.....SENSUS FIDEI OF OLD BAUNGON AND GROWTH IN MISSION

By: Fr. Sirenio T. Jaranilla, O.Carm.


ANIMISMO, ANG KARAAN NGA PAMAAGI SA MGA HIGAONON

Kadaghanan sa mga karaang residente sa Baungon, Bukidnon mga Higaonon. Sa wala pa ang 1950s, ang animismo (pag Diwata o Pamuhat) mao ang pamaagi sa kinabuhi sa Baungon sa wala pa moabot ang mga Kristiyanong misyonero. Gipasangil nila ang tanan nga nahitabo sa ilang kinabuhi sa mga espiritu o diwata nga anaa sa palibot. Kung ang usa ka bata malumos, ilang giingon nga siya giguyod sa mga espiritu sa tubig (wahig). Ang mga espiritu nagtago sa mga lugar nga dili kanunay bisitahon sa mga tawo: sa mga kalasangan, sa mga kasubaan, sa mga awa-aw nga lugar, sa ilalom sa yuta, sa mga umahan, ug uban pa. Sa tinuud, giingon nila nga kini nga mga espiritu (diwata) dili gusto nga samokon mao nga ilang gipaantos ang mga tawo nga nagsinamok kanila. Kung ang mga bata masakit, ang mga tigulang kasagaran motawag sa mga Diwata o sa mga Espiritu pinaagi sa paghalad og ritwal, kasagaran sila mag-ihaw og manok o kung ang sakit grabe na, kinahanglan nga mag-ihaw ug baboy.

ANG DAMGO NI APO AMAY SIMBO

Sa wala pa moabot ang mga Heswita, si Apo Amay Simbo (CEPRIANO I/Cipriano Lilangan) nagtukod og Kapilya sa Mando. Giingon nga sa usa ka damgo, nakita ni Apo Amay Simbo ang usa ka babaye nga migawas gikan sa suba (Mando). Kini nga babaye nagpaila sa iyang kaugalingon nga si Fatima ug nagsugo kang Apo Amay Simbo sa pagtukod og Kapilya ug sa pag-andam sa iyang pamilya sa pagdawat og bunyag gikan sa mga misyonaryong Katoliko nga moabot. Hangtod karon, ang unang Kapilya sa Baungon sa Mando, Baungon, Bukidnon ubos sa pag-atiman sa Mahal nga Birhen sa Fatima.


ANG UNANG MGA MISYONERO


Ang unang mga misyonero nga miabot sa Baungon mao ang mga Heswita (Society of Jesus). Dako ang ilang natabang sa pagkatukod sa lain-laing mga Baryo ug mga Balangay. 


Moadto sila sa mga kabaryohan nga nagsakay sa likod sa mga kabayo ug pinaagi niini nakabig nila ang katawhan ngadto sa Pagtoong Kristiyanismo. Daghan ang nahimo sa mga Heswita kay pinaagi sa ilang mga pagpaningkamot nahitabo ang pagkatukod sa mga kabaryohan ug napahimutang ang pagtoong Katoliko sa Baungon. Kinahanglan gayod, ato silang hisgutan uban sa kasaysayan sa Baungon. Ang mga Heswita nga nadestino sa parokya mao kining mosunod:

  • 1958-1965 Padre Gregory Horgan. Ang Parokya ni San Isidro Labrador sa Baungon natukod niadtong 1953 sumala sa makasaysayanong datos sa mga Heswita. Apan, “ang mga libro sa rehistro sa bunyag ug kaminyoon nagsugod lamang niadtong Disyembre 21, 1958 nga adunay pirma ni Padre Gregory Horgan SJ, ang unang Kura Paroko. Ang unang mga misyonerong Heswita nakaabot sa Baungon sukad pa sa 1926. Ang unang lumad nga nakabig sa pagtuo ug nabunyagan mao ang pamilya ni Datu Cipriano Lilangan.”[1]

 

Si Padre Gregory G. Horgan natawo niadtong Oktubre 9, 1913 sa New York, Estados Unidos ug misulod isip Heswita niadtong Agosto 14, 1934. Siya gi-ordenahan niadtong Marso 24, 1946 ug namatay niadtong Hunyo 4, 1987. Si Padre Greg unang miabot sa Pilipinas isip usa ka seminarista niadtong 1940. Sa mubo nga panahon, nagserbisyo siya isip propesor sa Etika ug Sosyolohiya sa Seminario de San Jose sa Quezon City. Gikan didto, gibalhin siya sa Naga, Bicol. Unya miulbo ang ikaduhang giyera sa kalibutan. “Niadtong Disyembre 14, 1940, ang ika-16 nga Dibisyon sa kasundalohang Hapones nga gitawag ug "Kimura Detachment" misulod sa Naga. Dayon, sa ika-15 sa Hunyo, kining maong mga kasondalohan misulod direkta sa mga ganghaan sa Ateneo de Naga atol sa seremonyas sa pag-abli niini, gipa-undang sa mga Hapon ang operasyon sa maong tulunghaan. Ang mga Heswita sa tulunghaan gipabilanggo sa mga Hapon, ug nagtinguha sila nga magkampo sa ilang rehiyonal nga garison niining maong institusyon. Daghan sa mga pasilidad sa tulunghaan ang gikuha sa mga Hapon, ilabina ang Balay Heswita nga nahimong kuwartel sa mga Hapones nga opisyal sa maong garison. Sumala sa Heswitang estudyanteng manunulat nga si McSorley, ang walo ka Amerikanong Heswita mao sila si Francis Burns, Joseph Bittner, Mat Reilly, ug mga Semnaristang si Ed Sullivan, Albert Grau, John Nicholson, ug Gregory Horgan nga gibalhog sa mga Hapones sa Naga Provincial Jail. Gikan sa bus nga ALATCO diin sila gidala, ang mga estudyante sa tulunghaan sa Ateneo de Naga nagwarawara kanila samtang ang mga guwardiya sa Hapon nagbantay kanila nga nagagunit sa ilang mga ripple atubang batok sa mga relihiyoso. Gitugotan sila nga magdala og tagsa-tagsa ka briefcase nga adunay sulod, uban sa tanan nilang personal nga mga gamit sa wala pa sila gibilanggo sa maong siyudad. Ang mga Heswita nga nakabase sa Manila nga nakadungog sa pagsikop kanila naningkamot nga makagawas sila, ang Superior sa mga Heswita nagpadala kang Padre Horacio de la Costa, Guzman Rivas ug usa ka Hapones nga Pari aron makigsabot sa ilang kagawasan. Niadtong Marso 7, 1941, kining maong mga Heswita gibuhian ngadto sa Palasyo sa Obispo."[2]

