Although born and raised in the Philippines, Fr. Joel has lived most of his life in the Los Angeles area.  After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from UCLA he entered St. John’s Seminary in 1988 and was ordained for service in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1993.  He served as Associate Pastor at St. Denis Church, Diamond Bar (1993-97) and at St. Anthony Church, Oxnard (1997-99) before being invited to serve as Director of Students (1999-2004) at then St. John’s Seminary College on the same property as the Theologate.  At the closing of the Seminary College, Fr. Joel joined the Theologate to become Director of Students.  He is also currently working toward a Doctor of Ministry degree in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis.