Speakers

SPEAKERS

THE EUCHARIST and the Word of God

REV. FR. EMIL DAVA VALEZA was born in Balintawak, Quezon City, 1984 and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Caceres in 2016. He was a former student in Architecture at the University of Northern Eastern Philippines, Iriga City. He finished his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Naga City, and his Bachelor in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Manila, where in April 2015, he received his Licentiate and Masters in Sacred Theology. From 2017-2023, Fr. Emil was Chairperson of the Commission on Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Caceres. On two occasions, he has presented talks on "Jun Impas' the 'Prodigal Son': A Study on Biblical Interpretation through Visual Arts" on the occasion of the 20^th Annual Convention of the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines and Joey Velasco's "Hapag Ng Pag-Asa": The Last Supper's Image of Hope for The Poor (Art As Biblical Interpretation and Its Reception) during the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines (CBAP)- Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (ECBA-CBCP) joint conference. He is a guest professor at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary, Naga City, and parish priest at the Parish of Christ the King, Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Coming Together in Prayer: For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
(Mt 18:20)

SR. BERNARDITA DIANZON, FSP is a member of the missionary congregation of the Daughters of Saint Paul. She finished her bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. She obtained her Master of Arts in Theology, Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, and Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. She studied Scriptures at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and teaches New Testament courses at the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, and the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay City. Sr. Bernie is a prolific writer, researcher, and author. She is the author of Glimpses of Paul and His Message, where the articles in this volume attempt to make St. Paul accessible and present his message in digestible form to the people of today. Sr. Bernie is also the reflection writer of the Gospel Power, an annual publication of the Daughters of St. Paul, which brings readers to experience God’s transforming power in the Gospel. She is also a member of the Catholic Biblical Association of the Philippines.

Humility, the Foundation of Prayer: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mk 10:47)

FR. ARLO BERNARDO S. YAP, SVD was born in Manila on November 17, 1957. He has a bachelor’s degree in AB Philosophy and Theology at the Christ the King Mission Seminary. On October 22, 1983, he was ordained priest at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City. His apostolate works included, among others, the broadcast media, where he worked with the radio station DZRV (Radio Veritas) in Fairview, Quezon City. He took some academic units in Broadcasting at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, then transferred to the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, where he finished his master’s degree in Development Communication, major in Broadcasting. From 1987 to 1999, he hosted the radio program “Hello, Father” of Radio Veritas. From 1996 to 1999, he was Assistant Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning, Quezon City, where he focused on the youth ministry. From 1999 to 2006, he was the director of the Divine Word Biblical Center in Christ the King Mission Seminary, Q. C., and the Biblical Coordinator for the SVD Central Province. In the year 2000, he devised the Liturgical Bible Study, a methodology of Bible study intended to prepare the Catholics for Sunday Holy Mass and reach every Catholic family with the Word of God. Fr. Arlo is the author of “BUSOG” (Nourished with the Word) (2017) about the Liturgical Bible Study and “Happy Old Age” (2019), an inspirational book describing how to enjoy life in one’s twilight years. He has been very active in conducting retreats and seminars of the Catholic Charismatic Renewals, Marriage Encounter Seminars, and Cursillo movements. Fr. Arlo conducts and promotes the Liturgical Bible Study Seminars (LBSS) and other biblical-related seminars in different parts of the Philippines. In 2013, he co-founded the Family Disciples of the Word and created modules like Biblical Marriage Weekend (BMW). In 2021, he was appointed Executive Secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA). In December 2023, he was assigned as Parish Administrator of Sto. Niño de Violago Quasi-Parish along E. Rodriguez Blvd, Quezon City.

