On February 4, 2023, at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay, 12 SVD Deacons were ordained priests by the Most Reverend Bartolome Gaspar Santos, DD, the bishop of Iba, Zambales. The class is composed of 5 non-Filipinos and 8 Filipinos. One deacon (from Kenya) will be ordained in his home country at a later date. The new priests are the following: Fr. Jerry Bangues from Davao City (for Angola); Fr. Joemari Berme from Claveria, Cagayan (for Argentina South); Fr. Edwin Borromeo from Agusan Del Sur (for Argentina East); Fr. Peter Bulosan from Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte (for Kenya); Fr. Algie Cantila from Zamboanga del Norte (for Philippines North); Fr. Raoul Madobi Kabi from Kenya (for Congo); Fr. Urbano Son Bao Nguyen from Vietnam (for PHC); Fr. Paul Hoan Van Nguyen from Vietnam (for Colombia); Fr. Bagui Bassa Lakougnon from Kenya (for PHC); Fr. Ronie Pinca from Laoang, Northern Samar (for Spain); Fr. Reynaldo Regalado Jr. from Oas, Albay (for Central America); Fr. Michael Yambao from San Fernando, Pampanga(for Vietnam). The 13th member who will be ordained later is Rev. Kodjo Touwonou from Kenya (for PHS).
