A SERVANT LEADER TO GOD'S PEOPLE

Remembering Fr. Cha and all the typhoon victims

"… his last days, speaks of what he is…." says Fr. Pete Montallana, OFM of Fr. Cha, Charlito Colendres, a diocesan priest, when he saw his body laid out in the convent.

It had rained to no end on November 29, 2004, braving the lashing rains and the darkness, Fr. Cha, together with Dionisio Cadungog, a working student, hurried to Barangay Banugao, at 7:00 at night. Barangay Banugao is a village next to the bridge crossing Gen. Nakar, usually a danger area, easily inundated by rain waters. Fr. Cha sensed the impending dangers of typhoon "Winnie" and together with Dionisio, banged on the doors of the villagers and urged them to leave their homes.

Two hundred people were evacuating to Infanta aboard a jeep and a 10-wheeler truck, together with Fr. Cha, but the roads to Infanta were deep in flood waters. Fr. Cha, worried about the convento staff and some of his relatives who were visiting him at Infanta, insisted on walking through the submerged ricefields and the rising waters to get to Infanta. Pushing against the strong currents, they heard a thundering sound, Fr. Cha, who brought a 30 meter rope, secured himself and Dionisio by tying the rope around their waists, he then tied the rope to an electrical post. Suddenly, rushing waters, some six feet tall, mixed with mud, logs and debris, like a whirlpool engulfed Fr. Cha and Dionisio. "Save yourself, I can no longer save you…" Fr. Cha shouted to Dionisio. They then both let go of each others hands. These were Fr. Cha's last words to Dionisio.

When Dionisio regained consciousness, he was on top of a log covered with mud. He struggled to remain afloat, freed himself from the rope tied to his waist, and transferred to another log when he sensed it was giving way, until he reached higher grounds. Still exhausted from this ordeal, he walked to the convent to relate Fr. Cha's death.

Tragedies breed heroes.

Yet, Fr. Charlito Colendres always aspired to be a humble servant leader, a steward of God's people.

In a text message to Fr. Nonong Pili, when the latter congratulated him for his excellent performance as a chancellor and oeconomus, Fr. Cha replied, "Everything I do, I do as if it were the last moment of my life.."

A SERVANT LEADER TO GOD'S PEOPLE

Fr. Charlito Cerio Colendres Life Journey

Fr. Charlito Cerio Colendres was born on September 18, 1956 in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. His parents, Pelagia Cerio and Bernando Colendres (deceased), are from Midsayap, Cotabato.

He entered the priesthood at the Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) in Davao City and finished Theology at St. Alphonsus Liguori Seminary in Lucena City.

On December 2, 1986, at thirty years old, he was ordained at St. Patrick Parish, Dingalan, Aurora.

From then on, he had the following assignments:

!986-1987 - St. Raphael The Archangel Parish

Burdeos, Quezon - as Parish Priest

1988-1998 - St. Anthony de Padua Parish

Casiguran, Aurora - as Parish Priest

* Vicar Forane of the Sub-Region - DICADI

Later DIBICADI in 1995 because of the addition

Of Bianoan, Casiguran

1999-2001 - Graduated at UP Los Banos

Master of Arts in Management

Guest Priest &endash; San Roque Parish, Mandaluyong

From 2001 up to 2004, until his death, he was the

Chancellor and Oeconomus of the Prelature of Infanta.

He died November 29, 2004 at Brgy. Pilaway, Infanta.