THE OUR FATHER: A Summary of the Gospels

FR. STUART PATRICK CHALMERS is a priest of the Diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland. Born in Aberdeen in 1972 and ordained in 1997, he pursued studies in philosophy and theology in Italy and Ireland, obtaining his Licentiate in Moral Theology in 1997 from the Alphonsian Academy, Rome, and his doctorate in Moral Theology from St Patrick's College, Maynooth in 2009. He has served as parish priest and Vicar General in the north of Scotland. He is now spiritual director and teacher at the Royal Scots College, a propaedeutic seminary in Salamanca. He is also an associate professor of the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical University of Salamanca and a research associate of the Institute of European Studies and Human Rights, based at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. His thesis, Conscience in Context: Historical and Existential Perspectives, was published in 2014 and will soon be republished by Claretian Publications. In addition, he has published articles in theological journals and presented conferences on morals and Christian anthropology. He has also written a work on contemplative prayer, Docta Ignorantia: An Anthology of Teachings of the Saints on Prayer, published by Claretian Publications. He has recently completed the Bible Diary and Daily Gospel 2025 reflections.

SHARERS

FR. ENRIQUE M. LUZUNG is a priest from the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga. He has a degree in psychology, bringing a deep understanding of the human mind and spirit to his ministry. His path to priesthood was a late vocation, demonstrating his profound dedication and commitment to his calling. He was ordained on October 01, 2007. Fr. Ric, or “Among Ric,” served in various posts and capacities at the Archdiocese of Pampanga as parish priest, formator, and former Dean of Studies of the Graduate School of Theology at the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary. He is also a singer and a veteran of community theater. He now serves as the parish priest at Nuestra Senora del Pilar Parish in San Simon, Pampanga, where his compassionate leadership and insightful guidance have made a significant impact on the community.

BRO. JESUS N. MATIAS, OFS is a professed brother of the Secular Franciscan Order. He is an author and a speaker on spirituality and the Franciscan life. Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. has published his devotional booklet series, Praying with Padre Pio: Part 1 Meditations on the Holy Eucharist, Part 2 Meditations on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Part 3 Suffering with Christ, Suffering for Christ, and Part 4 On Spiritual Trials and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His book, “Thirty Days with Lolo Kiko,” has been awarded “Best Book in Spirituality” in the 2016 Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards. Bro. Jess works as an engineering management consultant, a certified project management professional, and a Senior Lecturer for construction management for the Institute of Civil Engineering and the National Engineering Center at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He completed his graduate studies in pastoral ministry and theology and teaches at the St. Vincent School of Theology. He is married with a family of four children. You may reach him at icxc.ofs@gmail.com

SR. MARIA DULCE EMMANUEL F. INLAYO, OCD is a member of the Discalced Carmelite Contemplative Nun from the Carmelite Monastery in Infanta, Quezon. She is the author of the biography of the first Filipino Carmelite priest and bishop, the Most Reverend Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, DD, the “It is the Lord!” She is also the author of Interior Journey: 30 Days with St. Teresa of Avila, where she sets the readers off on a journey toward interiority through the writings of St. Teresa of Avila—interweaving the teachings of St. Teresa with the Sacred Scriptures and her personal experiences. Sr. Dulce graduated with a degree in Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila. She is the present Novice Mistress of Infanta Carmel.

FR. SALVADOR G. AGUALADA JR., CMF is a member of the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians). He went to the Loyola School of Theology (LST), Ateneo de Manila University, for his Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, finished his Master’s Degree in Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University, and pursued his Licentiate and Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He is a former School Director of Claret School of Quezon City (CSQC) and President of Claret College of Isabela (CCI) of Isabela, Basilan. Fr. Buddy, a poet, a writer, a speaker, and a chef, is the author of five books: (1) Stirrings of a Heart in Prayer (which won him a Catholic Mass Media Award in 2008), (2) Homecoming, (3) Pedro Calungsod: Patron for the Youth, (4) A Critical Re-appraisal of Karl Rahner’s Theory of the “Anonymous Christian,” and (5) Our Longing for Home, as well as several articles. While serving as President of Saint Anthony Mary Claret College (SAMCC) and Dean of the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA), Fr. Buddy teaches theology at the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, and ICLA. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of ICLA’s journal, Religious Life Asia.