OBITUARY: +Fray Rafael Cabarles, OAR (Oct. 24, 1941-Oct. 18, 2021)

obituary - cabarles

 TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT FAMILY 

 Dear brothers and sisters: 

“[T]he moment of death … [is to be regarded as] reaching the beginning of that which is eternally new, in which the fullness of truth and love is revealed.” (Add. Code 275) 

It is with deep sorrow yet with full of hope that I would like to formally announce the passing of our brother, FRAY RAFAEL ESTANDARTE CABARLES, OAR. Sudden cardiac arrest caused his death in the early morning of October 18, 2021, just six days short of his 80th birthday. 

Fondly called “Father Totô” by his blood relatives, he is more widely known to his fellow religious and friends as “Father Cabâ”. He was born on October 24, 1941 in what is now Talisay City, Negros Occidental. He finished his basic education at Dos Hermanas Elementary School (in Talisay) in 1954 and at Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos (CST-R) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, in 1960. In the latter, he was concurrently a Recollect aspirant who, after high school, continued his formation program until postulancy at the erstwhile Casiciaco Recoletos in Baguio City. Just when his batch had finished their philosophical studies at St. Louis University (Baguio) in 1965, Casiciaco was formally established as a “house of philosophical studies” and was renamed Seminario Mayor-Recoletos. 

On August 25, 1966, Father Cabâ was among the 16 candidates who were invested as novices in Monteagudo, Navarra, Spain. The following year, on August 26, together with a compatriot who would be his companion until priestly ordination, he made his simple profession of vows in the same convent. Then, in 1971, after four years, he completed his theologate at the Recollect seminary in Marcilla (Navarra, Spain). It was also here in Marcilla where he had pronounced his solemn vows on October 11, 1970; received the minor orders the following month; was ordained to the diaconate on March 19, 1971 and to the presbyterate on June 29 of the same year, by the Recollect bishop, Most Rev. Francisco Javier Ochoa, OAR, D.D. 

What ensued after Father Cabâ’s ordination to the priesthood was, as our Constitutions would put it, “the longest and most fruitful stage in the life of the religious.” In his case, he spent it for more than 50 years, and only in the Visayas. From 1971 to 1979, he lived and worked in the Recollect community of San Carlos City (Negros Occidental). In this first of his three sojourns in this coastal city, he was the assistant parish priest of the San Carlos Borromeo Parish (1971-1975), thus he also held the key as to why and how this Recollect parish was taken by the secular clergy. He was appointed National Vocation Director (1975-1979), and local prior and school director of CST-R (1977-1979). It is noted that the promising administrative future in store for Father Cabâ must have been honed at the nearby Saint Rita College where, in 1972, he obtained his degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. Moreover, as an aside, I would just like to recount how, on my renewal visit to San Carlos last July 2021, Father Cabâ proudly told the friars that the present prior provincial was one of his products during his stint as the national vocation director! 

Moving forward to the succeeding three consecutive triennia, from 1979 to 1988: Father Cabâ was assigned to the Recollect community in Cebu City which was administering the then Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos. Here he became the Vice President (1979-1982) and, at the end of this triennium, in 1982, he finished his Master in Management, major in Educational Management. Then, he rose to become the School President (1982-1988), whose incumbency successfully steered the institution to finally obtain its university status in 1984. 

For the next six years, from 1988 to 1994, Father Cabâ was again in San Carlos City, and this time, as the local prior of the formation house and school director of CST-R. The researcher in him had produced a well-documented book entitled “The Centenary of the Recollects in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and the Golden Jubilee of Colegio de Santo-Tomas-Recoletos Foundation” which was published in 1991. 

From 1994 to 2003, he was transferred to the Recollect community in Valencia, Negros Oriental. His pastoral activities here were particularly in the ministerial and educational fields. He was parish priest of the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (1994-1996); school director of both the San Pedro Academy in the town proper and the San Pedro Academy-Recoletos in barangay Caidiocan (1994-2003); local prior of the religious community (1998-2000); and chaplain of the St. Ezekiel Moreno Chaplaincy, now a quasi-parish (1998-2003). His fruitful years in this town had convinced the local government to formally bestow on him, through its 2003 resolution, the rare title: “adopted son of the Municipality of Valencia, Negros Oriental.” 

The transition to his next and third sojourn in San Carlos City in 2003 was marked by what he himself described as “a major crisis” for which reason he asked for and was granted a yearlong leave of absence (2003-2004). He stayed in the Diocese of Bacolod, disposing himself to the spiritual guidance of Bishop Vicente Navarra. That critical year which he had confronted “in quietness and trust” admittedly revitalized him. Quoting John Maxwell, he would later write with a sense of gratitude and freedom: “To move forward today, you must learn to say goodbye to yesterday’s hurts… and move on.” 

