The blessing of the Fortich Hall and the launching of two books detailing the life and legacy of the late Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich were held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, on Tuesday afternoon, January 13.
The date, January 13, commemorates Fortich’s appointment as the third bishop of the Diocese of Bacolod in 1967, Fr. Aniceto “Mao” Buenafe, Bata parish priest, said.
“Today marks the 59th anniversary of his appointment as bishop… that most opportune moment in the destiny of Negros Occidental, when a champion of the poor, a man devoted to justice and peace, became a beacon of hope for us all,” Buenafe said.
Fortich was the Bishop of Bacolod from Jan. 13, 1967 to January 31, 1989. He was 89 years old when he died on July 2, 2003.
“I see Bishop Fortich not only as a figure of the past, but as a compass for the present. In a time marked by deepening poverty, ecological degradation, persistent violence, and a crisis of governance, his life reminds us that the Church must remain credible, compassionate, and courageous”, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said.
“May the Fortich Hall become a place where consciences are formed, dialog is nurtured, and commitment to justice and peace is renewed. And may these books continue to accompany us as we carry forward the journey of faith and service that Bishop Fortich so faithfully lived,” he said.
The Fortich Hall was originally constructed in 1984 under Bata’s first parish priest, Fr. Greg Patiño, and was blessed by Bishop Fortich himself.
The renovated hall was blessed by Patiño and the inaugural ribbon was cut by Buenafe, Parish Pastoral Council President Ernesto Salcedo, Millie Kilayko and Ulysses Primacio.
Millie Kilayko, Ulysses Primacio, Fr. Aniceto Buenafe and Parish Pastoral Council President Ernesto Salcedo (l-r) cut the ribbon*CPG photo
Also launched at the event were the books – Vir Fortis and A Shepherd’s Journey.
Vir Fortis was authored by four diocesan priests who were proteges of Fortich: Fr. Dimitri Gatia, Msgr. Rufino “Toto” Suplido, and the late Msgr. Victorino Rivas and Fr. Romeo Empestan.
The title is derived from a Latin phrase roughly translated as “a man of strength and courage.”
A Shepherd’s Journey is a compilation of heartfelt messages, letters, and articles contributed by individuals from diverse backgrounds shortly after the bishop’s passing.
“These books remind us that Bishop Fortich’s legacy is not confined to history. Vir Fortis and A Shepherd’s Journey speak powerfully to our present moment—calling us to a Church that walks with suffering communities, speaks truth to power, defends human dignity, and refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice,” Alminaza said.
Vir Fortis is priced at P1,000, while A Shepherd’s Journey is available for P500. All proceeds from the book sales will go directly to the Bata parish.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his speech, said the two books do more than just recount history — they preserve a legacy that shaped the soul of Negros Occidental.
The governor noted that Bishop Fortich served the Diocese of Bacolod during one of the most difficult periods in the history of the province.
“He chose to stand with the poor, the farmers, the workers, and the marginalized, not from a distance, but in genuine solidarity. Under his leadership, the Church in Negros Occidental became a living presence among the people,” Lacson said.
“He strengthened social action, encouraged communities, and spoke clearly and fearlessly for justice and human dignity,” he added.
Lacson said that the books allow the community to remember not only the man but the true meaning of his mission.
“For Bishop Fortich, peace was never abstract. It was inseparable from justice. It meant addressing hunger, inequality, and exclusion. It meant ensuring that development did not leave the most vulnerable behind,” the governor said.
Fortich’s life serves as a reminder that leadership—whether in the Church or in government—is about service at its core, he added.
“His life reminds us that faith finds its fullest meaning when it is lived in solidarity with the people—especially the forgotten and the vulnerable,” Lacson said.
“May his example continue to inspire us. May his vision continue to challenge us,” the governor said.*
JP Yulo, Msgr. Rufino Suplido, Engr. Ernesto Salcedo, Fr. Aniceto Buenafe, Fr. Gregorio Patiño, Sister Cecilia Bayona, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Fr. Rolex Nueva, Fr. Salvador Barcelona, and Fr. Noli Blancaflor (l-r) at the book launching.* CPG photo