IMMACULATE CONCEPSCION PARISH (Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City)

IMMACULATE CONCEPSCION PARISH PROFILE:

I. Brgy. Villamonte Parish: Immaculate Conception Parish and Shrine (F. 1967)(1962)

II. Address: Margarita St., Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City 6100

III. Lot: 4,000 sq. m. Donated by Don Alfredo Montelibano Sr. and Family

IV. Titular: Immaculate Concepcion

V. Feast Day: December 8

VI. Vicariate: Bacolod North

VII. Chronology of Assigned Priests at Immaculate Conception Parish and Shrine (Brgy. Villamonte,):

           

As Part of the Community Area of San Sebastian parish:

       

      Chaplaincy (April 1, 1962):

1. Fr. Vicente Salgado                 1962-1969…

      Associate Priest:

      Fr. Gregorio Dompor(Oct. 27,1990)

      Fr. Vicente Pelobello(POM)      applied sabbatical.               

      Fr. Leopoldo Gargantiel

Parish (March 4, 1969):

     Fr. Vicente Salgado                  …1969-1971: was assigned as Parish Priest of                                                             Cadiz.

     

2. Fr. Wilfredo Saldajeno           1971-1975: was assigned as Parish Priest of  Bago                                                   City: St. John the Baptist Parish, Bago City..

      Parochial Vicar:

      Fr. Leopoldo Gargantiel

      Fr. Sol Puentespina (POM)                went into a sabbatical leave.

      Fr. Norberto Chavez               1973-1976: was assigned as Parochial vicar of                                                               Silay: San Diego Parish, Silay City.

      Parish Administrator:

3. Fr. Josefino Iledan                 1975-1976: was assigned as Rector of St.                                                                   Joseph Regional Seminary.

      Parochial Vicar:

      Fr. Norberto Chavez               1975-

      Fr. Felix Hernaez(POM)

      Fr. Roger Apurado                 1976-1977: was assigned to the parish of                                                                         Hinigaran.      

4. Fr. Rafael Arib                       1976-1985: was assigned to the Bakyas Area                                                             ministry.

      Parochial Vicar:

     

      Fr. Francis Garbanzos

      Fr. Dominador V. Dumagat   May 1979-June 1979: was assigned as Chaplain of                                                         Henrietta Village: St. Joseph Chaplaincy, Bacolod                                                                City.

      Fr. Dalmacio Sua-an(POM)

      Fr. Rolando Nueva                 May 1981-1982: was assigned as substitute to                                                                 Tabugon parish, Kabankalan.

5. Fr. Nicasio Melicor                June 29,1985-May 21, 1990: was transferred to                                                       Sum-ag parish.

      Parochial Vicar:

     

      Fr. Wilfredo Dejilla                 1987: was assigned parish priest of Cadiz City                                                                parish.

      Fr. Joevic Lemoncito              May 15, 1988-May 16,1991: was assigned as                                                                  Chaplain of Da-an Banwa Chaplaincy, Victorias                                                                  City.

6. Msgr. Andres Delfín               May 21, 1990-1995: was assigned as Chaplain of                                                     Mt. View Chaplaincy, Bacolod City.

Parochial Vicar:

      Fr. Joevic Lemoncito

      Fr. Alfredo Gamarcha            Aug. 6, 1992-Jan. 14, 1994: was assigned as                                                                   Chaplain of Central Ma-ao, Brgy. Jorge                                                                                Araneta, Bago City.

      Fr. Ivan Victor Intong             Apr. 25, 1994-Ja. 1995: was assigned as                                                                         Administratorilan: Most Holy Rosary Parish: Brgy.                                                               Alangilan, Bacolod City.

7. Parish administrator:

      Fr. Pedro Hiponia                  1995-May 20, 1996: was assigned as parish priest                                                          of Bago: St. John the Baptist Parish, Bago City.

8. Fr. Narciso de la Cruz    May 20, 1996-Sept. 17, 2001: was assigned as parish                                                      priest of  Tangub: St. Isidore Parish, Brgy. Tangub,                                                  Bacolod City.