And move on, he did. He reported and reintegrated himself into the community of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva-Recoletos in San Carlos City where he stayed for the remaining 17 years of his life, from 2004 until his death. He remained as hardworking as ever while juggling the tasks assigned to him. He was appointed prefect of discipline and member of the Executive Committee of the Secretariat of Formation (2006-2009) and local procurator (2007-2009). With his propensity for manual labor, he volunteered to work and dedicated his time in Monteagudo-Recoletos from 2010 onwards. From 2012-2015, he was again appointed prefect of discipline of the minor seminary and local procurator of the house. In the succeeding terms, from 2015 to the present quadrennium, his appointment to take charge of Monteagudo-Recoletos was continually renewed, and the place has transformed into a tourist spot and a haven for spirituality and development activities. Moreover, Father Cabâ’s last and longest sojourn in San Carlos City is highly notable because here three of the most significant milestones of his consecrated life took place: the golden jubilee of his simple profession in 2017, the golden jubilee of his presbyteral ordination last June 29, 2021, and, just few days ago, the conclusion of the chapter on his earthly journey. 

Like some dishes that are difficult to prepare unless you know the secret ingredients, Father Cabâ’s simplicity, inventiveness, diligence, ingenuity, and a lot more, rolled into one, have always entailed a certain level of understanding and support from the brothers. His passion for truth and objectivity is evidenced by his well-researched write-ups and even letters, studded with attachments and additional notes. In case of dissent, he prefers to express his thoughts and feelings in an unfiltered way that, at times, with his unique emphasis, he somehow replicates the hot-temperedness of St. Jerome. But like this saint, who is drawn by the depth of his prayer life, Father Cabâ manages to humbly ask for an apology or initiates an effort to make peace in a quite ingenious and sincere way, so characteristic of his personality. His love for “laborandum” (or manual work) is admirable; his skill and energy for multi-tasking, incomparable. But, most of all, he has shown and taught us how to never give up when the going gets tough and, in our daily life – loaning the wisdom expressed by an author to illustrate his – to “[a]ct as though everything depended on you, but in the knowledge that really everything depends on God.”* 

Let us pray that our triune God who is eternally rich in mercy welcome our brother, Father Cabâ, into his heavenly homeland where he will enjoy forever in contemplation the fullness of truth and love, the reward promised to His faithful servants. 

In St. Ezekiel Moreno,

Fray Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR
Prior Provincial

Fray Jose Ernil F. Almayo, OAR
Provincial Secretary

*Pedro de Ribadeneira, Vita di S. Ignazio di Loyola (Milan, 1998), quoted by Pope Benedict XVI in his Angelus Message on June 17, 2012. 

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< 2023 >
March
SMTuWThFS
   1
  • All day
    March 1, 2023

    CLOSING OF THE MEETING OF THE LOCAL PROCURATORS

    WITH THE PROVINCIAL PROCURATOR

    CELEBRATIONS OF THE 151ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MASS OF ST. EZEKIEL MORENO IN PUERTO PRINCESA
    Inclusive Dates: March 1-10, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Constancia Buchan, AR
    Sr. Jamaikha Acle, AR
    Sis. Marissa Molina, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    Khia Queen Taiza (RAY-Calubang)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Teresa de Jesus, AR
    +Sis. Susan Bermil, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

2
  • All day
    March 2, 2023

    PROVINCE-WIDE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE on “Policies and Procedures on [Cases of] Sexual Abuse Against Minors and Vulnerable Adults” / 9:00 a.m.

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Charina Mae Ogario, AR
    Sis. Merlinda Buada, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Karl Canaria (RAY-Talisay)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Bro. Luis Clauor Jr., SAR (Bacolod Chapter)
    +Bro. Gabino Jabutay, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

3
  • All day
    March 3, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Emeterio Buñao
    Fray Andrie Pugate
    Sr. Felisa Ampasin, AR
    Sr. Josephine Facinabao, AR
    Sis. Marina Yang, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Dolores Villas, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    Sis. Amparo Ortega (Tondo Chapter / Trial)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Teodora de la Natividad, AR
    +Sis. Angelita Quero, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

4
  • All day
    March 4, 2023

    PRAYER INTENTION: FOR VOCATIONS

    CLOSING OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PUERTO PRINCESA
    Mass Presider & Homilist: Fray Bernard Amparado, OAR
    Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Puerto Princesa City