Gitukod sa mga Heswita ang Ateneo de Naga niadtong 1940 tungod sa imbitasyon ni Arsobispo Pedro P. Santos sa Diyosesis sa Caceres. Uban ni Padre John F. Hurley, S.J., ang Superior sa mga Heswita sa Pilipinas niadtong panahona, gipabarug ang eskwelahan nga gidumala sa mga Heswita para sa mga batang lalaki sa maong Diyosesis, nga misangpot sa kaulahi-an sa pagkatukod sa Ateneo de Naga. Ang unang mga Heswita nga miabot sa Bicol uban ni Padre Francis Burns, S.J, isip founding director sa eskwelahan, mao sila si Padre Bernard Lochbölher ug pipila ka mga Heswita nga nagtoon pa nga naglangkub sa seminarista nga si Gregory Horgan. Niadtong 1941, sila si Padre Matthew Reilly ug Joseph Bittner uban sa mga seminarista nga sila si Francis Lucas, John Nicholson, ug Edward Sullivan miabot sa komunidad sa mga Heswita sa Naga. (Editors’ Note: Kini nagpakita nga ang apostolado sa Ateneo de Naga adunay koneksyon sa Misyon sa mga Heswita sa Bukidnon. Human sa gubat, si Fr. Gregory Horgan ug Fr. Joseph Bittner nahimong nag-unang mga Kura Paroko sa mga estasyon sa misyon sa Baungon ug Dangcagan, Bukidnon. Tuig 1968 – 1975, si Fr. Gregory Horgan nahimong Direktor sa Pangantucan High School sa Pangantucan, Bukidnon. Gipatukod usab ni Fr. Joseph Bittner ang Santo Niño High School sa Dangcagan niadtong 1958. Si Fr. Godofredo Alingal  kinsa nahimong unang Pinoy nga prinsipal nga nagserbisyo sa Ateneo de Naga, usa ka Kura Paroko sa Talakag, Bukidnon ug sa wala madugay gipatay siya samtang nangalagad sa parokya sa Kibawe.)[3] Si Fr. Horgan nga maoy nagpasiugda sa pagtukod ug mga bag-ong katekista sa Baungon aron sa paggiya sa katawhan. Ang mga unang mga katekista sa Baungon (Petronila Lilangan Jaranilla, Benilda Aquino, Leonisa Roa, Valeriana Cagmat, Nida Tagocon Jaranilla, Teonila Lilo, Azucena Lilo, Evina Bacarro, Gloria Olango, Stella Linaac, Yolanda Ravello, Natividad Lilangan, Inday Molinas, Illuminada Ranara Aluba, Georgia Abragan, Nora Palma, Dulcenia Rapirap) mouban kaniya sa mga baryo. Si Fr. Greg ang nagpasulod sa mga working students nga gipadala niya ngadto sa tulunghaan sa Ateneo de Cagayan (Bernard Rapirap, Agustin Lilangan, Romy Acosta, Inocence Rapirap – gipa-eskwela sa Trade School) ug mga batan-ong sakristan (Rogato Rapirap nga suportahan sa iyang pagtuon ni Illuminado Dael – [Si Mr. Dael miabot sa Baungon isip katabang sa pagpalambo sa Agrikultura sa Imbatug], Jacob Rapirap, Wildon Jaranilla, Henry Abratigin, Licenio Beja, Greg Aquino). Ang pagpadagan sa Simbahan gipanguluhan sa mga Sacristan Mayor nga sila si Sofronio Manaba, Artemio Estoque, Nardo Pangan ug sa kaulahi-an tungod kay nanginahanglan si Fr. Horgan ug tawo nga mogalam sa mga kabayo (Bisayang mga kabayo nga ginganlan og Norton, Redmond, Dodo ug Badlis) nga gigamit sa pag-adto sa mga baryo, iyang gipa-alimahan kang David Nolasco Jaranilla. 
Samtang nagpuyo sa Baungon, gipatukod usab ni Fr. Horgan ang mga Kapilya ug gitudloan sa pagtoong Katoliko ang daghang kabaryohan ug kabalangayan sa Misamis Oriental sama sa Tignapoloan, mga balangay sa Opol - (Malanang, Nangcaon, Tagulip, Cauyonan, Limatukon), Taglimao, Tumpagon, Balongkot, Pigsag-an, Tuburan, Pagalungan, Tagpangi, Bisigan, Mambuaya, Bayanga, ug Dansolihon. Kining tanan nga mga baryo maabot lamang pinaagig kabayo niadtong mga panahona.

