MSGR. JOHN BAÑAS BRILLANTES

Monsignor John Brillantes, born in Iloilo City in 1967, is a Catholic priest and former military chaplain who served in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of Major. He completed his philosophy and theology studies in Iloilo before being ordained in 1996 and later joining the military as a chaplain in 1998. Over the years, he held various roles, including Command Chaplain, instructor, and official in both military and church offices, and he was deeply involved in organizing religious events like the 2008 visit of the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. He earned a Doctorate in Moral Theology in Rome and later served the Vatican as an Official of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, focusing on Catholic higher education in Asia and the Pacific. Aside from his religious and academic work, he is passionate about heraldry and local history, especially of Banate, Iloilo, making much of his research publicly available. Despite his international duties, he remains spiritually connected to Banate, returning regularly and serving as a symbol of faith for the local community.