Pope Leo XIV has appointed a parish priest as the new bishop of the Diocese of Kalibo. Cyril Buhayan Villareal, 51, will succeed the retired Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc. The announcement came in a Holy See press release on January 25.
The Holy See Press Office announced on Sunday, January 25 (Manila time), that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cyril Buhayan Villareal, 51, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Kalibo. He succeeds Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc, who retired in June 2025.
Born on March 1, 1974, in Mambusao, Capiz, Villareal began his path to the priesthood at Saint Pius X Seminary in Lawaan, Roxas City, studying philosophy there. He later obtained his licentiate in theology from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Capiz on March 25, 2001.
After ordination, he served as a formator and lecturer at Sancta Maria, Mater et Regina Seminarium in Roxas City and as a priest in Quezon City. He pursued advanced studies in moral theology in Austria before returning to become rector of the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral and the Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion.
From 2020 to 2023, he directed the Office for the Reception of Reports Pertaining to Sexual Abuse by Clerics and Religious. Prior to his appointment, he was the parish priest of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Dao, under the Diocese of Capiz.
This appointment highlights ongoing leadership transitions in the Philippine Church, emphasizing the experience and dedication of local clergy.