      Parochial Vicar:

      Fr. Henryk Villanueva            April 1996-July 1996: was assigned as Chaplain of Central Ma-ao.

      Fr. Louis Mediodia

      Fr. Aniceto Buenafe                June 1996-1998: he stayed at candles.

      Assisting Deacon:

      Rev. Nitodel Soriano               Apr. 7,1998-

      Rev. Abner Gingos

      Associate Priest:

      Fr. Nitodel Soriano                 June 15,1998-

      Fr. Abner P. Gingos               1999-

      Fr. Angelo Ansula                   1996-              

                 

9. Fr. Genaro C. Demecais                    2001-2003: went to the U.S. and                                                                                continued his ministry there until                                                                                now (as of April 2009).

      Parochial Vicar:

      Rev. Alex Araneta                               2002-

10. Parish Administrador:

      Fr. Aniceto Buenafe Jr.                     Aug. 2003-2005: was             assigned      

                                                                  as Commission on Social Action director                                                                         based at Bishop’s House.

11.  Fr. Samson Mariano                                    2005- (as of March 2009)      

VIII. Religious Vocations of men and women from Immaculate Concepcion Parish                (Brgy. Villamonte):

Priest:

1. Fr. Rayman Asoy
2. Fr. Raymon Asoy
3. Fr. Philip Bonifacio,SSC(from Homsite)
4. Fr. Rayman Cornel
5. Fr. Angel Vinzon-Fidel (Bacolod-Murcia Milling Co.)
6. Msgr. Josefino Ilejay-Iledan(from Homsite)
7. Fr. Napoleon Ilejay-Iledan(POM)(from Homsite)
8. Fr. Robert Jaranilla
9. Fr. Jude Militante-Serfino
10. Fr. Ebenezer Guanizo-Samonte
11. Msgr. Rufino Belardo-Suplido Jr.

Brother:

1. Bro. Dennis Magabanua,FSC
2. Bro. Rey  Belardo-Suplido.FSC

Nun:

Sr. Josephine Mallorca-Sugon,HGS

Nota Bene:

The Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Bacolod 2008 indicated 1969 as the date of the erection as a parish but did state its foundation as a parish.  Basing from the first priest who was assigned and who stayed in the parish, the foundation date should be 1962 when Fr. Vicente Salgado started living with the community.

Introduction

            The history of the parish has gone a long way from five decades ago when the Catholic community was holding Sunday Masses at Ylac-PreSchool in Barrio Obrero.  Barrio Obrero was the old name of the place before the Village of Montelibano or Villa de Montelibano which was shortened to Villamonte came to being.

            The cabin-like-wooden church and galvanized roofing was made by the community for the holding of  sacred worship. The rich history of the faithful’s generosity with their time, talent and treasure was the most unique character of this magnificent parish community. The parish had its dark-nights of the soul to quote St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. John of the Cross but were vanished by the God’s grace manifested through the honest and dedicated members and clerics.

The Phenomenological Church

            1962-1970. The makeshift chapel was already in place when Fr. Salgado was chaplain. The convent was at the back of the church but before this, the good father stayed at the chapel office which also served as his sleeping area. Legion of Mary was popularized by him. Cursillo page 13 & Brgy. Sang Virgen.

            1971-1980. Fr. Salgado was not a church builder. He was a simple priest. Fr. Arib succeeded Fr. Salgado and he was good in organizing church groups. He organized the community of believers according to Puroks. He was very down to earth, he went house to house and he was very popular among church workers and church members because he visited them at home to know them further personally.

           

            In the 1970s, the Barangay sang Virgen Movement  enjoyed great popularity in the parish during his time because he put focused on it and thus, it experienced massive expansion among different Puroks and community areas. He followed the manual of the Barangay Sang Virgen in establishing small Catholic communities. This small communities were  composed of forty five houses which were divided into three which were representing the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.  These three were again subdivided into three which were representing the three decade-mysteries of the Holy Rosary: the joyful mystery, the sorrowful mystery and the glorious mystery. These three subdivisions were further divided into fifteen families which were representing the fifteen mysteries of the three decades of the Rosary.

