FR. JEROME MARQUEZ

Fr. Jerome Arenas Marquez’s love for learning is undeniable. He has an excellent academic record, a string of fascinating interests and a highly dynamic vocation. Apart from being a priest, Fr. Jerome is a professor, administrator, inspirational speaker and a radio anchor.

Born in Lucena City, Quezon in 1966, Fr. Jerome attended his elementary and high school studies at the Maryknoll Academy and Cainta Catholic School, respectively. In 1987, he gained his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay, where he was awarded as magna cum laude.

His pursuit for higher learning led him to take up post-graduate studies and special courses. In 1995, he studied Theology and Masters in Pastoral Theology in Divine Word Seminary and graduated in both courses as magna cum laude. In 2000, Fr. Jerome gained his Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontificia Universita Gregoriana in Rome, and once again awarded as magna cum laude. Among the special courses that Fr. Jerome took up include Chinese Language and Culture Studies from Fu Jen University at Taipei and Italian Language Studies in Rome.

After his ordination, Fr. Jerome continued his passion and explored what he can offer to serve. He first served as an assistant parish priest at the Parish of the Risen Christ and assistant director of Sandiwaan Center for Learning at Smokey Mountain in Tondo. After that, he served as chaplain of Verbo Filipino Community in Rome from 1998 to 2000; and founder and parish priest of Simbahan ng Hesus Nazareno in Dasmariñas, Cavite from 2001 to 2005;

Presently, he has his hands full with the many responsibilities he is taking charge of. Some of which include being the Defender of the Bond at the National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal of CBCP; director at Saint Jude Catholic School in Manila; founder and executive director at the Indigenous Learning System in Palawan; and member of the Board of Trustees at Divine Word College of Legazpi and the Mendiola Consortium.

As a radio personality, Fr. Jerome started his career in 1999 as an anchor of Radyo Sentro Pilipino and Radio Vaticano in Rome, Italy. He then worked as radio host and executive producer of ‘Programang Hesus Nazareno’, in Radyo Dasmariñas from 2004 to 2005.

It was in 2002 when he started in DZMM as a guest host for Salitang Buhay. He was at the program for at least once a month.  Later around 2004, it became quite a regular stint. He co-anchors the Sunday program with Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD and Ilsa Reyes. Occasionally, Fr. Jerome acts as pinchhitter fro Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD in Light Moments.

Fr. Jerome considers DZMM as his ‘home network’. According to him, the station’s strongest points are its sense of innovation and commitment to serve its audience. He added that in the future he feels like hosting a DZMM program that deals with his expertise on Canon Law, such as issues on marriage annulment, governance and leadership n Church, administration of church temporal goods, pastoral problems in Church, and others.

On his spare time, Fr. Jerome loves to read, watch Tagalog films, listen to pop music, hike, and play the drums.