After his elementary studies in Dumalag, he moved to St. Pius X Seminary in Roxas City for his high school and philosophical studies; attended theology courses at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.

4 April 1976 – ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Capiz by the late Archbishop Antonio F. Frondosa

Spiritual Director of St. Pius X Seminary, also holding the positions of Professor and Dean of Studies

Guidance and Counselling at the De la Salle University, Manila. Licentiate in Canon Law at the Angelicum in Rome

Served in the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the Regional Seminary of Northern Luzon and then in St. Joseph Regional Seminary of the Western Visayas in Jaro, Iloilo

In 1995, appointed Rector of the St. Pius X Seminary of Capiz, also becoming Defender of the Bond, Promoter of Justice and Judicial Vicar in Capiz archdiocese. In 1999, served as the first rector of Sancta Maria Mater et Regina Seminarium, the major seminary of Capiz.

Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Dao, Capiz

15 July 2001 – appointed Bishop of San Carlos in Negros Occidental and received episcopal consecration on September 8, 2001 at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral.

9 November 2011 – Pope Benedict XVI made him the 3rd Metropolitan Archbishop of Capiz.

Chair – Office on Women
Member – Commission on Doctrine of the Faith and the Commission on Indigenous Peoples

9 November 2011 – Pope Benedict XVI made him the 3rd Metropolitan Archbishop of Capiz.

28 November 2020 – Pope Francis created him Cardinal in the consistory and assigned him as a Cardinal-Priest to San Vigilio in Via Paolo Di Dono

16 December 2020 – Cardinal Joe was named a member of the Congregation for the Clergy

25 March 2021 – JOSE F. Cardinal ADVINCULA became the Archbishop-elect of Manila.