(Fr. Greg Horgan uban sa mga anak ni David Jaranilla: Asuncion, Daniel, Sirenio-Ang Nagsulat)

  • 1965-1966 Fr Thomas Connolly. Si Padre Connolly nagserbisyo sa Bicol ug nahimong membro sa relihiyosong komunidad sa Ateneo de Naga. Sulod sa usa ka tuig samtang ang mga Heswita nangita og kapuli ni Padre Gregory Horgan, gitawag siya aron magserbisyo sa Baungon Parish isip administrador samtang nagbisita sa Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier University). Usa siya ka pari nga adunay talagsaong presensya tungod sa iyang lawas ug maidlot nga panan-aw nga nakapahadlok sa daghang mga parokyano. Apan nagpadayon siya sa pagbisita sa mga kapilya sa baryo sa Baungon ug Misamis Oriental nga gisugdan ni Padre Horgan.


  • 1966-1974 Fr Edward Van Groenendael. Gitawag siyag Padre Dael sa katawhan. Gipanganak siya sa Francia. Nahimong siyang Kura Paroko sa Baungon sunod kang Padre Connolly. Sa iyang handumanan, misulat siya: “Niadtong 1961, gipangutana ako: Mopuli ba ako kang Padre Thomas H. Connolly sa Imbatug? (Si Padre Gregory Horgan ang nagsugod sa parokya sa Imbatug, ug dayon gipulihan ni Padre Connolly kinsa karon naghangyo na nga mobiya sa maong parokya.) Gidawat nako ang trabaho ug miabot ako sa Baungon sa katapusan sa Hunyo 1966. Sa dihang mibalik si Padre Greg Horgan gikan sa pagpahulay ug pagpa-check-up sa Estados Unidos, gibalhin siya sa parokya ug sa eskwelahan sa Pangantucan nga gisugdan ni Padre Frank Webster. Usa ka polisiya nga gipasunod ni Padre Shea ug ni Padre Horacio de la Costa sa Probinsya sa mga Heswita,  nga ipadala ang mga misyonaryo alang sa usa ka sabbatical nga pagpahulay og sa ilang pagbalik aron hatagan sila og bag-ong mga buluhaton sa parokya. Sa Imbatug, si Padre Horgan nakapalit og 5 ka baka ug tulo ka kabayo (Lumad nga mga Kabayo nga ginganlag Norton, Redmond, Dodo ug sa ulahi sa iyang mga anak nga si Badlis), ug kini nga mga hayop gisalig sa pag-atiman sa usa ka 20-anyos nga batan-ong lalaki, si David Jaranilla. Gigamit kini isip mga hayop nga pangkarga sa mga pagbisita sa pari sa mga baryo, diin ang parokya sa Imbatug adunay 30, ang uban niini layo ra kaayo. Niini nga mga pagbisita, ang pari kuyogan sa caravan nga gilangkuban sa mga dose ka tawo nga naglakip sa mga katekista, sa koro, ug mga drayber. 
Pananglitan, sa bulan lang sa Nobyembre, kami adunay pinakataas nga mga biyahe para sa mga Fiesta sa Iponan Valley nga makita sa habagatang-kasadpan sa Lumbia sa Cagayan de Oro. Magsugod kami sa kaadlawon sa adlaw sa wala pa ang Fiesta sa Taglimao, ug dayon mopadayon sa matag usa sa lima ka mga baryo nga anaa sa daplin sa suba. Mokabat ug usa ka semana o labaw pa ang paghimo sa pagbyahe sa misyon ngadto niining lima ka mga baryo ngadto ug nganhi balik sa Imbatug. Mao nga nahitabo nga, sa pagtabok sa usa ka sapa nga may danlog nga mga bato, nadigyas ako ug nabali ang akong tuong kamot. Nakaabot kami sa Phillips Memorial Hospital lima ka adlaw human sa aksidente. Tuo ang akong kasagara nga gigamit nga kamot apan, tungod kay ang akong tuo nga bukton gibutangan ug plaster-cast (semento) sulod sa duha ka bulan hangtod pagkahuman sa Bag-ong Tuig 1968, nakakat-on ako sa paghimalbas og pagpirma sa mga papeles ginamit ang wala kamot. Tungod kay naglisod ako, ang mga "alagad" o mga “tig-atiman sa simbahan ug mga katekista” ang nag-atiman sa mga kasaulogan ug mga miting sa pag-ampo. Ang pangulong katekista ug cooridinator mao si Mrs. Nida Tagocon Jaranilla, asawa ni David Jaranilla nga nag-atiman sa among mga kahayupan. Sila adunay kaugalingong baboyan ug pipila ka mga manok ug sa dihang nakahigayon, nagtanom kami og mga kamatis ug mani. Kadaghanan sa abot nahimong pagkaon sa ilang nagkadako nga pamilya. Sa dihang mibiya ako sa parokya sa Baungon niadtong 1974, nga gipulihan Padre Jose Dacanay, sila aduna nay upat ka mga anak. Niadtong 1967, nagsugod kami og usa ka grupo sa mga cursillista (nga nakaapil sa 3 ka adlaw nga cursillo seminar) ug sa ulahi niadtong 1970-72 usa ka yunit sa Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) ang natukod. Apan sa dihang gideklarar ang Martial Law (Septiyembre 22, 1972) kini nga mga grupo sa mga trabahante sa simbahan natunaw o nahunong. Usa ka klima sa kahadlok ug sosyal nga pakigbisog ang nagpatigbabaw. Sukad sa sinugdanan daghan kami og mga boluntaryong katekista nga giumol ni Padre Greg Horgan. Ang among Ang regular nga mga miting, lima o unom ka higayon sa usa ka tuig, kanunay kini gi-coordinate ni Mrs. Nida Tagocon Jaranilla. Usahay, among gidapit si Miss Nimfa Borja. Siya usa ka ilado, respetado, ug maayong katekista sa Cagayan de Oro. Mga Nobyembre 1972, akong gidapit si Fr. Honesto C. Pacana aron pagdumala sa usa ka delikado nga miting. Wala madugay, pagkahuman sa alas 11 sa gabii, ang acting chief of police nagpadala og pulis aron mandoan kami nga hunungon dayon ang miting. "Walay gitugotan nga panagtigom ubos sa Balaod Militar." Miadto ako sa munisipyo aron makigkita sa hepe sa pulisya ug mipasabut: "Usa na lang ka hilisgutan ang among agenda pagkahuman sa paniudto, unya magsaulog na kami og Misa ug magbulag-bulag na ngadto sa tagsa-tagsa ka pinuy-anan. Gidili ba usab kana nga klase sa miting ubos sa Balaod Militar?" "Kagahapon," tubag siya, "nakadawat kami og sulat nga gi-endorso sa Gobernador, nga nagpahinumdom kanamo nga ang bisan unsang klase sa mga miting dili gitugotan ubos sa Balaod Militar, gawas kung adunay sinulat nga permit nga nakuha gikan sa Constabulary Provincial Commander o sa opisina sa Gobernador. Hunonga ang inyong miting." Pagka-udto, akong gipahibalo si Padre Pacana bahin niini. Sama kanako, napungot usab siya. Mas naglagot ang mga katekista. Nagkompromiso kami ug natapos ang among miting alas 3 sa hapon human sa pagsaulog sa Misa.”[4] (Pagkahuman sa iyang pagpangalagad sa Baungon, gibalhin si Fr. Groenendael sa Impasug-ong.)


