The Lucky One

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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