Bloom Where You Are Planted: Fr. Ben Ebcas Jr.

Raised by hardworking parents who instilled the value of earnest work and honest deeds, Father (Fr.) Ben Ebcas Jr.—together with his nine siblings—grew up believing each life is a gift from God and therefore should be cherished.

So when Typhoon ‘Uring’ devastated the City of Ormoc, Leyte in November 1991, Fr. Ben knew he had to do something to help his city. This longing to help out continued even when he moved to Canada in 1996.

“I moved to Canada in July 1996 after I have finished my [masters] Pastoral Ministry in Manila in order to take some courses in Crisis Intervention and Strategies. I wanted to continue helping my townmates who were devastated by Typhoon Uring,” Fr. Ben shared, adding that over 7,000 locals were affected by the typhoon.

While he was studying, he was given the opportunity to serve as an associated pastor in the Diocese of Peterborough and Archdiocese of Toronto.

Fr. Ben was ordained as a priest in July 3, 1983, but in 2000, he became a pastor with several pastorates. Today, he serves at Our Lady of Assumption Church.

Fr. Ben admits he also encountered challenges when he first moved to Canada, just like any immigrant in a new land.

“I have met interesting challenges in the areas of enculturation and pastoral ministry. I had to make adjustments to the varied cultural groups that I was serving and try to speak English that will be understood by my parishioners,” Fr. Ben recalls.

“Even at school in Durham College and Schulich in York University, I had to adjust to the methodology… However, knowing that I was not doing these things for myself but for my flock and my family and friends back in the Philippines, I was determined to finish what I have started,” Fr. Ben tells the Philippine Canadian Inquirer.

But more than cultural differences, Fr. Ben battled with one of the biggest hurdles for anyone who had to leave their family behind: Homesickness.

“I have to accept the fact that I couldn’t visit my parents and my siblings weekly as I used to because they’re thousands of miles away and it’s way too expensive to go home,” he said. “Faith in God’s providence and generosity is the central source of my strength. Magtiwala at manalig sa Diyos dahil hindi ka Niya pababayaan (trust and rely on the Lord because He will not forsake you).”

Despite being thousands of miles away from his family, Fr. Ben made the most of his stay in Canada. He soon realized that he is in a land brimming with opportunity—especially for hard workers, like many Filipinos.

“Canada offers a lot of opportunities in many facets of life, [like] education, work, self-advancement, health coverage,” he explained. “But the most common denominator to succeed in Canada is not just accepting what comes, but affecting the outcome of one’s future. In other words, you have to do your own share of hard work, focus, and more importantly, trust in God,” he says, expounding on the importance of faith.

“Things will not come out good if we work and work without maintaining our focus and purpose,” Fr. Ben continues. “There are lots of temptations around not only in terms of material but also emotional allurements due to distance from families and longing for close relationships. Hence, I stress the importance of faith, focus, and future of the whole family when making decisions in life.”

Despite being in Canada for almost a decade now, Fr. Ben still can’t help but look back at his life in the Philippines—relishing in the nostalgia of his family, friends, and the overall warmth of Filipino culture and life.

“I miss the country life, the simplicity of the joys of the rural folks, the smiles and convivial treatment of the lolas, children, and of course, our gulay, isda, tuba (vegetables, fish, fermented coconut liquor)… The inspiring and joyful devotional fiesta celebrations year-round,” he shared.

To relive and celebrate his Filipino heritage anywhere he goes, Fr. Ben shared that he imparts Filipino values to the people he meets.

“No matter where I go—whether in Europe for pilgrimages, around Canada or our neigbours down South—I bring with me the treasury of my unique cultural and religious values as a Filpino,” he started. “Utang na loob, pag-galang sa mga matatanda, hiya (in a positive way), malalim na pananalig sa Diyos, at pag-alaga sa mga paboritong devotional practices (Debt of gratitude, respect for the elderly, shyness (in a positive way), strong faith in God, and taking care of our beloved devotional practices.)”

After 32 years of faithful service to the Lord and His ministry, Fr. Ben hasn’t grown weary or tired of his God-given tasks. In fact, he wish he could do more of it.

“This is my vocation and life. I love my ministry because it’s my personal response to God’s call to serve His people,” he said. “It is my big ‘Thank You’ for His goodness and bountiful blessings to me, my love ones, and my parish.”

“The continuous challenge is my health,” he opens up. “How I wish I am healthier so I can serve more and do more for my parish family, but I am not discouraged because I remember what Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta told me when we were together in Tondo, Manila doing apostolate: ‘No matter how small is your task, do it the best you can and do it with love.’”

“I am happy when I hear news that the kababayans we’ve tried our best to help are now permanent residents or have found a job, reunited with their families… These are some of my little sources of joy and inspiration,” he said with a smile.

Fr. Ben believes that it is the grace of God that enabled him to bloom where he was planted—whether it was in his hometown of Ormoc or in this foreign land.

“Moving to Canada has broadened my perspective in life in terms of the hard realities of immigration, adjustments in terms of work, emotional needs, and my pastoral ministry,” he shared. “There is an exigency to adapt to your new environment but at the same time not losing your unique Filipino heritage and values. Above all, have Faith in God who sees our needs.”

For fellow Filipinos who are still thinking of moving to Canada—or have already decided to take that leap of faith—Fr. Ben has a few words of encouragement and wisdom.

“To my kababayans, magsikap, magtiyaga, magdasal, at huwag makalimot sa pinanggalingan (To my countrymen, work hard, persevere, pray, and never forget where you came from).”

All photos courtesy of Fr. Ben Ebcas, Jr.