By J. Irving

Holy Rosary Minor Seminary was the place where my life quietly took shape. Entering the seminary at the age of twelve, I was still a boy—curious, unsure, and searching for direction. Those four years of secondary education coincided with the most formative stage of adolescence, a period when character, conscience, and identity begin to solidify. Living away from home, particularly from the steady presence of our mothers, required early maturity. Within the walls of the seminary, discipline replaced comfort, and responsibility replaced childhood ease. In that environment, faith and structure became the foundation of daily life, preparing me—long before I realized it—for the rigor of the Philippine Military Academy and the demands of military service.

From my earliest years, I felt drawn to the priesthood. When asked as a child what I wished to become, my answer was always the same: a priest. Holy Rosary Minor Seminary nurtured that calling and grounded me in a deeply devotional life. Prayer was not treated as an obligation but as a way of being. I learned how to meditate, how to remain spiritually attentive, and how to cultivate an interior life anchored in God. This prayerful discipline—formed early and practiced consistently—remained with me throughout my life and proved indispensable in moments of uncertainty, fear, and trial.

Among all devotions, the Holy Rosary became my constant refuge. It accompanied me through the most dangerous chapters of my military career. As a young lieutenant, I survived the massacre of my battalion in Pata Island on 12 February 1981, when 119 of my companions were killed. In another incident, I was ambushed at night in Jolo by MNLF elements while riding in a vehicle. In both moments, I was praying the rosary. Bullets struck low, sparing our lives. These experiences deepened my conviction that faith offers not immunity from hardship, but the strength and grace to endure it.

Faith guided my decisions not only in moments of danger, but throughout my professional life. The words of the Prophet Isaiah—“Do not be afraid, for I am with you”—became a guiding principle. When I believed a course of action was right, I pursued it without fear of consequence. This conviction sustained me even when I spoke out against favoritism and questionable practices within the Armed Forces, fully aware that such stands might limit personal advancement. I accepted the outcomes with trust, believing that God’s will ultimately prevails over human design.

That trust was also present at the threshold of my military career. As a graduating cadet of the Philippine Military Academy, I hoped to join the Philippine Constabulary, following the path of my father. Instead, I was assigned to the Philippine Army. I accepted this decision without resentment, recognizing it as part of a greater plan. In time, that assignment shaped my vocation in ways that aligned both with service and providence.

My professional journey evolved as I transitioned from the infantry to the Signal Corps, where I specialized in communications, electronics, information systems, and eventually cybersecurity. Recognizing cyberspace as a new domain of warfare, I devoted myself to mastering this field. I later had the privilege of pioneering cybersecurity initiatives in the Philippine Army, organizing the Army Signal Regiment, and helping establish the AFP Cyber Command—contributions I consider among my most meaningful service to the nation.

The leadership principles I practiced were deeply rooted in my seminary formation. Christ’s model of servant leadership—placing people first and empowering others—guided my approach. This foundation was tested when I served as chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee, a role often surrounded by temptation. The values formed at Holy Rosary Seminary strengthened my resolve to remain upright and distant from corrupt practices, choosing integrity over convenience.

Some of the most difficult years of my life were spent in Jolo during my three-year tour against the MNLF. Survival was uncertain, and each day demanded courage. What sustained me was prayer—simple, constant appeals for life and protection. Even amid responsibility and recognition, I remained grounded by the belief that I was living a borrowed life, entrusted to me by God.

Hard lessons were also part of the journey. Years of neglecting physical well-being eventually led to serious illness and a quadruple open-heart surgery. This experience reinforced the importance of balance, humility, and attentiveness to the body entrusted to us.

Looking back, fulfillment comes not from rank or position, but from the realization that God’s plans unfold with wisdom beyond our own. Life did not always proceed as I had imagined, yet it led me to become a general in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to build a loving family, and to share life with a devoted wife. True success, for me, is contentment—and the ability to help others find meaning through guidance and example.

Though I once aspired to the priesthood, a moment of clarity redirected my path. Seeing my father hospitalized, attended by a chaplain who stood alone, while my family kept vigil by my father’s side, made me realize my desire to raise a family of my own. That moment did not diminish my faith; rather, it redefined my vocation toward a different form of service.

Life at Holy Rosary Seminary remains vivid in memory. Days began at dawn with prayers in the chapel, followed by communal work—scrubbing hallways with bunot, attending classes, observing silence, and sharing meals. Afternoons included a brief siesta, academic instruction, and athletic activities, with evenings devoted once more to prayer, especially the rosary. Team sports such as basketball and soccer fostered camaraderie and discipline. It is only in that seminary where all students are members of the choir. Academically, I thrived in mathematics under Monsignor “Migo” Arellano, and the grounding I received in Latin and Spanish proved valuable in later life. One fond memory, recalled with quiet humor, was during Typhoon Sening, where  we had the first “ukay-ukay” when donated winter clothing filled the seminary. We donned coats never meant for our climate, walking through the dormitories with youthful laughter.

Among all the values imparted by Holy Rosary Seminary, prayerfulness stands foremost. It shaped my mental resilience, moral clarity, and lifelong orientation toward what is right. Love—of God and of neighbor—became the core value guiding my role as husband, father, and citizen.

To seminarians who may not ultimately be called to the priesthood, I offer this assurance: the seminary provides an enduring foundation. It forms the conscience, aligns the moral compass, and prepares one to serve society with integrity. The lifelong gift of Holy Rosary Minor Seminary lies in the brotherhood it creates—classmates bound by shared faith, guiding one another toward goodness.

For parents discerning where to entrust the education of their sons, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary offers more than academic formation. It offers a beginning—a chance for young men to be guided toward purpose, grounded in faith, and prepared for lives of service, whatever vocation they may ultimately embrace.