            In the 1980s, the Charismatic movement became popular among the parishioners. Fr. Arib at first was hesitant about this semi-pentecostal movement. But, according to believers of this movement, through the urging of the Spirit he joined the Catholic Charismatic Movement and even became its diocesan Spiritual Director. Fr. Arib was instrumental in further popularizing the movement among different parishes because being a member of the cloth his actions and actuations were not seen as suspect.

            1981-1990.  Fr. Arib, initiated the Life in the Spirit Seminars among willing parishioners and these parishioners were later commissioned to give the same seminars to other areas who requested for the Life in the Spirit Seminars. Fr. Arib left Villamonte Parish when he was assigned to a new Area ministry in Bakyas in 1985. Fr. Nicasio Melicor took over the spiritual care of the parish after Fr. Arib.  The Boholano priest was a competent musician. He organized different choirs which enliven the Eucharistic liturgies. Due to the growing number of parishioners, Fr. Nic expanded  the wing-side of the church. He was a bit strict in the impression of many of the parishioners.

            1991-2000. Msgr. Delfin Fr. Gamarcha. On May 20, 1996, Fr. Narciso de la Cruz took over the spiritual management of the parish from Msgr. Delfin. He was a personal friend of the Divinagracia family whose house was a wall away from the eastside of the parish church. Priests were known to have kidded him as not staying in the convento (convent two)  but in the convent one of the Divinagracia’s. The generosity of the Divinagracia had helped him in concentrating in his ministry, especially, as Spiritual Director of the Bukas Loob prayer group. His connection with a number of generous people encouraged him to build a new church building with the encouragement of the parish community. Thus, was the inauguration of the present (April2009) magnificent church of Vilamonte, the biggest ecclesiastical structure in the Vicariate of North Bacolod.  The strictness of Fr. Naring when it comes to church property and the sacredness of the Liturgies made him not popular among some members but was not felt by the greatest majority who had not encountered him close and personal.

            2001-2009. Fr. Genaro Demecais was given the tasked of completing the construction of the church when the general  shuffling was implemented in 2001. Fr. Gene was the third musically competent priest assigned in this parish, aligning on the genre of Msgr. Nic and Fr. Naring. The construction of the huge parish church for the increasing community was initiated by Fr. Gene and continued by Fr. Aniceto Buenafe Jr.. Today (May 2009) the final phase of the construction and finishing touches of the grand structure is being well-managed by Fr. Samson Mariano.

The Church of the Poor

      Bro. Gratian Murray put up a school for the economically poor and in tandem with Fr. Salgado they had made great impact to the community. The church that was built by Fr. Salgado with the help of the congregation was an effort of the whole ministry. The privileged and the economically challenged shared in the church construction. There was a big stone that was put as the base of the altar which symbolized the total effort of the faithful. This stone’s historical significance was unkempt in Fr. Naring’s time which made Msgr. Salgado poignant because for him that was a representation of the church of the poor.

      Priest assigned here did their share in uplifting the plight of the financially-challenged members through their individual charitable and livelihood projects.

SANTO NINO PARISH (Galo-BBB st., Bacolod City)

SANTO NINO PARISH PROFILE:

I. Sto. Nino Parish (F. 1983; E.P: October 7, 1991)

II. Address: Galo-BBB St., Bacolod City 6100

III. Lot: Donated by Hon. Judge Jose R. Querubin and his wife, Mrs. Consuelo Querubin                and their eleven children through the efforts of one of them, Mrs. Pacita                       Querubin de Jesus.

IV. Titular: Sto. Nino

V. Feast Day: Third Sunday of January

VI. Vicariate: Bacolod South

VII. Chronology of Assigned Priests at  Sto. Nino Parish (Galo-BBB):

           

As Part of Community Area of Fatima Chaplaincy, the priest who was celebrating Mass here was Fr. Anthony Atillaga and later in 1981 with Fr. Cassimiro B. LLadoc before he was assigned to  Granada: Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City.

      Chaplaincy(1983):

      Msgr. Eduardo Gumboc                    1983- Oct. 7, 1991...  

