Pope Leo XIV has appointed a fifth bishop for the Diocese of Kalibo in the Province of Aklan.

“Your excellency, I write to inform you that your Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Cyril Villareal as Bishop of Kalibo,” according to an official announcement of the Diocese of Kalibo.

The announcement was made by Msgr. Frederick Malacas, vicar general of the Diocese of Kalibo, at the Bishop’s Residence 7 p.m. on January 24, 2026.

Villareal’s reaction to the new assignment was caught in a separate video. His fellow priests clapped and cheered him on.

The bell at the Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist in Kalibo was also rung after the announcement.

Villareal is a resident of Mambusao, Capiz and was ordained as an official member of the clergy on March 25, 2001.

Villareal was surprised upon learning the news from the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Charles Brown, a week prior. He said he was surprised but has accepted his new mission.

“Ang aking kakayahan to whatever, I don’t know. Hindi ko nga makita kung bakit ako. Pero in the end, parang ma-connect mo na it’s not about you kungdi tinatawag ka ng Diyos,” Villareal said.

Villareal is the parish priest of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish in Dao, Capiz. Prior to the assignment, he was formator of the Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminary in Roxas City from 2012 to 2016.

He served as rector of the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in Roxas City from 2016 to 2018.

Villareal was also the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Capiz under the leadership of Cardinal Jose Advincula.

The position of bishop in the Diocese of Kalibo was on “sede vacante” (seat being vacant) after the retirement of Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc in June 2025.

Villareal will be the fifth bishop of the diocese.

According to the chancellor of the diocese, a gathering is set on February 3, for the episcopal ordination and installation of Villareal.

“Nagkataon rin dahil nagdiriwang rin ang Kalibo ng 50^th anniversary bilang isang diocese. Isa itong regalo sa simbahan,” said Rev. Fr. Justy Felix More, chancellor of the Diocese of Kalibo.