The Priests in Balingasag 

  With few Notes

Introduction:

When Jasaan was installed as a parish in 1830 with the titular name as the Parish of Immaculate Conception, it was formally separated from the parish of San Agustin in Cagayan de Misamis; and the Recollect Friars in that new parish took charge of the evangelization of the visitas or rancherias of Sumilao, Linabo and Bugcaon (the latter two places are in Malaybalay).__ Fr. F. Demetrio, SJ. Historical Glimpses of Northern Mindanao, p. 432.

To the northeastern part of the second district of Cagayan de Misamis – the areas of Balingasag (Sta. Rita de Cascia); Lagonglong (San Juan de Bautista); Binuangan (San Jose de Binuangan, which in 1844 was also the patron saint of nearby place Salay); Kinoguitan (Sto. Niño de Bagacay); and the areas beyond were under the evangelization endeavors of the Recollects.

From the available church archives of the Immaculate Conception Parish of Jasaan, the following Recollect Friars were assigned in Jasaan, namely: Fr. Jose de la Santisima Trinidad, OAR 1835-1836; Fr. Manuel de Santa Rita, OAR 1837-1843; Fr. Vicente Dolores Dulcesimo Nombre de Maria, OAR 1844-47; and Fr. Miguel de San Crispin, OAR October 1847 to September 1849. __ Fr. Roniedon P. Valmoria, SSJV Research Paper, which has to be published or posted in a blog yet.

Certainly, those Recollect priests mentioned earlier had evangelized the northeastern coastal parts of Jasaan starting from Balingasag.]

The Recollects in Mindanao were reassigned to Luzon in the dioceses or areas near Manila. The Jesuits took charge of the evangelization of whole Mindanao. They returned to the Philippines in 1859, actually their second coming, because they were here in 1581 yet, but were expelled in 1768 by the Bourbon Kings as well as in all their kingdoms of the world.

In the present day Misamis Oriental, the Jesuits took charge of the parishes or missionary areas of the Recollects in 1877, excluding the Parish of San Agustin in Cagayan de Oro which they kept until the later part of the nineteenth century.

The Revolution in 1896 shook the missionary areas of the Spanish Jesuits in Mindanao. However, the tide of revolution ceased as negotiations in the Pact of Biak-na-Bato amicably concluded thereby granting some executive clemency to the leaders of revolution and their acceptance of mandatory exiles (e.g. Aguinaldo in Hongkong, Mabini in Guam, and so on.)

Nevertheless, the spirit of nationalism and quest for independence again was ignited when American envoys negotiated with Gen. Aguinaldo to go home from Hongkong and join them in their war against Spain. Indeed the Spaniards surrendered to the Americans, the Filipino soldiers in rayadillo uniforms were just outside the fort city ready to deliver the final blow, but they were restricted entrance by the Americans.

The so called partnership between the Americans and Aquinaldo Government was just a ploy. The promise of Independence after we won the war never came. Another battle had yet to be fought, so by Febuary 1899, the Filipino-American War started. The revolutionaries in Cagayan de Misamis put to jail all Spanish Jesuit missionaries.

During their imprisonment, the secular priests from Cebu attended the spiritual needs of the faithful.

After political stability was regained, Spanish Jesuits continued their zealous works of evangelization in the parishes, despite the era belonged now to the Americans. As a consequence, in the 1920’s or in 1927 particularly In Balingasag, American Jesuits took charge of the parish and this happening not only occurred in Balingasag, but in all the parishes under the Spanish Jesuits in Mindanao.

In 1959 the American Jesuits of the Province of Maryland and New York formally turned over their parishes to the local clergy. The Most Reverend James Hayes, D.D. (a Jesuit) was the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro during this time.

So, beginning 1959 until today, the diocesan clergies served the parishes.

SPANISH RECOLLECTS:

Order of the Augustinian Recollects – OAR:

Fr. Estanislao Severo, OAR              November 3, 1849 – May 1850

Fr. Angel Martinez del Carmen, OAR        May 1850-1875

Fr. Francisco Arcaya, OAR                                    1875-1877

SPANISH JESUITS:

Society of Jesus Province of Aragon:

Fr. Gregorio Parache, SJ                                       1877-1888 October

[Fr. Parache was the first Spanish Jesuit Local Superior of the Jesuit Balingasag Mission which covers the areas from Tagoloan to Linugos or Magsaysay today, including the Bukidnon Area -  Sumilao and as far as Bugcaon and Linabu in Oroquieta or Malaybalay. Balingasag was the only Jesuit Residence in this missionary area.  It can be recalled that the Jesuits arrived in the Philippines in 1581 together with the First Bishop Domingo Salazar, OP. In Mindanao, their missionary work was on the western side starting at an imaginary Point at Punta Sulawan in Misamis Oriental to Point San Agustin in today’s town of Governor Generoso. The division of Mindanao for proper missionary work was decreed by Governor Tello in 1624. However, in 1758 the Jesuits Order was suppressed and they were exiled or sent-off by the Bourbon Kings in all their kingdoms in the world. Thus, they were out of missionary work and in 1859 the Suppression Order was lifted and they returned to the Philippines; and started again their zealous work of evangelization.]

[It was in Balingasag where missionary trips to Bukidnon were planned, provisioned and staged. However, in October 1888, there was a reshuffling of Local Superiors, Fr. Parache was assigned to Cateel in Caraga while Fr. Juan Bautista Heras, SJ from Caraga took his place and the new Local Superior Residence was transferred to Tagoloan because of the proximity of the latter to the river valley Christian communities’ enroute to Bukidnon through Sta. Ana, Malitbog, and Tankulan areas. Together with Fr. Juan B. Heras from their overland journey across the Bislig mountains and so on, was Fr. Eusebio Barrado, SJ.]__Fr.JS Arcilla, SJ, Jesuit Missionary Letters from Mindanao, Vol. 1 The Dapitan-Balingasag Mission.

