Speech of Senator Loren Legarda on the Fourth Installation of Reverend Father Leon T. Estrella as Bishop of Antique

Mayad nga aga kanatun nga tanan!

As we gather here in the sacred sanctuary of St. Jude Cathedral, a place rich in history and faith, whose walls have carried the prayers of generations, we are not just witnesses to an installation, we are here to honor a calling that has shaped the life and mission of Reverend Father Leon T. Estrella.

As a daughter of Antique, I am deeply humbled by the grace of this moment. Today, I join you in this divine invitation as a renewal of our shared mission to serve, uplift, and unite.

Antique, our beloved province, has always been a land of dreams—nurtured by the strength and spirit of our people. My roots are deeply intertwined with the time-honored heritage of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), shaped by the enduring legacy of family members who came before me. I proudly trace my lineage to the Gellas of Sibalom and Pandan—families who served as pillars of faith and progress. My ancestors, Pedro and Baltazara Gella, are commemorated in this very cathedral, St. Thaddeus, their lasting tribute to the church and the community forever etched at its entrance.

Pedro Gella was President of the Revolutionary Government that was organized in Sibalom. Your local historians would attest that the origin of the Gellas’, together with the other Antiqueño revolutionary families were from this great town of Sibalom.

It is from within the context of that period of history that a reckoning should be made in terms of the significance of the rise of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or the Aglipayan Church. This Church is the only remaining and lasting legacy of our forebears who waged a revolution to attain freedom, equality and social justice for all.
My grandfather, Vicente Gella, carried this legacy forward through education. In 1886, he founded the Colegio de San Vicente Ferrer in San Jose, Antique, as an adjunct to the San Juan de Letran. This school became a pillar of learning, shaping leaders and revolutionaries who played pivotal roles in our nation’s history.

Alongside him was Ariston Gella, who would later rise to prominence as Antique’s first pharmacist and our delegate to the historic Malolos Congress. This same spirit of service endured in my great-grand uncles, Vicente and Bartolome, who led this province as governors with vision and integrity.

Today, their resolve continues to echo, inspiring both me and my brother, Congressman AA Legarda, to uphold the transformative power of education, good governance, and faith to improve the lives of our beloved kasimanwa.

It is this same calling that shines so clearly in the life of Bishop Estrella. Like a lighthouse guiding ships through the storm, his leadership has guided our community, providing hope and direction to all who seek solace and strength, serving with profound faith and a love that transcends boundaries.

In Bishop Estrella, we see Christ’s mission in action. His compassion for the vulnerable and his vision of a more just and caring society inspire all of us to do better, to be better.

These values resonate deeply with me, reminding me of my partnership with the late Bishop Maximo Tomas Millamena. Last July 2024, I visited the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer in Pandan, Antique, where I saw firsthand how faith continues to move and inspire communities. Since 1998, as a young senator, Bishop Millamena and I have walked paths of peace, courage, and faith —advocating for social reforms, education campaigns, and policies that sought to uplift our communities. Together, we answered the call for peace negotiations, engaging in dialogues that sought understanding and unity, facilitating the safe release of captives and prisoners held by insurgents. From traveling to the Netherlands to the farthest reaches of our country—Sorsogon, Surigao, Davao, Oriental Mindoro, Laguna—we carried with us the belief that peace is not just an aspiration but a responsibility.

But our work, at its heart, is about building communities, especially right here at home—to serve the least, the last, and the lost. These acts of service were more than just gestures of kindness; they were expressions of faith, anchored in the truth that every life holds immeasurable worth and potential.

And today, Bishop Estrella, as you take on this sacred mission, we renew our pledge to be partners in progress. In this new chapter of leadership, know that you do not walk this path alone. My brother, Congressman AA Legarda, and I, along with the rest of Antiqueños, stand with you. Together, we continue the work for Antique, with faith guiding our way. We will fight hunger, alleviate poverty, and build a future where all our kasimanwa have equal opportunities to grow, thrive, and succeed.

Congratulations, Bishop Estrella, and may God’s wisdom and grace continue to guide you as you lead us with faith, compassion, and unity. ###