Santo Niño Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Tacloban/ The Church of Tacloban (Tacloban, Leyte)

The Church of Tacloban:

The Church of Tacloban

About the Church of Tacloban:

Historically the founding of Tacloban Parish is not known, but History records that it was under the spirituall jurisdiction of the parish of Basey, Samar. Civilly, however, Tacloban was just another barrio of Palo. It was not until 1780 that it became a town. Its orginal name was “Kankabatok”. It was in 1813 when its name was changed to Tacloban. The name Tacloban is a corruption of the word, “tarakloban” which means a place where they catch fish with the trap called “taklob”.

Tacloban’s venerated and miraculous image is the Senor Sto. Nino. According to the writings of lluminado Lucente, the Santo Nino of Tacloban dates back to the year 1739. No mention, however, is made in the accounts of of early Jesuits missionaries who evangelized the island. It is most likely that the veneration of this image reached Leyte Island due to the strong devotion to this same image in Cebu, Panay and other parts of the visayas. To the Visayan Santo nino was a patron, a protector in times of drought, disease, hunger and fire. They therefore made Santo Nino as the object of veneration, devotion and attachments.

Tradition also has it that this miraculous image actually belonged to Buscada, another barrio of Basey. Tacloban had her own image, but it was smaller and less beautiful but because of the greater number of inhabitants in kankabatok than in Buscada, the parish priest deemed it proper to exchange images. Thus, Tacloban obtained possession of the present image.

The traditional fiesta celebration of Sto. Nino was always on the third Sunday of January. But events happened that altered the tradition. In 1888 the image was sent to Manila for restoration. The day of the fiesta came in 1889 but the image did not arrive. The boat carrying the image caught fire at sea and all the cargoes including the crate containing the image were thrown overboard.

The Ivory Image of El Kapitan

Nothing was heard of the image for some time. It was until May that the Leyte government officials were informed that a heavy crate marked for Tacloban had been salvaged off  the coast of Mindoro. It contained religious articles and the Sto. Nino image. Soon, the Hermano Mayor chartered a boat to fetch the image. In theafternoon of June 30 , 1889, the boat carrying the Sto. Nino docked at panalaron, amidst the great rejoicing of the people.

To commemorate the images return, the people set aside June 30 as the feast day of Sto. Nino de Tacloban.

It was in1967 that Sto. Nino de Tacloban became the Heavenly protector of the Leyte, by a diocesan decree. At that time, Rev. Fr. Cornelio Parado was the parish priest and Norberto Romualdez was the Hermano Mayor of the Tacloban Fiesta. The Canonical enthronement and coronation of the Sto. Nino of Tacloban as Patron of Leyte was made in the 1968 City fiesta.

The parish of Tacloban, in the course of years, was devided into smaller parishes. In 1959 a parish was created to serve the Chinese community: the present Sacred Heart parish administered by the Chinese fathers. In 1967, two parishes were created: St. Jude Parish in the north, and the redemptorist parish in the south.

By 1989, Sto. Nino parish celebrates the centenary jubilee since the miraculous return of the Sto. Nino image in Tacloban.(Source: Archdiocese of Palo Website)

Map Showing the Location of the Church and Tacloban City:

Map Showing Location of the Church of Tacloban

Boundaries of Tacloban City

Map Showing Location of Tacloban in the Philippines

Other Pictures of the Church:

The Church of Tacloban

Holy Name of Jesus Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Capoocan/ The Church of Capoocan (Capoocan, Leyte)

The Church of Capoocan:

Church of Capoocan

About the Church of Capoocan:

There is no written account of the early beginnings of the town of Capoocan, more so of the parish. However, there is a common knowledge among the old folks that the place, which is now called, “Capoocan” was settled by people earlier than Carigara. They were aetas, who were driven by the Malays into the mountains. Consequently, the Malays become the next settlers of the place. According to these folks, Capoocan was already a town under the Spaniards but because of the meager income of the municipality, it was place under the bigger town of Carigara. Even the administration of the Church followed this procedure. Earlier priests were assigned to take care of the place and people, but after the experience of financial hardships, priest were pulled out and the church was served by priest from Carigara.

The exact date of the Canonical Erection of Capoocan as a Parish is not known. But it was established as a town in 1918 under the American administration. However, taking cue from the parish records, it could be ascertained that as early as 1894 priests were already assigned to Capoocan. The first priest assigned to shepherd the people was Fr. Ulpiano Tendero. Since then, 23 others were entrusted the care of the people.

Other Pictures of the Church of Capoocan:

Church of Capoocan

Holy Family Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Kananga/ The Church of Kananga (Kananga, Leyte)

The Church of Kananga:

The Church of Kananga

About the Church of Kananga:

Kananga was formerly one of the many barrios of the parish of Valencia, Ormoc City. Valencia was the biggest district in Ormoc, but it was already a thriving parish independent from the mother parish of Ormoc City.

