Fr. Orendain (59), a Filipino Salesian, was born in Manila on April 24, 1965. He completed his Salesian novitiate in Canlubang (1984-1985) and made his first profession on April 1, 1985. He professed perpetual vows on March 24, 1993, in Parañaque, where he was ordained a priest on December 8, 1993.

From 2001 to 2003, he pursued Salesian Spirituality studies in Berkeley, California. He later earned a Master’s degree in Communication from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and a Doctorate in Communication from the University of the Philippines.

Within the FIS Province, Fr. Orendain has served at the Talisay-Lawa-an Formation Center, Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town, and the Provincial House in Talamban, Cebu City. In 2019, he was appointed Rector of Don Bosco Technical Institute – Boys’ Town.

For over twenty years, he has been actively involved in Social Communication for the FIS Province. Additionally, he has held positions as President, Dean, and Vice Principal for Academics at Don Bosco Technical Institute—Boys’ Town. He served as Regional Coordinator for Region VII of the Philippine Catholic Education Association, overseeing 124 Catholic schools across the Visayas archipelago.

In March of last year, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, then Rector Major, appointed him as a member of the Pre-Chapter Commission of GC29, representing the East Asia–Oceania Region. During the initial days of the General Chapter, he was the Salesian responsible for drafting the summaries of the English Commission-1’s discussions.