1967- A year of wonders and new discoveries. It was a time when Apollo 11 landed in the moon. While the world celebrating the success of the science and new technologies, Philippines was struggling for its social stability and change of democracy.
Felipe Bebing Narciso, nickname of “ Toto” saw the light on May at 9:00 o’clock in the morning in Faraon, Cadiz City, Philippines. He was the youngest son of Odon Narciso and Salvacion Bebing, the eldest of whom was Bhoy, followed by Ceasar then Chory, Neneth and Nonoy.
It was a period that some of the more comfortable sectors of society least affected by the economic, social and political tension ignored.
It was a period of unrest, rallies, chanting and shouting slogan in the streets and arrests of innocent Filipino people. Militant youth driven with convection and a newly found nationalism, arranged a multitude of issues against what it felt was decaying political governance.
Finally, things came to a head on September, when Marcos declared martial Law ostensibly to correct the in equities and injustices spawned by the concentration of wealth and power in the hand of a feudal few, defused anarchy in the streets and provide food, clothing, shelter and economic well-being to every man, woman and child in a new society.
This period of authorianism was lasted for 20 years and then it hurtled into infancy with the brutal assassination on August 21, 1983 of the opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. events finally culminated into what is today euphemistically called the EDSA revolution of 1986.
Fr. Toto belonged to a poor family whose roots came from a broken family. A maternal Patriarch, Felipe Bebing was one of the heads (Kabo) of Insular Lumber Company. Because of expertise in handling labor force in the lumber company he was transferred to Guam , a substation of export lumber of ILCO. Until then no one heard the whereabouts of Felipe Bebing. But certain Maxima Gallardo owned a small portion of land in Cadiz City, but because it was broke out in 1942- it was not properly manage and it was sold to Gil Lopez. A paternal patriarch was shattered with separation and abandon even his father Odon suffers with a broken family but did not lost hope with the help of their eldest sister Monica Narciso.
Fr. Toto was brought up in an aura of simple joys and aspiration in spite of poverty his father, Odon was employed mechanic until his retirement in Faraon, owned by Lopez Family, which the mother Vacion was a simple housewife. Vacion was a religious woman she used to go to church everyday. She has a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Odon had always hoped that one of his children would also be a mechanic. He did not failed Nonoy and Bhoy followed his footsteps.
Fr. Toto’s mother says they nicknamed Totoy to Fr. Toto after the Movie “Totoy Bato” of Fernado Poe Jr., a well known actor and a fanatic idol of his father. She adds that the name Felipe was taken after the Spanish King Philip, who was then taken a king of Spain during the discovery of the Philippines and she wanted to remember always his father Felipe Jr.
Fr. Toto was sickly even during the time of his birth although he was heavy and healthy body. There was a time, when he almost lost his life because of serious sickness, thanks to Mrs. Miling Ascalon, the owner and directress of the school who brought him to the hospital.
At home he used to gather fire wood in “Kalubihan” together with his neighbors, and during weekend he gave time for gatherings, sharing discussion with friends and “barkadas”.Fr. Toto finished his elementary education at Gil Lopez Elementary School, Fabrica Sagay City. Because of poverty and sickness, he often time absent in school but then he made an average grade in the school.
Fr. Toto once told a story, when he was four years old, that in the church observing the priest elevated the host and the chalice- “ it was so wonderful “ why the host and the chalice raised? He learned later that the sacristan was the one who ring the bells; it entered into his mind that he wanted to be a priest. The young mind, distracted by the other pursuits soon abandoned the thought.
As he grew older, Fr. Toto always getting in touch in the church, he became a leader in : Panimbahon” a priest less mass, “ bible sharing, and a teacher of charismatic prayer.
He get unvaried sin so many social activities, as a young man he admire Ninoy Aquino, at home he used to gather fire wood in “ Kalubihan” together with his neighbors and the during the week end they were gathering for sharing with friends and “barkada”.
There was a time, when he almost lost his life because of serious sickness, thanks to Mrs. Miling Ascalon. The owner and directress of the school who brought him to the hospital.
As the years passed by he learned to love God, to love the church and family and country.
Fr. Toto finished his elementary education at Gil Lopez Elementary School, Fabrica Sagay City. Because of poverty and sickness, he often time absent in school but then he made an average grade in the school.
During his High School days, he was not an excellent student. But he was trying his best for his studies…He became an escort of Miss Freshmen. Then he also experienced how to feel in love with a beautiful lady, but he did not take it seriously. But like any other normal teenager, Fr. Toto truly experienced of falling in love.
As the years passed by he learned to love God more deeply, to love the church, family and country. Fr. Toto, became involve of so many activities, he became a leader of Kristohanong K the charismatic movement, the Barangay sang Berhen, and an excellent catechist in his young age he was involved with faith and conviction that there’s nothing impossible in the hands of God- though poor but was able to stand rich in faith. He had joined in protest marches, wearing yellow shirts, listening to and joining discussion against Marcos dictatorship.
He got unvaried in so many social activities, as a young man he admired Ninoy Aquino
The calling of Fr. Toto did not stop and the hands of God are always with him. He experienced a very strong feeling for priesthood that the call was very much alive. He further claimed that the calling was becoming intense during one summer vacation when certain seminarian named Bro. Albert Aldia made a vocation campaign in the parish-he said “I want to be also like him” so he entered seminary.
In St. Joseph Seminary College, Diocese of Dumaguete. He was able to find a new home. There he started his journey towards his priesthood. His being religious in nature helped Fr. Toto easily adjusts the environment. Like other seminarians Fr. Toto experienced hardships, obstacles along his way and sometimes emptiness especially when he felt he was far from his loved ones. But he was determined to reach his goal that is one day he will become a good priest.
His first assignment was July 1999 to August 2000 as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Buensuceso, Guihulngan Negros Oriental. He offered masses to mountainous areas belong to that parish, he experienced walking three to four hours in order to reach his destination, but Fr. Toto did it not because of his obligation but for the love to serve as he experienced his completeness serving fellowmen in realization of his priesthood.
His second assignment was in St. Charles Borromeo, San Carlos City from 2001-2003 and the third Parish assigned to him was in St. Joseph Parish Sagay City from 2003 to 2004.
His first Parish Priest experienced was our Lady of Peace Parish at Dian-ay from 2004-2008 prior to his assignment here in Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Tagbino Vallehermoso Negros Oriental. Before he was assigned in Tagbino, he was able to develop the GKK of Dian-ay, restructured the church and improved the convent. He had done good and remarkable developments of the Parish of Dian-ay and what that counts most is the strong faith he instilled to the parishioners.
During the reshuffling of all priests last year, it was least of his expectations that he would be assigned in a beautiful valley where in Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is located.
His smiling tsinito eyes while he is doing his homily captured back the hearts of the parishioners who sometimes were being weak and unstable. Fr. Toto in a way realized that gradually he nourished and nurtured faith by being a good example as a leader and by constantly active of religious activities that fit to the taste of the youth and of the matured individuals as well.
Fr. Toto could even do dancing and singing just to grace the parishioners in some significant events of the church.He has a progressive outlook in social and also in religious matters.
For now we are not thinking forward to another priest reshuffling but all we want is to savor the camaraderie people have started with the encouragement of the leader of our church who is Fr. Toto himself.
We feel lucky that his 10th priesthood anniversary falls in his assignment in our parish. By narrating his biography, it somehow reminded all of us to feel blessed that God generously providing us good priests to strengthen our belief being a Catholic Christian.
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