In 1952, Kananga was created as an independent municipality under the aegis of then Congressman Domingo Veloso of Baybay. During the incumbency of the late Mayor Feliciano Larrazabal, a popular petition was sent to Bishop Lino Gonzaga to have Kananga created as an independent parish.

Due to scarcity of priest, Kananga was declared a mission territory with a visitor priest from Samar, Fr. Trifon Garduco, as a missionary pastor.

Ultimately, Kananga was formally declared a juridical parish in June 9, 1959 with father Manuel Colasito as its first parish priest.

At present, the parishioners are urged to continue the “Rosary Crusade for Peace”- the present apostolate of the parish –for the increase of devotion to the holy rosary in homes, poblacion and barrios year round.

The devotion to the holy family is desired upon every individual household members to nurture in their lives the spirit of love concretize in proper parental guidance and care, and in the same manner, to make children grow to become responsible youth.

They are to find example in the holy family at Nazareth, where joy, simplicity, love of God and neighbor are worth emulating.

 

Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Ormoc/ The Church of Ormoc (Ormoc City, Leyte)

The Church of Ormoc:

The Church of OrmocO

About (History) the Church of Ormoc:

Those who have seen the church before the second world war described it as one made of stone blocks whose floor area followed the shape of a cross, with the top of the cross being the part that had the altar and sacristy. The middle section had a dome for a ceiling, painted with religious figures and icons, but the roof had a square base. Under the roof was catwalk that was accessible to whoever was brave enough to explore the area.

The frontage was sparse in its ornamentation, and its door was made of unadorned thick hard wood that had an iron bolt. But on each side was a gargoyle-like figure that guarded the entrance, carved from stone. Above the door just below the roof were three stone cherubs. To the left side of the entrance was the belfry. The windows had stained glass of different colors. Church benches were donated by Ormocanon families, in diverse designs, their names carved into each bench.

To the right of the entrance was the rectory that housed the priests. It was made of wood and roofed with nipa at the turn of the 20th century until the outbreak of the war. A circular stone structure served as the kitchen. This is now where the grotto stands. At its side was a well that provided safe drinking water. It also served as the starting point to measure distance as Km “0”.

The present rectory used to be a convent of the German Benedictine sisters in the early 1930 before they were able to build their own residence at the present SPC site. When Fr. Ismael Cataag became parish priest, he donated his family’s property for the sisters to build their convent and to continue to administer the parish school which Fr. Cataag himself founded in 1914.

All of these structures were surrounded by a stone wall designed to protect the church and rectory from moro depredations.

But the second world was shattered all that. In November 1944, the Americans rained bombs on the city, hitting the church and surrounding structures, apparently mistaking it for the Japanese hospital. What remained of the beautiful stone church was the frontwere the altar was located. Precious church documents that detailed the births, marriages and deaths of Ormocanons likewise perished. (Source: Saints Peter and Paul Parish Website)

Other Pictures of the Church:

The Church of Ormoc

The Main Altar

Statue of Saint Peter at the Entrance

Statue of Saint Paul at the Entrance

Saint James the Apostle Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Albuera/ The Church of Albuera (Albuera, Leyte)

The Church of Albuera:

The Church of Albuera

About the Church of Albuera:

The town of Albuera lies on the western part of Leyte. It was in 1862 when settlement began to appear in the areas between south of Ormoc down towards the town of Baybay. A Spanish priest who was also the parish pastor of Pitaw, Cebu at that time was given the honor of christening the town during its inauguration in 1918. The town officials carried the name of “Albuera” in their records. And because the natives of the town always reffered to the municipality as “Albuera”, prominent citizens petitioned to have the name change officially. The request was granted and the name remained to this date.

The growing community was then under the parish of Ormoc. Father Catalino Cabada, parish priest of Ormoc (1849-67) came to organize the said community. They had built the church near the shore. Surprise came to Fr. Cabada during his next visit when he saw that the church that the church was already erected. It was constructed out of coconut trunks as foundations, cogon grass as roofing’s and bamboo splits as walling’s.

Father leoncio Faelnar, the first parish priest, served for 25 years. With his untiring endeavor to fortify the community, he organized the parish of Albuera extending from Binulho to Tinag-an. He was then responsible for the erection of the church which was completed by Fr. Casimiro Abeto. This stood for many years but was destroyed during World War II. Now stands in its place a new and beautiful church edifice which was made possible by the beloved and energetic parish priest Fr. Frumencio Cainglet from Valencia, Bohol. Also, there stands a convent, the same edifice as a product of Fr. Cainglet’s indefatigability as a church builder. His remains now lies past a few steps away from the entrance of the church.

