By Danny G. Mendiola

Msgr. Jun Zurbano

An unwavering faith in God’s providence that “He makes all things beautiful in His time” – this virtue carried Father Jun Zurbano in his long journey through early life as a young man struggling to find God’s will for him and later as a priest striving to build a community of Christians and their beautiful house of worship.

Jaime Zurbano, Jr. was born some forty-years ago in the small fishing town of Mercedes, Camarines Norte. The youngest child in a brood of 5, (four boys and a girl), the young Jun grew up literally in a church yard. Their house was next to the Catholic church in their town. So Jun easily got immersed in church activities as a Knight of the Altar and a Legionary of Mary. He became close to the priests and seminarians in their place and, as if by osmosis, slowly imbibed their spirit and enthusiasm for the things of the spirit. Soon the seeds of a vocation were implanted, nurtured and firmly took roots.

As expected, Jun wanted to enter the seminary after completing high school, but local superstition got across his way – his mother strongly objected on the belief that a family member would die soon should he became a priest. Jaime Zurbano, Sr. died when Jun was still a young boy, and his mother did not want another family member to follow.

Jun, the obedient son followed his mother’s wish, journeyed to Manila and took up college studies. The “Hound of Heaven”, however, continued to pursue him relentlessly. He became restless, shifted course from engineering to pre-medicine and transferred school from Adamson to UE. Finally, in God’s own time, he studied to pursue his priestly calling. Even treats from his brothers in the U.S. of withdrawing their financial support for him did not deter his resolve to enter the seminary. He himself looked for and found benefactors and sponsors who would support his seminary studies.  Again, in due time (in God’s time?), his family relented and happily supported his decision to become a priest.

Jun was ordained a priest on March 12, 1979 in his own hometown which showed his town mates not only the death of a superstition, but more so the birth of a new life, an “Alter Christus” who would continue His mission of salvation here on earth.

The first few months as a young priest were the happiest in young Father Jun’s life.  Unlike most new priests, his “honeymoon stage” with the priesthood did not last long.  Because of his sensitive spirit and strong inclination to serve the people without any material trappings, he quickly realized that priesthood is not meant for one who lacks faith and trust in God’s providential ways.  He struggled hard but did his best in all assignments in his native Diocese of Daet.  But a man can only take so much for so long.  In God’s time, after 8 years in Bicol, he accepted the invitation of a long-time counselor and friend, Msgr. Arsenio Bautista to come to Manila.  Father Jun stayed in Msgr. Bautista’s parish as a guest priest for three years.  He was then appointed by the Cardinal as chaplain in what was then called as the Chaplaincy of St. Charbel Executive Village, Phase I.

Father Jun’s zeal to do God’s work, his love for the people, his winning ways with children and seemingly endless energy did not go unnoticed.  Again, in God’s time, the Cardinal appointed him as the first parish priest when Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish was created and gave him the task to build the church in its present site after problems in the old site arose.  The rest, as they say now is history.

Father Jun’s ways with the people of his parish, how he is able to get their cooperation in all his projects are now all legend.  It has been a long way from Mercedes, Camarines Norte to OLAP.  And looking back, Father Jun can only exclaim:  “Truly, God makes all things beautiful in His own time, if we can only know how to wait with faith and trust in Him.”