ONE of Cebu Archdiocese’s oldest monsignors passed away at the age of 97.
Msgr. Gerardo “Gerry” Jumao-as died after a long bout with pneumonia while being admitted at the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH) in Cebu City last Monday night. He was the chaplain of the De La Salle-Andres Soriano Memorial College (DS-ASMC) in Barangay DAS, Toledo City.
Evelyn Cimafranca, one of the administrators of DS-ASMC, told Sun. Star Cebu that the Jumao-as was confined at the PSH since last year.
Jumao-as served as the parish priest of the Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Barangay DAS for 24 years before he was appointed chaplain of DS-ASMC.
The parish was Jumao-as’ third assignment since his ordination as a priest on Dec. 19, 1942.
Cimafranca said Jumao-as became part of the lives of Barangay DAS residents since he started serving as the parish priest in 1964.
“He has been a witness to our lives. Some of the residents in our barangay had received the Holy Sacraments from him, from baptism to death,” she said.
Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Metro Cebu South Parishes, told Sun. Star Cebu that Jumao-as was one of the first monsignors who was bestowed the rank through honorary mention. Jumao-as became a monsignor after he was bestowed the rank of honorary prelate in 1991.
After a seven-day vigil at the DS-ASMC, Jumao-as’ remains will be brought to the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish for a two-day vigil.
On Jan. 14, a mass for Jumao-as will be held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, will Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma as the main celebrant.
Jumao-as will be laid to rest in his hometown in Cordova on Jan. 23.