Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Caloocan presides over an online mass at the San Roque Cathedral in Caloocan City, on the feast day of the patron saint against contagious diseases, August 16, 2021, amid the enhanced community quarantine. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David had shown signs that he was destined for priesthood even as a child, his older brother said.

According to Nestor David, although his family was surprised upon hearing that Bishop David was chosen as a new cardinal, he shared that even as a child, the younger David did not need any prodding to enter priesthood.

READ: Pope Francis picks PH's Bishop Pablo David as new cardinal

"After class, during his elementary years, he would pass by, by himself, over the church and then say a prayer. It's like, sabi niya, 'I was conversing with Jesus.' Probably 'yun ang signs na ang vocation niya talaga ay priesthood," Nestor said.

"He didn't need any prodding. But of course my late mother was very happy when he entered the seminary and she was doubly ecstatic when he was ordained as a priest... I think Ambo was destined to become a priest," he added.

Nestor also shared how his brother dedicated his life to helping those in need.

"Noong pari na siya, we saw how dedicated he was. Lalo na noong martial law years. Ang dedication niya borders on self-sacrifice. Like mayroong konting sari-sari store ang mother ko. My mom would fill up the knapsack of Bishop Ambo before he goes where he is assigned, usually sa countryside 'yan. Alam niya na, 'yung mga de lata, corned beef, sardinas, ipamimigay lang niya 'yan sa mga baryo," Nestor noted.

Caritas Kalookan Executive Secretary Sister May Cano also shared Bishop David's efforts to help poor families, victims of calamities, and the family left behind by victims of alleged extrajudicial killings.

A champion of human rights and care for the poor, the prelate did not shy away from threats and attacks when he criticized former president Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on illegal drugs.

"He has a compassionate heart, matulungin sa mga mahihirap, lalung-lalu na sa mga naaapi. Shinare niya paano mag-reach out dito sa Diocese of Kalookan. We have 20 mission stations," Cano told ABS-CBN News.

"Sine-serve namin lahat ng mga kapatid na nawawalan ng mga karapatan, at saka 'yung mga (family ng) EJK victims… mahal na mahal ni Bishop Ambo, kasi namatayan sila ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay… Isa sa mga project namin dito sa Diocese of Kalookan 'yung mga scholarship program, medical missions, and then burial assistance, and we respond also to mental health problems," she added.

"Ang alam ko si Bishop Ambo, mula pa ng seminarista siya, alam ko na kung paano siya mag-work… magrespond sa justice and peace. At hanggang ngayon, dala-dala niya 'yun…Very simple, very humble at compassionate heart si Bishop," Cano noted.

In a video released by TV Maria on Monday, the cardinal-designate said the most important character of his service to the Church is still his pastoral responsibility as bishop of his diocese.

From the Philippines, 65-year-old David will be the 10th Cardinal and one of three active Filipino cardinals. 

"Talagang umaapaw ang aking puso sa pasasalamat sa napakaraming mga okasyon ng pagdiriwang. At ang pagiging Kardinal, ay hindi po ito honor. Ito po ay isang responsibilidad," he said in a video message on TV Maria.

"Ang ibig sabihin para sa akin ng pagiging Kardinal ay humihingi ng tulong ang ating Santo Papa na alalayan siya, suportahan siya sa kanyang gawain bilang Pontifex Maximus na ang ibig sabihin ay Supreme Bridge Builder, ang taga-tayo ng mga tulay na nag-uugnay sa particular church at universal church," he added.

Cardinal-designate Pablo David: 'Responsibility, not honor'

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