Fr. Salvador Ferrer, SJ                                           1888-1895

[Fr. Salvador Ferrer was born in Igualada, Barcelona, Spain on 25 September 1847, entered the Society of Jesus on 14 September 1866. He arrived in the Philippines in 1876, and stayed for a year at the Jesuit Normal School, and after that he was assigned to the northern and northeastern Mindanao missions. In 1877, he was with Fr. Parache in assignment at Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, the first Jesuit Residence in Eastern Misamis Oriental, after their return in 1859 to the Philippines. On 9 April 1895, he died in Manila, and was not able to witness the brick-church in Balingasag he labored too being assigned thereat lengthily.__ Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ, Jesuit Missionary Letters, The Dapitan-Balingasag Mission.]

Fr. Francisco Chorro, SJ                                        1895-1899

[Fr. Francisco Chorro, S.J was born in Javea, Alicante, Spain on 30 September 1856, entered the Society of Jesus on 2 November 1874, and came to the Philippines in 1888. He spent his missionary career in northern and northeastern Mindanao. He was assigned recalled by his Provincial Superior to Manila on January 26, 199, thus when the Jesuits in Second District of Misamis in February 1899 were imprisoned in Cagayan de Misamis, he was not included.  Recalled to Manila in 1899 because of the revolution, he returned to Spain in 1901; and died in Gandia, Spain on 1 September 1915.__ Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ Jesuit Missionary Letters, The Dapitan-Balingasag Mission, p. 280.]

SECULAR OR DIOCESAN PRIESTS FROM THE DIOCESE OF CEBU:

Fr. Severino Pecson                                               1900
[His younger brother who was also a priest died during the early days of American occupation in Samar. He was water cured.]

Fr. Francisco Latorre                                              1900

Fr. Castro Borromeo                                              1900-1901

[These secular priests who were assigned shortly in Balingasag, probably may have been in Balingasag a bit earlier than what had been claimed because they took charge of the laity’s spiritual needs inasmuch as there were no more Spanish Jesuits as they had been thrown into prison, or were recalled to Manila by their Mission Superior due to unstable political situation.]

[On January 13, 1899, Fr. Juan Heras (Jasaan), Fr. Raimundo Peruga (Tagoloan) and Brother Angeles (Jasaan) were the first Jesuits who were arrested and taken prisoners in Cagayan de Misamis. Other priests and brothers from the parish of Balingasag, Talisayan, Gingoog, Sumilao and Linabo followed. They were Fr. Francisco Chorro and Fr. Santiago Puntas (Balingasag), Fr. Martin Guardiet, Fr. Nicolas Falomir, Fr. Ramon Pamies, Fr. Ramon Vila, and Fr. Juan Martin; and Brothers Clemente Beamonte, Pablo Guila, Joaquin Tricas, Juan Moll, Miguel Lhull, Angeles Gavirondo, and Brother Vilanova.] __ Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ Jesuit Missionary Letters from Mindanao, The Dapitan-Balingasag Mission.

[Fr. Pedro Torra, Rector of the Normal School in Manila arrived in Cagayan on January 25, 1899 and negotiated with the Revolutionary Council for the release of Fr. Francisco Chorro, Fr. Ramon Pamies, Fr. Santiago Puntas, and Brothers Moll and Angeles Gavirondo. They were released and accompanied by Fr. Torra onboard a passenger boat bound for Manila. The following day, all Jesuits meaning the Fathers and Brothers were released; and Fr. Juan B. Heras, the new Local Superior of the Balingasag Mission designated by Fr. Pedro Torra made the assignments for their deployment to the parishes. These were their assignments: Fr. Juan B. Heras and Brother Joaquin Tricas to Jasaan; Fr. Ramon Vila and Brother Pablo Guila, Balingasag; Fr. Nicolas Falomir and Fr. Martin Guardiet, Talisayan; Fr. Raimudo Peruga and Brother Clemente Beamonte to Tagoloan; and Fr. Juan Martin and Bro. Vilanova to Sumilao and Linabo in Bukidnon. ]

[However, on February 14, 1899 the priest of Tagoloan and Jasaan and a brother were again taken as prisoners by the Revolutionary Government because war between the Filipino-American broke out on 4 February 1899 after the Philippine Revolution in 1896. Imprisoned were Fr. Juan Heras, SJ and Bro. Tricas, (Jasaan); Fr. Raymundo Peruga, SJ and Bro. Clemente (Tagoloan); Fr. Juan Martin, SJ ( Sumilao-Linabo in Bukidnon); Fr. Ramon Vila, SJ and Bro. Pablo Guila (Balingasag); Fr. Nicolas Palomir, SJ, and Fr. Miguel Guardiet, SJ (Talisayan); and Fr. Juan Galmes, SJ (Superior of Dipolog).

[It was only on March 1, 1900 when they were released in prison through the order of Don Pio Roa, President of the War Board. __ Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ Jesuit Missionary Letters. Obviously, the Americans arrived and occupied Cagayan de Misamis on 7 April 1900 and it was Palm Sunday. The occupation forces came a long way from Iligan. __ Fr. F. Demetrio, SJ Glimpses of Northern Mindanao.]

[So, the secular priests came to say masses and perform other priestly functions because there were no priests. It might be logical that they were here even earlier than 1900 since all the priests were imprisoned in February 1899. However, we could not trace it from the church records because the same were turned into ashes due to the burning of the brick-church on September 16, 1942 nor at the LCRO for their records for these years are no longer available too.]