      Fr. Telesforo J. Neri    (OIC)               Apr. 26,1988-Aug.10,1988: was assigned as                                                                    Parochial Vicar of Ma-ao: Our Lady of the                                                                      Pillar Parish, Ma-ao, Bago City.                                           

Parish(October 7, 1991):

1. Msgr. Eduardo Gumboc                    …Oct. 7, 1991- Sept.  1993: went into a                                                                    sabbatical leave.

      Fr.Rene Posa,OSA                              Oct. 1993

     

      Fr. Filomeno Duaban                         Nov. 1993-Dec. 1993:

Msgr. Gumboc                                         Dec. 1993-1995: was assigned as Rector of                                                                     Sacred Heart seminary.

      Fr. Vir Mahinay                                  June. 1995-Sept. 1995: Cansilayan

      Fr. Tomas Rito                                    Apr.-May 1995

      Fr. Felixberto Ibesate                          June 1995

      Fr. Vir Mahinay                                  June. 1995-Sept. 1995: Cansilayan

2. Fr. German Templa                           Sept. 1995-Nov. 22, 2001:
3. Fr. Joel Roquez                                  Nov. 22, 2001-Jan. 19, 2003: went to the                                                                  U.S.
4. Fr. Telesforo Neri                              Jan. 19,2003- June 2003: was assigned as                                                                Parish priest of Da-an Banwa: St. Roque,                                                                  Brgy. Da-an Banwa, Victorias City.

5. Fr. Jesmar V. Manato                       July 11, 2003-April 2004: was assigned                                                                    Vice- Rector of The Sacred heary Seminary

6. Fr. Elmer B. Poniado                                    April 2004-july 22, 2007: was assigned as                                                                 Chaplain of Cansilayan: San Isidro                                                                            Labrador, Murcia.

7. Fr. Ernesto L. Majillano                    July 22, 2007-(as of March 2009)     

VIII. Religious Vocations from Santo Nino Parish:

Priest:

Fr. Adolf  Guanco-Occeño

Introduction

            The birth of the Sto. Nino community was contributed by the devotion of one lady to the child Jesus.  On the site of the present Chapel (May 10, 2009) then was a simple chapel which was used by the community but the lot was not donated to the diocese. One day one of the owners of the lot, Mrs. Pacita Q. de Jesus, lost a precious jewel which annoyed her so much. A friend of her suggested praying to the Sto. Nino. An inspiration from the child Jesus instructed her to put up a chapel on the site in his honour instead of worrying about a stone which one could see anywhere.  Without consultation with her siblings she began constructing a chapel. Her husband was in a construction business. What followed was a clash of opinions among members of the family but ultimately led to the donation of  the present site. 

The Phenomenological Church

            1983-1990. In 1983 when Msgr. Eduardo Gumboc was assigned to the Galo-BBB ministry, there was no convent so he stayed in the sacristy of the chapel. One day Mrs. Pacita Q. de Jesus visited the chapel from Manila where she had taken residency. Msgr. Gumboc told Pacit, as the good monsignor fondly addressed her, that the church lot had not been donated to the diocese and according to Canon Law the priest should not reside in the chapel.  Thus, if the lot would not be bequeathed to the diocese the monsignor himself would leave the chaplaincy. This information led Pacit  to lobby to her siblings for the donation of this specific lot. Her action after much discussions and debate among the inheritors ultimately steered the members to the act of donation. The eleven children agreed to offer the title of the land for the Catholic Church through the diocese of Bacolod.

            With all the legal and canonical impediments having ironed out, Msgr. Gumboc started the construction of the convent with the enthusiastic support of the congregation.

When it was completed the sacristy-dweller-monsignor moved to the top of his new permanent yet temporary home. The space that the new convent had provided inspired the Antiqueno pastor to carry out some projects for the young people of the chaplaincy.

            The pastor who was also skilled in carpentry tutored the youth about this art. The young people came to be dexterous of this ability that when they were suggested upon by the monsignor of his plan to hold the Ati-atihan Festival they respond positively.  They were even the ones who fabricated their drums and other materials for the festival. The fiesta of  Sto. Nino chaplaincy and later parish was never equalled it its fanfare among the Bacolod City parishes.  The youth organizations of this community were so united that activities they spearheaded were fulfilled successfully all the time.

