Cabanatuan City, May 20, 2025 – The Wesleyan University Philippines, an educational institution owned by the United Methodist Church, has officially named its main campus road in honor of the late Bishop Solito K. Toquero. A dedication marker was unveiled at John Wesley Park in commemoration of Bishop Toquero’s lifelong and enduring legacy.
Now known as Bishop Solito K. Toquero Avenue, the road stretches from the University’s Elementary Gate to its South Gate. The dedication pays tribute to Bishop Toquero as a “distinguished alumnus, spiritual leader, and faithful servant of the United Methodist Church.”
Bishop Sol, as he was fondly called, served as Vice Chairperson of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and was widely respected for his advocacy for human rights and gender justice.
Speaking on behalf of the Toquero family, the Deputy General Secretary of the NCCP, Mr. Mervin Sol H. Toquero, shared a personal story from his father’s life. How a year before his father’s death, the whole family went to Casiguran, Aurora so that his father can show the place where he did mission work at the age of 19, which contributed to the establishments of UMC churches in the area.
“Ang kaniyang kwento, pag gumising daw siya sa umaga, ay aalamin na niya kung siya ay maglalakad ng apat na kilometro or 30 kilometro depende sa pupuntahan. So, siguro po noong 19 years old siya, wala sa hinuha niya na ang isang kalsada ay ipapangalan sa kaniya.”
(He told us that during that time, every time he wakes up in the morning, he will think whether he will walk for four kilometers or 30 kilometers depending on his destination. So, most probably, his 19-year-old self has never imagined that a road would one day be named in his honor,” Mr. Toquero said.
“Natutuwa po ako na ang ginamit nyo ay ‘love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with God’, yun po ay pagsunod niya hindi lamang kay Hesu Kristo kundi pati kay Propetang si Micah, at iyon sa tingin naming ay kanyang isinabuhay at natutuwa po kami na yun ang naging recognition nyo sa kanya…sa kanyang ministeryo bilang pastor at kalaunan ay bilang obispo…” (I’m glad that you used ‘love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with God’, not only did he follow Jesus Christ but what the Prophet Micah proclaimed, ‘love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with God’ and we think that he lived his life that way and our family is happy that, that is what you recognized him for…in his ministry as a pastor and later on as a bishop…), Mervin added.
On December 1, 2023, Bishop Sol, led the closing prayer and blessing during the investiture of the current president of Wesleyan University Philippines, Dr. Ireneo G. Alvaro Jr. Bishop Sol died in his sleep while travelling back to his home in Cavite.
The Bishop Solito K. Toquero Avenue was one of the projects in the university that was part of the dedication ceremony which also includes a pocket garden, a Printing Hub, and a water station. The University Chapel was also rededicated during the ceremony.
The three incumbent UMC Bishops – Bishop Rodel Acdal Bishop Ruby Nell Estrella, and Bishop Israel Painit – as well as the members of the WUP Board of Trustees led by its chair, Atty. Juanito R. Carlos Jr. also graced the occasion.