SPANISH JESUITS:

Province of Aragon:

Fr. Jose España, SJ                                               March 1901-April 1901

[Fr. Jose España was born in Salardu, Lerida, Spain on 24 (25?) March 1861, entered the Society of Jesus on 26 April 1879, and came to the Philippines in 1893. He spent his entire missionary career in the north central and northwestern Mindanao missions, except for one year in 1899, when he was recalled to Manila because of the uncertain political conditions of the country. He died in Barcelona, Spain on 1 September 1926. __Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ. Jesuit Missionary Letters, The Dapitan-Balingasag Mission, p. 574.]

Fr. Gregorio Parache, SJ.                                    1901-1910

[After Fr. Parache’s assignment in Balingasag, he was transferred to Caraga; and he died in Cateel, Caraga now Davao Oriental on 10 November 1911 at age 73. While Fr. Parache was in Balingasag in his second assignment, his assistant or a member of the Jesuit Community in Balingasag died. He was Fr. Santiago Puntas, SJ who died on March 8, 1908. ___ Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ Jesuit Missionary Letters.]

Usually and at times practicable, a missionary final resting place is the place of his assignment, so it is certain that Fr. Puntas was buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery of Balingasag; nevertheless, his grave now could no longer be located. (Annotation Mine).

Fr. Simeon Sambola, SJ                                       1910-1912

[Despite, I tried digging up the records of LCRO, I do not have any information what transpired in 1910-1912 during the time of Fr. Sambola. However, in the works of a local scholar, he mentioned of an incident which occurred that lead to the swapping of properties of two parties between the church and the municipal government. The present municipal park was formerly owned by the church and the school ground where St. Rita College of Balingasag occupies now, allegedly was owned by the municipal government. Nevertheless, I have a hard time reconciling these facts because the old church, which the Recollects constructed during their time (1849 when Balingasag was made into a parish or even earlier) was within the grounds of Sta. Rita College now and the present school quadrangle – the one where the first four-storey concrete building to the north, was the old parish convent. The work of Fr. Pablo Pastel, SJ, Mission de la Compania de Jesus had a good description of the old wooden church which certainly not is the present brick-church.]

Fr. Juan Martin, SJ                                                1913-October 1916?

[Fr. Juan Martin, SJ was assigned in the northern Mindanao Missions. He arrived in the missions in 1892 and was assigned in Tagoloan, Sumilao, and Linabo. In 1896, he was in the mission of Sumilao during the uprising of the Katipunan in Luzon, which in Mindanao was highlighted by the mutiny of the disciplinarios in Fort Victoria in Iligan. __ Fr. JS Arcilla, SJ Jesuit Missionary Letters.]

[He was among the six Jesuit priests with another three brother/coadjutors who were imprisoned in Cagayan de Misamis. When the political situation came normal again, he returned to the northern Mindanao missions and was assigned in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental in 1913. He might have left Balingasag in October 1916 for other assignment since in the civil register of marriage, he had officiated marriage in October 1916; and after that there was nothing anymore.]

[While Fr. Martin was in Balingasag in 1913, other missionary priests came in June 1913 there was Fr. Gabriel Font, SJ; and Fr. Guillermo Llobera, SJ in 1915.]

[Fr. Gabriel Font, SJ was born in Tossa, Gerona, Spain on 30 December 1866, entered the Society of Jesus on 4 September 1844, and came to the Philippines. After two years at the Ateneo and the Colegio de San Javier in Manila, he worked in the present Cagayan de Oro and Butuan, until 1918, when he was recalled to the Ateneo. He was back in Mindanao and assigned in Iligan in 1922 and had worked ceaselessly, as one of the last Spanish missionaries in central north Mindanao. He died on 24 October 1932 in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental.] __ Jesuit Missionary Letters. Dapitan-Balingasag, Mission p. 652.

[Shortly thereafter, Fr. Jose Vall, SJ took his place up to January 1917 to fill-in the vacuum due Fr. Martin’s reassignment to other area.]

[The earliest civil registry record on marriages started in June 1913. During this time, Jasaan (Claveria), Balingasag, Lagonglong, and Salay (Binuangan) were merged by the American Regime into one municipality. The set of government was in Balingasag, thus all civil registry documents on those mentioned places were registered at Balingasag. Since Jasaan was already a parish and much ahead than Balingasag, regular Parish Priests were assigned thereat.]

[In the Parish of Jasaan, we have in June 1913 Fr. Juan Bautista Heras, SJ, for as Parish Priest. His assignment in Jasaan was until in August 1915 because he was recalled to Manila for poor health. The couple whom he was able to wed before he left was Teofilo Cabeltes and Simeona Pagaspas.]

[Fr. Jose Rius, SJ took charge of the parish, however in December 1915 Fr. Jaime Valles, SJ had the position as parish priest.]

Fr. Ramon Vila, SJ                                                    1917-1927

[Fr. Ramon Vila, SJ together with Bro. Pablo Guila were assigned to Balingasag by Fr. Juan Heras, SJ Jesuit Local Superior right after their release from prison on January 26, 1899. However, such assignment was not only short-lived because they were imprisoned again in Februay 1899.]

[Fr. Ramon Vila, SJ replaced by Fr. Juan Martin, SJ in February 1917. He was the last Spanish Jesuit (Province of Aragon) to have been assigned in Balingasag. His last priestly function in Balingasag was in September 22, 1927 when he solemnized spouses Jose Yamit (Talisayan) and Rodriga Botardo (Lagonglong) at Sta. Rita Parish Church.]

[The assignment of Fr. Vila in Balingasag was longer, and because missionary priests were or are always mobile, from 1917 to 1927 one at a time missionaries assisted Fr. Vila, among them were Fr. Jose Vall, SJ, Fr. Salvador Mico, SJ and Fr. Mariano Juan, SJ. For the parish of Jasaan, Fr. Jaime Valles, SJ served as the parish priest from 1917 until February 1927.]

