Fr. Pernia was born in Tagbilaran City. He is a religious-missionary priest of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). He got his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the Divine Word Seminary, Tagaytay. He holds a licentiate in Fundamental Theology (magna cum laude) and doctorate in Theology (summa cum laude) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was seminary professor at the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City and at the Regional Major Seminary in Davao City where he served as Dean of Studies, Vice Rector and , eventually, Rector. 

Fr. Pernia has held multiple leadership positions in the SVD, and was elected Superior General of the SVD in 2000, becoming the first Asian and Filipino to hold the post.  He has various published works in theology, and continues to publish. Fr. Pernia is known for his dedication and commitment to the community, particularly serving the homeless community through his active involvement in the Kalinga Center in Manila. He is indeed an illustrious and outstanding son of Bohol whose religious-missionary life and leadership have been Bohol’s gift to the Society of the Divine Word.