By: Sr. Em Alcantara –
The Shrine of Jesus community mourns the passing of one of our long-time guest priests, Fr. Manuel “Manny” Chua Ysmael. He joined our Creator on January 5, 2021.
Born on January 16, 1940, Fr. Manny was a student of electrical engineering at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, when he heeded the call to priesthood and entered the seminary at age 21.
He was ordained on May 28, 1966, and was the third Rector of the Pastor Bonus Seminary from 1971-1972. He served at the Military Ordinariate as Chief Chaplain of the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy. He worked his way up the ranks. He loves combat shooting, and he was an expert with the .45 caliber pistol and a rated sharp shooter with the ArmaLite rifle. He also became chaplain of St. Paul College in Pasig City.
He will be remembered by the Shrine of Jesus community as a jolly and approachable priest, and will be missed for his enriching and enlightening homilies in English. Fr. Manny has been assisting our rector, Rev. Msgr. Bobby C. Canlas, in church assignments as guest priest for the Masses.
Fr. Cris Cellan, another Shrine guest priest, remembers Fr. Manny with fondness. “Fr. Manny who we fondly call ‘Manoy’ is like a history teacher for me, especially about priestly life, aviation (he was an Air Force Chief Chaplain) and everything because he always has something to say for every topic. My unforgettable moment with him was when he brought me to a gun range and taught me target shooting to relieve stress and instill discipline. He was an incredible marksman from 50 meters with his Colt 45 using only his right hand. Our ‘alaskahan’ among Shrine of Jesus priests will never be the same without Manoy. Rest in Paradise, Manny.”
He celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest in 2016 at the Shrine of Jesus. His last Mass celebrated at the Shrine was during the Fiesta Concelebrated Mass in October 2020.
Our snappy salute to you, Fr. Manny. Rest in the peace and love of the Lord. We will truly miss you.
Shrine of Jesus 