Two Generations of “Yes”: From the First Steps of Priesthood to Sixty Years of Faithful Service in the Archdiocese of Davao

Last May 13, 2026, at 3:00 pm inside San Pedro Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Davao witnessed more than a priestly ordination. It was a celebration of the priesthood itself: a sacred vocation that continues to endure across generations.

Rev. Fr. Roldan “Dan” Balon Baliano was ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. He officially became the youngest diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Davao. At the same time, the Church in Davao continues to honor the life and ministry of Rev. Msgr. Edgar Rodriguez, the oldest living diocesan clergy of the Archdiocese, who recently celebrated his 60th Sacerdotal Anniversary.

One priest stands at the beginning of ministry. The other reflects on six decades of faithful service. Yet both lives beautifully reveal the same truth: priesthood is not simply a profession or achievement, but a lifelong response to God’s call.

For Fr. Dan, the path toward the priesthood was unexpected. Growing up immersed in parish life, he joined Flores de Mayo with his mother, became active in youth ministry, and served in various Church organizations. Despite his closeness to the Church, becoming a priest was never his dream. Like many young men, he envisioned building his own family and pursuing a stable career.

In fact, before entering the seminary, he already had financial stability and worked as an assistant manager as a banker while helping support his parents. Yet despite having what many would consider a successful life, he admitted feeling that something was still missing.

At 33 years old, carrying what many considered a “late vocation,” he entered Holy Apostles Senior Seminary. The transition was difficult after being away from school for 11 years. He struggled academically, wrestled with insecurities, and carried the emotional burden of no longer being able to help his family financially.

Still, he chose to trust God, and through prayer, seminary formation, and pastoral experiences, Fr. Dan slowly discovered that the priesthood is not about personal perfection, but about the willingness to serve. For him, the priesthood now becomes both a calling to serve and a mission to communicate Christ to the world.

After his ordination to the diaconate last September 8, 2025, he was assigned as Procurator of St. Francis Xavier College Seminary in Catalunan Grande. As priestly ordination approached, he admitted to feeling joy, nervousness, and gratitude all at once. Guided by the words “Serve the Lord with gladness,” he hopes to live his priesthood with humility, happiness, obedience, and faithful service.

As Fr. Dan begins his priesthood as the youngest ordained diocesan clergy of Davao, another priest reflects on a vocation already lived for sixty years.

Recently, last May 01, clergy, seminarians, and faithful gathered at the chapel of St. Francis Xavier College Seminary to celebrate the 60th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Rev. Msgr. Edgar “Ed” Rodriguez, the oldest living diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Davao and last May 12, he also presided over the Holy Mass during the Fraternity of the Diocesan Clergy of Davao (FDCD) gathering at Mergrande, sharing his vocation story and journey throughout the decades.

Born on June 15, 1942, in Cebu and raised in Samal, Msgr. Rodriguez grew up in a humble family marked by poverty and hardships. His vocation journey was also filled with struggles. Because of his mother’s illness, their family was ostracized, leaving wounds and insecurities that followed him even during seminary formation.

At one point, he was told he might never become a priest because of his social insecurity. Yet God’s calling endured. Returning to Davao, he continued his formation and was eventually ordained a priest on May 1, 1966, by the late Archbishop Clovis Thibault.

For six decades, Msgr. Ed faithfully served in different pastoral assignments, including as a chaplain of Sto. Niño Shrine, Despite hardships in ministry, he became known for his joyful spirit, humility, and unwavering dedication to the Church.

Reflecting on his priesthood, he summarized his journey through the theme: “Rooted in the unconditional faithfulness of God.”

Additionally, Rev. Fr. Pedro “Pete” Pedregosa Lamata, affectionately known as “Fr. Pete,” celebrated 46 years of priestly ministry last March 31, 2026, at Villa Carmelita. Clergy, classmates, parishioners, friends, and family gathered to honor his decades of faithful service to the Church. He shared reflections on his 46 years of priestly ministry in which he recalled that he was ordained on a Holy Monday during Holy Week, and that the very first confession he heard was on Holy Tuesday. Fr. Pete also recounted that one of the penitents had a very familiar voice and, it was his mother. He described the moment as deeply humbling and a reminder of God’s presence in every stage of his vocation. He also expressed gratitude to God for the gift of the priesthood and to all who have supported him along the way, encouraging the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith and service.

In many ways, Fr. Dan, Fr. Pete, and Msgr. Rodriguez stands as a living reflection of the priesthood across generations. One carries the energy, hope, and uncertainty of a newly ordained priest. While others carries the wisdom, perseverance, and quiet joy of sixty years in ministry.

Yet both reveal that vocation is ultimately about saying “yes” to God every day.

Their stories remind the faithful that the priesthood is not measured by age, achievements, or status. Whether as the youngest diocesan clergy beginning his first steps in ministry or the oldest diocesan priest reflecting on sixty years of service, both lives proclaim the same enduring message: God remains faithful to those He calls.

And as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord and World Communications Sunday, the lives of these two priests become powerful witnesses that the mission of proclaiming Christ continues through every generation.

One stands at the beginning of the priesthood, filled with hope and uncertainty. The other reflects on sixty years of ministry marked by perseverance and grace. Yet both lives reveal the same enduring truth: God continues to call ordinary people, sustain them through every season, and remain faithful to them from the first “yes” until the very end.