PADADA, SULOP AND MALALAG: TOWNS OF DAVAO DEL SUR

         When Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao invited me to attend the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Archdiocese of Davao, I saw it as an opportunity to explore some towns in the Diocese of Digos, which adjoins the Archdiocese of Davao. I was particularly eager to visit a town in Davao Occidental, a province I had yet to explore.

        Archbishop Valles graciously provided a car and driver for my use, allowing me to travel to Santa Maria, the northernmost town of Davao Occidental. Along the way, we stopped at three parish churches in the towns of Padada, Sulop, and Malalag, all of which are part of Davao del Sur under the Diocese of Digos.

ST. MICHAEL PARISH (F-1952)
Padada, Davao del Sur

SAN ROQUE PARISH (1969)
Sulop, Davao del Sur

STA. TERESA DE AVILA PARISH (1959)
Malalag, Davao del Sur

The bridge fronting the church was destroyed during a flash flood a few years back and it has not yet been repaired. I was no longer able to get inside the church as we would have to take a longer route to cross to the other side where the church was. 

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DAVAO

         Got the opportunity to visit again Davao City when Archbishop Romulo Valles, the Archbishop of Davao invited us to join them in their celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese last November 30, 2024. The Archdiocese of Davao was first created a diocese in 1949 separating it from the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. It became an archdiocese in 1966. 

SAN PEDRO CATHEDRAL (F-1848)
Davao City

Twenty-eight bishops came to concelebrate with the Papal Nuncio in the Diamond Jubilee celebration. 

Cardinal Quevedo giving his message. 

Archbishop Romulo Valles thanking the bishops, the priests  and all the guests and lay faithful who came to the celebration. 

(L to R:) Abp. John Du of Palo, Bp. Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, Abp. Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro, Bp. Jose Rapadas of Iligan and Bp. Cerilo Casicas of Marbel. 

Left to right: Bp. Oscar Florencio of the Military Ordinariate, Abp. Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz, Bp. Antonieto Cabajog of Surigao and Bp. George Rimando, Auxiliary Bishop of Davao. 

With Fr. Bryand Restituto, CBCP Asst. Secretary General, Fr. Vejko Holik from the Nunciature and Abp. Valles. 

Some of the priests concelebrants

SANTA MARIA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL

         Davao Occidental is one of the last two provinces in the Philippines I have yet to explore. This province, facing the Davao Gulf, consists of only five municipalities: Sarangani (an island town), Jose Abad Santos, Don Marcelino, Malita, and Santa Maria. Although created a province in 2013, incidentally, the 2024 Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Digos to where the towns belong still lists them as Davao del Sur. 

        I was fortunate to visit at least one town in Davao Occidental when the Archbishop of Davao invited us to participate in the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Archdiocese of Davao on November 30, 2024. Arriving a day early, I expressed my desire to explore the nearby town of Santa Maria, which is less than a hundred kilometers away. 

        After lunch, Archbishop Valles kindly provided his car and driver for my use. On the way, we passed through three towns in Davao del Sur, where we also had the chance to visit their parish churches.

        At the back of the parish church was a parochial school called Holy Cross of Santa Maria.  

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION PARISH (F-1965)
Santa Maria, Davao Occidental

ANTIQUE: ONE MORE TIME

Upon the invitation of Lester Mark Yee, President of the Esprutingkle Group of Companies, we had the privilege of traveling once again to San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, to celebrate their 20th anniversary. We took a direct PAL flight to San Jose, arriving a day ahead of the event due to the limited flight schedule.

After lunch, we visited the Poor Clare Monastery in San Pedro, San Jose de Buenavista, where we celebrated Mass, presided over by Bishop Leo Dalmao. The sisters were delighted by the presence of two bishops and several priests, graciously inviting us to enjoy snacks at their convent. Following this, we toured the nearby Parish of San Pedro, which features remnants of an old church, adding a historical charm to the visit.

That evening, Esprutingkle hosted a barbecue dinner behind their Convention Center. The highlight of the evening was a performance by Dante Beriong, a multi-awarded singer-songwriter celebrated for his original Kinaray-a music. Accompanied by his daughter and another singer, he entertained the audience with lively and captivating songs.

The following day, with the Thanksgiving Mass scheduled for the evening, I took the opportunity to visit Valderrama, one of the few remaining towns in Antique I had yet to see. Our first stop was the parish church, followed by Villa Valderrama Mountain Resort, a nearby getaway with function halls, overnight accommodations, picnic kiosks, and swimming pools fed by a refreshing brook. Bishop Marvyn had coordinated with the parish priest to prepare lunch for us at the convent, so we returned there to enjoy a warm and hearty meal.

On our way to Valderrama, we spotted a church perched on a mountaintop. The parish priest informed us it was a Divine Mercy Chapel, recently donated to the diocese by a benefactor working in Italy. On our way back, we stopped to visit this chapel, marveling at its peaceful setting and inspiring story.

Additionally, I noticed that the façade of the Church of Patnongon had been renovated. I asked our driver to stop so I could take a photo. We also visited the church of  Belison taking a picture of the altar which had been covered during my Holy Week visit a few years back.

The highlight of our visit to Antique was the 20th anniversary Thanksgiving Mass of the Esprutingkle Group of Companies, concelebrated by 14 bishops, including Cardinals Advincula and Quevedo, alongside several priests and religious sisters. The Mass was attended by the Board members, staff, workers, and investors of the company. This was followed by a grand dinner program at the Esprutingkle Convention Center, marking a memorable conclusion to the event.

With this trip, only the town of Caluya, located on Semirara Island, remains as the last town in Antique that I have yet to visit. Although I have passed through the town of Libertad, I have not had the chance to take a picture of its church, as it was already dark during my visit a few years ago.

POOR CLARE MONASTERY
San Pedro, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

Ruins of the old San Pedro Church

A large balete tree by the side of the church ruins

ST. PETER THE APOSTLE PARISH (1744)
San Pedro, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

 

With singer Dante Beriong and daughter

With Bps. Marvyn and Gerry and Lester (left)

ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST PARISH (F-1868)
Valderrama, Antique

One striking feature of the church were the murals around the altar. 

A mural by the main door of the church representing the Last Judgment

With the parish priest Fr. Greg Soldevilla (center) and his assistant Fr. Bryand, EHM.

The view of the surrounding mountains from the convent. 

A breathtaking landscape on the way to Valderrama

Divine Mercy Chapel
Valderrama, Antique

A view of the town of Valderrama from the Divine Mercy Chapel. The belfry of the parish church can be clearly recognized. 

ST. AUGUSTINE PARISH (F-1761)
Patnongon, Antique

ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL (F-1744)
San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

Fourteen bishops concelebrated in the anniversary thanksgiving mass. Cardinal Advincula who gave the homily left earlier before the picture taking.