History of the Seminary
In the spring of 1959, a significant development unfolded in the Catholic Church's mission in the Philippines. Very Rev. Fr. General, Frans Sercu, appointed Fr. Tom Letschert as the rector of a new seminary. This appointment was formally accepted by the Bishop of Surigao in a letter dated March 27, 1959, although the official appointment papers were dated April 26, 1959. On that same day, the Bishop issued a declaration establishing the "Nostrum Seminarium Sancti Petri" in Ampayon, Butuan City, thereby formalizing the seminary's foundation.
The contract between the Bishop of Surigao and Fr. Provincial, CICM, regarding the management of the seminary by the Scheut Fathers, was signed on March 31, 1959. Shortly thereafter, Fathers Letschert and Vranken arrived in the Philippines, traveling by plane to Surigao. During a brief stopover in Buenavista, the former airport of Butuan City, they met the Bishop on April 23 and were warmly welcomed by the MSC Fathers of Butuan City.
Due to the dilapidated condition of the convento in Butuan, which could not accommodate them for the night, the two priests proceeded to Cabadbaran, passing by the seminary on their way. The following morning, they arrived at the seminary, which was little more than a building in need of finishing touches and furnished only with a desk. On April 27, the Bishop arrived with approximately 50 boys, potential candidates for entrance into the seminary. As the furniture arrived gradually, a generator was installed in May, providing electricity and running water for the new institution. By early June, 14 boys began their first year of Latin studies.
On August 30, 1959, a significant milestone was reached when the Bishop blessed the first wing of the seminary in a ceremony attended by a select group of guests. In September, Very Rev. Fr. Provincial and Fr. Van Nieuwenhoven visited the seminary and its pioneers. However, shortly thereafter, some difficulties arose between the rector and the Bishop, primarily concerning the financial management of the seminary. Fortunately, these issues were resolved amicably.
To support the growing seminary community, Fr. Andre Dhondt was appointed as a professor upon his return from Belgium after a short vacation.
His role was to teach Latin and alleviate some of the burdens on Fr. Letschert, who also served as procurator, and Fr. Vranken, who was both a professor and prefect. At Fr. Vranken's request, the role of prefect was assigned to Fr. A. Dhondt, as noted in a letter from Rev. Fr. Provincial to the rector dated May 10, 1960. The second school year commenced following a second free trip to the seminary, which attracted around 80 boys. Enrollment for the year included 10 boys in the second year, 9 in the first year, and 2 in special Latin, totaling 21 students. However, internal conflicts prompted Rev. Fr. Provincial to appoint Fr. Rafael Dhondt to replace Fr. Tom Letschert. Fr. Rafael arrived in (Please use these images as the cover photo for the ABOUT section) Butuan City on August 30, 1960, and was warmly welcomed by the community of Fathers. The Bishop formally appointed him on September 12, 1960. Meanwhile, construction of the second wing of the seminary, which had been delayed due to disagreements and the lack of a definitive plan, began on August 18, 1960. The new rector took on the role of prefect, while Fr. Vranken became the procurator and oversaw the new construction. Fr. A. Dhondt was appointed as the spiritual director. The school year concluded with 19 boys remaining. As Rev. Fr. Provincial was unable to send another priest to bolster the seminary staff, the Bishop agreed to appoint one of his young diocesan priests, Fr. Sator, to the seminary. The Bishop informed the rector of this decision on April 7, 1961.
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After serving in various parishes, Fr. Sator arrived at the seminary on May 25, accompanied by 15 "old-timers." Another free trip at the beginning of the vocation brought around 50 boys to the seminary, but the school year 1961-62 began with an enrollment of 30 boys: 18 in the first year, 4 in the second year, and 7 in the third year. The new wing was gradually occupied by the end of the vacation and the beginning of the school year, although the dining hall and kitchen awaited the arrival of a new stove. A momentous occasion arose with the Silver Jubilee of the Bishop and the visit of the Papal Nuncio, Msgr. Sino, to Surigao and Butuan City. This event was chosen for the blessing of the seminary, which was performed by the Nuncio in the presence of six bishops, including Msgr. Brasseur, and Fr. Linssen, who represented Rev. Fr. Provincial. The blessing of the second wing took place on August 11, 1961. The painting of the interior of the first wing began on July 27, 1967, with the exterior having been completed more than a year earlier.
