Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco Sunday conferred to Capt. Gregorio S. Oca the Papal Award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in recognition of his support and services to the Church.

The conferment of the award took place at the Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Lantana, Cubao.

Ongtioco in his speech said the award is something that is long overdue.

“This is long overdue. I received the Papal Award last November,” he said.

Bishop Ongtioco has described Oca as a gift not only to his family, the church and other people as well.

Using the acronym GIFT he further described Capt. Oca as somebody who is Generous, has the Initiative, Fatherly and Trusting.

“G not only for Greg but for generous. Generosity one can say that is his person…Initiative. He even makes the initiative to go out of himself and reach out to other people,” said Ongtioco.

In fact, he said, Oca was the one who started the catechetical foundation in the Cathedral-Parish many years ago to ensure the evangelization of students in the public schools.

Ongtioco said he is also one of the key people behind the construction of the cathedral’s new rectory which includes the lower church, the adoration chapel and the renovation of the facade of the cathedral.

“Everyone also sees him as a good father. Caring and loving. I’ve talked to some of his employees and because of his kindness they have been loyal to him for many years and are even ready to give or risk their life for him,” he said.

“Trust. He is very trusting with his relationship with others,” Ongtioco added.

These, he said, are just some of the important qualities of Oca.

“It is only but proper and fitting for us, for the Church, for our Holy Father to honor a great man in the person of Capt Greg. A man who lives his faith each day…” said Ongtioco.

Capt. Oca is so far the second person to have received the award since the Diocese of Cubao became a diocese in 2003.

The first to receive the award was Ongtioco’s professor at the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), Fr. Joseph Roche. He was conferred the Papal Award August of 2006.