Friar Emmanuel Giva was recently elected the new Provincial Custos of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in the Philippines.
He replaced Friar Francis Victor Mateo who served the post for two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2022.
Friar Giva’s election came during the first part of the Custody’s 9th Ordinary Custodial Chapter at the St. Joseph Spirituality Center in Tagaytay City on Feb. 21 to 25.
Prior to becoming the Custody’s seventh Provincial Custos, Friar Giva was the Vicar of the Custody, Guardian and Rector of St. Maximilian Seminary in Parañaque City.
Born in Leyte province’s Matag-ob town in 1978, he joined the Order on June 13, 2000. He entered the novitiate on May 25, 2002 and made his first profession on May 11, 2003.
After his novitiate, Friar Giva proceeded and finished his theological studies at Don Bosco Center of Studies in Parañaque.
On July 14, 2007, he made his solemn profession and was ordained priest on May 1, 2009.
After his ordination, he was sent to Rome for further studies where he earned his licentiate in Dogmatic Theology.
In 2012, he came back to the Philippines and was assigned as Assistant Novice Director.
During the 7th Ordinary Custodial Chapter in 2013, he was elected as Custodial Secretary and at the same time as Vice-Rector of St. Maximilian Seminary.
In 2017, he was elected Custodial Vicar, Guardian and Rector of St. Maximilian Seminary during their 8th Ordinary Custodial Chapter.
The Capitulars also elected the following Friars as Custodial Definitors who will help Friar Giva in the administration for the next four years: Friar Dominic Ma. Lim, OFMConv as Custodial Vicar; Friar Daniel Ma. Sugatan as Custodial Secretary; Friar John Nathan Ma. Maagma, and Friar Lorenzo Ma. Avelino.
Also elected were Fra. Bernard Anuna as Custodial Econom and Fra. John Vianney Acosta as Custodial Exactor.
The Order currently has 41 solemn professed friars in the country.
Also present during the Chapter were Friar Benedict Baek, the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minor Conventuals and the delegate of the Minister General, and Friar Gabriel Pangilinan, a member of the Provincial Definitor of the Province of Naples, who represented the Minister Provincial.
Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista of Imus, who visited the Friars on Feb. 25, wished the newly elected leaders a fruitful service and prayed over the Capitulars of the Chapter.
The second part of 9th Ordinary Custodial Chapter is scheduled this coming April 25 to 29.
