Mercado: Fr. Rudy de Guzman
HIS parents, Mr. Emiliano and Mrs. Ines Pineda de Guzman saw in the boy an inclination to things spiritual, a refinement in conduct not too common among young people his age; a marked gregariousness and easy charm with everyone he met.
Born in April 17, 1954, Rev. Fr. Rodolfo P. de Guzman is a native of San Jose, City of San Fernando. He was among the first secondary school graduates of the Assumption College, now University of Assumption.
The parents’ fervent hope and prayer were answered when their son chose to enter the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary for his college education. A strong value and religious formation in that school led him ultimately to priesthood when he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary.
At the UST Seminary, Fr. Rudy, as he is fondly called by his parishioners and friends, had shown exceptional leadership traits, attracting adherents because he is jovial and congenial person, two traits that made people gravitate to him in every parish he served.
His first assignment was Assistant Parish Priest of Lourdes Sur East, Angeles City where he was known for his hard-hitting homilies and resolute advocacy for protecting the family. From there he was appointed Parish Priest of La Consolacion Parish, San Isidro, Guagua, Pampanga, an Aglipayan stronghold. Until he went hard and fast to meet head-on the heavy proselytizing and conversion momentum of the Aglipayans, his local flock suffered enormous decimation.
Like a diligent shepherd watching vigilantly over the herd, Fr. Rudy stemmed the tide of Catholics converting into another faith. He considered the challenge as his most rewarding effort of his ministry.
After his successful mission in that sector, he was transferred to a rough gangland, which included the notorious red-light district of Angeles City. For more than seven years Fr. Rudy transformed his parish into a community of respectable, God-fearing residents. The Sta. Teresita district was a known haven of criminals, hustlers, and home to most prostitutes.
When Fr. Rudy left the parish for another duty, many parishioners wept during his departure. Many residents organized themselves to block and prevent his transfer to Sasmuan town.
In his new parish he discovered a maze of quasi-religious practices among the people. Traditions, long inherited from their forebears, frequently diminished essential truths of the faith and diluted mandated acts of the liturgy. For six and a half years, the priest struggled to turn around the flock's misdirected enthusiasm and misconceptions. Former Sasmuan Mayor Lina Bagasina summed up Fr. Rudy’s performance: "He would long be remembered by residents for effecting discipline and unity among the Catholics, for his dedication at evangelization and unceasing efforts to strengthen the family as an institution and personal sanctification."
At the San Agustin Parish, Lubao, he initiated activities that focused both national and local interest in the historic church. The wedding of the Presidential son there, his cultural revival, and hospitality-oriented events put his parish in the limelight.
Fr. Rudy is in serious and precarious condition today. He is in the late stage of colon cancer. In the same fervor that I had asked unceasing prayers for the then ailing Fr. Deo Galang, I ask the faithful in Pampanga to storm heaven to grant him the grace and strength to deal with his pain.