The Parish Priest

Rev. Msgr. Melchor David belongs to the David clan of Betis, Guagua, Pampanga. He was born on January 6, 1955 to Jose M David and Jesusa Dungca, the twelfth of thirteen children in the family. Betis in Guagua is known for its exquisite tradition in woodcarving and furniture-making. It is also known as the Land of Priests, rearing its sons early in the Catholic faith through catechism and religious art.

He grew up in Tondo, Manila and spent his elementary years at various schools: the Isabelo delos Reyes Elementary School, the Holy Child Catholic School, the Our Lady of the Abandoned Catholic School, the Villamor High School and the Malate Catholic School. He eventually entered the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary in Makati, graduating in 1972. He pursued his philosophy and theology degrees at the San Carlos Major Seminary in Makati.

He was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Manila on July 18, 1980 and was assigned by Jaime L. Cardinal Sin as pastor of the Sagrada Familia Parish, San Andres Bukid, Manila from 1983-2001. He was invested with the title Monsignor with the rank of Papal Chaplain, by Pope John Paul II on August 26, 1994. In 2001, he was honored by the City Government of Manila as Outstanding Manileno on the area of Spiritual Leadership, Civic Mindedness and Social Consciousness Advocacy. In that same year, Msgr Mel was appointed pastor of the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Muntinlupa City and became Director of its parochial school.

When the Diocese of Paranaque was established in 2002, he was incardinated to the new diocese. In 2006, he was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fourth Estate, Paranaque. In 2011, Msgr Mel was assigned parochial vicar of St Andrew’s Cathedral-Parish and eventually, parish priest of St Martin de Porres Parish at United Hills Village.

On April 13, 2017, Msgr Mel was appointed 13th parish priest of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Parish. He comes to MMGCP with a wealth of experience on social action and youth affairs. The 40th Anniversary of MMGCP as a parish will be celebrated during Msgr. Mel’s term. Msgr Mel is the diocesan Clergy Coordinator of Good Governance, Public Affairs & Advocacy (GGPAA) Ministry of Caritas Paranaque (Commission on Service to Human Promotion) under which ministry is the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting Director. He is a strong advocate of environmental care.  In 2019, he was awarded as one of the Outstanding Senior Citizens in the field of Pastoral Service Award given by the Paranaque City Government.