The Installation of Bishop Mejia of Tabuk, Kalinga and the visit to Rizal, Kalinga.

              Last June 1–3, 2026, I had the opportunity to visit the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk once again on the occasion of the episcopal ordination and installation of its new bishop, the Most Rev. Sean Mejia, JCL.

On June 1, the entourage of bishops, together with the Apostolic Nuncio, departed from the Archbishop’s Residence in Tuguegarao at 2:00 p.m. for the hour-long journey to Tabuk. Upon arrival, we proceeded directly to St. William’s Cathedral, where the bishop-elect made his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio.

Immediately afterward, we were brought to the Provincial Sports Center for the civic reception in honor of the Apostolic Nuncio. During the program, he was adopted as an honorary son of Kalinga and given the native name Tunggayok by Governor James Edduba and Vice Governor Dave Odiem. Following the reception, where an early dinner was served, we proceeded to the Pastoral Center for another dinner hosted in honor of the bishop-elect. We left early to check in at our hotel. We were billeted at Golden Fields Hotel, one of three hotels reserved for the visiting bishops.

The episcopal ordination took place at 9:00 a.m. on June 2 at St. William’s Cathedral. The solemn celebration lasted about three and a half hours. Lunch was served afterward at the  Pastoral Center, located within the compound of the bishop’s residence. In the evening, dinner was hosted by the former bishop of Tabuk, Bishop Prudencio Andaya, at an events venue owned by his family for the bishops and priests who remained after the ceremonies.

On our way to Tuguegarao Airport the following day, I asked the transportation coordinator if we could make a brief stop at the parish church of Rizal, which lay along our route. Rizal was the last municipality in Kalinga that I had not yet visited. Fortunately, the parish priest of Rizal happened to be in charge of transportation arrangements, and he graciously agreed to the short detour, allowing me to visit the parish church.

The trip was truly memorable, made even more meaningful by finally visiting the last town in Kalinga that I had missed during my Holy Week journey through the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao in 2022.

 

The St. William's Cathedral of Tabuk.

The day before the episcopal ordination, Bishop elect Sean Mejia made his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity in front of the Apostolic Nuncio.

At the civic reception, the Apostolic Nuncio was officially adopted as an honorary Kalingan with a native name by the officials of the province of Kalinga

The CBCP staff with the official master of ceremonies, Fr. Jake Cawas, who is the personal secretary of the new bishop.

With the bishop elect, Sean Mejia just before the ordination ceremonies.

With the CBCP President, Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera of Lipa and Msgr. Caluya, administrator of Masbate.

The Apostolic Nuncio as the ordination and installing prelate.

During the Litany of the Saints.

The laying on of hands by the Apostolic Nuncio.

Bp. Andaya, the former bishop of Tabuk as one the consecrators.

Abp. Ricardo Baccay, the Archbishop of Tuguegarao, the other consecrator.

Bp. Tobias, one of the oldest bishop present.

The pouring of the holy oils on the head of the new bishop.

The giving of the Book of the Gospels.

The giving of the pastoral staff.

The kiss of peace right after the sitting of the new bishop on his cathedra.

The new bishop on his Cathedra.

The new bishop giving his first episcopal blessing to the congregation.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission
Babalag, Rizal, Kalinga

What was striking in the church was the bas relief of the Stations of the Cross which surrounded the church just above the doors. 

The Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Light, Cainta, Rizal

          I happened to visit the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Light in Cainta, Rizal, when I presided over the funeral Mass of a distant relative at a mortuary chapel near the parish. As another funeral was being held simultaneously in the parish church, the family opted to celebrate the Mass at the chapel instead. Since the church was only a short distance away, I took the opportunity to visit it after the Mass.

         Since my last visit in 2016, the parish has been elevated to the status of a Diocesan Shrine in 2018. The main retablo has undergone notable renovations, as have the side altars flanking the sanctuary.

      The venerated image of Our Lady of Light, enshrined in the main retablo, is a recreation of the original image that was destroyed during the Filipino-American War in 1899. The present image was painted by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. It is said to be the first Marian image in Philippine history to be pontifically crowned as an artistic painting. When the image was crowned on December 1, 2018, the church itself was also elevated to the rank of a Diocesan Shrine.

DIOCESAN SHRINE AND PARISH OF OUR LADY OF LIGHT (F- 1760)
Cainta, Rizal

To see previous blog on the church of Cainta click here.