  • 1974-75 Fr Jose Dacanay. Fr. Joe Dacanay was from Shanghai, China and was born on June 21, 1925 to Feliciano Dacanay and Jovita Arcega. Coming from a moneyed family, he chose to get on board the USS General Meigs in 1946 crossing the Pacific from Shanghai, China to San Francisco, California, and went on to traverse a religious path. At the Sacred Heart Novitiate, Dacanay underwent a four-year formation program from 1946 to 1950. After Los Gatos, from 1953 to 1956, Dacanay took his regency at Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro and Ateneo de Naga in Naga City, two years for each school, where he taught Latin, Physics, and Religion. He then took his priesthood vows on June 20, 1959, at the Fordham University Chapel in Bronx, New York, and his final vows at the Ateneo de Davao University Chapel in Davao City on August 15, 1964. From 1961 to 2004, Fr Jose Dacanay SJ was assigned in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Sur, and Bukidnon (Kalilangan, Baungon, Talakag).[5] 

  • 1975-1977 Fr Teodoro Urrutia (Birth: 20 Nov 1913 – Death: 26 Aug 2004).  Fr. Teodoro Urrutia, SJ was born on November 20, 1913 in Nanclaves de Gamboa, Spain. Perhaps because of the influence of the Jesuit education he obtained from St. Francis Xavier at Sanguesa, in Navarre, Spain. Fr. Urrutia entered the Society of Jesus on June 7, 1934. We can say that he was truly a son of Saint Francis Xavier. He pronounced his first vows two years later and after years of studies and formation was ordained to the priesthood on July 30, 1948. The following year he made his tertianship and then pronounced his final vows on February 2, 1951. As his first assignment, he taught Religion, Math and Literature at the Escuela Profesional Cristo Rey in Burgos, Spain. Later, he was made principal of that school. In 1962, his dream of being sent to the missions was realized when he was allowed to go to the Philippines. In this country which would become the dominant passion of his Jesuit life, Fr. Urrutia was first assigned to the island of Olutanga in Zamboanga del Sur. There he would be involved in running the Loyola High School in Subanipa while at the same time acting as assistant parish priest of the town. In 1970, Parokya San Miguel was established as a parish and Fr. Teodoro Urrutia, SJ became its first parish priest. It is one of the three parishes located in the island of Olutanga, Diocese of Ipil. After more than ten years on the island, his missionary zeal would bring him to Bukidnon as where he would serve as assistant parish priest to the different towns of the province, he would stay longer in Baungon, Bukidnon (1975-77) where he became the voice of the poor against the powerful. (The author as a teenager witnessed his unwavering stance against injustice. To organize the people, he opted for Cursillo Seminars so the parishioners can develop their faith and at the same time know of their Rights. At one time, he learned that a local politician, who owned a pasture of cattle underpaid his tenants. One tenant who got unpaid resorted in butchering one of the cattle to feed his family. He was imprisoned and tortured. When the priest learned of these, he stormed the politician’s house and together with the parishioner barricaded the main entrance of the house to demand justice for the suffering tenants from the politician. Fr. Urrutia was almost killed as the politician’s son got a rifle to shoot him. But Don Teodoro would not be budged. He knew he was on the side of truth. Only when, the daughter, who was an Atenean student in Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro intervened did the dialogue took place. This bought a moment of peace but Don Teodoro would never back down when preaching about truth and justice.) In 1977, he was sent back to his beloved Olutanga island. His apostolic work would take its toll on his health and so in 1988, he was transferred to the Loyola House of Studies in Manila. Despite his health condition however. he would still engage in active ministry, doing pastoral work in the Quezon Institute and then chaplaincy work for the Sisters of Mary’s Boystown and Girlstown in Silang, Cavite and Sta. Mesa, Manila. In 2003, his health condition worsened and on August 26, 2004, Fr. Teodoro Urrutia, SJ, finally joined his Creator whom he had faithfully served with his outstanding dedication to the missionary work of the Society of Jesus. Hasta Luego, Don Teodoro![6] Until we meet again, Padre Teodoro! 

