Our Founder

Bishop Teofilo B. Camomot was born in Cogon, Carcar, Cebu on March 3, 1914 to Luis and Angela Bastida. He was the third child of eight children and was baptized on March 4, 1914 and confirmed on August 22, 1915. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his seminary formation at the Seminario de San Carlos in Cebu City. On December 15, 1940, he was ordained a priest and was appointed assistant to different parishes.

In 1943, he was appointed parish priest of Sta. Teresa Parish in Talisay, Cebu. He lived a simple and austere life. Before celebrating mass he visited all the sick parishioners while attending to their needs. On March 26, 1955, he was named Titular bishop of Clisma and auxiliary bishop of Jaro, Iloilo.

In 1959 he became co-adjutor Archbishop (c.i.s.) of Cagayan de Oro and appointed parish proest of Sta. Rita, Balingasag, Misamis Orienta. Here he founded the Carmelite Tertiaries of the Blessed Eucharist (CTOBE), presently, the Daughters of Saint Teresa (DST).

In 1968, he had kidney surgery and had to take rest. He resigned as Co-adjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro on June 16, 1968, went back to Cebu in 1970, and became auxiliary of Julio Cardinal Rosales who appointed him parish priest of El Pardo, Cebu City. On February 19, 1976, he was named parish priest of Carcar, Cebu, his hometown while also serving the archdiocese in other areas of responsibilities. On September 27, 1988, he died on his way back to his parish in a vehicular accident at San Fernando, Cebu.

True to his name, TEOFILO, which means lover of God, he lived all his 74 years on earth serving and loving God and all people particularly the poor, the sick, the homeless, and the suffering.

(Photos below taken by author in 1988 of Monsignor Camomot burial, biggest the town ever gave or witnessed)

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