May 18, 2026
The Franciscan Conventual friars in the Philippines recently concluded the second part of their Ordinary Custodial Chapter at St. Joseph Friary in Tagaytay City. The gathering brought together 32 capitulars of the Custody and was graced by the presence of Friar Giuseppe Park, General Assistant for Asia. The sessions lasted four days, from April 7 to 10, and culminated in a fraternal outing and bonding activity on the fifth day, highlighting the spirit of fraternity that animates the Order.
The Chapter focused on 14 proposed motions that will help shape the life of the Custody over the next four years, including a petition for its elevation to Province status at the next General Chapter. Twelve of these motions were approved, reflecting the friars’ collective discernment and commitment to strengthening their mission.
Elections were also held for the guardians of the friaries. Friar Gerard Lofranco was elected guardian of St. Maximilian Friary in Parañaque; Friar John Nathan Maagma of San Agustin Friary in Parañaque; Friar Mariel Santos of San Francisco of Assisi Friary in Binangonan, Rizal; Friar Jeronimo Jacobo of St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Dolores, Eastern Samar; and Friar Dominic Lim of Immaculata Friary in Novaliches, Quezon City. Friar Miguel Sumagaysay, a religious brother, was postulated as guardian of St. Joseph Friary in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Newly elected Guardians: (L-R) Fra Mariel Santos was elected guardian of San Francisco of Assisi Friary in Binangonan, Fra Gerard Lofranco of St. Maximilian Friary in Parañaque; Fra Miguel Sumagaysay of St. Joseph Friary in Tagaytay City; Fra John Nathan Maagma of San Agustin Friary in Parañaque; Fra Jeronimo Jacobo of St. Anthony of Padua Friary in Dolores, Eastern Samar; and Fra Dominic Lim of Immaculata Friary in Novaliches
In the area of formation, Friar Gerard Lofranco was elected director of the post-novitiate program, Friar Daniel Sugatan of the novitiate program, and Friar Bernard Anuta of the postulancy program. Friar Odorico Laoreno was retained as director of vocation ministry. The heads of the commissions were likewise elected: Friar Alfonsus Panaligan for Formation, Friar Paulus Sabater for Worship, Friar John Vianney Acosta for Patrimony, and Friar Nicholas Dheles Solis for Pastoral Ministry and Apostolate.
Assignments to parishes were also announced. Friar John Nathan Maagma will serve at San Agustin Parish in Parañaque, Friar Mariel Santos at San Francisco ng Assisi Parish in Binangonan, Rizal, Friar Dominic Lim at St. Maximilian Parish in Quezon City, and Friar Nicholas Solis at St. John the Baptist Parish in Ilocos Sur. For the Nenita Mission in Northern Samar, Friar Joachim Paz was designated as the friar in charge.
The friars expressed hope for the future of the Custody, confident in their mission to foster fraternity and service among the Filipino faithful. They also reaffirmed their readiness to extend their ministry wherever Filipino Conventuals are needed, embodying the Franciscan spirit of simplicity, fraternity, and missionary zeal.
Author
Fra Daniel Sugatan, OFMConv.