(Fr. Urrutia as Chaplain to Boys Town in Silang, Cavite)

  • 1977-1980 Fr Joseph Bittner. In 1952, Fr. Joe Bittner, SJ arrived in Bukidnon from Pennsylvania, USA. “He was first assigned in Dangcagan, Bukidnon. The local inhabitants of Dangcagan who had already increased in number helped the missionary build a convent. In 1953, the building of the church started. After finishing the framework, photos were taken and sent to USA for funding. Generous donors responded and sent funding for the completion of the church. The people of Dangcagan were grateful the construction of their church was made possible through the efforts and sacrifices of Fr. Bittner. In 1958, he also founded the Santo Niño High School. He stayed on in Dangcagan until 1966.”[7] It can be recalled that Fr. Joseph Bittner came to serve Bukidnon with Fr. Gregory Horgan, a colleague from his days in Ateneo de Naga. This is the reason that during his stay in Loyola House in Cagayan de Oro, (after Dangcagan) he was asked to help in Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon. Since he found it difficult to communicate with the locals so he started procuring medicines that greatly helped the people. Many came to him asking for medicines.  

  • 1980-85 Fr Romeo Serrato. Fr. Romy Serrato, SJ was a Jesuit priest affiliated with the roster of faculty in Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZu) and the Jesuit community in Zamboanga. He was a metallurgical engineer from Lahug, Cebu before joining the Jesuits. It was during his stay in the Loyola House of Cagayan de Oro that he was requested by Jesuit superiors to serve as parish priest in Baungon. Fr. Serrato was observed by the parishioners with obsessive compulsions of organization and cleanliness. This helped him as an organizer but often a hindrance to his pastoral ministry as people thought he wanted to be pleased and waited upon. These compulsions worsened his tardiness in his schedules. He would however not back down from any assignments given to him. 

  • 1985-86 Fr Salvador Wee. Fr. Buddy Wee, SJ, is a Jesuit priest primarily associated with the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) and Xavier University (XU) in the Philippines. He held various roles within the Jesuit community and the universities, including serving as a university archivist. It was during his assignment in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro, as researcher and archivist that he was requested to take care of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Baungon. Fr. Wee has contributed to the historical documentation of Zamboanga City, notably through his work "El Zamboanga de Antes" (Zamboanga in Yesteryears). He also contributed to the records used in the history of Ateneo de Zamboanga. (Note: The Superior Fr. Joseph Raviolo would often assist with the Masses in Baungon during the time of Fr. Wee but he would always go back to Loyola House in Cagayan de Oro in the evening being the charge of the Jesuit House.)


POSTCRIPT TO MISSIONARY DEVELOPMENTS OF BAUNGON

But we need to take note that before the parish was even founded, the parish of Talakag helped in the missions. Fr. Jaime Neri, Fr. Efecio Dolalas, Fr. Martinez and Fr. Cicero Cebrero were invited to help in the sacramental work of Imbatug. Imbatug was made a Parish on May 15, 1959 however its declared foundation was November 17, 1958. 

After the Jesuits, 12 filipino secular priests served the parish namely: 

  •   1986-89 Fr Gonzalo Pimentel. After the Jesuits, San Isidro Labrador Parish of Baungon was turned over to Diocese of Malaybalay. Since, manpower was wanting during that time, the Diocese requested the help of Fr. Gonzalo Pimentel, a member of Diocesan Clergy of Cagayan de Oro to administer the parish for three years. It was during the assignment of Fr. Pimentel with the help of Sr. Romualda Jatico under the Congregation of Sisters of Social Action (SSA) that BALSA sa Kalinaw ni Kristo Cooperative was organized to help the poor parishioners of Baungon. The cooperative was successful at its inception but when the members’ debts started growing, the cooperative was in peril. The sustainability of the cooperative came crashing down when some members decided to separate from the main cooperative of BALSA when the Diocese of Malaybalay took over the Parish.  These members continued to affiliate with the cooperative under the leadership of Sr. Romualda Jatico, SSA in Cagayan de Oro City. 

  •   1989-92 Fr Danilo Paciente. The first Diocesan Priest of Baungon from the Diocese of Malaybalay was Fr. Dani. He strived to bring the voice of his parishioners and the people to the influencers of the Province of Bukidnon. He served as Diocesan Social Action Director in 2011-2012 where he propagated leadership seminars, Christian community building, skills training for households to augment their livelihood. While serving as Parish Priest of Baungon, he was chosen also as member of the Board of Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (BUSECO) based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. 


