Jerry Orbos

Orbos was born in San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines. He entered the Society of the Divine Word and studied for the priesthood at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay. He was ordained a priest on October 25, 1980.^[3]

After ordination, Orbos served in the Tingguian Missions in La Paz, Abra. He later worked at the Divine Word College in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, where he became director of the Junior College, Seminary, and Associate Program.^[4]

In 1984, he was assigned as a missionary in South Korea. Upon returning to the Philippines in 1989, he was appointed as Vocation Director and Mission Promoter.^[5] He later became Director of the SVD Mission Office (1990–2013), where he coordinated mission promotion and support activities.^[3]

Orbos has written several inspirational books, including Treasured Moments, Simple Moments, and Meaningful Moments.^[6] He contributes regularly to a Sunday column in a national newspaper. His televised Sunday Masses have also reached a broad Filipino audience.^[4]

In 2018, Orbos was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer following a CT scan prompted by a minor car accident.^[6] He underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy and was declared cancer-free in January 2019.^[7] He has since become an advocate for cancer awareness, supporting initiatives such as "Voices of Hope" for survivors.^[8]

Orbos has led scholarship programs and organized disaster response activities. His charitable efforts extend to outreach programs for marginalized communities.^[9]

In 2024, he celebrated his birthday with a Mass at the New Bilibid Prison, delivering messages of hope and rehabilitation.^[10] He also addressed the Rotary Club of Manila during Lent, sharing reflections on spiritual renewal.^[11]

Orbos is widely regarded for his service as a missionary priest and communicator of faith. His resilience in the face of illness and his continued outreach have made him a prominent figure in Filipino Catholic life.^[12]

• Catholic Church in the Philippines
• Society of the Divine Word