Churches in the Archdiocese of Palo: Vicariate of Palompon

 Palompon Vicariate

St. Francis Xavier Parish

Palompon, Leyte 6538

Founded: 1784

Feastday: December 3

The façade of the Palompon church was changed by scrapping the outer layer of the walls to reveal the coral stone structure and constructing a bigger canopy at the front entrance while also remodeling the belfry. The altar with a metallic surrounding the Risen Christ was replaced with a retablo.

The Parish of St. Joseph the Worker

Cantuhaon, Palompon, Leyte 6538

Founded: 1968

Feastday: May 1

St. Michael the Archangel Parish

San Miguel, Palompon, Leyte 6538

Founded: 2009

Feastday: September 29

Holy Infant Jesus Parish

Isabel, Leyte 6539

Founded: 1877

Feastday: January 15

When Isabel became the site of the industrial estate in the late 70s, the town from being a quiet little backwater suddenly came to life with the influx of people and growth of economy that the church could no longer contain the growing population. A new church was built in the space in front of the old church.  With the growing popularity of having a retablo, the parish also joined the bandwagon when the altar was improved.

St. Augustine Parish

Matlang, Isabel, Leyte 6539

Founded: 2005

Feastday: August 28

Matlang which is the barangay nearest the Leyte Industrial Development Estate in Isabel experienced a boom once the copper smelter plant became operational. Because of the increase of the population it was created a Mission Station. They soon embarked on constructing a bigger church after they were able to relocate the informal settlers that occupied in the church property.  By 2009 they already transferred to the new church which by then had already become a parish. Yolanda blew away the roof . They were able to recover right away and had the church repaired. 

Holy Child Parish

Villaba, Leyte 6537

Founded: 1918

Feastday: 2nd Sat. of February

The side altars

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish

Tagbubunga, Villaba, Leyte 6537

Founded: 2005

Feastday: May 15

St. Anthony of Padua Parish

Matagob, Leyte 6532

Founded: 1965

Feastday: June 13

This completes the post on the parish churches in the Archdiocese of Palo.

Celebrated the fiesta mass June 13, 2026 and I found that the church underwent a renovation. A new facade was constructed and the church was widened, now with four rows of seats. A new altar was also made. Ceiling which was already painted was still on the altar. 

DAWAHON ISLAND, VILLABA, LEYTE

             Last summer, a former seminarian whom I helped in his schooling invited me for an outing with his catering staff to the islet of Dawahon which lies between Tabango and Villaba but belongs to the former as a municipality.  There is no beach to speak of except a small patch which appears on low tide. It is a just a small promontory made of limestone rock. But the waters are so clear that it has become a popular place to go for people nearby.  There are only two cottages for rent and a private rest house on top.

Beach Resorts along Villaba - Palompon Route

Beach Resorts along the Villaba - Palompon road have sprouted in the last two years. It is a 20km stretch of road coasting along the western shores of Leyte. The waters of the sea here are usually clear as the sea is mostly of pebbles and rock. Unless it is Habagat, most of the time the waters are calm. There are a good places for snorkeling as just a few meters from the shore there are already vegetations with small fishes. There are a few corrals that can be found. Most of the resorts are only for day-picnics but some of them have accommodations for an overnight stay. Here are the seven resorts that can be found along the road:

1. Danmar Beach Resort, Abijao, Villaba.

This is the first beach resort that one passes by after the town of Villaba. It is good for day picnics. There are 12 kiosks under the lovely shade of coconut trees. They have a beautiful flower garden and the steps going down to the beach from the road is well landscaped. The sea is clear and the beach is of pebble stones.

2. Abijao Lane Beach. Abijao, Villaba.

The sea waters in this beach are clear. Unlike Danmar, the small beach front here is sandy with but a few pebbles. However, to the sides of the beach front there are cemented alleys fronting the sea. About fifteen meters from the shore one can already have a good place for snorkeling. There are two big kiosks which can accommodate about 30 persons at 200 pesos. There are also a good number of smaller makeshift kiosks for 60 pesos. It has a parking space.

3. Mon and Mila Beach Resort, Tagbubunga, Villaba.

This beach resort lies midway between Villaba and Palompon. It is owned by an elderly couple Filemon and Mila Pantaleon, hence the name of the beach. The waters are also clear. However, during low tides, one has to wade further from the rocky shore in order to bath. There are also some good coral formation.

The resort also has a three simple bedroom bungalow, one room having an aircon. There

is also a nipa hut cottage on the side with 3 bedrooms. Toilet and bath are common.

4. Carlyns Beach Resort, Sitio Badian,

Lomonon, Palompon

This is 13 km away from Villaba. Owned by Marlene Laurente. There are several tables for picnic. It has a pebbled beach. There is a two-storey house for overnight stay. The rooms on the second floor are airconditioned with a beautiful view of the sea. They have private bath. The rooms below have electric fans only with common bath outside. The kiosks are for 150 and others 100 per day. The only down side of this resort is that it has no parking space. You just park at the side of the road. There are 31 steps going down from the road to the beach.

5. Lingganay or Avelino Morita Beach Resort,

Lomonon, Palompon

This beach has the best site for snorkeling. The waters have good vegetation and some coral growth. Even during low tides, the waters don't really subside that much and the waters always remain clear. It sits on a rocky promontory. One has to walk over a small hill with 46 steps going down to the beach. However, to the left side of the resort there is a pathway which leads to the mangroves. There are three picnic cottages over there which sit over the waters by the mangroves.

6. Juan-Titang Beach Resort, Sabang, Palompon

It is just 2km away from Palompon. There are 4 cottages two of which are single suite rooms at 1,000 pesos each, the two other cottages are two bedroom cottages with 3 rooms at 800 and one 500 pesos. (Jan 2008 rates). They have an open space for big celebrations. In the middle of the resort is a fishpond. There is a restaurant for simple orders. Otherwise they would order from town. Owned by the Marquez family. The beach here is already sandy brown.

7. San Juan Beach Resort, Sabang Palompon.

This is a two-storey resort which is just near the town proper of Palompon. It has 4 single rooms and another 4 rooms with queen size bed. The rate includes free breakfast. The only downside to the resort is that the bathrooms are common. There is a swimming pool at the back. You have to walk across the road towards the beach. But the beach here is not as good as the others because it is sandy and almost clayish. Hence, the water, unless the sea is really calm, is not always clear.