By: Rhoderick John S. Abellanosa, RIAO Coordinator
Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu mourns the death of Fr. Eric Garcia Velandria, S.J., former principal of the High School Department (2004 – 2007). Before missioned to then Sacred Heart School of the Society of Jesus (SHS-J), he served as High School Principal of Ateneo de Naga (1998 – 2001), prior to which he did pastoral work in Ipil, Zamboanga.
A professional educator, he finished his doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from the University of San Francisco in 2004. His dissertation was used as reference by Joseph O’Conell, S.J., former JSEA President, in crafting the Profile of the Ignatian Educator (2003).
He contributed significantly to the school’s growth in the areas of instruction and student formation. On his first school year, he spearheaded a workshop of Christian Life Educators (CLE) from Ateneo de Davao, Xavier University, Ateneo de Iloilo, and SHS-J. It was aimed at encouraging Jesuit schools (especially those in the South) to consider the possibility of a common CLF program. In July 2005, he headed a delegation of teachers (two lay faculty attended from SHS-J) from Jesuit schools in the Southern Philippines to a training in Washington DC that was organized by the US National Academy of Sciences, the National Science Research Center, and the Smithsonian Institute. He enhanced SHS-J’s Summer In-service Program (2005 and 2006) and journeyed with teachers as they grappled with the newly introduced UBD (Understanding by Design) and its eventual integration with the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP-UBD).
Fr. Eric witnessed the School’s transition years from the General Maxilom Avenue Campus to the Canduman Campus (then more popularly known as the New Campus). He was active in the construction of the new campus and the preparations for the transfer to Canduman. Even after his years with Sacred Heart, he’d come home to celebrate with the School community in its milestones and transitions, e.g. the funeral mass of Br. Louis Tremblay (2013), Fr. Manny Uy’s Final Vows (2014), the 60th Jubilee of SHS-AdC (2015), and the blessing of the Cor Iesu Oratory by Father General Arturo Sosa (2018) among others.
In an interview by SEEDS Magazine in 2005, he gave this parting message: “[d]o your work as students with love – love for your family, love for your country, and love for all humankind.” Today, it speaks volumes as a prophetic encouragement in the face of corruption, violence, and inequality.
Ordained in 1996 by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, he entered the Society of Jesus on May 30, 1985. His last assignment was in Rome as Coordinator for Collaboration and Research of the Jesuit Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat. On September 6, 2025, the Lord called His faithful servant to eternal life. Amidst grief, we take consolation in what St. Paul assured us with confidence: though he is away from his body, he is now at home with the Lord (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:8).
References:
SEEDS Magazine (SY 2005-2006, Issue 1)
SEEDS Yeark Book (2004 – 2005)
J.F. O’Conell, S.J., Profile of an Ignatian Educator (2003).
Picture credits:
Anthony Hejie Suralta
Eric Esteba
Photo Files, SHS-AdC Research and IA Office