  •   1992-95 Fr Rodulfo Porras. After the-era of Jesuit priests, the parish of San Isidro Cathedral, Malaybalay (in Malaybalay City) was handed over to diocesan priests — and the first diocesan priest assigned was Fr. Rodulfo Porras, starting in 1976. In the period of 1990’s, Fr Porras served as member of the Clergy Board of Consultors in the Diocese of Malaybalay. It was during these period that he was requested by the Bishop to take care of Baungon Parish. In the later part of his ministry, he stayed longer as Chaplain of St. Joseph Southern Bukidnon Hospital in Maramag, Bukidnon. 

  •   1995-2000 Fr Flordelito Nazareno. Fr. Erap Nazareno was ordained on April 28, 1992. The coming of Fr. Erap in Baungon awakened the various parish lay ministries like that of the Alagad (Lay Ministers), Catechists, the Youth and he solidified the Parish Council of Baungon, Bukidnon. It was during his term as parish priest that the author was ordained in his hometown in Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon. Fr. Erap mobilized all the Chapels to assist in the ordination. It became the most successful ordination that took place in Baungon. 

  •   2000-2001 Fr Cosme Damian Almedilla (Now Local Ordinary of Diocese of Butuan as Bishop Cosme Almedilla, DD). Cosme Damian R. Almedilla was born on September 27, 1959, in the town of San Miguel, Bohol to Vitaliano Lasco Almedilla and Susana Racines. When he came of age, he took Seminary entrance exam in Tagbilaran, he passed but poverty hindered him to enter the formation there. Ming then decided to work in a piece of land they owned in Dangcagan, Bukidnon. It was while working in Dangcagan that he befriended the parish priest there who recommended him to try Malaybalay Seminary which during those times, were partly supported by the Jesuits. In Malaybalay, Bukidnon, he passed the Seminary exams for the second time, and he completed his tertiary education in the St. John XXIII College Seminary.  Soon, the Seminary fathers discovered his dedication and intelligence that led him upon graduation to be recommended to San Jose Major Seminary in Quezon City. Ming was ordained to the priesthood on August 4, 1987. After his ordination, Fr. Ming was a known teacher and guide. He served as the spiritual director of Pope John XXII College Seminary in Bukidnon. From 2000 to 2001, he was assigned Parish Priest of Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon. Baungon was a new experience for him. When he first arrived, he saw on the convent garage door the words written: “Kung walay Pari dinhi, adtoa lang si David Jaranilla.” (If there is no priest here, proceed to the house of David Jaranilla.  The note was posted by the Jesuit Fathers when they were assigned in Baungon. David Jaranilla being the author’s father served for a long time as Sacristan Mayor and Driver to the Priests assigned in Baungon.) Fr. Almedilla had many questions to Mr. Jaranilla regarding the mission of Baungon. Fr. Ming learned of the history of Baungon through his conversations with Mr. Jaranilla and the parishioners of Baungon.  Since 2015, after his stay in Baungon, Fr. Almedilla went back to serve the Diocese of Bohol and was known for promoting the Basic Ecclesial Community movement. He served as an assistant pastoral director of the Talibon diocese. Prior to his appointment as Bishop, he has also been serving the Holy Child Parish in Ubay, Bohol. He also served as director of the Holy Child Academy in Bohol, and chaplain of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City. Pope Francis made him bishop of the Diocese of Butuan since March 25, 2019. 

  •   2001-2007 Fr Diomedes Brigole. Fr. Jojo Brigoli was born on September 8, 1959 to Andres Dutosme Brigole and Ines Arnado. He finished secondary studies in Nuestra Señora High School in Quezon and took Agricultural Engineering in Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon. When his family settled in Quezon, Bukidnon, he decided to enter the Saint John XXIII Seminary of Malaybalay, Bukidnon. On April 20, 1993, he was ordained priest in Quezon. When he was assigned on June 2001 until May 2007 in Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon, he oversaw the Church construction. He continued to strengthen the various parish ministries especially the school ministry. He was prolific in the development of catechists, the youth ministry, and the Alagad. With his leadership, he established a good relationship with the local government. Fr. Brigoli upon his transfer to Libona Parish succumbed to COVID pandemic.
 
  •   2007-2012 Fr Efren Estaniel. Fr. Epoy Estaniel continued the legacy started by the Diocesan clergy in Baungon.   He tried to integrate with the people and would bring the catechists, Alagad, choir during his barrio visits. He could be approached by the parishioners easily and he improved the sacramental ministry in San Isidro Labrador Parish, regularizing baptisms and weddings.

  •   2011-2012 Fr Oscar Gorgonio. Fr. Oscar Gorgonio is described by his parishioners as a very simple priest… humble person but intelligent person. His sister, Elizabeth Lim, attested to this fact: “He is our big brother in the family. I grew up witnessing him as an ideal brother to us his siblings, and a thoughtful and loving son to our parents. He is down to earth in dealing with people and you can count on him. Simplicity and humility is natural in his person even when we were still small children.”[8] When he served Baungon, he would go on public transport, but often went on foot from the barrios to the parish. With sack of offering over his head and mass kit as his backpack, he would walk for miles. 


  •    2012-2017 Fr Charlo Maglunsod. He is known as Fr. Charlo but his family would call him Fr. Karlo. He was a good teacher to the parishioners challenging the people to learn more about their faith. Since, he was frank in implementing the policies and regulations of the parish, he was misinterpreted to be a strict priest. His frankness came as a turn-off to parishioners who seldom visit the parochial office. 


