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