            Msgr. Gumboc became the foster father of many a youth. He helped some in their schooling in high school and even in college. He always allocated to others the generosity shared to him by friends and supporters either material, economic, emotional or spiritual.

            With the permission of  Msgr. Gumboc, the Chapel then accommodated some  parishioners of the Fatima Chaplaincy as they awaited the resolution of the clerical squabble between the assigned priest and the newly assigned priest in 1988.  At the end of the the term of ter m of Msgr. G€umboc the Charaismatic movement came into being

           

            1991-2000. In April 1992 the ministerial obligation of Mons to the parishioners of Sto. Nino was brought to a halt when he decided to have a sabbatical leave to restore his health. At the end of the the term of ter m of Msgr. Gumboc the Charaismatic movement came into being

Fr., Templa completed the Convent construction.  He revonated the the altar and installed the Philiipine Map background with bamboo-cement design.

            2001-2009.  Fr. Roquez had the grills around the church painted.  Fr. Jesmar started the fund raising for the church renovation. Fr. Elmer Poniado continued this fund raising but the money was not enough. In August 2007, Fr. Ernie Majillano started the renovation.

            Fr. Ernesto Majillano renovated the altar and its accompanying embellishments. The new design brighten the altar and its gave more aura of sacredness. He continued the parish programs and the existing lay associations.

The Church of the Poor

            The Christian community of this parish was really a church of the poor. The activities were always accommodating to the poor and did not in anyway intended to displace the poor. Originally, many temporary settlers were the parishioners of Sto. Nino. Either it was arranged or not that the titular of the parish was Sto. Nino who was born in a borrowed manger, it did not dispel the  fact that many of the church goers here were immigrants according to their respective needs. Many were students, others were mall workers and few young couple workers.

            The church and the community are open to all walks of life.

SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:

      A. Primary Sources

     

      A. Primary Sources

     

      A.1.  Unpublished Documents:

      1. Books of Baptismal Records of San Sebastian Parish from:

      2. Books Marriage Records of San Sebastian Parish from:

      3. Books of Death Records San Sebastian Parish from:

      4. Books of Appointments of Priests of the Diocese of Bacolod

      5.  Books of Profile of Priests of the Diocese of Bacolod

            A.2.  Interviews:

            1. Msgr. Eduardo Gumboc at the Bishp’s House on March 20, 2009. Msgr.                            Gumboc was the first parish priest of Santo Nino Parish.

      2. Fr.Elmer Poniado at Paraiso Beach, Punta Taytay on March 3, 2009. Fr. Elmer                    was a former parish priest of this parish.

            3. Fr.

            4. Mr.

            `B. Secondary Sources:

            B.1. Books:

            1. Romero, Ma. Fe Hernaez. Negros Occidental Between Two Powers (1888-                                                         1909). Negros Occidental Historical                                                                          Commission, Bacolod City, 1974.

            B.2. Memoirs and Articles:

            1. Handurawan, 2006

            2. 2008 Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Bacolod

            C. Websites:

            1. Diocese of Bacolod website: http://home.catholicweb.com/BacolodDiocese

Most Holy Rosary Parish (Brgy. Alangilan, Bacolod City)

PARISH PROFILE:

I. Most Holy Rosary Parish (F. 1980; Erected as a Parish: 1993)

II. Address: Brgy. Alangilan, Bacolod City 6100

III. Lot: Donated by Mr. Abelardo Bantug Sr. and Family

IV. Titular: Most Holy Rosary

V. Feast Day: October 7

VI. Vicariate: Bacolod South

VII. Chronology of Assigned Priests at Most Holy Rosary Parish (Brgy. Alangilan):

                       

Fr. Antonio Y. Fortich celebrated the firt Mass in this place in the 1950’s.

           

As Part of Mission Area of Granada:

1.        Fr. Telesforo Sardon       

      Chaplaincy (1973):

2. Fr. Gratian Murray                            1973-1984:

      Assistant Chaplain:

      Fr. Genaro Demecais                         1982-1984…

3. Fr. Genaro Demecais                                    1984-1988: was assigned as Parochial                                                                      Vicar of San Sebastián parish.
   
