Father Epi completed his theological training in the Philippines and was ordained a priest in 1983. He served at and was eventually rector of St. Anthony Seminary. Later, he served as pastor of St. Nicholas de Tolentino parish in Masbate. After post-graduate studies at the University of Navarra in Spain where he obtained a degree in Canon Law, Father Epi served as an associate pastor at St. James in Rockville Center for 4 years and later as associate pastor at St. Frances de Chantal in the Bronx for 12 years.