[1][2][3][5][6] He subsequently completed his residency training at Loyola University Chicago and the Carl Jung Institute of Evanston, Illinois.

He later worked as a guest priest in the Archdiocese of Manila, serving in various capacities including at the RVM Sisters Regional House in Singalong, Sto.

In 2004, he became a lecturer at the Center for Family Ministries at Ateneo de Manila University and served as a spiritual director and psychological advisor to seminarians in the Territorial Prelature of Batanes.

[1][2][6] Since 2022, he has been a member of the Permanent Committee for the Protection of Minors of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and a visiting lecturer at several theological seminaries.

[1][2] On June 20, 2024, Pope Francis appointed Cruz as the Bishop of Baguio, succeeding Victor Bendico who was named Archbhishop of Capiz in 2023.