Mission and Vision
VISION
As an institution of learning and of formation devoted primarily to prepare Filipino young men for theological studies and eventually for sacred priesthood. Saint Peter College Seminary envisions that the candidate for priesthood. Saint Peter College Seminary envisions that the candidate for priesthood will be holy, capable of critical thinking and with passion to serve the people characterized by the following dimensions in formations:
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Active participation in actualizing individual and collective potentials thru sustainable and progressive human development formation: (Human Dimension)
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Deep spiritual rootedness: (Spiritual Dimension)
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Excellent academic instruction and discipline: (Academic Dimension)
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Genuine responsiveness of the needs and aspirations of the church: (Pastoral and Ecclesial Dimension)
MISSION
Saint Peter College Seminary is committed to promote and develop vocation to the priesthood in an integral and holistic way. Its mission is to form young men in order to strengthen their spirituality, enhance their academic capacity, discipline and virtue of obedience, immerse themselves to apostolic life, and enhance physical, intrapersonal and interpersonal interpretation in preparation for their priestly ministry and Christian witnessing.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
The seminary aims at forming men whose lives find their center in personal and transformative communion with God in Christ, and who seek to unite themselves with God’s saving will in all aspects of their lives, especially through participation in the mission of Christ as an ordained minister of the Church.
HUMAN FORMATION
The seminary aims at forming men of virtue, of human excellence and goodness of character, founded on psycho-emotional integration, and modeled on Christ’s example of authentic humanity.
INTELLECTUAL FORMATION
Seminary formation aims at forming men with a deep understanding of the mysteries of faith, a capacity for ongoing theological reflection, and pastoral skills and competence, in the context of Church and society in the Philippines and Asia, for the sake of the mission of evangelization.
PASTORAL FORMATION
The seminary aims at forming men with a deep commitment to and sufficient competence for pastoral leadership and service, especially of the poor and suffering, in union with Christ the Good Sheperd and the shepherds in the Church, towards the building up of the Local Church in communion and mission.
OUR TEAM
MOST REV. COSME DAMIAN R. ALMEDILLA, D.D
Bishop of Butuan
REV. FR. MARLON A. LACAL
Dean of Academics
REV. FR. DANDY E. MARABABOL
Rector
REV. FR. RENATO B. ABBU. JR.
Vice-Rector/Procurator
REV. FR. DARWIN PAGAL
Propaedeutic Director
REV. MSGR. MARCELLINO J. CALDOZA, PC.
