary in 2022 and was re-elected to the same position during the 11th Ordinary Provincial Chapter this year. He professed his solemn vows in 2011 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2012. While pursuing his further studies in Rome, Fr. Nestor has also served as a Papal Sacristan for six years. He is from Baybay, Leyte.
New chapter, new term, new leaders yet everyone journeying together with the same goal— to continue the mission of evangelization across different communities through the various Augustinian ministries and apostolates. (GPL)
