Fr. Art Balagat, 51, the Pastor at St. George in Ontario, California, since July 1, 1998, is a native of the Philippines. He was ordained September 5, 1975, at Imus Cathedral, by the Most Rev. Felix Perez. For 12 years he served as a parish priest in several parishes in the Cavite Province. In 1987, he began a two-year stay in Tokyo, directing the Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos there.

Returning to the Imus Diocese in 1989, Father Balagat served as parish priest and on the Diocese's Presbyteral Council as both a representative and as parliamentarian.

Filipino Ministry Director

He came to the Diocese of San Bernardino in 1991, working with the Filipino Catholic community here. In 1993, he was assigned to serve as priest-minister at St. Anne Parish in San Bernardino. In 1995, he was appointed administrator of St. Mel Parish in Norco, a position he held until June 30, 1998.