Erick Tagatac Padua, hailing from Valenzuela, is currently a candidate in the Masters of Arts (Theology) degree program at King’s College Singapore.
Erick is involved in the initiative to establish a new campus in the Philippines. This strategic expansion aims to extend the institution's reach and impact, providing localized and contextually relevant theological education and training.
The proposed campus seeks to serve the "fatherless generation" - a demographic that, while not exclusively defined, suggests a focus on individuals who may be in mid-life stages, potentially grappling with complex life, faith, and leadership issues. The campus aims to provide a safe, nurturing, and empathetic environment where these individuals can find solace, understanding, and guidance.
Erick's pastoral approach is characterised by deep empathy, active listening, and emotional availability. He seeks to embody the role of a "shoulder to cry on" and a "listening ear," recognizing the profound value of presence, attentiveness, and the ministry of comfort in pastoral care. This approach is particularly pertinent for the target demographic, who may often be in positions of giving and leading, and thus deeply appreciate spaces where they can be heard, understood, and ministered to in their own right.
Erick Tagatac Padua's role in the new campus set-up, underpinned by his theological scholarship and empathetic pastoral approach, is a strategic and impactful endeavor. It not only seeks to expand the institution's geographical footprint, but also to deepen its relational and transformational impact by ministering to the specific needs, challenges, and opportunities of the "father generation" in the Philippines.