Obituary of +Fray Reynaldo Esconde Jaranilla, OAR (January 12, 1970 – July 18, 2025)

Prot. SEM 099/25
21 July 2025

TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT FAMILY

“O God, to know You is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise You is the soul’s joy and delight. Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all time, forever. Amen.”
(St. Augustine of Hippo)

Dear brothers and sisters,

It is with deep sorrow, yet with comforting assurance of Christian hope, that I announce the passing of our beloved brother in Christ and member of the Augustinian Recollect Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, +FRAY REYNALDO ESCONDE JARANILLA, OAR. He has returned to the Heavenly Father at 9:30 PM on 17 July 2025 (Spain Time)/ 3:30 AM on 18 July 2025 (Philippine Time) at the age of 55. On 5 July 2025, Fray Jaranilla was admitted to Hospital Universitario Virgen del Mar in Madrid, Spain, suffering from a severe tooth infection and cerebral edema. Despite two weeks of intensive medical intervention, the aggressive oral infection rapidly spread, leading to multiple organ failure, critically impacting his brain and lungs, and ultimately causing his death. He has received the last sacraments.

Fray Reynaldo, known by many as “Father Boyax”, hails from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, where he was born on 12 January 1970 to Mr. Felipe B. Jaranilla Sr. and Mrs. Dulcesima E. Jaranilla. The youngest of ten siblings, he completed his elementary education at San Carlos Milling Company, Inc., Elementary School in 1982, and his high school years and as a minor seminarian at Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos (1982–1986). He continued his academic and seminary formation at Seminario Mayor-Recoletos, Baguio City, taking up the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Philosophy (1986-1990).

On 4 May 1990, he was admitted to the Recoletos Novitiate at the Recoletos Formation Center, Miranila Homes, Quezon City, where he donned the Augustinian Recollect habit. On 4 May of the following year, he made his Simple Profession of Vows at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Miranila Homes, Quezon City, and proceeded with his theological studies at the Recoletos Formation Center (1991-1995).  He completed postgraduate degree  degree with a  Master of Arts in  Theology at  San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila in 1995.

After completing the required number of years of simple profession, Fray Boyax was perpetually incardinated into the Order of Augustinian Recollects by the Solemn Profession of Vows on 11 June 1994 at the same parish church where he had made his simple profession of vows four years earlier. Three months later, at the Feast of St. Nicholas of Tolentino (10 September 1994), he was ordained as a deacon, and after a year, during the 407th celebration of the birth of the Augustinian  Recollection  (5  December  1995)  he  was  ordained  to the priesthood  by  Most  Rev. Crisostomo A. Yalung, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila as his ordaining prelate at Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Quezon City.

As a young religious priest, Father Boyax began his dedication to the school apostolate at San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Cavite City. From 1995 to 2000, he poured his energy into multiple roles, serving as Athletic Moderator and Records Division Officer. His commitment deepened as he took on responsibilities as Personnel/Human Resource Head (1998-2001) and Management Information Systems Supervisor (1998-2001). His unwavering commitment culminated in his appointment as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs (2000-2001), showcasing his profound impact on the institution’s academic and administrative landscape.

On 29 August 2001, Father Boyax was transferred to the Recollect Community of the Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned, Valencia, Negros Oriental. His steadfast dedication to Catholic education continued to shine when, on 6 May 2003, he was appointed Director and Principal of the two Recollect educational institutions in Valencia, both of which were named after San Pedro. In this capacity, he embraced the vital responsibility for the administrative management of basic education for non-incorporated schools, a role he meticulously fulfilled within the framework of the religious community. His tireless efforts in these diverse roles consistently demonstrated his deep-seated commitment to nurturing students and advancing the mission of Catholic education.

Father Boyax is highly regarded by his friends and religious brothers for his exceptional technical prowess and musical talent. His aptitude for technology, particularly in computer technology, video production, and photography, was evident even during his seminary years, when he was known for independently studying computer repairs and programming. Beyond his technical skills, Father Boyax demonstrated a remarkable musical ability. He has a comprehensive mastery of various musical instruments, showcasing a profound musical aptitude.

On 24 April 2006, Father Boyax’s diverse talents led to his appointment as a member of the community of Recoletos de Provincialate. In this role, he joined Recoletos Communications, Inc. (RCI), the media arm of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, a perfect fit for his wide range of skills. Despite his desire to work with the General Curia in Rome—he even wrote to the prior general expressing this desire—Father Boyax made a selfless decision. Recognizing the needs of RCI, he chose to “forego this opportunity for an inevitable cause.” Demonstrating his unwavering dedication, he continued to offer his technical expertise to the General Curia remotely, even while serving RCI.

From 2006 to 2012, Father Boyax and the RCI team were able to accomplish many projects, such as the publication of The Recoletos Observer (2006), the official news magazine of the province; “Holy Leisure” (2006) that immortalized songs composed by OAR religious; Biyaheng Recoletos (2009), a three-episode travelogue narrating the OAR history in the Philippines; “All I Desire” (2010), an audio CD featuring original Recoletos songs sung during the concert in Cavite; “Fishing@theNet” (2011), that brought Sunday homilies and reflections in the internet; “Luis Guanella, Santo” an audio CD album by the Servants of Charity as a tribute to their founder; and the launching of the recoletosfilipinas.org (2012), the official website of the province.

