FORMER UST Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, Jr., O.P. has been elected as the 13th prior provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.
The Master of the Order of Preachers, Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, O.P., confirmed the election on Monday, Jan. 18.
De la Cruz was elected to his post on Sunday during the 12th Provincial Chapter held in Caleruega, Batangas . It was spearheaded by the Convent of Saint Albert the Great.
By virtue of his position, he will also serve as the University’s vice chancellor for four years, until 2025. He will also be chairman of the board of trustees.
De la Cruz succeeded Fr. Napoleon Sipalay, Jr., O.P., who was prior provincial from 2016 until de la Cruz’s appointment.
According to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Book of Constitutions and Ordinations, a prior provincial or superior of a province “must promote regular and apostolic life, provide for the brothers’ needs [and] should be concerned that the brothers fulfill their personal obligations.”
The newly elected Filipino Dominican head was a former director of UST Center for Campus Ministry and is teaching sacred theology at the University.
De la Cruz obtained his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies in 1986.
Born in Manila, de la Cruz earned his canonical degree in sacred theology and his master’s degree in theology in UST in 1991 and 2006, respectively.
De la Cruz entered the Dominican pre-novitiate program in 1980 and professed in the Dominican Order on May 11, 1984. He was ordained priest in 1992.
Before he was elected, de la Cruz was assigned to San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish in Navotas.
From 2017 to 2020, he served as the superior of the Dominican community of Rumah Santo Tomas in Surabaya, Indonesia.
He was also appointed head of the Dominican Clerical Fraternity (2012 to 2014), provincial councilor (2012 to 2016) and socius or assistant of the prior provincial (2014 to 2016).
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