YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE CHURCH AND THEATER ARTS

Joesum, as a term of endearment, identifies him with some sectors of the community, especially the youth who, mentioning his name denotes an undefinable closeness devoid of any hierarchical demarcation line. To all age-levels he belongs: an adviser-tutor of the youth, a caring brother to all, a devoted friend to everyone. He belongs to the Church; there's no question that this is his life's vocation. But there is another realm he is so comfortable with, for it is a cup for his varied talents...the stage. Reverend Father Jose Sumampong is a man of God who, in his desire for unceasing youth development, dabbles in the theater arts as venue of his artistic inclinations.

His father, Jose Dano Sumampong, Jr., a one-time faculty member of the Bohol School of Arts and Trade (now CVSCAT), is a success story by himself. From his mother, Eusebia Maghuyab-Libot Dompor who was once the Mayor of Loboc, he learned compassion and filial devotion. Both are now blissfully retired in USA . Their inspired parenting brought to the world nine successful offsprings flourishing in various fields with Father Joesum choosing to be God's shepherd. Cordula is a CPA now based in Seattle , USA . Frigidiano is another priest, with the Congregation of the Passion (CP) in USA . Delfin is a businessman in Tagbilaran City . Publeo is inclined to politics, and is presently a Kagawad in the Municipality of Loboc . Pergentino is an Executive with Biomedics (Phils.) in Parañaque City . Angelita is a School Administrator in Dipolog City . Clarita is a Registered Nurse in Qatar , United Arab Emirates . Theomaria is a Doctor of Medicine based in Tagbilaran City .

Father Joesum was born on February 22, 1951 . He attended three schools for his elementary education: Bagumbayan Primary School , Loboc; St. Joseph College (now Holy Spirit School), Tagbilaran City ; and Pilar Central Elementary School , because of his acolyte skills. His high school years were spent at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Taloto District, in pursuance with a priestly vocation. He attended the same Seminary for his collegiate studies in Philosophy, and went to St. Gabriel Seminary, Koronadal City , South Cotabato , for his Pre-Novitiate. He then transferred to St. Paul of the Cross (Passionate Fathers) Novitiate, Quezon City . He took a year off for his Regency, teaching Philosophy at Divine Word College . He finished his Theology at the University of Santo Tomas (Central Seminary), and later took Graduate Studies at the California State University .

His Diaconate Ordination was made at the St. Joseph Cathedral by Most Rev. Onesimo Gordoncillo, D.D. on May 3, 1980 . He was ordained Priest at the St. Peter Church in Loboc on December 20, 1980. From his ordination he was assigned as a Professor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and the following year as its Pre-Collegiate Director. This was followed by varied assignment in some parishes and youth development projects and Charismatic Renewal Programs. In 1988 he was named Youth apostolic Coordinator in the Visayas region by CBCP. From 1990 to 1992 he was designated National Director of Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP) and Assistant National Director of the National Secretariat for Youth Apostolate (NSYA). A three-year stint as a Guest Priest at the Basilica Minor de Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila followed. Then he went to St. Juliana Falconieri Parish in Fullerton , California as Associate Pastor, and was Chaplain of Newman's Club of the California State University . In 1993 he came back to Bohol and was assigned in different Parishes, aside from being Director of various Catholic schools. To him is credited the renovation of Cogon Shrine to its present solemn ambience.

Fr. Sumampong has been one of the very few Priest-Members of the Brother of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). He writes a weekly column “Words for All Seasons,” and edits “Diocesan Updates” for the Sunday edition of the Bohol Chronicle. He hosts “Maadjong, Good Morning” at DYRD, and edits “Ang Tawag,” a weekly News Bulletin for Gagmay'ng Simbahanong Katilingban Clusters, and is presently the Chaplain of San Roque Chaplaincy in Tiptip District. Fr. Jose Sumampong has been involved as Chairman, Trainor, Speaker, and Facilitator in countless trainings and seminars all over the country and even abroad, many of them focused on youth development, capped by the Youth Exchange and Immersion Program of the International Young Christian Students-Asia. He is also involved in Lay Formations, all over the country, and was in the RCIA Training, Diocese of Orange, California, USA.

He participated in “Peoples of Other Faith,” sponsored by the International Movement of Catholic Students and International Young Catholic Students held in Bangalore, India in 1989; and “Youth in Asia” held in Hongkong in 1990. The following year he went to Bandung , Indonesia for “Chaplains and Animators Exchange Programme,” and again in Hongkong for the “Asian Council.” That same year he was again in Hongkong for “International Assembly.” In 1996 he was in Sriracha , Thailand for “YCS Southeast Asian Session,” and Los Angeles , USA for “Pastoral Approach: Youth Ministry.

There is another world Fr. Joesum is totally at home in, the theater. Way back in 1980 he was Writer-Director of “Kasaysayan,” a multi-level three-dimensional drama staged at Divine Word College which was restaged 6 years later. From 1981 to 1990 he was Choreographer and Director of various concerts at the IMHS. He even directed the selection of Miss Provincial SK in 1990. In 1982 he was designated Concept-Creator and Director of the 1st Grand Sandugo Reenactment which was praised by Honorable Carlos P. Romulo. He was Producer-Host of “Reach-Out” of DYRD-FM from 1983 to 1990. In 1983 he wrote and directed “Loboc, Kong Minahal,” a dance-drama for the PMI-Loboc Ruby Jubilee Celebrations. He was the Organizing Chairman of the first Sandugo Street Dancing Competition in 1988. In 1991 he was Writer-Director o “Nagmaya,” a dance-drama dedicated for the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

His other credits include: ACTS I and ACTS II Concert of BCBP (1993 and 1995); Sunday Mass on Cable TV (1994-97); “Simbahan Ko, Tukuron Ko,” or the 10th Anniversary of Birhen sa Barangay Parish, a Cultural Show taped into an album featuring the Cogon Parish Choir (1997); “Panglao, ‘Kong Minahal,” a dance-drama with a video version at San Agustin Academy (1988); “A Salute To The Admiral,” depicting the life of Admiral Tomas Cloma, for the 50th year of PMI-Manila and 25th year of PMI-Bohol; “Friends are Forever,” on the 30th Anniversary of Immaculate High School of Baclayon; “Teatro Trinitatis” and “Teatro Sakayanon.” He is presently the Chairperson of the Drama Group of the Provincial Council for Culture and the Arts, and did a sterling job coordinating the Youth Activities of TBTK.

l