HIS EXCELLENCY MOST REV. HONESTO FLORES ONGTIOCO, DD
First Bishop of Cubao
Honesto Flores Ongtioco was born on October 17, 1948, at San Fernando, Pampanga. He studied elementary at St. Scholastica’s Academy and high school at Don Bosco Academy. In 1958, he had seminary training at San Jose Seminary. Three years after studying philosophy, in 1964, he took theology at the Loyola School of Theology at Ateneo de Manila University. Ongtioco earned a master’s degree in Organization Development and Planning in 1983 at the Southeast Asian Interdisciplinary Development Institute in Manila.
In 1984, he went to the United States to take renewal courses in Liturgy and Spirituality at St. John’s University in New York City. After taking renewal courses, he went to Rome in 1987 where he obtained a licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas.
On December 8, 1972, Ongtioco was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Emilio Cinense y Abera, Bishop of San Fernando, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in San Fernando, Pampanga.
After his ordination, Ongtioco was given several assignments within the Archdiocese of San Fernando. He served as spiritual director, professor, rector, and other positions in Mother of Good Counsel Minor Seminary, University of the Assumption, and other educational institutions. He was also appointed as parochial vicar of the Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles City from 1974 to 1975 and at St. Peter and Paul Parish in Apalit from 1975 to 1977. In 1975, he was also the acting parish priest of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Porac and acting director of St. Catherine Academy in Apalit.
On March 21, 1992, Ongtioco was invested as honorary prelate. Five years later, he was appointed as rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy.
Ongtioco was named as second Bishop of Balanga on April 8, 1998, by Pope John Paul II. He continued to hold the position as priest of the Archdiocese of San Fernando while holding the position as bishop-elect until his installation as the diocese’s second bishop on June 18, 1998, the same day as his episcopal consecration.
His inspiring words and assuring presence guided the Diocese of Balanga as it celebrated its 25th anniversary and as it responded to the call of the pope at the beginning of the third millennium, “Duc in Altum.” His kindness and charity allowed the various branches of the diocesan tree to grow in different directions in pursuit of his plan to convoke a Diocesan Pastoral Assembly.
On June 28, 2003, he was named as the first Bishop of Cubao. He became the diocese’s bishop upon his installation on the same day the new diocese was canonically erected on August 28, 2003.
Due to the death of Bishop José F. Oliveros, the fourth bishop of Malolos, on May 11, 2018, Pope Francis appointed him as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese on May 16, 2018.
The right shield is the coat-of-arms of the Diocese of Cubao.
The bishop’s coat-of-arms on the left shield signifies the singularity of his life’s commitment to his priestly calling. The pervading trait of this commitment depicted by the diagonal strip in royal blue which cuts across the shield is the humble recognition of the gratuitous gifts of God in faith, hope and charity. There wells up in him a serene, confident life in the Spirit. The three silver stars of ascending movement, in apparent variation of sizes, refer to the three theological virtues. St. Paul writes, “So faith, hope and charity remain, these three, but the greatest of these is charity” (1Cor 13:13).
The blue color expresses the bishop’s intense devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His life and ministry have always been directed by the maternal love of the Blessed Mother. The Patroness of his home diocese, the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga, is Mary, Our Lady of Remedies. He was ordained priest on December 8, 1972, feast of the Immaculate Conception. His first major assignment was in the Archdiocesan Seminary dedicated to Mary, Mother of Good Counsel. In Rome, the Patroness of Pontificio Collegio Filipino, where he stayed for eleven years, is also Mary, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. On March 25, 1998, feast of the Annunciation to Mary, his appointment as bishop was announced to him. Throughout his life’s journey, the Blessed Mother has always accompanied him with her intercession and protection. The bishop desires to imitate Mary’s example of docility and serenity in responding to God’s call.
The golden crown with a cross symbolizes St. Ferdinand, King of Spain and Patron of his hometown. Though he was bestowed with human honors and responsibilities, the saintly king recognized God’s sovereignty and understood his task as the Lord’s servant. The bishop sees his Episcopal position as a means not to be served but to serve as the Lord has done.
The white color expresses the purity of heart needed in being a child of God. “Blessed are pure of heart for they shall see God” (Mt. 5:3), says Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. This childlike trait is highlighted by the plain white field. It indicates the attentiveness, availability and constant readiness of a true servant of God to hear and heed God’s call.
The bishop’s motto, MAIOR AUTEM CARITAS – The greatest of these is charity, expresses his aspirations in his pastoral ministry. It serves as a challenge to him and an ardent prayer that his works of service be always characterized by the love of Jesus and the faithfulness of Mary.
PRESBYTERATE
- Spiritual Director/Professor at the Mother of Good Counsel seminary in San Fernando (1973-1974)
- Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Parish in Angeles City (1974-1975)
- Acting Parish Priest of St. Catherine Parish in Porac (1975)
- Acting Director of St. Catherine Academy in Apalit (1975)
- Parochial Vicar of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Apalit (1975-1977)
- Director of the Archdiocese of San Fernando and Chancellor/Procurator of Mother of Good Counsel seminary (1977-1984; 1985-1987)
- Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine Parish in the United States (1987-1992)
- Assistant Chaplain of Filipino Migrant Workers, Rome (1990)
- Vice Rector and Econome of Pontificio Collegio Filipino (September 1992-1997)
- Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filipino (April 25, 1997)
EPISCOPATE
- Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga (1998-2003)
- Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Malolos (2018-2019)