I was billeted at the guest house of the Notre Dame of Jolo College at that time. This was 2007 and I was in Jolo to monitor rice distributions of the UN World Food Program (WFP) to persons displaced by armed conflict.
The Guest House was just separated by a high wall from the Jolo Airport and I could see the runway from my 2nd floor window.
The whole time I was there (11 days), I had the opportunity to hear the early morning mass in the nearby chapel. This was where I first met Fr Jose Ante, OMI, known to many as Fr Ante, whom I know only through name.
I introduced myself after mass; and told him the nature of my mission in the island. We prayed together for continued blessings and more importantly, Divine Protection. I was able to attend two more masses with him as celebrant after that.
Then last Friday afternoon I read an article by Edwin Fernandez on ndbc.news.ph of Fr Ante's demise. It was a sad day.
I can't thank God enough for your gift of self, Fr Joe.
Blessed journey.
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