   

Parish(1993):

4. Fr. Arecio Dormido                           1988-Oct. 1, 1993 : was assigned as                                                                         Diocesan Treasurer at the Bishop’s                                                                            House.

5. Fr. Leon Orbista                                Oct. 7, 1993-June 23, 1997:

      Administrstrator:

      Fr. Ivan Intong                                  Jan. 1995- Apr. 1996: was assigned as                                                                            Parochial Vicar of Victorias: Our Lady of                                                                        Victory Parish: Nuestra Senora de                                                                                         Salvacion, Victorias City.                                                                                          

6. Parish Administrator:

      Fr. Filomeno Duaban                       June 23, 1997-

7. Fr. Fr. Christopher Entrata                           was assigned to Bata parish.

8. Fr. Farley Ray Santillan

Religious Vocations of men and women from Alangilan Parish: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary:

1.      Fr. Jexon Davao

2.      Fr. Mitchel Jawili-Guadalupe

3.      Fr. Gregorio Neri

4.      Fr. Telesforo J. Neri (POM)

Nota Bene:

The date of foundation of Alangilan Parish according to 2008 Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Bacolod is 1980. But Fr. Gratian Murray had lived in the community since 1973 after his assignment at Granada Chaplaincy. The researcher of this study then preferred to tag 1973 as the foundation year of Alangilan Catholic community.

Introduction

            From being Sitio Calaparan, under Brgy. Granada, was created as an independent barangay Alangilan in 1982.  Records show that Granada had been visited by priests even in early 1900.  On the two bells of Granada was inscribed: d. Padre Roman Manuel Lucsin 1867 (donated by Fr. Roman Manuel Lucsin 1867). Since the settlement of Alangilan was very near Granada, the great desire of early missionaries, foreign and Filipinos alike, to win souls to Christ obviously could have brought them to this place.

            Mr. Francisco and Rosario Guadalupe was the first to construct a chapel built out of bamboo and pawod.  Mrs. Rosario Guadalupe or Lola Sayong with other mothers were the first self-taught catechists.Through the  Flores the Mayo they initiated the   children and young adults in basic catechism.

            Fr. Antonio Fortich who was Parochial Vicar of San Sebastian Cathedral was known to be the first one to celebrate Mass in the place and he continued to do so from 1944 to 1949 when he was assigned as parish priest of Binalbagan.

           

            The parish of Alangilan is sixteen kilometres at north-eastern chart of Bacolod City.  Rootcrops and vegetables were the general source of income of the parishioners. Bgry. Alangilan is dubbed as the vegetable bowl of Bacolod City but more popularly kn own as Bacolod’s water source.

           
            In March 1964, Fr. Telesforo Sardon was assigned as Chaplain  of Brgy. Granada. The proximity of Alangilan to Granada was the practical reason of its being administered by Fr. Sardon. Sunday masses were held consistently from then on.  This spiritual reality brought about the building of a simple but concrete chapel for a more sacred celebration of the Eucharist.

            In November 1969, Fr. Gratian Murray was assigned as Parish Priest of Granada. He continued the spiritual administration of Alangilan as Fr. Sardon did before him. Fr. Gratian bought a house and converted it into a convent. After a minor renovation of the house, Fr. Gratian asked to be transferred to Alangilan in 1973 and in his place as parish priest of Granada was assigned Fr. Emilio Henares.

The Phenomenological Church

            1973-1980       In 1973, Fr. Gratian Murray, the replacement of Fr. Sardon, successfully elevated Alangilan into a Chaplaincy. An American and one of the Founders of the University of St. La Salle, he bought a house and converted it into a convent. The former La Salle Brother did not stop there, he searched for a bigger lot for a bigger chapel which led to the donation by Mr. Abelardo Bantug Sr. and Family of a one hectare lot in 1977.  On March 26, 1979 the newly constructed chapel was dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary

           

            The Barangay sang Virgen was made by Fr. Gratian as the number one vehicle for the evangelization of the people of Alangilan. The Legion of Mary, the Sacred Heart and the Nocturnal Adorers emerged as lay associations at the advent of Barangay sang Virgen. The daily praying of the Rosary in the homes became a popular devotion at the time of the Marian priest Fr. Gratian.

