He was more than a priest. He was an institution, an icon among parishioners, and the Catholic faithful who have their own stories to tell.
Monsignor Guillermo “GG” Gaston would have celebrated his 64th year as a priest in Bacolod this December.
He served as Rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral from 1985 to 1988 and 1991 to 2000.
Unfortunately, he was called earlier by his Maker a few months shy of his 64th Anniversary. He succumbed to cardiac arrest late afternoon yesterday, 20 July 2023.
He was 91.
San Sebastian Cathedral published a statement by Fr. Ronald Quijano, who said that the whole Cathedral community is “saddened” by the passing of Mons GG, saying that he offers condolences to the priest’s family, to the presbyterium, and the faithful who were inspired by his priestly life and ministry.
Quijano also asked the faithful to offer prayers and masses for the eternal repose of his soul.
Social media have been rife with messages for his eternal rest, as the faithful of all ages paid tribute to the Monsignor Gaston, fondly known as Mons GG.
He was, it appeared, well-loved by the faithful from all generations, with some of the younger ones even chiming in their encounter with the monsignor, like reminding the young ones never to neglect the habit of praying, or to always read the Bible when in doubt.
He was also recalled as being a “priest of culture”, as he had been known to advocate for the preservation and celebration of religious traditions.
