BEACHES AND CHURCHES: ALABAT ISLAND, QUEZON

Saturday, January 11, 2025

ALABAT ISLAND, QUEZON

Before heading back to Leyte for the Christmas break, I decided to explore some towns in the province of Quezon. This province comprises 39 municipalities and two component cities (Lucena and Tayabas), organized into four congressional districts. Ecclesiastically, it is divided into two dioceses—the Diocese of Lucena and the Diocese of Gumaca—and the Apostolic Prelature of Infanta, which also covers the neighboring province of Aurora.

I visited seven towns of Quezon which I have not yet the opportunity to visit. These include four towns from the Diocese of Lucena: San Antonio, Tiaong, Mauban and Sampaloc (which will be in the next blog) and from the Diocese of Gumaca, the island of Alabat.

The island of Alabat is an elongated island of about 37 kilometers long composed of three towns at the east coast of Southern Luzon: Alabat in the middle, Quezon in the south and Perez up north. When we entered Quezon province, it was raining heavily, and the island of Alabat was obscured from view as we arrived in Atimonan. Since we were early for the 2 PM RoRo boat, we decided to have an early lunch at one of the seaside restaurants in Gumaca, about ten kilometers south of the Atimonan port. By the time we boarded the RoRo in Atimonan, the rain had subsided. After an hour-long crossing, we arrived at the port of Alabat.

Our first stop was the church in Alabat town. Recently renovated, the church boasts a beautiful, newly constructed altar retablo. A marker at the church’s entrance indicated that it was solemnly dedicated on June 7, 2021, by Bp. Victor Ocampo, who sadly passed away in 2023.

Next, we drove south to the town of Quezon, where the church stood out for its more elaborate façade compared to Alabat. Inside, the columns and ceilings were clad in wood, and the church featured a three-niche retablo. At its center was a crucifix, flanked by images of Mary and St. John the Apostle. The side niches were adorned with bas-reliefs depicting Christ falling under the weight of the cross on one side and the Resurrection on the other. Particularly noteworthy were the intricately carved wooden doors. The main door depicted Jesus and Mary, while one side door featured Sts. Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, and the other, the Holy Family and the Baptism of the Lord.

Our final stop was the church in Perez, located at the northern tip of the island. This church had a simple façade, with a statue of St. Anthony prominently displayed above the entrance canopy. A belfry stood to the right of the church. Inside, the highlight was a Gothic-inspired retablo, which had just been recently blessed during the first week of December.

Since there was no evening boat returning to Atimonan, we decided to stay overnight in Alabat after reserving a slot for our car on the first RoRo trip the following morning. Our driver was informed that our vehicle was already number 26 on the list, and as the boat typically accommodates only 16 vehicles, we were advised to arrive early to secure our spot.

After an early supper, we attended the Simbang Gabi at the main parish church of Alabat. The church was packed with parishioners, a testament to the community's strong faith and devotion.

The following day, although the boat was scheduled to leave at 7:00 AM, we were already at the port by 5:00 AM. While our driver ensured everything was in order, he was informed by the boarding coordinator—upon learning that I was a priest—that we should speak with the parish priest, as priests on the island are given priority boarding.

We promptly headed to the parish church to locate the parish priest. The Mass had just ended, and most of the churchgoers had already dispersed. The convent, however, was closed, and no one responded to our knocks. Inside the church, I spotted a sacristan, who directed us to the parish priest, standing on the church grounds.

After introducing ourselves and explaining our situation, Fr. Voltaire, the parish priest, invited us to his convent for coffee and snacks. He explained that the boat typically reserves the first three vehicle slots for the ambulance (in case of emergencies), the boat owner, and the parish priest. Fr. Voltaire then contacted the boat owner to secure a slot for us. While waiting for a response, he asked us to follow him back to the port.

By the time we arrived, the boat owner had responded, confirming our slot. To our surprise, not only were we assured a place on the boat, but the fare for our car was also waived.

The boat departed thirty minutes past seven. The crossing took about an hour, but due to strong waves, the boat was unable to dock at Atimonan immediately. Passengers disembarked first, while the vehicles had to wait an additional hour before they could be offloaded.

Despite the challenges, it was a memorable experience, filled with moments of kindness, community, and unexpected generosity.

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL PARISH (F-1940)
Alabat, Quezon

The church was filled to capacity with parishioners attending the Simbang Gabi.

With the parish priest Fr. Voltaire.

We took our supper in one of the cafes in the town of Alabat which had beautiful Christmas decorations.

HOLY CROSS PARISH (F-1910)
Quezon, Quezon

The church interior exuded a harmonious beauty, showcased not only through the elegant altar retablo but also in the overall design, with its wood-clad columns and ceilings, brick walls, and carefully crafted pews.