Ernesto Derotas Dignadice

Rev. Ernesto Derotas Dignadice was born September 3, 1945 in Dumangas, Iloilo. He was the second to the youngest of eight children of Vicente Dignadice and Esperanza Derotas Dignadice. The family moved to Manila in 1950 after the death of the only girl sibling. His parents then moved to Narra, Palawan as settlers where they acquired a farmland under the program of then Pres. Ramon Magsaysay. At the age of thirteen during an evangelistic meeting held by the Association of Baptist for World Evangelism, missionary Henry DeVries, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. The family moved back to Manila after he graduated from elementary school. He graduated high school in Laguna, and College in San Pablo City. He attended an Evangelistic Campaign held by another missionary Rev. Kintner in Binan, Laguna, where he dedicated his life for full-time service to the Lord. After his graduation from high school he studied at Bible Baptist Seminary and Institute in Kaytikling, Taytay, Rizal and in 1966 he got a degree in Religious Education. He married Miss Ruth De Jesus in May 6th, 1967 in Puerto Princesa. He worked as Missionary Evangelist for two years under ABWE Missionary the Rev. Merle Buckingham, after Buckingham died in a plane crash in Tabon, Quezon, Palawan, Ernesto was challenged to commit himself to continue the work that Rev. Buckingham started. From 1967-1971 he was called to pastor First Fundamental Baptist Church, San Pablo City. The church in Quezon, Palawan then called him again to be their pastor. He accepted that call, and together with his family went back to Quezon and stayed there for 28 years. Pastor Ernie was able to established fourteen daughter churches. He also worked as Evangelism Director for Luke Society Medical in Quezon, Palawan. He migrated along with his wife to the United States of America in July 1997. In the following year his three youngest children were able to join them. He pastored Bethel Baptist Filipino Mission in Escondido, CA from 1999 until his passing. He also worked as a youth worker for the California Juvenile Family Life Center from August 2004 - May 2017. He lead many youth to Christ. Friends fondly call him Erning or Ernie. Ernie loved to go fishing and with him are gospel tracts ready to distribute at the pier. He was tremendously passionate about sharing the Gospel even in his death bed to the nurses. He loved to share Jesus to people in every opportunity regardless of what would people say. He loved his family dearly and the church dearly, and this love was felt by us. In January 26, 2022, he was admitted to the hospital as a Covid-19 patient – His Lord and Savior called him home in February 22nd 2022 at 9:23 PM. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, his seven children; Erwin, Sharon, Vernie, Jezer, Rhesa Jane, Eder and Abner; sons/daughters-in-law; Nick Advincula, Abigail Clemente, Brenda Dignadice and Lyle Whitaker; eleven grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Also survived by one of his siblings Ricardo Dignadice in Altadena, CA.