AMERICAN JESUITS

Province of Maryland and New York:

Fr. William V. Corliss, S.J.                                        1927-1930

[Fr. William V. Corliss, SJ (American Jesuit) formally assumed as parish priest of Balingasag likely in October 1927, despite he was already in the parish together with Fr. Vila since June 1927. Fr. Vila had a wedding mass for spouses Jose Yamit and Rodrigo Botardo on September 22, 1927. After that date there was no marriage ceremony made by Fr. Vila, the assumption is that probably he was no longer in Balingasag by the ensuing month.]

[Also it could be noted that Fr. Corliss in February 1927 already had two (2) wedding masses in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental per the entry of the civil register LCR Office of Balingasag.]

[In the meanwhile, Fr. Jaime Valles, SJ of the parish of Jasaan was replaced by American Jesuit priest Fr. Matias Roune in March 1927; however Fr. Joseph Lucas became the parish priest of Jasaan and he held it until October 1929. Fr. John A. Pollock arrived in November 1929 and replaced Fr. Lucas.]

Fr. Martin O’Shaugnessy, SJ                                    1930-1937

[Fr. O’Shaugnessy was in Balingasag in May 1929 and assisted Fr. Corliss. Probably, he became the parish priest sometime in August 1930. Obviously, beginning August in 1930 the name of Fr. Corliss did not appear anymore in the civil register of marriage. So, perhaps in July 1930 yet, he (Fr. Corliss) must have been assigned to other parish. He left Balingasag perhaps in May 1937 because Fr. Clement A. Risacher, SJ replaced him and entry of the latter’s name as Solemnizing Officer started in June 1937.]

[Among the visiting priests during Fr. O’Shaugnessy time were Fr. Walter J. Hamilton in 1932 and Fr. Vincent de Paul O’Briene in 1935.]

Fr. Clement A. Risacher, SJ                                      1937-1949

[Fr. Risacher’s term may cease on June 12, 1949, he had a wedding mass at Napaliran solemnizing couple Jose Abonitalla and Propeta Palakas, based on the Civil Register of Marriage of the Office of the Local Civil Registrar Balingasag.]

[Fr. Calixto Yamba, SJ and Fr. E.J. O’Byrne in 1939 visited Balingasag.]

[Priests assigned in Jasaan Parish: Fr. Harold A. Murphy, SJ from 1946 to October 10, 1948. Fr. John A. Pollock, SJ was assigned in Jasaan from October 9, 1947 to the second week of June 1949.]

Fr. John Pollock, SJ                                                  1949-1954 October

[After the marriage which Fr. Risacher solemnized in Napaliran on June 12, 1949, there was no more entry of his name in the civil register marriage at the LCRO. So probably, Fr. Pollock replaced on sometime on June 1949 because on the third week of June 1949 for he had a wedding mass at Sta. Rita Church.]

Though the rehabilitation of the old brick-church which was razed to the ground through fire during the war was started by his predecessor, it was Fr. Pollock who concentrated much on its repair or re-construction. Through the cooperation of the parishioners and prominent people to mention a few like Pedong Hojas who lent their hauler truck for free, timber-hardwood from the hinters of Balingasag were hauled to the worksite used as columns. __ From an interview with Mr. Estercacio Domo, retired COMELC employee and in his time was an acolyte or something like that.]

[There were Visiting Priests who stayed briefly and officiated or solemnized marriages per Civil Register-LCRO Balingasag: Fr. Jose Ma. Rosauro, SJ 1949-50 probably the Assistant of Fr. Pollock; Fr. Camilo Balansag, SJ October to December 1950; Fr. Jaime Neri, SJ in March 1951 to July; Fr. Clawrence A. Martin, SJ in August 1951; Fr. Cecero Cebrero, SJ in December 1951 and part of February 1952.]

[In February 1952 Fr. Mark Falvey, SJ was in Balingasag until July 1952. After him, Fr. Seregio Cerutti, SJ arrived in September 1953 up to December 1953.]

[Fr. Ralph Lynch, SJ was just one of the visiting priests in Balingasag. He was in Balingasag on April 13, 1950 for a wedding mass; and again on March 1952 to June 1952. Fr. John Pollock’s name appeared in the civil register on July 1952. Perhaps Fr. Lynch was Fr. Pollock’s temporary replacement while he was out maybe for vacation or study from March 1952 to June 1952 or for four months.]                                               

[In January 1954 to July 1954 Fr. Luiggi Mojji, SJ came next, after Fr. Sergio left. Fr. Estanislao Lagutin, SJ arrived in August 1954 and was in Balingasag until 1957 during Fr. William Joseph J. Ahern, SJ’s time.]

[Fr. John A. Pollock’s term may have ended in October 1954. He had a wedding mass on October 5, 1954 and after that day there was no mentioned of his name anymore in the civil register of marriage LCRO.]

[But before his reassignment, he was able to solicit a life-size sculpted beautiful 14 pieces at 2 x 5 in measurement, a combination of wood and cement made station of the cross. Perhaps this might be the result of his initiative and resourcefulness. Maybe he utilized his time while he was on travel abroad either for vacation or studies to solicit the via cruces or Station of the Cross for his parish. These via cruces are of superb workmanship; every frame of this sculpted figures are masterpieces. It seems that such is even more beautiful than the one at Vigan Cathedral in Ilocos Sur and Paoay Church in the north.]

Fr. Arthur F. Shea, SJ                                           1954-1955

[Fr. Shea may have replaced Fr. Pollock on October 6, 1954. He had his wedding mass on that day. Fr. Estanislao Lagutin, SJ was his Assistant.]

