[3] Afterwards, he decided to join the Vincentians and after a year of studying in their St. Vincent's Seminary, Polo, Bulacan,[2] he was admitted to the said congregation on June 15, 1957, alongside future Adamson University President Fr.

[1] After his ordination, he was assigned to his alma mater, the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos, serving as Professor (1966–1969), Spiritual Director (1971–1972), and eventually its first Filipino Rector (1972–1978).

[2] As seminary formator, he was responsible for the education and training of the diocesan seminarians of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the nearby dioceses.

During his tenure as Rector, he brought clear and distinct policies for the seminarians, and attempted to do improvements in the administration of the seminary.

[1] As auxiliary bishop, he assisted Cardinal Rosales and Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Patrick Cronin in the governance of their respective sees.