THE INSTALLATION OF BP. CUEVAS AS BISHOP OF THE APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF CALAPAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO

Attended the installation as the fourth Apostolic Vicar of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro last Sept. 6, 2023.  The night before the provincial government tendered a testimonial dinner for the new bishop, the Nuncio and other dignitaries at the Balai Mindoro, which is a new private events place in Calapan.    

BALAI MINDORO

Santa Isabel, Strong Republic Nautical Hwy,

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

Mural entitled Henerasyon at the Balai Mindoro

The Provincial Governor, Humerlito Dolor and the Vice Governor, Ejay Falcon handing over the ceremonial key to the province of Oriental Mindoro (above); and Fr. Nestor Adalia, the Administrator of Calapan being given a plaque of Appreciation (below)

The bishops present during the testimonial dinner. 

The provincial officials of Oriental Mindoro.

The new dancing fountain in Calapan.

STO. NIÑO CATHEDRAL (F-1937)
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

Fr. Nestor Adalia, Apostolic Administrator reading the official appointment of Bp. Moises Cuevas.

Bp. Cuevas sitting on his Cathedra which is the official act of installation. 

PUERTO PRINCESA

We initially planned to visit Balabac Island in southern Palawan, but upon arriving in Puerto Princesa, unfavorable weather conditions forced the cancellation of all travel to the south. To make the most of our trip, we explored the city and took a tour of the Underground River, followed by a visit to Fort Barton. Although I had been to these places before, some of my companions were experiencing them for the first time.

PARISH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL (F–1872)
34 cor. Taft & Sandoval Sts. Puerto Princesa City 

 

 

Had a dinner at the Kalui Restaurant, one of the best restos in the city of Puerto Princesa. It is said that you have never been to Puerto if you have not dined at the Kalui. Aside from the good food, the ambiance is truly relaxing with their beautiful art collections from local artists.  

Port Barton

Our dinner on the last night was at this Badjao Seafront Restaurant. 

THE CATHEDRAL OF ZAMBOANGA AND THE ONCE ISLAS

On August 22, 2023, the Most Rev. Julius Tonel, former Bishop of the Diocese of Ipil, was installed as the new Archbishop of Zamboanga. He succeeded the Most Rev. Romulo dela Cruz, who passed away in 2021. During the interim, the Archdiocese was under the leadership of the Auxiliary Bishop, the Most Rev. Moises Cuevas, who served as Apostolic Administrator.

This occasion also gave me the opportunity to explore Once Islas, an emerging eco-cultural attraction in Zamboanga. The site comprises eleven small islands, three of which have been open to visitors since its launch in 2018. It was a refreshing experience, especially since I had previously visited the famous pink sand beach of Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga before.

I also had the chance to visit the St. Joseph Parish Church and the Fort Pilar Shrine, an open-air sanctuary dedicated to the Virgen del Pilar. This shrine holds deep significance for the local community, with its feast day on October 12 drawing larger crowds than even the city’s patroness which is the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

 METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
La Purisima St., Zamboanga City

The Main altar of the Zamboanga Cathedral

With Abp. Romulo Valles, former Archbishop of Zamboanga, the new Archbishop, Julius Tonel and the Apostolic Administrator, Bp. Moises Cuevas. 

The altar at the crypt of the Cathedral

The Columbarium just below the Cathedral

ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BVM PARISH
Nunez St., Zamboanga City

SANTUARIO DE LA VIRGEN DEL PILAR
Fort Pilar, Zamboanga City

Since the Secretary of the Nuncio who was a foreigner was with us, we were accompanied by security escorts as the Once Islas, the place we were going were once a hideaway of Muslim rebels. 

The infinity pools of Bisaya-bisaya island.