INSTALLATION OF BP. NOLLY BUCO AS BISHOP OF CATARMAN

On January 15, 2025, the Diocese of Catarman welcomed its third bishop as Bp. Nolly Buco was formally installed as shepherd of the local Church, succeeding Bp. Emmanuel Trance, who retired in December 2023 due to health reasons.

Appointed by Pope Francis on October 18, 2024, Bishop Buco had already been serving the diocese as apostolic administrator for nearly a year. A former auxiliary bishop of Antipolo, he now takes pastoral responsibility for a diocese serving more than 600,000 Catholics in Northern Samar.

The installation Mass, held in a packed cathedral, was presided over by John Du, with the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Charles Brown, in attendance, alongside numerous bishops, clergy, religious, and civic leaders.

In his message, the 61-year-old bishop spoke with humility and candor, asking the faithful: “Please allow me to serve you amidst all our limitations.” Reflecting on his personal journey, he shared how the “wounds” he encountered in life—both as pastor and as a person—had shaped him. He drew a poignant connection to Samar, whose name is said to come from the word samad, meaning “wound” or “cut,” and spoke of suffering not as defeat but as a path to deeper life.

“To be truly, fully alive, one must also embrace being wounded,” he said. “For indeed, wounds are a gift, like the very wounds of Jesus on the cross.” Though painful, he explained, wounds are signs of life—calling us to healing, conversion, and transformation.

Standing before his new flock, Bishop Buco presented himself not with prestige or grandeur, but as a shepherd formed by grace through vulnerability: “Today, I come before you as your new bishop… bearing the wounds that shaped me—wounds that have taught me how to be fully human and fully Christian.”

With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, the Diocese of Catarman now begins a new chapter under his pastoral care.

 

Bp. Buco just before the installation. 

A civic reception was held in front of the Cathedral prior to the installation ceremony. Beside Bp. Nolly is Msgr. Apang Balerite, the Vicar General.

Bp. Trance, the predecessor of Bp. Buco.

Bp. Buco greeting the priests in his new diocese. 

The two secretaries of the Apostolic Nuncio were also present. 

At the reception after the installation.

St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Church (F-1995)
Lope de Vega, N. Samar 

On the way to Catarman for the installation of Bp. Buco was able to pass by and take pictures of the church of Lope de Vega which was in between Calbayog and Catarman.

Camiguin Island

            After the Plenary Assembly of Bishops in Cagayan de Oro, the CBCP secretariat embarked on an excursion to Camiguin Island. We left early in the morning to catch the first ferry from Balingoan to Benoni, ensuring we had enough time for the crossing. Upon arriving in Camiguin, our first stop was the parish church in Mambajao, where a warm breakfast awaited us.

The tour began right after breakfast. Our first destination was Mantigue Island, where we relished the cool, clear waters and the pristine white sand beach. Afterward, we enjoyed an early lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Katibawasan Falls, followed by a visit to Tuasan Falls. Next, we stopped at Sto. Niño Cold Spring for a refreshing dip in its cold waters. From there, we visited the historical church ruins in Catarman. Our last stop was at the Ardent Hot Spring, where we were surprised to find that the once-hot waters had cooled. Locals explained that an earthquake several years ago had caused the hot springs to cease flowing.

We spent the night at the Lanzones Resort in Mambajao. After a brief rest, we visited the convent of the RSM Sisters, who kindly took us to Unwnd Restaurant for a delightful dinner. The next morning, after breakfast, we had our final excursion to White Island, where we enjoyed a wonderful time swimming and soaking up the beauty of the sun-drenched white sandbar.

 SAN NICOLAS DE TOLENTINO PARISH CHURCH (F-1855)
Mambajao, Camiguin

Mantigue Island

A group picture at the Katibawasan Falls

Tuasan Falls

Sto. Niño Cold Spring

Catarman church ruins

At the Lanzones Resort

White Island

Link to a previous post on Camiguin, click here.

CHURCHES OF NORTHERN SAMAR

 Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral (F-1596/1649)

 Catarman, Northern Samar

St. Rock the Healer Parish  (F-2007)

Cawayan, Catarman, Northern Samar

Chaplaincy of the University of Eastern Philippines 

UEP Catarman, Northern Samar

St. Bonaventure Parish (F-1963) 

Lapinig, Northern Samar

The corpus and the cross of this crucifix has been carved from just one wood. 

St. Michael the Archangel Parish (F-1949) 

Gamay, Northern Samar

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish (F1596/1674) 

Palapag, Northern Samar

Our Lady of the Angels Parish (F-1975) 

Mapanas, Northern Samar