Any successful endeavor or fulfillment in life is not an overnight achievement just because we have the capabilities, talents or gifts. It comes after our openness to God and our willingness to be used as instrument to inspire others.

Our newly appointed bishop—Apo William David Antonio, 55, knows that too well,  for he believes that God has given everyone  ‘some gifts’, but one should not rely on these “gifts” alone, or else one will accomplish nothing.  

“Fulfillment or accomplishment is a story of God’s grace over human’s weaknesses. Life, after all, is about sharing. It is about moving out of your own selfishness that you can’t reach out to others. If you are looking for meaning, for fulfillment, for joy in life, then there is no way you can run away from that. You can’t find that elsewhere. Not in anyone, not in anything. Only God can give you that joy and sense of meaning, “he shared.

As the second to the eldest of six siblings, he knows the value of hard work. Her family and friends can attest to that. Born on December 29, 1963 and raised in a town called “Calautit” in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, where in farming is the main caused of living, the young Apo William learned the art of shepherding the cows and carabaos without complaining.

According to his mother, Mrs. Manuela Antonio, he helps his father in watering the tobacco fields and while enjoying his childhood at the same time.

The young and humble Apo William didn’t actually have an initial ambition or idea of becoming a priest. When people ask him if did he ever entertained the idea of having life other than priesthood, his answer would always turned out like:

“At one point, I wanted to become a teacher because I was deeply impressed by some of our teachers in the elementary grade. When I finished high school, I was (thinking) with the idea, maybe I can become an architect, I was interested in building things like art, every things like that.“

Some of his classmates even suggested him to enter the law school, because they believe in his great intellectual capacity. Even though he treats it as a good proposition,  sadly, he just can’t because poverty didn’t allow him to do so.

According to him, poverty is indeed a blessing. He may not be aware that time but poverty paved way for him to see the glimpse of the life he has now,—the priesthood life.

He was in his second year in high school when ‘priesthood’ waved at his future. It happened when the school director offered him to enter the seminary. His mother didn’t want to accept the offer at first, because she knows that entering the seminary will also require a lot of money but finally agreed when the director promised to help her son.

“You know, sometimes, you realized that it’s.. poverty is a blessing…you may be unable to see right now, but when you look back, you will realized that “wow”, that was God’s hand, its providential.” he expressed.

He finished minor seminary and proceeded to college in San Pablo Seminary in Baguio City. When he finished college, the thought of leaving the seminary came to his mind. According to him, an 18-year old William was too young to enter Theology that’s why he decided to leave the seminary.

He took a one year leave of absence before he came to realize that he really had the vocation. He continued his formation and years after, he got ordained as a priest on the day of the Lord— December 1, 1988.

Apo William is the living example of the quote “Learning is a lifelong process” because after receiving the sacrament of Ordination, he continued studying abroad. Cardinal Quevedo sent him to study in America. Her mother didn’t allow it at first because she believes that her son had studied for so long. Her mother then said:

“Ay wen Apo, nagbayag nga nagbasbasa ket, apay apo ket ikkam kuma met ti simbahan na.”(My son studied for so long, why wouldn’t he be assigned to a parish?)

Cardinal Quevedo then answered: “Haan nga mabalin, Inang, ta isuna ket nasiri isu nga ibaun mi.” (Your son is very intelligent that’s why we will send him abroad.

But in the end, his mother finally agreed and allowed him to study in America.

As a professor, Apo William was known for his brilliance, knowledge and wisdom but he never bragged about it. Rather, he showed simplicity and humility.

His aptitude made him a rector the eventually became president of ICST regional seminary armed with doctorate in Sacred Theology-Summa Cum Laude from the Catholic University of America.

As a formator, Apo William was known for being a good influencer who urges seminarians to study and to be loyal to their vocation.

As a brother to the clergy, he gets along well with his fellow priests, both young and old. He understands everyone’s sentiments especially the younger ones.

At first, Apo William wasn’t really excited about becoming a bishop. According to him, it is not something that he would really aspire for.

“There’s a big difference if you are made as a bishop because you are now in charge of, or entrusted with bigger responsibilities. And imagine, if I were simply a parish priest, I am only in charge of one parish, town but as a bishop, you are in charge of the whole Diocese,” he said.

It would be about five years and he was called up again, so he reported and asked him if he would accept it.

“If that is what God wants me to do, I thought that I shouldn’t be too selfish.”

At 47, Apo William was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop on June 15, 2011 and ordained on August 26, 2011 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. He holds the distinction of being the “Youngest Filipino Roman Catholic Bishop” even up to this day.

Apo William, was also serving as an administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose in Occidental Mindoro when Pope Francis assigned him to Ilagan. He is  also the current chairman of the Commission on Vocation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Now, Apo William is the fifth bishop of our truly blessed diocese. Standing before a huge crowd on the day of his installation, he vowed “to abandon his own good for the sake of his flock” as he took the helm of the Diocese of Ilagan.

“I wish to be a shepherd who is not afraid in taking up the cross for the sake of the sheep,” the 5^th bishop said.

At one part of his message, he reiterated his commitment to working with the people in their collective vision for “a renewed church”.

“I am with you as one who serves,” he said.

Indeed, our diocese is truly blessed to have Apo William as our new bishop! Ut Vitam Habeant!