Msgr. Morti: Turning 83 and Still Going Strong
Monsignor Tony Mortillero celebrated his 83rd birthday last November 13 with fellow priests, PPC members and close parishioners after the 6 pm concelebrated mass at the Divine Mercy Chapel. Actually, Msgr. Morti’s birthday was last November 5 but due to scheduling conflicts, the celebration was moved a week later.
Concelebrating the thanksgiving- birthday mass were Bp. Raul Martirez as lead, Fr. Steve Zabala, Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria, with Msgr. Mortillero, assisted by Deacon Rev. Carlo Narvasa.
At the conclusion of the mass, Msgr. Sta. Maria gave a humorous roast of the birthday celebrant. He referred to the reading of the First Epistle of Paul to Titus, which read, ‘Older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and endurance.’ To which he said, ‘Definitely, Morti is a very dignified old man, sound in faith and love. What about being temperate, self-controlled and possessing endurance? I did an informal survey of some priests of this great Diocese of Cubao asking them what descriptors came to mind when you mention ‘Morti’.
Their first answer was – bully. But having answered that, they also quickly remembered that at the same time, he was caring and had a soft heart. For example, he would knock at door of the young priests’ rooms, for example, to ask them to have breakfast with him. As Vicar General, when a priest didn’t show up for the priests’ assembly, he would personally visit them to see if they were sick and how he might be of assistance.’
Msgr. Dan continued. ‘The second word that came to the diocese priests’ minds was – impatient. But just as quickly, they’d remember that when we were just beginning the diocese of Cubao, he would patiently gather the priests for different fellowship activities. He wanted to make sure that they appreciate building up priestly brotherhood by being present to one another with the readiness to help a brother priest needing companionship or words of consolation, appreciation or affirmation.’
‘And the third word that came to their minds was – siga! Of course, they didn’t mean ‘macho’ or ‘astig’, only ‘siga’. But Morti the siga is actually Morti the caregiver. He cared for his mother, or Mama. And his care of a close friend priest, Msgr. Clem Lopez, until his death revealed his ‘pusong mamon’!’
Msgr. Dan then gave his own descriptors of Msgr. Mortillero. ‘He can be brutally frank. One time, I sang in public and he later accosted me to say that my singing voice is better hidden.’ Msgr. Dan also mentioned that Msgr. Morti’s homilies are brief, but they are always meaty. And that he loved expensive Spanish cuisine. Fr. Steve, who is probably the best at imitating Msgr. Morti’s gruff voice, also shared his own funny anecdotes that had his fellow priests in stitches.
Almost 20 parish priests from the diocese attended either the concelebrated mass or the dinner that followed. This included: Bp. Ness Ongtioco who came in time for the dinner; CTK’s very own Bp. Raul Martirez; former CTK parish priest Msgr. Dan Sta. Maria; Msgr. Dom Erfe; current CTK parish priest Fr. Steve Zabala; Fr. Ron Macale; Fr. Gido Dumlao; Fr. Jojo Simon; Fr. Dennis Soriano; Fr. Honorato Nadua; Fr. Omer Prieto; Fr. Herbie Santos; Fr. Ronnie Santos; CTK guest priest Fr. Jojo Gatdula; Fr. Bong Guerrero; regular CTK presider Fr. Raymond Arre; Fr. Rey Paglinawan; Fr. Fred Narvasa; and Reverend Carlo Narvasa. It was a phenomenal turnout of fellow priests, some of whom had expressed disappointment that Msgr. Mortillero, who was supposed to join them in the pilgrimage to Eastern Europe, suddenly took ill the day before departure and was unable to go. Clearly, the invited priests all had a good time, presumably swapping stories about their new parish assignments.
Among those who came from the PPC were: Bert and Marie Anne Santos; Henry and Joyce Tañedo; Bing del Rosario; Benjie and Wins Mirasol; Eileen de Leon; Maan del Rosario; Anna Lagman; Althea Geronilla; John Juat; Fe Flores; Lulay dela Cruz and Charito Barredo.
Msgr. Mortillero has been in the priesthood for an unbelievable 54 years, having been ordained on the 23rd of December 1962. His very first assignment was as Assistant Parish Priest in Pateros, Marikina, He then became the parish priest of Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish in Baclaran, Parañaque in 1971, and concurrently, Director of the Sta. Rita de Cascia Parochial School. He occupied the position for 22 years until 1993. From 1994 to 2012, or a total of 18 years, Msgr. Morti was assigned as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in QC Project 8. In 2004, Msgr. Antonio Mortillero was concurrently appointed the second Vicar General and Moderator Curiae of the Cubao Diocese. He retired in 2012.