[From October 1954 up to December 1955, the tandem was Fr. Shea and Fr. Lagutin. Fr. Shea may have left Balingasag late December or after Christmas, or perhaps on the first week of January of the incoming year i.e. 1956.]

Fr. William Joseph J. Ahern, SJ                           1956-1958

[Fr. Ahern was assigned in Balingasag beginning January 1956. He had a wedding mass on January 16, 1956. Fr. Lagutin, SJ was likewise his assistant until maybe in May 1958. In January 1958 Fr. Cunninghan, SJ visited Balingasag and likely he replaced Fr. Lagutin. Fr. Lagutin was in Balingasag until June 1958 when Fr. Daighler arrived to take Fr. Shea’s place.]

Fr. Theodore Daighler, SJ                                   1958-1959

[Fr. Daighler arrived in June 1958 since he had a wedding mass on June 5, 1958. Fr. Cunninghan, SJ was in Balingasag when Fr. Daighler became the parish priest of Balingasag. Moreover, Fr. Alfonso Flores, SJ came to assist Fr. Daighler and stayed with him until January 1959.]

[In the meanwhile Fr. Ahern, SJ who was assigned in Alanib, Bukidnon visited Balingasag in September 1958 for he had a wedding mass.]

[During the time of Fr. Daighler, the church altar was at the western part of the church. Mr. Raymundo Valmorida and his wife; Ebyong Jo and his wife; and Mr. Roel Hebia’s parents were solemnized en masse by Fr. Daighler in January 1959 with altar and retablo still at the western part of the church. They told me this fact.]

SECULAR-DIOCESAN PRIESTS:

Msgr. Teofilo Camomot, D.D.                                    1959-1961

[Msgr. Camomot, D.D. arrived probably in January 1959 or early in February 1959. On February 26, 1959, he had a wedding mass. Fr. Petronilo M. Urot was also assigned in Balingasag and so with Fr. Pedro Cabucayan. Misamis Oriental. Msgr. Teofilo B. Camomot, D.D. left Balingasag sometime in June 1959. But before he left, on June 28, 1959 he solemnized Florencio B. Barangan of Carcar, Cebu (a parish worker) and Tomasa Dollosa of Maribojoc, Bohol at Sta. Rita Parish Church.

Fr. Joaquin V. Resma                                               1959-1962 July

[Fr. Resma may have arrived in Balingasag early in June 1959 because on June 23, 1959 there was a wedding mass which he officiated. The other priests during the assignment of Fr. Resma in Balingasag were Fr. Pedro Cabucayan in 1959-1960 until maybe in October 1960 since Fr. Emiliano Sabandal arrived in October 1960 also. Fr. Pedro Pacuribot arrived sometime in April 1961 and replaced Fr. Sabandal. Late in 1961 Fr. Vicente Magto was assigned in Balingasag.]

[Msgr. Camomot returned to Balingaasag in April 1961 until September 6, 1962. Today Vatican has accepted documents for the canonization of the late Msgr. Teofilo D. Camomot, D.D. The process is arduous, yet the faithful would always await and welcome the declaration.]

[It was likely during the term of Fr. Resma when the altar was transferred from the west side of the church to the east. Ireneo Macabale, a master carpenter and mason headed the work. In 1962 I have a picture of first communion at the side altar-Our Lady of the Immaculate is enthroned in the east side of the church.]

Fr. Vicente Andres                                                     1962-1965

[Fr. Andres was assigned in Balingasag in September 1962. On 8 September 1962 he had a wedding mass. His assistants were Fr. Oscar Camomot, who stayed there shortly; and Fr. Vicente Magto. Fr. Andres’ assignment was until July 1965.

It was in his time when I first saw the game of lawn tennis, the basketball court fronting the statue of Sta. Rita served also as a tennis court.]

Fr. Leo Cervantes                                                1965-1968

[Fr. Cervantes was assigned in August 1965 up to 1967. In August 1965 Fr. Rodulfo C. Roa was also assigned in Balingasag. His assignment was up to July 1967. By September 1967, Fr. Bartolome LLenas arrived in Balingasag.]

[It was in January 1967 when the first notation of SSJV became noticeable in the marriage register of LCRO Balingasag.]

[It is likewise reckoned that Fr. Leo Cervantes was the last priest in town who sported an ecclesiastical tonsure, a circular shaved part on the head about bigger than the size of a P1.00 coin, which symbolized during that time that one was a priest indeed.]

[He had his golden anniversary mass at Sta. Rita Parish in 2012 together with Fr. Gonzalo Pimentel, who is from Balingasag.]

Fr. Bartolome LLenas                                              1968-1972

[Fr. LLenas became parish priest in 1968 when his predecessor left Balingasag. In August 1968 until March 31, 1970, Fr. Jose Manguiran served as the Assistant Parish Priest of Balingasag. He became Bishop in the Diocese of Dipolog, however today he is already retired, thus he is a “Bishop Emeritus”. A new bishop now sets the cathedral.]

[Sometime in 1971, Fr. Rey Manuel Monsanto now Mons. Rey Monsanto (Vicar General) was assigned in Balingasag because in May 1971 he had a wedding mass per the civil register of marriage of LCRO-Balingasag. Insofar as I can recall during those times, Fr. Monsanto offered a late evening holy mass at the church exclusively for our organization – a fraternity on its final initiation and acceptance ceremony of new members in 1971. We received Holy Communion in two species – bread and wine.]

[After Fr. Monsanto, a new assistant arrived he was Fr. Polycarpo Gumapo.]

[Fr. LLenas left Balingasag in May 1972 for Fr. Hallazgo assumed his post in June 1972.

