Msgr. Hernando “Ding” Coronel was born in Manila on September 30, 1959 and was ordained priest on September 17, 1988. He became Rector of the Manila Cathedral from 1996 to 2002.
Msgr. Coronel has a colorful academic background. He graduated salutatorian in elementary and, before deciding to join the seminary in 1981, he had finished Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering, cum laude, from the Ateneo de Manila University. He holds in his track at least three master’s degrees: Master in Public Administration, Marist College , U.S.A. ; Master in Business Administration, Graduate Theological Foundation, U.S.A. ; and Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology, San Carlos Seminary, Makati . In addition, he took special courses in management, budgeting, and taxation from the Upgrade Management Center , Makati.
While serving as Rector of the Manila Cathedral, Msgr. Coronel held various other positions such as President, Radio Veritas (DZRV); Corporate Secretary, Radio Veritas Asia; Media Director, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP); and Oeconomus, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila. Earlier, he handled stints as Assistant to the President, ZNN Radio Veritas; Professor and Spiritual Director, San Carlos Seminary; Assistant Secretary, Villa San Miguel; Vice Rector, EDSA Shrine; and Station Manager, Radio Veritas (DWRV).
He also served as President of the San Carlos Seminary Alumni Association for three years, Vice President of the Catholic Media Network for six years, and is presently the Assistant National Director of the Catholic Women’s League. For eight years, he was active in the apostolate for the sick and the disabled, most particularly with the PGH Cancer Children.
One of the significant improvements of the Manila Cathedral during the term of Msgr. Coronel was the change of the altar’s structural design, designating the lector and commentator in separate places.
Msgr. Coronel relinquished his rectorship of the Cathedral when he was appointed CBCB Secretary General in 2002, a position he has been holding until now.