BIO-DATA DETAILS

Call him Fr. Gabby, the 3rd son of his parents, Gloria "Langgani" Lumidao and Balinte Ballawig.

On the cold night of 17th December 1961, a baby-boy was born in Lubo, Tanudan, Kalinga, in the northern part of the Philippines. Seven days later he was christened on the 24th and he is given the beautiful name, GABRIEL (which in Hebrew means, “Strength (or power) of God”). He is the 6th of the 10 children (3 boys went ahead to their Creator in their younger age and 7 alive). They’re the fruits of a loving couple (may they rest in peace) who were simple farmers (my father is also a carpenter) with deep faith in God.

The baby-boy grew up and took his elementary education at the Lubo Elementary School and high school at the Saint Therese Catholic School, Salegseg, Balbalan, Kalinga. During his high school life he worked and studied as a Convent-boy (priest’s helper & sacristan). As a ‘convent boy’ for three years and with the good example of the Belgian priest (CICM missionary), he learned the value and importance of prayer, patience, hard-work, being responsible, and perseverance. Most of all, he came to realized that God has planted in him the seed of vocation to the Priesthood. It was certainly good news to his parents. Sadly, his father suddenly met death one month before graduating from high school.

From high school he entered & finished his A.B. Philosophy at the San Pablo Regional College Seminary, Baguio City. Sadly again, it was during his 2nd year college that his mother died, thus, completely orphaned.

He pursued his Theological studies to the priesthood at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. But after a year he left the Seminary to find work in order to support his younger brother and sister in their studies until they graduated from college. For about 10 years outside Seminary life he was first employed as Values-Education teacher for two years (University of Baguio) and then as Donor Services & Program  Coordinator in a private non-government international agency - Foster Parents Plan International, working for the upliftment of the lives of poor families in the rural areas of Abra, Baguio-Benguet, & Pangasinan.

Realizing that God is still calling him to the priesthood he returned to the Seminary in 1996 to finish his Theology studies at the Recoletos Formation Center, Quezon City. He was ordained 28th September 2000, in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo as Military Civilian Chaplain for the AFP-PNP Ordinariate. One month after his ordination he was sent to Rome, Italy, as an Associate-priest of the Scalabrinian Fathers where he finished a two-year Licentiate course - Pastoral Theology on Human Mobility. After which, he was assigned to Melbourne, Australia, as Chaplain to the Filipino Community (February to November 2003), to Kaoshiung, Taiwan, as temporary Chaplain to Filipino Community (Dec. 2003 to March 2004).

After Taiwan, he was assigned as Chaplain to the Filipino-Australian Community in the Diocese of Broken Bay, and as one of the assistant parish priests at St. Kevin’s Catholic church, Dee Why, Fr. Gabby actively worked with the different leaders of the religious associations/organizations, and even with non-religious organizations in fostering the Filipino rich Socio-Cultural-Religiousity in harmony with the Australian multi-culture. His special ministry then is to promote the Gospel values  reaching  as many Filipinos and their families who are residing in the Diocese of Broken Bay.

From Borken Bay Diocese, Fr. Gabby transferred to the Diocese of Bathurst on the 1st of August, 2006, where he is now presently enjoying his ministry as Assistant Parish Priest of the Cathedral Parish of St. John & St. Michael, Bathurst city, and is serving as spiritual adviser to the Bathurst Filipino-Australian Community. Contact Fr. Gabby any time....

"We can do no great things... Only small things with great love" (Blessed Mother Teresa).

God bless you.