Fr. Angelisio Hallazgo                                              1972-1978 June

[Fr. Hallazgo, parish priest in Lagonglong was transferred to Balingasag as parish priest also in June 1972. His assistant was Fr. Gumapo until April or May 1974. At Mambayaan, he had a wedding mass – en masse four couples were solemnized on April 6, 1974; and after that there was no mentioned of his name again in the civil register LCRO. (Later In 1982 during the time of thwarted peace and order situation, Fr. Gumapo was the Parish Priest of Gingoog. With him was the newly ordained priest in June 1982, Fr. Medz R. Valmores.]

[Fr. Felipe Paraguya became Fr. Hallazgo’s assistant when Fr. Gumapo was reassigned to other parish. He arrived in Balingasag probably earlier than June 1, 1974 on that day he had a wedding mass; and on the next day, was at Baliwagan Chapel for another wedding mass again. So we have reasons to believe that he might had been in mid or late in May 1974.]

[In June 1975, Fr. Paraguya left Balingasag, Fr. Ceferino Galope took his place and his early recorded wedding mass was on June 10, 1975 at Sta. Rita Church.]

[A year later or in June 1976, Fr. Pepe Galope left Sta. Rita Parish, so Fr. Vicente Abrogueña assumed his position. He had a wedding mass on June 6, 1976.]

[In November 1977 Fr. M. Belarmino took Fr. Abrogueña’s place and was the assistant priest when Fr. Pedro Sombilon became the Parish Priest of Balingasag.]

Fr. Pedro Sombilon                                                  1978-1983 May

[Fr. Sombilon served as the parish priest of Balingasag from July 1978 to May 1983. He assumed as parish priest  in July 1978 because Fr. Hallazgo still had a wedding mass on June 29, 1978.]

[Fr. Belarmino served as Fr. Sombilon’s assistant the day the new parish priest came to Balingasag; nevertheless, Fr. Berlarmino’s assignment in Balingasag ended in May 1980 since Fr. Manolito Antiporta arrived in the parish. In fact, on May 24, 1980 Fr. Antiporta had a wedding mass. His assignment was up until June 1981 maybe because his last recorded wedding mass was on June 27, 1981.]

[During the time of Fr. Sombilon, two presbyteral ordinations (secular) happened in Balingasag that of Fr. Medz R. Valmores on June 2, 1982 and that of Fr. Mario Arazo followed some months later. The two are residents of Balingasag.]

[When insurgency erupted and gained momentum in Misamis Oriental particularly in Front IV, the war between the Military and NPA guerillas in these areas began at Lantad in Balingasag. Lantad had declared belligerence and that maybe why antiquated yet deadly “Tora-tora”, helicopter gunships and 105 howitzers powdered or pulverized the place most often than any place in Balingasag or in Misamis Oriental in general. So, wave by wave evacuees from those areas reached the lowlands for safety, the church tried to accommodate them at the vacant space, which today is the sacristy. Not only in Balingasag where these evacuees sought asylum, greater part of them had their temporary shelters at the Cronin Areas near San Jose Seminary in Camaman-an. Church’s support to the evacuees was always there, no matter what names the priests had been accusingly called.]

[Fr. Sombilon served Balingasag until May 14, 1983. Fr. Alfredo Tamayo succeeded him.]

[Today, Fr. Sombilon is retired and stays at St. Patrick House near the seminary in Camaman-an; nevertheless, he used to officiate masses and other priestly functions because God has given him good health.]

[If my memory serves me right, I would like to believe that it was him during his priestly ordination in 1967 or 1966 that my late father Briccio and I had been able to witness at San Agustin Cathedral. For me, it was my first time to see an ordination.]

Fr. Alfredo Tamayo                                            May 1983-1989

[Fr. Tamayo arrived in Balingasag sometime in May 1983 since he had a wedding mass on May 14, 1983. Fr. Alfredo Heyrosa arrived at Sta. Rita Parish in June 1983 and seemingly was until June 1984 because Fr. Alexander Borres arrived in July 1984.]

[While Fr. Heyrosa was the Asst. Parish Priest of Balingasag, he used to stay and oftentimes celebrate masses at the Chapel of Baliwagan. It was not a parish yet nor a chaplaincy yet.]

[Meanwhile, the succeeding Asst. Parish Priest used to celebrate masses and stay there sometimes in Baliwagan in continuity of what Fr. Heyrosa did earlier. Fr. Borres continued to serve Balingasag Parish until May 1986, Fr. Raul Sesante succeeded him in June 1986. Fr. Sesante served with Fr. Tamayo until June 1987.]

[In July 1987 Fr. Benedicto Banto-ao succeeded Fr. Sesante. However his stay was not too lengthy in Balingasag, Fr. Alexander Borres was back and succeeded him in December 1987.]    

[By April 1988, the chapel of Baliwagan – Our Mother of the Perpetual Help had his permanent priest; Fr. Pete Ubalde was assigned thereat. It was on the making as a chaplaincy or perhaps enthroned; and after so many years in 2000’s it was made as a parish.]

[When Fr. Tamayo was assigned in Balingasag it was the prime years when most lives especially those directly affected by the low intensity conflict between the military and guerillas were in disarray. Although the arm conflict was fought between the guerillas and military, it is always the civilians that suffer most of the damage, or should we say the collateral damage. However, the church did not cease of his evangelical and pastoral works. At times when situation or conditions seemed permissible, the Holy Mass would be always said in hinterland chapels, despite the risk it had. Not only this, the Church continuously moved on to safeguard the rights, health and subsistence of the evacuees.]

[Fr. Tamayo’s service as parish priest ended in April 1989 and Fr. Columbus C. Villamil him. Fr. Tamayo’s last wedding mass ever recorded at LCRO was on April 6, while Fr. Villamil had his first wedding ceremony during his term on April 8, 1989.] 