            Fr. Gratian Murray, an former American La Salle Brother, was assigned in Alangilan. He worked for the sacramental upliftment of the community and also for their total human development.  He was instrumental in the construction of the Holy Rosary Chapel.  In 1975, he introduced in the chaplaincy the Alay Kapwa program of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

            1980-1990. On August 4, 1982, Fr. Genaro Demecais was assigned as a new Chaplain of Alangilan.  Fr. Gene made the church community feel the difference between the devotional church and the socially aware and responsive-responsible church.  Talks on total human developments were held and most of the members of the congregation felt being the church than being simply a part of the church.

            At the time of Fr. Gene,  the spiritual experiences of the Alangilanons of the Pre-Vatican period was given flesh with the advent of a new Chaplain armed with  Vatican II doctrines. The architectural graduate and late- vocation-priest, Fr. Genaro Demecais endeavoured to make the life of the faithful relevant to the call of the moment by having indoctrination on the total human development and preferential option for the poor.  Basic Ecclesial Communities in the community Areas were initiated.

            On May 29, 1988, Fr. Arecio Dormido was given the task of supervision of the Chaplaincy. Fr. Aris’ youthful enthusiasm and charm for the mature folks made his work of organization easier. He used the Basic ecclesial Communities in the propagation of the diocesan programs and projects.  Fr. Leon Orbista breezed through the parish with his witty remarks and simple lifestyle.

            1991-2000.   Fr. Leon Orbista breezed through the parish with his witty remarks and simple lifestyle.  He was faithful in following the scheduled activities of the parish in alangilan Paoper and in the surrounding community Areas.

            2001-2009. Fr. Farley Santillian initiated the building of a bigger parish Church. The youthful and popular preacher in the genre of Fr. Sonny Ramirez, O.P. poured out his energy into the church construction and synchronization of the activities of the Lay Associations. The community Areas were given their own individual patronal models to emphasized the different virtues of the Christian life.  The frankness of Fr. Farley sometimes made him unpopular among local politicians and the local folks but his consistency in the cause he adhered to made him acceptable to the common tao.

            The building of the modern and huge structure for worship was his greatest contribution to the Catholic community presently (May 2009).  His intenet-technological savvy was useful in his search for the sponsor in the building of the church structure. His parish website could well be a model for other priests who wish to make use of modern communication technology.

The Church of the Poor

            The parish activities from Fr. Gratian Murray to Fr. Fraley Santillan were geared towards building of a community that caters for all but especially for the vegetable farmers and farm workers.  The parish existed for the total development of the catholic community and the whole community.  Projects which uplifts the life of the poor had not been strictly limited for Catholics.  They were shared even with other faiths.

SOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY:

      A. Primary Sources

     

      A.1.  Unpublished Documents:

      1. Books of Baptismal Records of San Sebastian Parish from:

      2. Books Marriage Records of San Sebastian Parish from:

      3. Books of Death Records San Sebastian Parish from:

      4. Books of Appointments of Priests of the Diocese of Bacolod

      5.  Books of Profile of Priests of the Diocese of Bacolod

            A.2.  Interviews:

      1. Fr. Ivan Intong at La Herencia Subd., Bacolod City on April 13, 2009. He was                  assigned as Parish Administrator of Alangilan From Jan. 1995-April 1996.

            B. Secondary Sources:

            B.1. Books:

            1. Romero, Ma. Fe Hernaez. Negros Occidental Between Two Powers (1888-                                                         1909). Negros Occidental Historical                                                                          Commission, Bacolod City, 1974.

            B.2. Memoirs and Articles:

            1. Handurawan, 2006

            2. 2008 Catholic Directory of the Diocese of Bacolod

            3. Our Lady of the Rosary Chaplaincy Profile as Submitted to the Curia by Fr.                      Arecio Dormido. October 15, 1989.

            C. Websites:

1.      Diocese of Bacolod website: http://home.catholicweb.com/BacolodDiocese

2.      http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1635341/vegetable_basket_of_bacolod.html?cat=5