Parish Servant-Leaders

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Regalado, LRMS
Parish Priest

Fr. Manny was born on Christmas Day 1963. His family and friends call him “Manny” or “Mawi”. By the age of six, he had the inclination to the priesthood but as time went by, his calling somewhat “faded.”

He graduated with a degree in Biology and worked for five years. Despite his promising career, he felt that something was still missing in his life. It was then that he sensed his calling again. In 1993 he went to Manila in search of a seminary and found the Lorenzo Mission Institute, which was to be his new home. He was ordained on 5 September 1999 and was immediately assigned to St. Peter.

On his free time, he likes to experience the beauty and grandeur of nature. He is an advocate of healthy living and regular exercise. He is also a BBC and CNN guy.

Rev. Fr. Johny Molina, LRMS
Parochial Vicar

Fr. Johny was born on 2 March 1975. Like Fr. Manny, Fr. Johny’s calling started at an early age of five. He remembers telling his father that he wanted to be a priest and say Mass for animals such as the cats and dogs. Decided to pursue his dream, he would wake up at 3 in the morning to serve in the 4 AM Mass.

He was in Grade 6 when their school had a vocation campaign. He thought of entering the high school seminary but did not pursue it because of financial concerns. Before graduating from high school, another vocation campaign was given. This time, God sent a benefactor for him to make his dream a reality. He entered the Immaculate Conception Orientation Seminary for a year and afterwards the San Pablo Regional Seminary where he finished his Philosophy. He believes that God lead him to the Lorenzo Mission Institute because he found it in the most unexpected time. He was ordained as a priest on 29 October 2005.

On his free time, he would do home visitations and some gardening. Sometimes he visits friends or goes out of town with Fr. Manny. He loves watching movies; the Count of Monte Cristo, Simone and Life is Beautiful are some of his favorites. He admits that he is also fond of cartoons.

Ms. Emely Chua
Parish Pastoral Council Coordinator

Aside from being the PPC coordinator, Tita Emely is also a member of the Chinese-Filipino Apostolate and the immediate past president of the Ladies’ Circle. She is also the First Vice President of the Manila Filipino-Chinese Parishes Laity Association (MFCPLA). She started her involvement in the parish through the Parents-Teachers Association of the school. Since then, she has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the Filipino and Chinese-Filipino parishioners.

Tita Emely is a mother of three sons, one of who is already married, and has one grandchild. Of her family’s support to her apostolic work, she says, “I have been blessed with a husband and a family who support me with my involvement.”

She hurdles through her many responsibilities by drawing inspiration from God’s Word, “I always remember John 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’ I am also touched by the song Amazing Grace, especially by the first part, ‘Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind and now I see.’”

Sources:
Masalonga, Maria Monet, “Beneath the Sotana,” Catching 153.
Thay, Arlene, “Crossing Barriers: An Interview with Auntie Emely Chua,” Catching 153.