[With the permission of the Bishop, Fr. Tamayo, a priest who is fun of motorcycle, in fact he had a 100XL, went to the US for mission appeal. Presently, he is a Chaplain of one of the major branch of military service in the United States.]  

Fr. Columbus Villamil [Vicar General]                 1989-1995

[Before Fr. Villamil was assigned to Balingasag, he was the parish priest of Lagonglong. It was during his term and so with his predecessor’s time – Fr. Gil Escalante when vocation in Lagonglong surged. Among the parishes of the diocese Lagonglong tops first insofar as number of priest is concerned.]

[From April 1989 except for the assistance of Fr. Borres who had been in Balingasag earlier than him, but left on May 1989; he had no assistant priest until July 1993. This time Fr. Ronaldo G. Gadrinab became his assistant in August 1993.]

[In July 1991 yet, Fr. Nilo Aguiman succeeded Fr. Pete Ubalde as Chaplain of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel in Baliwagan. He held it until December 1994, Fr. Elcon Matrayo succeeded him in January 1995.]
[From then on Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel and later on as Parish, has a regular assigned Priest, Fr. Basarte, Fr. Sacris, Fr. Cabactulan (two priestly ordination Fr. Lara [OSA] and Fr. Montemayor), and Fr. Remargin Ubalde, the current parish priest.]

[At the height of the AFP-NPA guerilla war, Fr. Villamil never stop in officiating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the war zone in Lantad until such time that the place was considered impregnable and too dangerous by civilians and priests to access. During the return of the evacuees in 1993 to Lantad, the church spearheaded the placement and return of the evacuees to their war ravaged home in Lantad. There was a solemn procession of desperate and destitute parishioners from the town proper to sitio Lantad in the Balatukan Mountain Range with an approximate distance of 20 kilometers and in those times accessible only by hiking. The priest headed the group on foot march with some lay leaders, religious sisters, and some parishioners – residents of Poblacion, Balingasag, who maybe out of curiosity or because of piety joined the caravan. The chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lantad proper was reconstructed as it was ravaged by war.]

[It was in 1991 or 1992 during Fr. Villamil’s time when Fr. Stephen Olario was ordained priest at Sta. Rita Parish Church. It took more or less another ten years to have a priest since Fr. Medz ordination in 1982. Indeed how grueling the study and formation to become one.]

[Fr. Columbus Villamil was reassigned to another parish in January 1995 and Fr. Perseus J. Cabunoc succeeded him.]

[At present Mons. Columbus or Nene as his parishioners call him; is the parish priest of San Antonio de Padua Parish in Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro. His former post at the Metropolitan Cathedral has been assumed by Fr. Perseus Cabunoc.]

Fr. Perseus J. Cabunoc [Vicar General]           1995-2001

[Fr. Cabunoc succeeded Fr. Villamil in February 1995. His first recorded wedding mass as a parish priest was on February 11, 1995.

[During the ordination of Fr. Medz, Fr. Perseus served as an acolyte carrying the heavy standard – the Cross of Salvation during the processional march from St. Rita’s College ground to the church. He was still a Theologian yet. Today, he is the Rector of the Parish of San Agustin of Hippo in Cagayan de Oro City.]

 [Although evidently every priest has some worthy contributions to the parish where they served, I just would like to mention that it was in Fr. Perseus’ time when the roof structure and inner columns of the church was renovated or reconstructed. Every churchgoer in Balingasag, including those who are not, undeniably knew the fact that it was him who did it. This was of course done with the total support of the parishioners.]

[I would not miss to tell you that his father was a good friend of mine, indeed we were officemates at the LGU-Lagonglong while his son, Fr. Perseus was at the seminary yet.]

Fr. Ricardo Dancela                                                   2001-2005

[Calmness and docility may sometimes be considered by others as signs of weakness. Fr. Dancela or fondly known as Fr. Ricketts has those traits – calm and docile; nevertheless, his parishioners knew that by nature he is gentle and possesses a big heart. For many a times he had shown it timidly and only those whom he had helped knew his goodness. I wish not to elaborate as it may only turn into kidding him, but the truth is even the fools – morons and beggars frequented the premises of the church and convent. They knew that there would be always even a little for them from him. It is one charisma where others could not understand. The youth had understood him well, as he was and still is too engrossed to music. In the World Youth Day in the US, Fr. Ricketts was one of the archdiocese’ delegate to that forum, of course, he acted as the good father for those youth leaders who went there.]

[Fr. Ruth Develos came as assistant priest, then Fr. Diosdado Ladera though not too lengthily. We have Fr. Jun Balsamo who stayed and served as assistant parish priest, too.]

[Fr. Ricketts was transferred to Binuangan as Parish Priest after his term in Balingasag. Today, he is in Catarman, Camiguin, silently bringing his calmness and docility; indeed, certainly are good traits to reckon with.]

Fr. Nilo Aguiman                                                      2005-January 2010

[Fr. Nilo was not a stranger to Balingasag though he hailed from Medina. He was assigned as Chaplain of the Perpetual Help Chapel in Baliwagan after Fr. Pete Ubalde. It was during his time when Joseph Montemayor now Fr. Montemayor worked as sacristan in order to gauge himself of the flicker of vocation he had and to finish his high school studies at Baliwagan National High School.] 

[Fr. Elmer Empinado was assigned shortly, then Fr. Joevel Gulisao likewise served as Fr. Aguiman’s assistant before his transfer to Camiguin and later on became the Chaplain of Taguanao in Cagayan de Oro in 2013.]

[Fr. Amie Balacuit was the assistant of Fr. Nilo at the time of the latter’s death.]