  • 2017-2021 Fr Joel Batausa Tuquib. Fr. Tuquib was born on February 20, 1971 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. His father was Servando Genita Tuquib and his mother, Rosalina Batausa. He was ordained on October 21, 2002. Fr. Joel focused on the liturgical development and enhancement of various lay ministries in Baungon. The choir excelled during his time as he was also a good singer. He reminded the various ministries of the importance of regular meetings and for the choir, regular practice. The Catechists, Alagad, Parish Council had regularized their meetings and updatings through his inspiration. The youth were happy and very active during the time of Fr. Joel. On April 12, 2021, Fr. Joel Tuquib suddenly died due to a heart attack in Malaybalay, Bukidnon while playing basketball. He was 50 years old at that time. The entire parish of San Isidro Labrador mourned his passing. When he was brought by the hearse from Malaybalay, parishioners were seen lining the streets, crying and throwing flowers along his way. The people accompanied him until his burial in Malaybalay City. From April 2021 - May 2021 Fr Janrey Zabala served as Parish Administrator upon Fr. Tuquib's death. 

  • 2021-2022 Fr Neil Joy Molion. Fr. Molion continued the unfinished program of Fr. Joel. He pursued the Church construction and convent renovation. Fr. Molion was a Seminary Father and respected Formator. After his short stay in Baungon, he was called to serve as Seminary Rector in Saint John 24rd College Seminary, Pal-ing, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.


  • 2022-present Fr Richard Carreon. Fr. Babo was born on January 23, 1980 in Maramag, Bukidnon to Benjamin J. Carreon and Ana Eulogio. He pursued what was begun by his predecessors.  He finished the construction of the Parish Church. With his leadership the many Parish organizations were activated. The Parish Council went active again. The Catechists and Alagad were provided with proper formation. The youth is given attention and encouraged to participate in Diocesan Youth activities. Never before that Baungon experienced a proliferation of so many altar servers from different barrios. 

On November 17, 2025, Fr Babo spearheaded the 67th Foundation Anniversary of San Isidro Labrador Parish of Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon. It also marked the Third Dedication Anniversary of the Parish with Bishop Noel Pedregosa leading the Mass and Bishop Cosme Almedilla as Homilist, concelebrated by Fr. Flordelito Nazareno and Fr. Richard Carreon.

































From among the local residents, we have produced 3 women religious: Sr. Wilma Olango, MCJ; Sr. Ruth Linaac, RVM; Sr. Adrialen Vallecera, RVM and another three religious missionaries among the men; they are: Fr. Sirenio Tagocon Jaranilla, O.Carm (the author); Fr. Ransom Rapirap, OCD; and Fr. Rechie Catubo of the Military Diocese.[9]





BAUNGON ENCOUNTERS A SAINTLY BISHOP

Between the years 1958 to 1959, Archbishop Teofilo Camomot during his assignment in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, Archbishop Camomot (a native of Cebu) did not only stay in Misamis Oriental. He was an itinerant Bishop who would visit adjacent mission stations to Misamis Oriental. Our place in Baungon was close to his heart. Baungon is a neighboring town to Cagayan de Oro.  Archbishop Camomot had a friend Jesuit whom he grew fond of in the person of Fr. Gregory Horgan, S.J.  Horgan was the parish priest of Baungon during these times when the mode of transportation to nearby villages is only through horse ride. 

(Bishop Teofilo Camomot visiting one barrio with David Jaranilla wearing hat)

The “sacristan mayor/carpenter/driver” during the time of Horgan was my father, David Nolasco Jaranilla, a young lad from Jaro, Ilo-ilo. The bishop visited Fr. Horgan often to give catechesis to people and to perform the Sacrament of Confirmation. It was during these visits that Archbishop Camomot was endeared to my maternal family as my grandfather, Antonio Tagocon, a landed settler who would often fetch the Bishop from Misamis Oriental with his wartime surplus jeep. 

The good Bishop would visit far flung villages with the help of my father, David Jaranilla, who became expert in horseback riding. They would go for week-long travels to these villages (Langaon, Tignapoloan, Pagalungan, Taglimao, etc. – places adjacent to Misamis Oriental) passing through forests, ravines and swimming through deep rivers just to reach – to baptize, to confirm people in far-flung areas.

At one time, I asked my father, “what kind of person is the Bishop?” Of which he would always say, “he was a very humble and simple man.  He could talk to people as equal. Usually, to a farmer he would meet on the road, he would simply ask: “Do you know where God is?” And if that person hesitated to answer, he unassumingly gave the simple reply: “God is in your heart.” Indeed, this statement of the Archbishop echoed the “puritas cordis” (purity of heart) of the Carmelite Spirituality.

BISHOP’S KINDNESS IN ACTION

As a Bishop, he was remarkably kind. After his Masses, he kept himself busy. He did not forget to visit the poor and he talked to them as a father giving each individual person a great importance. He shared food with the hungry.  He was so charitable and would gave all-out support to the people in their needs to the extent of denying himself much of his comfort. So extreme was his love for the poor!  At one time when Camomot was still assigned in Cebu, he visited Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.  The Cardinal noticed he was not wearing his bishop’s ring.  He queried what happened to the bishop’s ring?  With a smile, Camomot replied that he pawned it to give money and help to a poor parishioner.

At one time, a robber forcibly entered the Bishop’s house when everyone was aslept. When the robber entered the Bishop’s room, he accidentally made a noise that woke up the Bishop. In haste, the robber wanted to leap from the window. Immediately, the good Bishop stopped him saying, “please do not jump you will be hurt, better use the stairs.”

