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Devotion spurs parish growth on remote Philippine island

Thriving Catholic community on remote Balut Island celebrates 20 years in the midst of 24,000 Muslim and tribal residents
Devotion spurs parish growth on remote Philippine island

Parishioners on a remote island in the southern Philippines light candles to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their parish on Oct. 1. (Photo by Bong Sarmiento)

Published: October 04, 2017 10:33 AM GMT
Updated: October 04, 2017 10:34 AM GMT

Father Saturnino Andoy arrived on the remote island of Balut, the Philippines' last frontier in the southern part of the archipelago, three years ago.

He was sent by his bishop to administer to a community of at least 4,000 Catholic fishermen and farmers living in the midst of about 24,000 Muslim and tribal residents.

"The flock is very solid and their faith is very strong," the priest told ucanews.com on the eve of the parish's 20th anniversary on Oct. 1 when parishioners from nearby islets rowed for over an hour to attend the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

"This celebration is a reflection of our sincere gratitude to God that the Catholic Church has gone this far," Father Andoy told worshippers during his homily.

When the parish was established in 1997, there were only 2,000 Catholics on the island. 

"The success of the parish is not measured by the number of our parishioners but by their unity," he said.

He recalled that before the establishment of the parish in 1997, Catholics seldom saw a priest. If ever a priest came to visit, Mass was held in a small chapel.

The people's unity and devotion spurred the growth of the community of what has since been known as the Santa Teresita del Nino parish on Balut Island.

The island, which faces Indonesia and is nine hours by boat from the nearest Philippine urban center in Mindanao, is a fourth class municipality in the province of Davao Occidental

It has no bank, electricity is rationed, and four-wheeled vehicles rarely ply its streets. 

The island, however, hosts the ruins of a fortification believed to have been built by 16th century Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos.

Villalobos gave the Philippines its name, after calling the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas in honor of Philip of Austria, the Prince of Austria at the time, who later became King Philip II of Spain.

On Oct. 1, Catholics feasted on roasted pig and seafood to mark their community's 20th year.

Letecia Olarte, a 72-year old parishioner, said there is a lot to celebrate about. The people built the parish church through donations and various fundraising activities.

"Some contributed through their labor so that the church could be completed," she recalled.

Since the completion of the church in 2000, a priest has been assigned to the island.

Art Vincent Daligdig, a 24-year old youth leader, says young people contributed a lot in the growth of the parish.

"I helped build the parish church when I was four years old by doing small errands," says Vincent who continues to be a "youth animator" for parish activities.

Today, Catholics on the island are starting another ambitious project: the building of a bigger church. 

Again, they are seeking donations and conducting fundraising activities they’ve dubbed "Piso pa more" or "one more peso" for the church.

The scheme enjoins parishioners to save one peso per day for seven days that they will give to the church during Sunday Masses.

During the 20th anniversary celebration, the parish was able to raise US$137 from the sale of candles that parishioners lit at the foot of a cross outside the church.

 

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