Nono and I first met as Arvisu House roommates in 1996. Karel, our father rooster and manong, made us a trio, the Three Stooges, if you like, when he entered the novitiate.
I came from the cold and exacting background of medicine and I was drawn to Nono who showed a passion for the poor, justice, and truthfulness. At the age of 28, I seemed pretty set and comfortable with my usual way of doing things, but that wouldn’t do for this Atenista from Naga. “How can you become a good priest if you don’t change your shortcomings for the better?” In short, he didn’t mind confronting or angering me to shake me out of my comfort zone. This is a friendship with a purpose, something bigger than merely finding a lifetime kunsintidor or enabler of bad attitudes or practices.
Nono is also gifted in singing. Unfortunately, he didn’t capitalize on this genuine talent because he prioritized what he believed could be better endeavors. Indeed, numerous better things he obviously did!How wonderful that our celebration of his final vows coincides with the Solemnity of Christ the King, whose readings and significance guided my reflections as I prepared this homily. That we celebrate Nono’s profession and lifetime commitment as a full-fledged Jesuit during this feast serves as a categorical reminder of how we Jesuits should behave and conduct ourselves, without special privileged status, following our supreme, divine King who came not to be served but to serve.
Pope Pius XI established this feast in 1925 to address the threat of worldly secularism which has endured and worsened. Appropriately, Nono’s efforts in JesCom have been dedicated to promoting Christianity’s message and relevance in this unstoppably-secularized world. The impact of JesCom’s numerous projects has gone beyond our own land, reaching other countries through livestreaming and the internet. Surely Nono won’t agree, but I liken him to Fr James Reuter, another mass communication trailblazer, but with the additional distinction of using social media for the propagation of the faith.
Providentially, this evening’s gospel presents Christ not as a King ensconced in heaven, lording it over all His creation. Instead, the gospel shows what Christ’s kingly power is for and where his kingly glory lies. He dedicated his power to serving and saving others.
Despite taunts from the rulers, the soldiers, and the unrepentant thief to save himself, Jesus refused to wield his power to relieve himself of agony. His kingly glory is never dependent on whimsical human opinions. Rising above the rulers’ sneering (pangungutya), the soldiers’ jeering (paghamak), and the unrepentant thief’s reviling (panlalait), Christ is glorified for living and dying for his Father’s will and approval alone.
I am happy for my best friend because Christ’s model for power and glory is what Nono strives to fulfill in his life. He cares less about self-promotion or self-interest than about serving God through serving his neighbor. In his pastoring, leadership, administrating, creative producing, writing, animating, fundraising, etc., he prioritizes truthfulness that sets him free from human approval and affirmation.
How he frowns at self-entitlement, abuse of power, mediocrity, and self-reference whether clerical or lay, especially at the expense of the weak and marginalized. It is consoling and encouraging that Nono would rather be hated for being truthful than be loved for sacrificing personal integrity.
We can better understand Nono by acknowledging the significant influences of his mother, Tita Teresita, Fr Jack Caroll, and Fr Candy Candelaria.
No-nonsense but life-giving, Tita Teresita taught Nono the value of not just hard work but also “smart work”. Nono consistently remembers and strives to emulate his mother’s wisdom, example, and sacrifices.
Fr Jack, on the other hand, taught him that we have to help God help us. Once, Fr Jack gave Nono a deadline for some task. When Nono replied with “Well, Fr Jack, God willing I will deliver on time,” Fr Jack countered, “You leave God out of this!”
And to Fr Candy, who noticed that Nono works “Magis-tically”, Nono owes the lesson of self-care for this least Society of Jesus.If I sound too serious and formal in delivering this homily, my apologies for not doing justice to how Nono fulfills his vocation with faith, joy, and hope. Once when I was whining about the state of our corrupt country infested by soulless buwayas, Nono canceled my self-pity by simply replying, “Aren’t you glad you are living in such interesting times?”
Obviously, Nono is not perfect. But thanks be to God for his no-nonsense but joyful ways and his boldness on the side of truth, justice, and compassion, which have been a concrete blessing to the Church!
We thank God for Nono’s vocation and pray that through his Final Vows, he receives the grace to live and share the rest of his life with us in this least Society of Jesus. May we all serve and honor Christ, our King! Viva Cristo Rei!
Preached by Antonio Roberto G. Sian, SJ, on 23 Nov 2025, St Peter Claver Chapel, Jesuit Residence, Ateneo de Manila University, Q.C. for Final Vow Mass of Fr. Emmanuel Alfonso, SJ