By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Archdiocese of Jaro formally installed Archbishop Midyphil Billones, D.D., as its seventh archbishop on April 2.
The installation began with a Canonical Procession from the Archbishop’s Residence to the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, led by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown, D.D.
The solemn march, attended by around 40 bishops and more than 300 priests, symbolized the unity of the clergy and laity under new leadership.
Billones succeeded Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo, who retired at 76 after serving the archdiocese for seven years.
A native of Capiz, Billones returned to Jaro where he was ordained a priest 29 years ago.
He was appointed by Pope Francis in February, following his service as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu since 2019.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, a mentor in Billones’ ecclesiastical journey, accompanied him to Jaro.
“Jesus has placed you here not because you are a deserving son of Jaro—as we say, ‘Taga-Jaro gid’—but simply because the Lord has chosen you to be the vicar of His love, especially to the last, the least, and the lost,” Palma said in his homily.
Ordained on Oct. 2, 1995, Billones previously served as personal secretary to former Jaro Archbishops Alberto Piamonte and Angel Lagdameo.
He studied philosophy at St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary in Iloilo City and theology at the Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City, where he also earned a master’s degree.
In 2011, he completed a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Before becoming Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu in July 2019, he was rector of St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro.
He was ordained bishop on Aug. 27, 2019, at Jaro Cathedral.
In his thanksgiving message, Billones expressed gratitude for the love and support he has received throughout his journey.
“Today, I bless this intense love that has constantly engaged my yearnings and strugglings, my hesitations and convictions, my going and coming,” he said.
“They say we become our best version not so much due to degrees at the academe but the degrees of love from the people you journey with,” he added.
He thanked those who accompanied him in his faith journey and embraced the challenges of following and living out God’s will.
“I am a better man because of your love,” he said.
“Let us continue telling the story of God’s love by growing together and blooming together.”
The ceremony emphasized the Church’s commitment to synodality—journeying together in faith—as the Archdiocese of Jaro prepares for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
The Archdiocese, one of the largest in the country, is known for its deep devotion to Our Lady of Candles.