Spiritual Director
FR. ARIEL T. CHIONG
Dean of Seminarians
REV. FR. PAUL P. PUEBLAS
Assistant Propaedeutic Director
REV. FR. RICHARD Y. LIMBAGA
Human Formation Director
SR. PAMELA MAY R. LONOY, MSM
Seminary Psychologist Councelor
SEMINARY FACULTY AND STAFF
Sonia M. Cantilado
Gina A. Legarto
Lorife B. Dupit
Marian N. Oquendo, LPT
Grace D. Gamil, LPT
Bernie F. Narvasa
Roland Sol Estose
Rosebic Cabardo
Richard P. Zaulda
Gilda M. Pastor
Gloria B. Callado
Morgan James
Lyn P. Pasigna
Flordeliza H. Abrea
Yonilyn M. Memes
John Paulo Plaza
Richard Palero
Angelu M. Memes
Joy P. Boncolmo
Renato M. Pagaran
Architectural Highlights
FIRST SEMESTER
June 2025
June 2 - arrival
June 3 - General Cleaning/ Election of Officers
June 4 - Induction of Officers/ General
Orientation/Enrollment
June 4-7 - Retreat
June 9 - Mass of the Holy Spirit/ Pictorials/ Opening
of Intramurals
June 12 - Community Outing
June 27-29 - Monthly Going Home
July 2025
July 2 - Start of Apostolate
July 4-5 - Recollection
July 5-6 - Study days
July 6 - Benefactors’ Mass (Fr. Dandy)
July 7-12 - Prelim Exam
July 18 - Nutrition Month Celebration
August 2025
August 2-8 - Monthly going home/ Vocation
Campaign CaBuSTaMPro Annual
Retreat 2025
August 9-12 - Study Days
August 10 - Benefactors’ Mass (Fr. Renz)
August 11-16 - Midterm Exam
August 29 - Buwan ng Wika Celebration
August 29-31 - First Batch Entrance Exam
September 2025
September 5-7 - Monthly going home
September 10 - Philosophical Forum
September 14 - Benefactors’ Mass (Fr. Ariel) September 12-13 - Recollection
September 13-14 - Study days
September 15-20 - Pre-Final Exam
September 22 - Bishop Ouwelant’s Day /
Culmination of Intramurals
September 26-27 - Vocation Jam
Oct 1 - Opening of Month Rosary
Oct 3-5 - 2nd Batch Entrance exam
Oct 8 - Thesis Defense
Oct 10-11 - Recollection
Oct 11-12 - Study Days
Oct 12 - Benefactors’ Mass (Fr. Marlon) / Graduation
of Catechists
Oct 13-18 - Final Exam
Oct 19 - Semestral Break
October 2025
SECOND SEMESTER
Nov 3 - Arrival
Nov 4 - General Cleaning/ Election of House Officials Nov 5 - Induction of Officers / Enrollment
Nov 6 - Start of Classes
Nov 7-8 - Recollection
Nov 9 - Benefactors’ Mass (Msgr. Nene)
Nov 15 - Opening of Formators’ Cup
Nov 28-30 - 3rd Batch Entrance Exam
Nov 30 - Study Day
November 2025
Dec 1-6 - Prelim exam
Dec 5 - Donning of Propaedeutic Class
Dec 6 - Advent Recollection of Benefactors/
Benefactors’ Mass
Dec 8 - Holiday (Immaculate Conception)/ Dinner
for a Cause with a Concert/ Launching of the
Raffle Draw
Dec 10 - Workers’ Day / Christmas Party
Dec 12 - Pasko sa Banay / Academic Convocation Dec 13 - Christmas Break
December 2025
Jan 4 - Arrival
Jan 9-10 - Recollection
Jan 17-18 - Study Days
Jan 18 - Benefactors’ Mass (Fr. Richard)
Jan 19-24 - Midterm Exam
Jan 28 - Philosophical Forum / Literary Night
Jan 30-Feb 1 - CaBuSTaMPro Inter-Diocesan College
Seminary Gathering
January 2026
Feb 6-7 - Recollection
Feb 13 - Start of Novena Masses
Feb 14-15 - High School Alumni Homecoming
Feb 16-20 - Pre-Final Exam
Feb 18 - Ash Wednesday
Feb 21 - Chair of Saint Peter Celebration
Feb 25 - Culmination of Formators’ Cup
Feb 28 - Pastoral Day
February 2026
March 4 - Comprehensive exam
March 5-8 - 4th Year Retreat
March 6-8 - Monthly going home
March 9-13 - 4th Year Final Exam
March 13-15 - 4th Year Monthly going home
March 14-15 - Study Days
March 16-21 - Final Exam
March 23 - Formators’ meeting with the Bishops /
Fraternal Night
March 24 - Philosophers’ Ball
March 25 - Graduation Day / Sotanandi
March 30 - Workers’ Recollection