Chapter 23 -REV. ANGEL DUCO DOFELIZ MINISTRY

“Angel NOW, Angel THEN!”

By Pastor Alpha Dofeliz- Sorensen

My father's Father traveled from Spain to settle in Patlad, Dumangas, ILOILO. As far as the eyes could see, my grandfather Antonio Dofeliz owned vast tracts of land. He & his wife, Celestina Duco lived in comfort and luxury until they lost their wealth due to gambling.

When Lolo Tonio lost in a cockfight bet, he'd point out a piece of land to pay his gambling debts!

My father Angel with 3 brothers and only sister lived contentedly for a while until they accepted the God -appointed tasks for their own destiny. Jose moved to Mindanao, Elena who married the faithful Baptist leader Mamerto Derayunan, was among the first graduates of Baptist Missionary Training School started by the American Baptist Missionaries.

Brigido became a wandering pastor who failed to preach in search of the perfect mate!

Eugenio was an ilustrado sent by the American colonizers to study in America. He never returned! We are still left to wonder what happened to his offsprings!

My father bore the brunt of insults behind his back: "There goes Angel! He used to be 'Don' & NOW, he's dungkolan (once rich, now a log fit for burning)! Angel used to drive his car. He spoke Spanish but never with us!”

Angel met his wife Felicidad Dionio when he was teaching her in elementary school. She was 10 years his senior. I asked why she married my Dad. Her answer: "He loves me. He's kind and handsome!" She burned a love letter of one suitor in front of the guy who swore his undying love for her!

My father gave up teaching to become a minister. He went to Jaro Industrial School, then proceeded on his Ministerial training at Doane Baptist Seminary.

His faithfulness to GOD carried through his traveling ministry with American Baptist Missionaries in the mountains of Capiz and Aklan. That is why Miriam Jean, my elder sister who also became a pastor, was born in Altavas, Aklan. Angel was also among the supporters and suppliers of food for the American missionaries hiding in Hopevale, Tapas, Capiz during the war.

The ONLY account I ever heard from him about the missionaries was: "One day, I came too late. They were dead!" It was to painful for him to say more of his American companions martyred by Japanese Imperial Forces

My dad spoke Spanish fluently but never in front of us. He and his subalterns talked in Spanish fluently but he never uttered a single Spanish word with us. To this day I wonder why? He never taught us the Spanish language. We had to learn the language the hard way at Central Philippine University!

FAMILY PICTURE

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How loving dad was! He'd take me on his knees and cut my fingernails. He would wake us up at 5:00 a.m. to start the day with devotional: Bible reading, hymn and PRAYER. He served different churches while we resided in Bantud, Dumangas, ILOILO. From Wednesday to SUNDAY he would be in his church, then took the buses to stay with his family two days a week.

Sometimes my mother & I would visit him at his church. In Malag-it Baptist Church a member told him Lagring & I were on top of the huge duhat tree munching deliciousness! He threatened to BELT me if I failed to climb down right AWAY!

He was ordained at Rizal Fundacion Baptist Church in POTOTAN. He also served as circuit pastor in Leon, ILOILO where he'd preach at one village church one Sunday then rotate to the next church during the month. He also served as minister of our town church in Dumangas, ILOILO then founded Bantud Baptist Church WHERE our family resided.

He was a joker! I remember one joke he and his fellow ministers poked at Rev. Ralph George, our American Baptist Missionary. Rev. George wanted to know the Hiligaynon word for "satisfied". Angel and his fellow ministers connived to tell Rev. George "busong". So he went around telling, "Busong ako, busong ako!" Everyone laughed! He was saying, "I'm pregnant!" The correct Hiligaynon word to express a full stomach is "busog"!

My parents agreed on right discipline. Nanay would pinch us for minor errors. Dad belted us for major offenses. My only brother Angel, Jr. & I decided to catch crabs and swim. We caught lots of crabs and enjoyed swimming in high tide by the river.

We were so happy offering the one big basket of crabs to our mother that we were surprised when she said: "It's Sunday. You didn't go to church. Wait till your dad comes home!" Imagine the agony of waiting for the belt!

Monica, Miriam Jean, Thelma, Angel, Jr., Alpha & Dodemer: 6 Minister's kids grew up loved and adored by two caring parents. Despite our poverty materially, we were rich in prayers and faith of our caring parents.

The only time Dad visited me while I was in CPU high school was on June 17, 1957. Asking special permission from Principal Plagata, we sat under the mango tree. Dad asked me: "Alpha, why don't you be a missionera?"

I quietly responded, "Yes, Daddy." He returned to Malag-it Baptist Church. On June 24, 1957 while eating lunch after preaching, Rev. Angel Dofeliz, Sr. had cerebral hemorrhage. He was rushed to Iloilo Mission Hospital where he breathed his last. As his children we honor his memory by having 2 teachers, an Air Force military personnel buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani, a homemaker and 2 minister daughters.

Rev. Angel Dofeliz was angel on EARTH as he is NOW in heaven!

1Wilson D Guanzon

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