A Man with a Big Heart

“Here I am!” This was the simple response when God called him. Until this day, Bishop Guillermo Dela Vega “Jimmy” Afable continues to give form to it. He is not simply going about what God has called him to do; he does it with a heart that beats for others. His heart continues to respond to the call of God also in the poor, the differently-abled and the victims of human trafficking.

What had shaped his heart to become what it is now? His life and circumstances surely had played a big role. Bishop Jimmy recognizes his parents who “taught through words and deeds.” Living and growing in a family, he learned to appreciate “the meaning of family Eucharist and agape.” Then came the significant priests and teachers who taught and influenced him. They were the spiritual counselors his mother once affirmed as “giving him guidance in making his choice to become a priest.” Bishop Jimmy likewise confirms that the Jesuits, who were men for others, attracted him to the priesthood.

He served the Archdiocese of Davao as Associate Priest of San Pedro Cathedral Parish (1976-78), Rector of SFX College Seminary (1978-80), Parish Priest of San Pablo Parish and Sacred Heart Parish, respectively, Director of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission (ALC), and Bishop Thibault Media Center and as Vicar General.

As the second San Pablo Parish priest, he built and strengthened its Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK). Sis. Gloria Cabillas, the Parish Pastoral Council president then, recognizes it as one of his remarkable achievements as he had put in place a systematic pastoral operation that proved effective. He was perceived as strict and a disciplinarian, but such traits accordingly shaped up its GKK leaders and members. After 3 years, Fr. Jimmy went to the Solomon Islands to serve as a missionary priest under the Missionary Society of the Philippines (MSP) Missions.

Three years after doing missionary work, Fr. Jimmy returned to the Davao Archdiocese with fire in his heart. He served as Sacred Heart Parish Priest and at the same time director of the Bishop Thibault Media Center. One impressive project he initiated was the Davao Catholic Mass Media Awards (DCCMA) for 3 years. It recognized men and women in media who excelled in print, thus, inspiring them to become heralds of the truth. Media has impressed Bishop Jimmy as a very important tool in evangelization. Until today he still uses the media to spread the good news and push his advocacies for the poor, the differently-abled and the victims of human trafficking as one of the DC Herald’s columnists.

He was ordained bishop and assigned in the Diocese of Digos on July 12, 2001.

Bishop Jimmy is an innovator. He built a seminary and initiated projects for his diocese. He is also implementing an institutionalized program for the poor. His heart for the poor is surely showing.

While still a seminarian he already showed signs of a sharp mind. Arturo G. Adle, his former classmate describes him as “the creme-a-la-crème” of his Philosophy class. He is objective and analytical but also warm, a person of empathy, of tenderness, compassion and vulnerability. The same traits are still evident today.

Analyn Garcia, working in the clergy house, adds that “Bishop Jimmy is simple and generous.”

He is who he is now, a product of the manifold graces that God has bestowed him. His life so far can be summed up by his priestly ordination theme song: “Sa bawat sandali ng ating buhay, pag-ibig ang nagbibigay kulay, kung may pag-ibig, may maiaalay, magiging mayaman sa lahat ng bagay.”

Indeed, Bishop Jimmy continues to respond to God’s call with a resounding “Here I am!” His heart has grown so big as to beat for everyone. (Nena Quijano | Nemric Kiel Umali | R&D Department)