Memories of Fr. Luciano Paguiligan

I've missed the times when Fr. Paguiligan was still alive, he was my spiritual director and permanent confessor since then. He celebrated his Golden Sacerdotal Jubilee during April 9, but unfortunately by the will of our Lord, he passed away. He died from liver cancer on October 22, 2005 at the Manila Medical Center.

Fr. Pagui as we call him was a kind spiritual father for us since he is our parish priest during those times he could have lasted his term for six years in our Parish but our Lord called Him immediately on October. It was time of mourning for our parish, we are like sheep without a shepherd and we are like orphan without a parent. The most memorable experience that I have before he died, during that time I went to the same hospital to have a check up, after that I visited Fr.Pagui in his room, to my surprise Fr. greeted me these words 'Hay salamat at nagkita ulit tayo' to my surprise I don't know what to say, I feel pity for Fr. during those times since he was there lying on the bed and has a difficulty in his sickness, he is so weak. We talked for a short time until before I leave Fr. told me this words ' Ipagdasal niyo ako ha' then I answered 'Opo Fr. sasabihin ko po yun sa kanila'. I was also amazed to know that during that time eventhough he is already hospitalridden and is vey critical knowing that the parish has a Mass and there is no priest, Fr. asked if he could say Mass for them, but the doctors did not permit him. That day was saturday before he died, because he died the next saturday after I visted him. When I learned the next saturday that he died I didn't believe yet but when I texted Fr. Roa he told me that Fr. Paguiligan was really dead. I went to the same hospital for my next check up knowing that he is dead, I looked for his remains at the hospital morgue by myself but the hospital staff told me that the body was already been taken by the relatives and is on the way to the funeral home. And that was the time that I really cried which I did not did to anybody else only to Fr. Paguiligan.

Those memories really makes me sad but it also gives me inspiration since Fr. Pagui became my inspiration because of his total dedication eventhough he is already very old and in critical condition, it is why I always pray for his soul.