With the unremitting aid of the parishioners, Msgr. Adan Apostol has improved the vicinity of the church and fenced the cemetery. Leading all his flock with pastoral solicitude Msgr. Adan looks forward to organizing some religious associations which will enhance a spirit of brotherhood among the parishioners. (Source: Archdiocese of Palo Website)

Other Pictures of the Church of Albuera:

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Baybay/ The Church of Baybay (Baybay City, Leyte)

The Church of Baybay:

The Church of Baybay City

About (History) the Church of Baybay:

The  construction  of  the  church  which  still stands   today  begun  under  the  engineering administration  of  Mariano  Vasnillio  during the term of  Fr. Vicente E. Coronado in 1852. The  construction  lagged  for  ten  years  after the work was  resumed under Maestro Proceso,  who  came  from  Manila  for  the purpose  of  finishing  the work.  The  church was   finally  finished  in  1870  after  Capitan Mateo  Espinoso,  a  sculptor  and  painter  of renown,  put  on  the  finishing  touches.  The altar and the  rails, as  they stand  today, are a testament to his skill and vision. (Source: City of Baybay Website)

How To Get to the Church of Baybay City:

Since We did not commute in Leyte, i have no idea how to get to Baybay City via Public Transportation. Though during the trip i saw Buses headed for Ormoc which passed by Baybay, very few though. The best way to get to Baybay City is via Private Transportation.

Other Pictures of the Church:

The Church of Baybay City

Main Altar of the Church

Domed Ceiling of the Church

Saint Francis Xavier Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Abuyog/ The Church of Abuyog (Abuyog, Leyte)

The Church of Abuyog:

The Church of Abuyog

About the Church of Abuyog:

Sometime in the year 1655 the Jesuit Missionaries set forth to Abuyog with the mission to Christianize the people. Abuyog was then a vast swampy place area extending up to taragona (now MacArthur), Bugho (now Javier) and Mahaplag.

For quite a time, Abuyog was considered as a missionary area. But with the growth of Christian converts, the town was eventually created into a parish in 1716. The parish was named after the famous “Apostle of the Indies”, St. Francis Xavier, who, according to tradition happened to visit Abuyog in one of his missionary journeys.

In 1768 the Augustinian Friars, Rev. Fr. Jose Herrera and Rev. Fr. Cipriano Barbasan, came and took over the Parish. The people of this area according to Rev. Fr. Agustin Maria de Castro, were very rich, though extremely belligerent that they defied the moros.

Before it was finally handed to the Diocese, the Franciscan Order took over the parish sometime in 1884 with Rev. Fr. Santiago Nalunda as the first Franciscan parish priest. (Source: Archdiocese of Palo Website)

 

Other Pictures of the Church:

The Church of Abuyog with the Statue of Saint Francis Xavier in front

Saint Isidore the Laborer Parish Church/ Simbahan ng MacArthur/ The Church of MacArthur (MacArthur, Leyte)

The Church of MacArthur:

The Church of MacArthur

About the Church:

In the latter part of the 19th century, MacArthur sprouted into a flourishing village appropriately called, “Bagacay” meaning, “Bamboo”, because of the abundance of the said shrub in the locality. Eventually, the place became a renewed missionary area of the neighboring towns like Abuyog, Dulag, Burauen, Tanauan, and Tolosa. Abuyog, being the mother town, became the sole caretaker of the Christian Converts in the locality. A priest would usually come to say mass and administer the sacraments. In turn, the people went to Abuyog to observe the holy days of obligation, like Holy Week and other church celebrations. It was the parish priest of Abuyog, Rev. Fr. Bernardo Tapuyol, who changed “Bagacay” into “Taragona” in honor of his native city in Spain. The name was to stay through until it was changed to MacArthur in honor of the “Great Liberator”.

In 1948 it was erected into a parish in honor of St. Isidore. From then on, a priest would be assigned there to handle the parish. (Source: Archdiocese of Palo Website)

Other Pictures of the Church:

Main Altar of the Church

Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Mayorga/ The Church of Mayorga (Mayorga, Leyte)

The Church of Mayorga:

The Church of Mayorga

About the Church:

Originally, Mayorga was a barrio under the municipality of Dulag. The whole place was called, “Mallorca”, reputedly derived from the name of a Spanish traveler who visited the place and stayed for awhile. According to a different tradition, the name was suggested by Fr. Victoriano Sela, a Franciscan friar and the parish of Dulag at that time. Whether natural evolution and popular usage corrupted the name “Mallorca” into the present “Mayorga”, or whether the transformation was sanctioned by official decree motivated by phonetic convenience is not known. Nevertheless, the name, “Mallorca” has evolved into its present name.

From being a barrio belonging to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the parish of Dulag, Mayorga became a parish in 1967.

Some early parish-related activities included the construction of a “capilla” in a lot which is north of the present church plaza. Later, a bigger church was built on the same spot.

The parish of Mayorga, under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua, comprises the town proper of Mayorga and thirteen neighboring barrios. (Source: Archdiocese of Palo)

Other Pictures of the Church:

The Church of Mayorga

Saint Anthony of Padua

Our Lady of Refuge Parish Church/ Simbahan ng Dulag/ The Church of Dulag (Dulag, Leyte)

The Church of Dulag:

Church of Dulag

Other Pictures of the Church:

Church of Dulag