A Bicolano for the Bicolano Faithful
by Clyde Ericson Nolasco
His Excellency Most Rev. Jose Alan Dialogo is a Manileño priest but he hails from Naga, Camarines Sur so his appointment as the 5th bishop of the Diocese of Sorsogon, replacing retired Bishop Arturo Bastes, is like a homecoming.
During his grade school years at Naga Parochial School, the young Alan Dialogo would serve at the mass at the Cathedral of Naga
CALLING
During his grade school years at Naga Parochial School, the young Alan Dialogo would serve at the mass at the Cathedral of Naga.
Because of his enthusiasm, he entered the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary before entering college for Philosophy. However, he transferred to Christ the King Seminary of the Societas Verbi Divini (Society of the Divine Word or SVD) with the intention of becoming a missionary.
HIATUS
His father died when he was just two years old. After a year with the SVD, his mother passed away. Orphaned of both parents, he decided to file for a two-year regency (a term used when a seminarian takes a break from formation within the seminary structure) to accompany his sister.
However, he was not able to stick to his plan to go back to the seminary after two years. The orphaned seminarian could no longer continue his seminary formation. Instead, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at the University of Nueva Caceres. After graduation, he started teaching at Peña de Francia College in Naga City.
VACUUM In his ten years outside the seminary, he finished a Master’s Degree in Psychology, became a high school principal, and was almost convinced to get married. Yet in spite of all these accomplishments in his career and a “perfect” relationship, on his tenth year outside, he still felt empty. COMEBACK After discerning, he decided to enter St. Camillus Seminary in Marikina. After a year, he transferred to Military Diocese and studied at the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary (HASS). Groomed to be the next spiritual director, he was ordained for the Archdiocese of Manila on July 31, 1996.
ASSIGNMENTS
After ordination, he was assigned as Parochial Vicar of San Roque, Mandaluyong.
A year later, he was sent to Rome to study Spirituality to prepare him as spiritual director of HASS although upon return, he was instead appointed vice rector.
In 2002, he was appointed rector of HASS then became vice rector of EDSA Shrine in 2005. He became the parish priest of St. John of the Cross Makati in 2008. Also in 2008, he became a member of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Manila.
After seven years of focusing on the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) of the parish, he was assigned as director of Cardinal Sin Welcome Home, the retirement facility for priests of the archdiocese.
RETIREMENT PROJECT
Two years ago, he started putting up Manto Nin Pagkamoot (Mantle of Love) Children’s Foundation, Inc., a foundation for underprivileged children in Naga. Although only in his 50s, this was actually his retirement project. He had no idea that God had bigger plans for him.
Appointed bishop at 57, now he needs to adjust his plans as he assumes the office of the prelate of the Diocese of Sorsogon.
But Bishop Alan is excited to be one with the people of the Diocese of Sorsogon again. His appointment is but a homecoming. He is a Bicolano for the Bicolano faithful.
Two years ago, he started putting up Manto Nin Pagkamoot (Mantle of Love) Children’s Foundation, Inc., a foundation for underprivileged children in Naga. Although only in his 50s, this was actually his retirement project. He had no idea that God had bigger plans for him.