Rev. Jose Francisco Talaban, Parish Priest, St. Anthony of Padua, Casiguran, Aurora, DIBICADI Vicariate, Prelature of Infanta
Father Jose Francisco Talaban—known as Father Joefran, a parish priest, St. Anthony of Padua in Casiguran, Aurora—is Metro Infanta Foundation’s first recipient of the Bishop Julio X. Labayen Memorial Grant. Our grant is named for the late Bishop Labayen due to his love for the poor, those who are voiceless, or those who struggle for their rights.
Father Joefran is a native of Negros Occidental, from where Bishop Labayen, his mentor, also came. He wanted to become a Columban missionary after earning his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. Bishop Labayen’s inspiration and love for and work with the poor, however, eventually led him to join the Prelature of Infanta. Bishop Labayen ordained Father Joefran in 1999, and was assigned to Casiguran.
In his 22 years in Casiguran as a priest, Father Joefran has been accused as a communist, just as the late Bishop Labayen was. He has put his life in danger on several occasions. Recently, his car was torched. In 2010, an unidentified assailant fired an M203 grenade launcher at his room in the rectory. The assailants scattered around the church compound leaflets warning him to discontinue his work for the poor. Nevertheless, he continues his ministry, undaunted.
Father Joefran posted on Facebook: “I will continue serving the poor. I will continue to stand and defend the rights of the defenseless. I will be the voice of the voiceless no matter what it takes in taking side with them. They can destroy everything and take away what I have, but they can not stop me from living out the gospel of justice, hope and love. Loving and working for the poor are essential elements of the mission. To God be the glory.”
Father Joefran is following in the footsteps of Bishop Labayen with his love and work for the poor, especially the “katutubo” or indigenous people in his parish. He would walk for hours to reach his parishioners in far flung areas. He is filled with compassion upon learning the sorry state of their living condition. He responds immediately after natural disasters and calamities strike his parish and town. He also joined farmers, fishermen and Agta villagers in a 350-kilometers march from Casiguran to Malacañan in 2012 to protest the creation of a 12,923-hectare economic zone that they said would displace some 3,000 families in Casiguran, Aurora. He stated, “Reservation farmers are the legitimate owners of the reservation agricultural land. ‘Hindi isinusuko ang laban’” (We do not give up our fight).
Father Joefran’s pastoral duties have inspired his Pastoral Council to abolish the arancel even before the Catholic Bishops Conference declared its abolition in January 2021. He has spruced up the Shrine for Our Lady of Ermita, and is currently building a new convent, without an organized building fund campaign. He trusts in God’s providence completely.
Father Joefran has made Metro Infanta Foundation more aware of our indigenous brothers and sisters and our responsibility to preserve their culture, and for our foundation to support our indigenous people.
Metro Infanta Foundation is, therefore, pleased to present Father Joefran Talaban, our inaugural Bishop Julio X. Labayen Memorial Grant of 25,000 pesos ($500) for him to use for any cause he chooses. In addition, the Foundation will donate 100,000 pesos ($2,000) to St. Anthony of Padua Parish so he can finish his convent.
Congratulations, Father Joefran! May your kind increase!
