My Life, My Story
On the humble afternoon of January 29, 1992 my mother gave birth to me on a hospital in Cabanatuan City. I was named Vic Kevin. My mom wanted to call me Vincent while my grandma wanted to name me Kevin after St. Kevin of Glendalough, patron of a parish in Quebec. They joined it together and got the name Vincent Kevin but my dad thought it’s too long so he cut it short to Vic Kevin.
I’m the youngest of three siblings and the only son to my parents. We live in the peaceful town of Rizal in the northern part of Nueva Ecija. I love my hometown so much more than any other place.
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The oldest memory I have in my mind is me as a little child standing behind the centre table of our living room with a towel over my shoulders playing as a priest celebrating Mass. To be a priest was my childhood dream. I didn’t know why I wanted it on the first place. As long as I remember that dream was there out of nowhere. I see it really mysterious.
I grew up on a very devout Catholic family. I was raised not missing a single Sunday Mass with my family. We regularly pray the rosary that at a very young age I already memorized the Ama Namin, Aba Ginoong Maria, and Luwalhati. I also developed a special devotion to Mama Mary. I spent most of my childhood times with my grandparents (my father’s side), my grandmother used to bring me with her every Wednesday on an early morning Mass dedicated to our Blessed Mother. On the other hand on those same times my grandparents, on my mom’s side, also introduced me to the same devotion to Mama Mary nuestra senora de la saleras who is the patroness of their hometown.
One person I remember who probably inspired me to aspire for priesthood is Fr. Bong. He was our parish priest whom I first knew. He was also a very close friend of the family. I remember when I was still very young; every time we meet he would tell me that he’ll be sending me to the seminary when I grow up. Every time he would tell me, “mag-pari ka ha!” and he continued telling me that until I was about to finish my high school.
As a young boy I’ll always answer ‘priest’ to every question that asked “what do you wanna be when you grow up?” But as I grew older I was losing the desire for priesthood. There was actually nothing I wanted on my elementary.
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I spent four years of my elementary on a public school in my hometown. I had my first grade on a private Montessori and my sixth grade on another Montessori 36 kilometre away from home in Cabanatuan City. I find it good to have experienced schooling on both private and public education in the Philippines. It was my firsthand experience of two realities in the educational system in the country; a class of more than fifty students a room in a public school to a little more than twenty in a private school. It’s good, though, that I ended up my elementary on a private school.
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I finished elementary and I enrolled at the minor seminary in Cabanatuan. It wasn’t actually my choice. It’s my parents’. They’d always tell me that my uncle and most of my cousins studied there and so should I. As a matter of fact one of my cousins is now a priest. I didn’t hesitate because as I said there was nothing I wanted or I simply didn’t want to make any decisions for myself. So, I entered the seminary very enthusiastically because I had no other choice. Well, I actually loved the seminary and I still love it.
My life in the seminary was full of discoveries. It was only there where I have been given the opportunity to know myself more and to discover the hidden talents and capabilities I have. It is in the seminary where I was put to the challenge of executing my ideas and leading capabilities by my own way. All of that, I did with the help, support, and encouragement of the whole community. It is the biggest credit I owe to the seminary. The kind of priestly formation helped me so much in developing myself into someone I never knew I could be.
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Before I finished my high school in the seminary everybody in there and in my family thought that I would pursue my studies for priesthood. Even my dad has prepared himself for a decision I never made back then. Discerning for vocation has always been a herculean task.
Back then I was very confused. I wanted to be a public servant and at the same time a priest. I was told that I could be both but I said no and that I must only be either of the two. It was my realization of the socio-political crisis in the Philippines that led me to confusion. I also realize that there is a great need for change in the society.
They say I’m an eloquent and sometimes charismatic speaker. That for me is a precious gift from up above. I always keep in my heart the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians; “Set your hearts on the most precious gifts.” (1 Cor 12:31) This is my guide for discernment.
I did not continue to study in the seminary but instead took up Political Science in De La Salle University. I’m on it now. I went out the seminary for a greater personal retreat to discern for my true vocation. My only prayer now, inspired by the Virgin Mary’s intercession and submission to the Father, is fiat voluntas tua! Your will be done.
