Bishop Broderick Pabillo Receives Bishop Labayen Memorial Award for Service to the Church and the Poor

In recognition of his meritorious service to the Church and the people of God, the Metro Infanta Foundation (MIF) honored Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, Vicar Apostolic of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, Palawan, with the Bishop Julio X. Labayen Memorial Award.

The awards ceremony was held on July 26 at St. Paul University in Quezon City, north of Manila.

The award carries a cash prize of $2,000, along with an additional $500 for Bishop Pabillo’s personal use.

The MIF annually recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations in the Philippines who live out their faith through concrete action in society during the Bishop Julio X. Labayen, OCD, and Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal Memorial Awards Night.

The prestigious award is named after the late Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD, a Carmelite bishop renowned for championing the “Church of the Poor” in the Philippines.

In his acceptance speech, Bishop Pabillo shared the challenges currently facing the vicariate. He explained that construction of the cathedral has been ongoing since 2012, and highlighted the need for support in areas such as pastoral programs, transportation, and seminary formation.

He also lamented the decline in tourism income in Palawan, saying, “The short stays of tourists hurt Palawan's tourism income” The vicariate, he added, has a farm, piggery, and chicken coop to help meet its daily needs.

Fr. Francis Lucas, Chairman of the MIF Board, announced the foundation’s intention to raise $25,000 this year to support the vicariate’s most urgent pastoral needs. “The spirit of Bishop Labayen continues to champion the Church for the Poor,” he said.