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Claudio Eric Orias Matig-a, the recent CBC missionary pastor to Pakil, Laguna and now pastoring a local church in Tanay, Rizal, was born unto Ricardo Errol, a nominal Protestant, and Lorenza, a pious Roman Catholic. They had five children, and their eldest son, Eric was born on September 3, 1971 in Tagbilaran, Bohol. Eric spent his early childhood years in Tagbilaran. There he was enrolled by his parents at Graham Learning Center. At this Christian day care center, Eric first heard the message of the Gospel through Pastor Cesar Estacion and a certain Pastor Graham. When he turned eight, his family moved to Antipolo, Rizal. He continued his education at St. Paul Antipolo, where he graduated from elementary. During this dark and sinful period of his life, he experienced salvation from sin. On April 3, 1984, Eric received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior through the ministry of Pastor Eddie Lyons. He joined his church, the Sumulong Baptist Temple in Antipolo, Rizal, but he remained a babe in the faith, greatly entangled with the sins and cares of this world. In 1988 Eric moved to New Manila, Quezon City. The following year he took and passed the Philippine Educational Placement Test, which accelerated him to college level of education. From 1990 to 1995, Eric went from school to school, college to college, having little or no direction in life. Finally in 1995, he enrolled at Manila Theological College (MTC) and took up Bachelor of Theology. He endured the training and after three years, he received his college diploma. While he was still studying in MTC in 1996, Eric became associated with the Australian Baptist Union (ABU). From 1996 to 2001, he served from one church to another church within ABU. About this time, he also served in the Titanium Group of Companies, then in Alay Pag-asa Christian Foundation Inc., and finally in House of Refuge Foundation Inc. Although he was busy in the ministry, he had no peace in his heart, because for him to be able to serve God, he had to compromise some of his convictions. Eric began to seek for another church where he could grow and truly serve the Lord. He had a pastor-friend named Manny Orara who invited him to go to CBC. Back then, CBC was located at the Puzon Building along E. Rodriguez Ave., not far from the place where he lived. He first came to CBC sometime in 1999. However he remained connected with ABU until 2001, when he decided to cut all the ties that bound him to it and transferred to CBC. Out of love for the Lord and his local church he also surrendered his life into the fulltime ministry. On the following year he transferred his church membership. Eric wanted to be a missionary to the United States. However, CBC was convinced that Asia, not America, is neediest of the Gospel. After years of proving himself to the senior pastor and the local church, he was assigned to lead the CBC mission outreach in Pakil, Laguna. He experienced great joy while serving the Lord through the local church. He especially delights to see people getting saved and transformed by God. Pastor Eric is married to the former Marilyn Camota. They have a daughter - Phebe Esther. They, together, are serving the Lord as CBC missionaries to Tanay, Rizal. He desires to establish a strong church, an orphanage, and a Bible school, vowing together with the Psalmist, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord”. |
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