    BIRTHDAY

    Br. Mark Evan Taliquig (aspirant)
    Sis. Rosita Viray, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Sis. Jasmin Reyes, SAR (Manila Chapter)
    Sis. Thelma Geroy, SAR (Tondo Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Celina Magcauas, AR
    +Sis. Josefina Cedeño, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Esperanza Bacus, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

     

5
  • All day
    March 5, 2023

    SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Nelly Marfil, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Teodorica de Natividad, AR
    +Ma. Alma Limotlimot, AR
    +Sis. Francisca Tamara, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

6
  • All day
    March 6, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Randolph Castulo Castillo, Jr.
    Sr. Rosalia Aparece, AR
    Sr. Ma. Corazon Caberte, AR
    Sr. Ridelia Tinga, AR
    Sis. Marybeth Publico, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Rosalina Toledo, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Josefina Rodriguez, AR
    +Sis. Rosemary Delapaz, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    +Mrs. Leonila Dosado (Sister General of the Order)

7
  • All day
    March 7, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Br. Dorin James Igsoc (aspirant)
    Bro. John Eduard Nebre, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Bro. Feliciano Nario Jr., SAR (Baguio Chapter)

8
  • All day
    March 8, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Bro. Marco Quimod, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)
    Sis. Beata Oida, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Roceline Bernal (RAY-Cavite)
    Paula Nicole Bautista (RAY-Cavite)
    James Ynnoh Molina (RAY-Miranila

    D
    EATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Rita de la Cruz, AR
    +Sr. Ma. Guadalupe Siroy, AR
    +Sr. Ma. Natalia Oliver, AR
    +Sr. Alfonsa Canon, AR

9
  • All day
    March 9, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Loreto Manigos, AR
    Sr. Merlyn Pelarion, AR

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Faustina Nirza, AR
    +Sis. Rufa Pepito, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

     

10
  • All day
    March 10, 2023

    CLOSING OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY (March 10, 1872) OF THE FIRST MASS OF ST. EZEKIEL MORENO IN PUERTO PRINCESA

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Keneth Pahamutang
    Fray Ifeanyichukwu Maximillian Omem
    Sis. Elenita Atienza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    Sis. Ma. Theresa Aquino, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Sis. Ma. Lourdes Espinos, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    Sis. Lydia Escario, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Choleta Jalandra, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

11
  • All day
    March 11, 2023

    FORSOAR STAR WEEKEND
    March 11-12, 2022 / Talavera House of Prayer-Recoletos, Cebu City

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Briggitte Parba, AR
    Sr. Maria Jasmin Lumanog, AR

12
  • All day
    March 12, 2023

    THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Marisa Bernasor, AR
    Mo. Dionisia Talangapaz (Foundress of the AR Sisters)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Inocencia Beringuel, AR
    +Sis. Fe Zamora, SAR (Manila Chapter)
    +Sis. Valentina Talledo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

     

13
  • All day
    March 13, 2023

    10TH ANNIVERSARY (2013-2023) OF THE ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Ma. Digna Araña, AR
    Sr. Ma. Nicelina Rodriguez, AR
    Bro. Romeo Estanislao, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    Sis. Adelina Belandres, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Estrella Nuque, SAR (Manila Chapter)
    Sis. Patricia Tario, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Cyrine Julianne Singson (RAY-Cavite)
    Aaron Kristopher Lim (RAY-San Carlos)
    Kiarah Fatima Guillen (RAY-Provincialate)

14
  • All day
    March 14, 2023

    REAP: SHARING OF ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS (NEGROS CLUSTER GENERAL ASSEMBLY)

    BIRTHDAY

    Most Rev. Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD (Diocese of Bacolod)
    Br. Christopher Digal (postulant)
    Sr. Ma. Clara Flores, AR
    Sis. Teotila Torrefiel, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Lucia Ruiz, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Leonila Buhain, SAR (Cavite Chapter)

15
  • All day
    March 15, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Lauro Larlar
    Fray Giovanni Gil Magbojos
    Br. Juan Carlo Macalalag (aspirant)
    Sr. Rosielyn Hijastro, AR
    Sis. Marlyn Opu-an, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    Sis. Milagros Calipay, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Enrique Jerome Garcia (RAY-Cavite)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Visitacion B. Visitacion, AR
    +Sis. Lourdes Luna, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    +Sis. Ma. Carmeta Suiza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

16
  • All day
    March 16, 2023

    REAP: DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION OF STRUCTURES, PLANS, AND PROGRAMS

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Maria Carmeta Suiza, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Hernane Francisco, SAR (Manila Chapter)

17
  • All day
    March 17, 2023

    REAP: LENTEN RECOLLECTION

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Jesus Lastimado, AR
    +Sis. Obdulia Torres, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

18
  • All day
    March 18, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Eduarda Reynes, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

