A happy day with Father Lukas Centeno OSB at the 2019 SEA Games football match between the Philippines and Malaysia
Father Lukas Centeno OSB wasn't very tall by male standards. His
height was probably around 5 feet 6 inches. In fact, if he stood among the
crowd wearing casual clothes and a cap (instead of his priestly garments), he
would have blended in.
But when he opened his mouth and spoke loudly, Father Lukas made
heads turn. And when he laughed obnoxiously, you'd either dislike him or you'd
be amused.
To someone who didn't know him, Father Lukas could be easily
perceived as someone "na malakas ang dating."
Some months ago, I had formed a sort of bond with Father Lukas.
Previously, I had messaged him on Facebook to interview him for an article. He
turned me down saying that he didn't like being interviewed.
What he liked, or more precisely, what he loved, was football -
a sport that he played during his student days in San Beda as a varsity
athlete, and he supported as one of the prime movers and facilitators of the San Beda Football
program.
He flooded the San Beda Football / Mendiola FC Facebook group
page with articles about the latest developments in international football. More often, he shared photos, news, even throwback pics about San Beda's
own football team.
His other passion was art. On his personal Facebook account,
Father Lukas shared images of religious art, breathtaking photographs,
impressionist paintings such as the works of Vincent Van Gogh - a Father Lukas
lookalike.
In spite of his "strong personality," Father Lukas
possessed an undeniable charm, a magnetic appeal. For me, it was his
love for both the beautiful game of football and for beautiful art that I found fascinating.
Last October, I messaged Father Lukas to ask if I could visit him at
San Beda University. I was going to St. Jude Church, which was close to the school, and
thought of making a side trip to San Beda. He said he would be out but invited
me to attend mass at the Abbey at 7:00 am the following day. I said yes.
"Great," he replied. "Sa front pew ka sana. Konti
lang ang faithful attendees," he said.
Now being on time isn't one of my traits and I usually sleep
until 8:00 am. But contrary to form, there I was sitting on the first pew of
the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat at 7:00 am. I couldn't believe I wasn't
late. I couldn't believe I was wide awake.
Father Lukas officiated the mass. He was soft spoken and rather
serious. After the mass, he invited me to eat breakfast at the dining hall
where all the priests have their meals.
For the second time that day, I felt I was in a surreal
environment. I was the lone female wearing black in a room with men wearing
white vestments. I was eating fried rice and tapa and Abbey bread, having a
chat with Father Lukas who, prior, I only exchanged messages with on Facebook
Messenger.
What I thought would be a quick hello after the 30-minute mass
turned out to be an almost 90-minute peek into the life of Father Lukas and the
private world of the San Beda monks. Father Lukas told me about his sister
Laura who starred in the movie "Himala" alongside Nora Aunor, and
about his father who was a contemporary of Filipino literary greats NVM
Gonzalez and Liwayway Arceo; he talked about how he got support for the San
Beda Football Team prior to the team becoming a powerhouse in the NCAA.
He toured me around San Beda Mendiola: to the secluded meditation garden of the monks, the museum with images of the Santo Nino, the
swimming pool where the champion SBU Sea Lions trained, the football field
a.k.a. the "Home of the San Beda Football Gods," and also the small
farm where he raised fighting cocks (that he would eventually give away to
sabungero-friends.)
At the end of the tour, we returned to the Abbey where he
blessed my sister's St. Benedict images and medallions and gave me two medallions
and blessed those as well. "Hindi magiging effective ang medallions
kapag hindi na-bless," he said.
That wasn't all. He also gave a loaf of Abbey bread for me to
take home as "pasalubong."
At the day's end, we exchanged messages on Facebook. I thanked
him for his generosity.
"Wow, bakit parang matagal na kita kilala?" he asked.
"I was so relaxed sa conversations natin, yet now lang tayo nagmeet...
Yeah!"
I reminded him we were briefly introduced to each other during
the 2016 NCAA Victory Bonfire in San Beda.
I would talk with Father Lukas in person a few more times after
October 2019: to watch the 2019 SEA Games match of the Philippines' U-23 team against
Malaysia, at the December 21 Simbang Gabi at the Abbey of Our Lady of
Montserrat, and at a random encounter along Tomas Morato Extension where I
chanced upon him boarding the Innova van that would take him back to San Beda.
Watching the SEA Games football match last November with him was a rare and special treat. Father Lukas proposed that I park my car inside the
San Beda complex and then have dinner with him at the Abbey, before watching
the game at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
I was running late that evening and apologized profusely to
Father Lukas when I arrived at San Beda. My tardiness wasn't an issue to him.
He assured me saying, "Easy ka lang."
We shared a meal again at the dining hall. When Father Lukas
started introducing me to his fellow monks, I realized I made the mistake of
wearing a sleeveless above-the-knee jumpsuit that was appropriate
at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, but was inappropriate to wear among the members of a
religious community. I quickly got the shawl I had in my bag and placed
it on my shoulder to hide my exposed arms.
Father Lukas must have noticed my uneasiness because he told me
to remove my shawl. He said my outfit was chic and fashionable.
Father Lukas had that gift of instantly raising your spirits when you feel low, of making you feel accepted when you think you
don't belong.
Most likely it was because of his years of mentoring young students, especially student-athletes who bore the pressure of
getting decent grades while winning championships.
But I strongly believe it was because he had experienced God's unconditional love and acceptance firsthand in his struggle to stay true to his
priestly vows. He was very enthusiastic in talking about the Holy Gospel, as he was very open about appreciating the beauty of female spectators wearing short shorts at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, or trying hard not
to look at Gloria Diaz's cleavage as the former Miss Universe was receiving
Holy Communion at San Beda Alabang. You could say he was such a guy but he
remained a man of God.
I think Father Lukas was the only boy among a brood of four,
which includes his sisters Laura, Puri and Teng. The only son and he opted to
be a priest instead of continuing the Centeno family name.
In choosing so he became part of the lives of many families. By
officiating at weddings, baptisms and at wakes, funerals and death
anniversaries. He became an involved "father" to many, many children
by being truly present in their lives - at special occasions, at everyday
get-togethers, at football games, and simply by sending messages on Facebook
and SMS.
My last conversation with Father Lukas happened on January 24,
2020, after we saw each other in Tomas Morato.
Hours later, he sent me this message on Facebook: "Hey
girl! Lucky me nagkita tayo!" he said.
"Hello, Father Lukas!" I answered. "It was good to
see you today."
He never got to see my reply.
Now that I reflect on his passing and how much he has shared
with me in a short span of time, I want to tell him, "Hey, Father! Ako ang
tunay na masuwerte nakilala kita... Kami... kaming mga naging kaibigan mo ang tunay na masuwerte kasi nakilala ka namin.... May we be a blessing to others as you have been a blessing to us."
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