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