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Former San Beda rector dies from heart attack


(Updated 11:36 a.m., Jan. 10) - Father Anscar J. Chupungco, the former rector of San Beda College, passed away Wednesday morning due to heart attack.
 
“Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Anscar, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace,” an entry on San Beda College's Facebook page stated.
 
Chupungco died around 5 a.m. in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. His remains are expected to be brought to San Beda College in Manila within the week.
 
According to the said Facebook page, Chupungco was the "only person to become rector of three San Beda schools - Mendiola, Rizal, and Alabang." He was rector-president from 2001 to 2007.
 
Before his death, he was busy with "liturgical formation at Paul VI Institute of Liturgy in Bukidnon and speaking engagements all over the world," San Beda added.
 
Chupungco was "a Benedictine monk, a liturgist, theologian and a father to all Filipino liturgists and countless students of San't Anselmo, Paul VI Institute of Liturgy, Graduate School of Liturgy and San Beda College Manila, Rizal, and Alabang," said the Facebook page.
 
He was born Jose Herminio Javier Chupungco on Nov. 10, 1939 in Cainta, Rizal to Estanislao Sto. Chupungco and Dominga Javier.
San Beda College also gave this information on Fr. Chupungco on the school's Facebook page:   
 
"He became a monk of the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat at the age of 19, and was ordained priest in 1965. He earned his licentiate in philosophy and theology (both magna cum laude) from the University of Sto. Tomas and his doctorate in Sacred Theology specializing in Liturgy from the Ateneo d' San't Anselmo in Rome, learning from the experts who served as periti during the Vatican II Council.
 
"He taught several courses in the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome before being chosen as the president of the Institute and Rector Magnificus of the Ateneo d' San't Anselmo.
 
"He also established the Paul VI Institute of Liturgy in the Philippines with then-Bukidnon Bishop and former Manila Archbishop, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. He is also one of the co-founders of the Maryhill School of Theology, together with four priests from the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae (CICM).
 
"As a leading expert in liturgy, his expertise is sought in all parts of the world. He also produced the Handbook for Liturgical Studies, which is the standard set of textbooks for liturgical education in the world.
 
"After his term in Rome, Chupungco returned to the Philippines and became secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
 
"The University of Sto Tomas honored Father Anscar with the Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award in the year 2000.
 
"In 2010, he was conferred the Serviam Award by Manila archbishop Gaudencio Rosales. In 2011, Fr Anscar was awarded the prestigious McManus Award by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions of the United States of America."   
— Amita Legaspi/RSJ/KG, GMA News
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