[In 2005 Fr. Celso Bagabaldo, Jr. was ordained at the parish church of Balingasag during Fr. Nilo Aguiman’s time.]

[In the life-time of Fr. Aguiman, he did something good for the people of Barangay 3 – Nabalian Area would never forget, he coordinated with Bishop Antonio Ledesma, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro in the distribution and granting of awards of rights of Parish Lands in Barangay 3 to their actual occupants. The transfer would undergo a process for its titling later. There was an evening mass during the ceremonial distribution of award, which the organization President received from the Parish Priest and the Municipal Mayor – Atty. Alexis S. Quina.]

[Fr. Nilo Aguiman faded away in January 2010. There was a vigil at Sta. Rita Parish Church-Balingasag and San Isidro Parish-Medina before his interment at the Divine Shepherd Gardens in Cagayan de Oro.]

Fr. Allan Pulgo                                                         January 2010-April 2010

[He was temporarily assigned in Balingasag because of Fr. Nilo’s death.]

[Fr. Balacuit was still the assistant priest.]

Fr. Joel Oga                                                              May 2010 to June 2013

[Fr. Dondon Olango was Fr. Oga’s assistant. Thereafter, Fr. Eleuterio Datoy took his place. Recently Fr. Oga is in the Parish of Balulang in Cagayan while Fr. Datoy is the Chaplain of the Chaplaincy of Tuod, a remote barangay in Manticao.]

Fr. Nestor Caduyag                                                 June 2013 todate

[Fr. Sammy Ricarde is the present Assistant Parish Priest taking the place of Fr. Bebot Pacaña, who now is in the Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jasaan.]

                                                                              

Sources:

     LCRO archives Civil Register of Marriages - LGU Balingasag;

     On Jasaan Parish Creation, Fr. Francisco Demetrio, SJ, Glimpses of Northern  Mindanao;

  On Recollect Priests of Jasaan from 1835 to September 1849 from the Research Paper of Fr. Roniedon P. Valmoria, SSJV;

  On the Annotation of Spanish Jesuits, Fr. Jose S. Arcilla, SJ., Jesuit Missionary  Letters of Mindanao, Vol. IV The Dapitan-Balingasag Mission.

  On the Annotation of Fr. Pecson from the works of Fr. Schumacher, SJ, Readings from Philippine Church History;

  On the Story of the Arrest and Imprisonment of Spanish Jesuits in Cagayan de Misamis – From Fr. JS Arcilla, Jesuit Missionary Letters & Cartas Edificantes;

  On the Division of Mindanao in 1624 by two Missionary Orders from the works of Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, SJ, The Great Island: Studies in the Exploration and Evangelization of Mindanao;

  On the Battle of Manila with Aguinaldo and Filipino soldiers along with the side of the Americans from the works or speech of Prof. Rosario Mendoza Cortes,       Ph.D. University of the Philippines, “The American Occupation of Manila”  published in Historic Manila Commemorative Lectures 1993-1996, pp.67-78;  and

 On other information, they were taken from interviews with credible resource persons.

 

PRIESTS OF BALINGASAG

In no particular order

Fr. Gonzalo V. Pimentel at St. Patrick Retirement House in Cagayan de Oro City

Fr. Auxentius V. Pañares in Bukidnon

Fr. Nicolas Echeveria, OSA-Order of St. Augustine in Manila

Fr. Rodulfo C. Roa, St. Patrick, Cagayan de Oro City

Fr. Ceferino Galope+

Fr. Iluminado Gamalo, Bukidnon

Fr. Medallo R. Valmores, Gingoog City

Fr. Mario Arazo+

Fr. Florentino Galdo, Scalabrini, Australia

Fr. Roniedon P. Valmoria, Manticao

Fr. Stephen Olario, Seminary, Cagayan de Oro City

Fr. Lucio Bola, Scalabrini, Taiwan

Fr. Emmanuel S. Regalado, San Lorenzo Ruiz Order, Manila

Fr. Simplecio Lumacad, SJP [St. John the Precursor], SJP Seminary,

Virac, Catanduanes

Fr. Joseph Tabigue, CRSP [Clerics Regular of St. Paul], San Diego, California

Fr. Verano Ladra, CRSP, Seminary Marikina City

Fr. Rudison Nulo, CRSP, St. Paul Scholasticate (Major Seminary), Tagaytay City

Fr. Ferdinand Dagcuta, CRSP, St. Joseph Chaplaincy, Calaanan, Cag. De Oro City

Fr. Celso Bagabaldo, SJP, Morong, Rizal
Fr. Glenn Mercado-Religious, Marikina City

Fr. Demly C. Valmores, Cugman, Cag. De Oro City

Fr. Lino A. Macatol, Jr., Kauswagan, Cag. De Oro City

Fr. Ariel C. Lara, OSA, Manila

Fr. Joseph Montemayor, Camiguin

Fr. Rosauro A. Valmores, CRSP, St. Joseph Chaplaincy, Cag. De Oro City

Profile of Priests (Estimates Only)

Over 65 years old – 4

55 to 64 years old – 3

45 to 54 years old – 5

35 to 44 years old –7

Below 34 years old –4

Faded away              _2_

 Total                         25

  

                                    Secular  12 (SSJV or otherwise)

                                                              Religious                13 (OSA, Scalabrini, SJP, San Lorenzo                                                   & CRSP)

When shall be the next priest from now?

God Willing! Perhaps two would be ordained in 2016 or 2017 from CRSP & San Lorenzo Ruiz Order, respectively.

After that How Many would be in the Making? The question is left for the young men of Balingasag to ponder on.

It is through prayers and reflections that one may find the answer.

Come and think of this young man!

ooo

Rex R. Valmores

Balingasag, Mis. Or.

August 2014