Collie’s moderate Mediterranean climate is a long way from the steamy tropical Philippines, the homeland of local Catholic priest Father Adolfo Bonghanoy. But the differences are more than climatic.
LIFE in Collie is very different for the Catholic Church’s new priest, Father Adolfo Bonghanoy.
Fr Jaybee — as he is commonly known — was born and grew up in the Phillipines and said his decision to become a priest was based on his family’s hardships.
“I looked at my life with my family, and we had lots of trials in life. We got through those difficulties and there was a certain time in life that I wanted to express my gratitude to God for the blessings to me and my family,” he said.
Fr Jaybee said he was one of 10 children and the family was brought up on his father’s teaching income.
“It was difficult,” Fr Jaybee said.
“I often wonder how he did it. Of course we had our chores, morning and night, and followed a schedule, but we always had our independence.
“We helped Mum with the cleaning and washing, but we were allowed to go out and play. We had so much independence, which is different to children in Australia.”
Fr Jaybee decided to become a priest and joined the seminary at age 27.
He spent nine years studying at the seminary. Each day included a morning prayer, Mass and then schooling.
“In the afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we would do gardening and then on the other days we would do sports,” he said.
Fr Jaybee also spent two years in Papua New Guinea, in the middle of his nine years of missionary orientation.
“I stayed in the parish and did religious education and church groups,” he said.
“I constantly moved around. There was no electricity, no cars, no roads and no telephone. It was like living 300 years back — we were dependent on the bush. We had to wrap food in banana leaves to cook it.”
He also spent one year in a secluded seminary, which was a “big house” on about 20 acres.
“It was very quiet, and we weren’t allowed outside the grounds because it was for our spiritual formation,” he said.
After completing his time at the seminary, Fr Jaybee was ordained on December 10, 2005.
Two years later, he was assigned to Australia.
“When I arrived here, I was assigned to Bunbury and I spent 18 months at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Then I transferred to Mandurah, where I stayed for three years,” he said.
“Then I came to Collie about three months ago.”
He has enjoyed his time here so far, he said.
“It is a nice place — a nice small town. One thing that struck me is that it is like being back home in that everyone knows everyone. It is nice that people know each other well.”
He said he has visited a few local families.
“A few families have invited me around for dinner, which was nice,” he said.
Despite enjoying Collie and living in Australia, Fr Jaybee said he goes home each year for about a month to visit family.
“It is difficult being alone,” he said.
“Ever since I was a kid, I was always around a big group of friends. I belong to a big family, and at the seminary there were people to talk with, but then I was assigned to the parish and it has been a big adjustment — but you have to accept it.”
To fill in his spare time, Fr Jaybee said he enjoys reading and it helps him with his work.
“It can be helpful, when people come to me asking for advice. You learn so many things out of books.”
Fr Jaybee said he also enjoys playing tennis, badminton and basketball and the guitar, drums and singing.
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