In his passion to further develop his skills in social communications, Father Boyax wrote a letter to the prior provincial expressing his desire to take up further studies in Rome to “help align the programs of [the province’s] communications apostolate to make it more relevant to the mission of the Church.” To prepare him for this mission, Father Boyax was assigned to the Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary, Baguio City (2012-2015). While he was in Baguio, he was appointed as a member of the Commission on Communications.

As an obedient religious, Father Boyax set aside his dream of studying in Rome when his superiors assigned him to the Recoletos de Provincialate as President of RCI (2015-2018). During this period, he spearheaded the successful media coverage of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu, Philippines (2016) in partnership with the CBCP Media. Expanding his expertise, he served as a multimedia consultant for the Science and Technology Information Institute, a state-run organization (January to December 2017). Father Boyax also showcased his talent by capturing stunning photos and videos of World Youth Day 2013 and the 2015 Papal Visit to the Philippines.

Father Boyax, in collaboration with the Technical Working Committee, played an important role in the successful special coverage of the Provincial Chapters in the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. He spearheaded significant innovations that revolutionized how these events were documented and shared. His contributions included introducing a trilingual version of the 7th   Provincial Chapter Chronicles, implementing video news updates for the 7th, 8th, and 9th Provincial Chapters, overseeing the digitalization of all Chapter materials, and introducing the use of tablets for the 8th   and 9th Provincial Chapters. He also passionately worked, often through sleepless nights, on publishing official theme songs for the 7th   and 8th   Provincial Chapters. Father Boyax’s tireless and selfless dedication was crucial in implementing these advancements, significantly enhancing the service provided to the province.

After the 7th Provincial Chapter, Father Boyax’s assignment to the provincialate community was extended. However, driven by a desire to broaden his reach and contribute on a wider scale, he volunteered for the interprovincial collaboration program between the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno and the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria in Colombia (2018-2021). During his time in Colombia, Father Boyax served at the Universitaria Agustiniana in Bogotá. There, he assisted in the institution’s multimedia department and was an active member of the Communications Commission for the Province of Candelaria. His significant contributions to Uniagustiniana were recognized with a rare distinction, an “Honoris Causa en Cine y Television.” This prestigious honor underscored Father Boyax’s dedication and passion for his mission in the digital world.

After serving the 8th Provincial Chapter’s Technical Working Team in 2022, Father Boyax sought to expand his service beyond the province to the General Curia. His request was approved by the prior general, leading to his assignment to the Casa San José community in Madrid, which operates under the Generalate’s supervision.

In Madrid, Father Boyax enthusiastically dedicated his skills to the General Commission on Communications, where he assisted with managing the Order’s official website. He also extended his support to ARCORES International and played a role in implementing the “In Imum Cordis” program.

Despite the geographical and time differences, he continued to provide remote technical assistance and repairs to RCI and the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno in the Philippines.

Father Boyax’s dedication as a religious extended far beyond his digital evangelization. He embodied true brotherhood, particularly in his compassionate care for the sick members of his community. During his assignment at Casa San José, he devoted his time away from the computer to personally attend to the needs of an elderly brother, offering comfort and support. His selfless nature also shone through in his interactions with visiting brothers in Madrid. Father Boyax eagerly volunteered  to guide them,  sharing  the  beauty  of the country,  capturing cherished  memories through photographs, and exemplifying the profound Filipino hospitality that was so central to his character.

The timeless truth of “you reap what you sow” (Gal. 6:7) resonated in the final moments of Father Boyax’s life. When he was rushed to the hospital, gravely ill with a severe headache and toothache, his brothers in the community were there to support him, offering companionship until his very last breath. The comforting presence of the Father General, Fray Miguel Ángel Hernández, and the Vicar General, Fray Javier González, served as an assurance to Father Boyax that the entire Order he had so passionately served stood with him, united in prayer and love, even as he approached the threshold of eternity. Adding to this outpouring of affection, an audio recording from his biological brother in the Philippines provided an additional layer of comfort—a cherished voice from home that strengthened him in his final hours.

In a beautiful testament to his faith, Father Boyax peacefully returned to the Father’s house while his brothers prayed the Holy Rosary. This devotion to the Blessed Mother became a source of immense comfort and grace in his final hours. Just as Mary stood by her Son at the foot of the cross, so too did her maternal intercession accompany Father Boyax, guiding him gently into the arms of Divine Mercy. His passing, embraced by the prayers of his community and the loving presence of the Blessed Mother, truly reflected a life dedicated to selfless service and faith.

We commend our dear brother, Father Boyax, to God, the fount of all being and every blessing. May the Lord, in His boundless mercy, along with all the angels and saints, graciously receive him into Paradise.

In St. Ezekiel Moreno,

Fray Bernard C. Amparado, OAR
Prior Provincial

Fray Robin Ross S. Plata, OAR
Provincial Secretary