19
  • All day
    March 19, 2023

    FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

    PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE SICK

    10TH ANNIVERSARY (2013-2023) OF THE INSTALLATION OF POPE FRANCIS

    BIRTHDAY

    Archbp. Jose Palma, D.D. (Archbishop of Cebu)
    Sis. Eleanor Almenanza, SAR (Cavite Chapter)
    Sis. Jessica Bacaltos, SAR (Puerto Princesa Chapter)
    Sis. Beatriz Hermoso, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Marian Sigrid Escobar (RAY-Bacolod)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Trinidad de la Purisima Concepcion, AR
    +Sis. Enriquieta Oamilda, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Bro. Gonzalo Pañares, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Anunciacion Mendez, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

20
  • All day
    March 20, 2023

    FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE ORDER

    USJ-R (Cebu & Balamban) PATRONAL FIESTA OF ST. JOSEPH

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Roweno Eugenio Hamo
    Sis. Josefina Guevarra, SAR (Cavite Chapter)
    Sis. Salvacion Manalon, SAR (Inagawan Chapter)
    Sis. Nenita Ursais, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Earl Vincent Blaza (RAY-Miranila)

21
  • All day
    March 21, 2023

    START OF GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING (Rome)
    Inclusive Dates: March 21-25

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Mark Rochelle Renacia
    Sis. Corazon Yanga, SAR (Tondo Chapter)

22
  • All day
    March 22, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Grace Katada, SAR (Puerto Princesa Chapter)
    Sis. Rose Mary Chua, SAR (Talisay Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Felicitas Aquino, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    +Sis. Lina Ferrer, SAR

     

23
  • All day
    March 23, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Teodulo Hayahay
    Sis. Milagros Renes, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)
    Sis. Fe Josefa Asuncion, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)
    Sis. Ma. Luisa Salvador (San Carlos Chapter / Trial)
    Nichole Cabamo (RAY-Laray)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Ma. Cecilia Salgado, AR
    +Sr. Concepcion Reston, AR

24
  • All day
    March 24, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Fray Christopher Gaspar
    Sis. Clemencia Luces, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    Sis. Elpidia Abasolo, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Nelida Mendoza (Miranila Chapter / Trial)
    Sis. Hedelita Diaz, SAR (Provincialate Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Lydia Rivera, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    +Sis. Adela Jaca, SAR (Cebu Chapter)

25
  • All day
    March 25, 2023

    EARTH HOUR: 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Anunciacion Yballe, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Ann Marjorie Ricarte, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Lourdes Serrano, SAR (Manila Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Purificacion del Espiritu Santo, AR
    +Sr. Magdalena Salgado, AR

26
  • All day
    March 26, 2023

    FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

    BIRTHDAY

    Sis. Gloria Mempin, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Felicitas Calopez, SAR (Talisay Chapter)
    +Sis. Alice Banares, SAR (Tondo Chapter)

27
  • All day
    March 27, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Bro. Edward de Silva, SAR (Baguio Chapter)
    Sis. Josefina Magalit, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Alberta Lastimado, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Bro. Samuel Celerino Favila (Puerto Princesa Chapter / Trial)
    Aira Joy Legaspi (RAY-Talisay)

28
  • All day
    March 28, 2023

    PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE MISSIONS

    BIRTHDAY

    Sr. Agustina Santos, AR Sr. Dorothy Aguila, AR
    Sis. Virginia Lazaro, SAR (Tondo Chapter)
    Bro. Reynaldo Aparicio, SAR (Cebu Chapter)
    Sis. Lilibeth Fuertes, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)
    Sis. Brenda Villafuerte, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sr. Gregoria de San Jose, AR
    + Sis. Rufina Jadraque, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

29
  • All day
    March 29, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Ma. Katrina Rodriguez (RAY-Miranila)

    PRESBYTERAL ANNIVERSARY

    (2008-2023)

    Fray William Cordero, Jr.
    Fray Roderick Deguit

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Bro. Crispin Balingit, SAR (Antipolo Chapter)

30
  • All day
    March 30, 2023

    GENERALATE: ONLINE MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON THE PROTECTION OF MINORS & VULNERABLE ADULTS

    BIRTHDAY

    Mo. Maxima Pelaez, AR
    Sis. Juanita Pajarillaga, SAR (Miranila Chapter)
    Sis. Jelly Masongsong, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

    DEATH ANNIVERSARY

    +Sis. Roberta Panoncillo, SAR (San Carlos Chapter)

31
  • All day
    March 31, 2023

    BIRTHDAY

    Br. John Reynan Rosie (aspirant)
    Sr. Anastacia Fangon, AR

 

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