Rev. Rey Emmanuel M. Amanco, OMI - Deacon

Rev. REY EMMANUEL M. AMANCO, OMI and two siblings were born to Emmanuel B. Amancio and Marilou R. Masongsong of Cotabato City. He had his elementary education at Notre Dame Elementary Training Department. His early vocation to the priesthood was moulded since his parents worked in Justice and Peace and in the Social Action Program with Fr. Eliseo Mercado, OMI. He had no desire as a youngster to become a priest but, this changed during his exposure to the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) undertaking with Fr. Bert Layson, OMI in the evacuation centers of Pagalungan. He then realized that it was what he wanted to do – to give hope to people in their desperate situation. The significant growth in his vocation includes local and overseas experiences. He had a 1-month exposure in Sta. Teresita Parish, Datu Piang, Maguindanao wherein he joined the I-watch team of Fr. Eduardo Vasquez, Jr., OMI. They travelled throughout Dulawan and Pikit and he then witnessed the sight of the deplorable Maguindanao Massacre. The hostile combat in Nabundas led to his being pulled out of the missionary exposure area in Midsayap. After this he had a 2-month apostolate in Nabilan, Pagapulan and coastal areas of Cushiong, Badak and Broce where he helped out in the Chapels and bible service to Christian communities.After his first profession, Rey was sent to Rome for his studies in A.B. Theology at the Gregorian University. He had to learn the Italian language for two months and be immersed in the parish for a month. He served for two (2) years in the Oblate’s prison ministry. He provided catechism, consultation and listened to whatever the inmates wanted to share with him. The following summer, Rey was given a chance to be exposed to the Oblate mission in Cameroon, Africa which involved parish work and schools. He then learned the French language but most of all, learned a lot from his prison work and missionary work with children.Rey radiates a feeling of ease and joy. He also lends a hand in big things and small. His holistic exposure in the different Oblate missions - justice and peace, parish work, prison ministry and schools, shows that Rey is indeed a caring, adaptable and multitalented son of St. Eugene.Rey was ordained deacon by the Most Rev. Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD – Apostolic Vicar of Jolo on December 3rd, 2015 at the Our Lady of the Assumption Scholasticate in Quezon City. (moss)