FATHER Arturo Balagat is the pastor of St Anthony’s Catholic Church in San Jacinto, CA. Balagat is a popular priest known for his work as an activist in the Filipino community. Aside from serving as pastor, Balagat has served as president of the US Filipino Catholic Ministry, president of The National Asian and Pacific Catholic Organization’s (NAPCO) and chaired the Diocesan Research Commission and Urban Poor Commission.
Balagat is a native of the Philippines. He was ordained in 1975 at Imus Cathedral by the now late Bishop Felix Perez.
For 12 years, Balagat served in several parishes in the Cavite province, according to his bio. He also spent time in Tokyo where he directed the Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos.
He came to the U.S. Employed by the Diocese of San Bernardino in 1991. He has served as a priest or minister in several parishes including St. Anne Parish in San Bernardino, St. Mel Parish in Norco, and St. George Parish in Ontario. He was also the first Director of the Filipino Ministry for the Diocese of San Bernardino.
(balikbayanmag.com) (LAWeekend Nov.26, 2011 Sec C pg.01)