Parishioners due to poverty would often give donations-in-kind like rootcrops or poultry. An incident was told that some lads saw a rooster outside the kitchen of the Bishop’s convent.  Noticing this, they would “borrow” the rooster and went on to gamble with the rooster in a cock-fight. Later on, they would sell the rooster to the Bishop. The Bishop would buy it from them and would again tie it outside the kitchen area. This happened many times that one time, the kitchen help would tell the Bishop.  The rooster sold to you was stolen from our kitchen. But the Bishop would only answer: “I know, but they also needed some money so they can eat.”

“Even late at night, the Bishop could not be stopped in his visits to the sick parishioners who needed the sacraments. Together with his sacristan, he went to a barrio in one instance, where they had to pass by a river. The found out that the river was flooded due to incessant rain. He told his sacristan, “stay here and do not tell anyone what you are about to see.” He placed his pectoral cross in the waters and it floated. He then walked on top of the river toward the house of the sick person leaving the sacristan dumbfounded.”[10]

(Bishop Teofilo Camomot with Tagocon Family of Baungon)

A HUMBLE SERVANT OF THE LORD

As related, Archbishop Hayes held on to his office until his retirement in 1970.  Instead of being succeeded by Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, he was succeeded by Most Reverend Patrick Cronin, SSC. Many speculated that Bishop Hayes got his wish.  Archbishop Camomot never desired position nor favor he decided to return to Cebu due to his failing health. “Upon returning to the Archdiocese of Cebu in 1970, the 56-year-old Camomot was assigned as an auxiliary to the archbishop, His Eminence Julio Cardinal Rosales, and was appointed parish priest of the historic Santo Tomas de Villanueva church in El Pardo, Cebu City – the only bishop to assume this position at the parish. There he stayed for 6 years, until the chancery found it opportune that he served his hometown of Carcar once again. He returned to the parish of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in 1976. His priestly ministry had come full circle. It was there, among his family and friends, that he spent his twilight years.”[11]

Archbishop Teofilo B. Camomot met his tragic death while on his way to a Parish in a vehicular accident at Sitio Magtalisay, Sangat, San Fernando, Cebu on September 27, 1988 at around 2:00 in the afternoon.

Fr. Sean Coyle gave this account, “It was the feast of St Vincent de Paul. One of the guests was Archbishop Teofilo B. Camomot from Carcar, a town, now a city, a little over an hour's drive south of Cebu City. The Archbishop was from the town and had been auxiliary bishop of Jaro for some years before being appointed coadjutor Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro in northern Mindanao. He resigned from that position after twelve years and returned to Carcar where he lived for 18 years until his death in a car crash as he returned home after the lunch in the seminary.  Cardinal Vidal of Cebu had tried to persuade Archbishop Camomot to take a siesta but the latter insisted on going home, since he had a driver.”[12]

The archbishop was actually in a hurry to say Mass.  A remarkable tale was told that the parish who was waiting for the Mass did not know of the accident that transpired.  While the accident took place, the Archbishop “in spirit” arrived in their parish and celebrated the Mass. He went to the sacristy and never came out. Meanwhile, the tragic news arrived of the Archbishop’s demise. Those who attended the said Mass ran to check if the Archbishop was in the sacristy. Of course, he was not there! This gift of bilocation happened many times when he was alive, it was not surprising that it also transpired upon his death.

“The entire province mourned his passing. At his wake, people from all walks of life lined up patiently and reverently to pay their last respects.”[13] The young and old people of Mindanao and the Visayas who knew of the Archbishop’s piety, came and prayed before his grave in Carcar Chapel, under the care of the Daughters of Saint Teresa (DST).

 


[1]Web Address: https://jesuitbukidnonmission.org/bukidnon-parishes (accessed on 11/18/2025).

[2]Web Address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ateneo_de_Naga_University (accessed on 12/4/2025).

[3]Web Address: https://dateline-ibalon.com/2025/06/ateneo-de-naga-university-85-years-of-academic-excellence-in-bicol/ (accessed on 12/2/2025)

[4] Kinaadman, A Journal of the Southern Philippines. Volume XIII, Published 1991, pp. 112-114. 

[6]Web Address: https://www.facebook.com/fatheralmyhero (recorded on fb 8/26/2021)

[7]Web Address: https://jesuitbukidnonmission.org/bukidnon-parishes (accessed on 11/17/2025)

[9]Source of Historical Notes by Fr. Sirenio Jaranilla, O.Carm. Additional Historical Account by Datu Pantao [Feliciano Mayake] and Sonny Boy Salicobay. This historical narrative is focused on CEPRIANO LILANGAN I (Popularly, his name is spelled as Cipriano) Cipriano’s family tree being the FOUNDER of Imbatug and the Father of the First Mayor of Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon, PATRICIO L. LILANGAN. Published online in Baungon Wikipedia in 2005.

[10]Carmelite Adventures. Fr. Sirenio T. Jaranilla, Published 2010, p.67.

[11]God is in the Heart. Angela Blardony Ureta, a.O.Carm. Published 2013, p.48.

[12]Fr. Sean Coyle, “A Saint from Carcar, Cebu?”, http://bangortobobbio.blogspot.com/2011/01/saint-from-carcar-cebu.html (accessed February 1, 2022).  

[13]God is in the Heart. Angela Blardony Ureta, a.O.Carm. Published 2013, p.57.