In 1672, the Parish of Guiinobatan was already mentioned in books as a “visita” of the Municipality of Camalig. In 1678, DON FRANCISCO BAMASBAD, chief of the “tenientes absolutos”, spearheaded the elevation of a petition to the Governor-General through the Franciscan Missionaries that the settlement, then a part of Camalig town, be declared an independent municipality. After ten years, (1678-1688) the request was granted. By virtue of Don Francisco Bagamasbad’s initiative, he was appointed “Gobernadorcillo” and recognized as the first civil administrator of the new Municipality of Guinobatan. Thus, DON FRANCISCO BAGMASBAD was considered as the founder of Guinobatan.
Rev. Fr. ALFONSO DE ZAFRA was assigned as the first minister of the newly separated Parish of Guinobatan. The town’s Patroness (from 1688 to the present) is the OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION whose Feast falls on the 15th of August. Hence, Guinobatan will have its 318th Fiesta Celebration on August 15, 2006, with the local parish and religious organizations planning for the Guinobatan Church’s Centennial Anniversary on December 08, 2006. then, it was in February, 1814 when the church was entirely destroyed for the first time due to the boulders and burning lava from the destructive eruption of Mayon Volcano. A temporary church was then built in Barrio Mauraro, which eventually became the center of the parish. Due to constant threats of the Mayon eruptions, the parish again transferred to the shores of Panganiran (now a part of Pioduran town by virtue of RA3817 enacted in 1965). Later, the Guinobateños broke camp and returned to Guinobatan to suffer again the destructive eruption of the volcano.
In 1863, the church under the advocation of the Assumption of our lady, was of good structure and so likewise was the parochial house. There were two “ermitas” both of them dedicated to Saint Vincesnt. It has royal house of stone, half-ruined, a school for primary instruction endowed by the funds of the community and a school for girls funded by the charity of its Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Bernardino Melendreras. The state of the parish at the time has the pertinent data: a) Tributes – 4,067 and b) Souls – 15,566. In 1938, the Parish of Guinobatan had a land area of 29,564 hectares and a population of 31,048 with a Bicolano Parish Priest, Rev. FR. CARLOS BADIOLA.
Rev. Fr. ALFONSO DE ZAFRA was assigned as the first minister of the newly separated Parish of Guinobatan. The town’s Patroness (from 1688 to the present) is the OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION whose Feast falls on the 15th of August. Hence, Guinobatan will have its 318th Fiesta Celebration on August 15, 2006, with the local parish and religious organizations planning for the Guinobatan Church’s Centennial Anniversary on December 08, 2006. then, it was in February, 1814 when the church was entirely destroyed for the first time due to the boulders and burning lava from the destructive eruption of Mayon Volcano. A temporary church was then built in Barrio Mauraro, which eventually became the center of the parish. Due to constant threats of the Mayon eruptions, the parish again transferred to the shores of Panganiran (now a part of Pioduran town by virtue of RA3817 enacted in 1965). Later, the Guinobateños broke camp and returned to Guinobatan to suffer again the destructive eruption of the volcano.
In 1863, the church under the advocation of the Assumption of our lady, was of good structure and so likewise was the parochial house. There were two “ermitas” both of them dedicated to Saint Vincesnt. It has royal house of stone, half-ruined, a school for primary instruction endowed by the funds of the community and a school for girls funded by the charity of its Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Bernardino Melendreras. The state of the parish at the time has the pertinent data: a) Tributes – 4,067 and b) Souls – 15,566. In 1938, the Parish of Guinobatan had a land area of 29,564 hectares and a population of 31,048 with a Bicolano Parish Priest, Rev. FR. CARLOS BADIOLA.
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THE PARISH OF GUINOBATAN DURING THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION
The conversion of the Philippines to the Christian Faith and the Revolution of 1896, culminated in the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. These two events brought to shape the religious temper and national unity of the Filipinos. It was the Revolution of 1896 that puts in bold relief of the patriotism of some of our fellow Guinobateños that inspires our genuine pride as Bicolanos. During the later part of 1898, the Spaniards hauled down their flag for the last time in Guinobatan under the mounting pressure of the revolutionary victories in Albay. The town was as usual, so peaceful as if there had not occurred at all a change of great importance. The church, public buildings and all the houses in the town stood unchanged. The people went about the usual buseness with the same Christian-spanish names in which they had been baptized. The unique change was the complete absence of the Spaniards.
In 1899, the Provincial Government of Albay under the Malolos Government was transferred to Guinobatan. Colegio de San Buenaventura was the seat of the Provincial Revolutionary Government with Domingo Samson, Presidente Provincial; Hugo de la Torre, Provincial Vice-Presidente; Thomas Almonte, Counselor of Justice; Elias Imperial, Counselor of Revenue and Jose Salcedo, Counselor of Police. Prior to the outbreak of the Filipino-American war on February 04, 1899, the local Revolutionary Government of Guinobatan was established with the following local officials: Francisco Lukban, Local President; Eustaquio Villanueva, Vice-President; Ponciano Obed, Delegate of Justice; Cirilo Jaucian, Sr., Delegate of Revenue and Martin Ofracio, Delegate of Police. The Parish Priest at that time was Rev. Fr. Jose Natera.
After a short period of peace in Guinobatan (1898-February 03, 1899), Filipino-American hostilities broke-out. The Americans started the war on February 04, 1899. on January 23, 1900, the American Occupation Forces under Gen. William Kobbe, Commander of the American Expedition to the Bicol Region, attacked Legazpi Port. Mayon Volcano was erupting also at that time. These two events caused again the panic evacuation of all Albayanos to the mountain area of the province. The 4th Regiment under Col. Howe tried to enter Guinobatan by way of the San Francisco Bridge. The American soldiers were interested in the capture of Guinobatan, it being the temporary provincial capital of Albay. Two hundred “Macheteros” (Bolo Battalion) under Capt. Jose Arboleda and two hundred riflemen were stationed in the poblacion of Guinobatan, Major Simeon Arboleda Ola and Col. Engracio Orense’s troops were strategically positioned in Barrio Binogsacan. Ola’s troop was to delay the entry of the American soldiers from the northern sector of the poblacion. Ola and Orense fought furiously Col. Dorst’s forces in Binogsacan and in Ominipus. The troops of Gen. Jopse Ignacio Pawa fought the American invaders from the south.
While the fight was going on, Gen. Pawa ordered his bugler, Captain Mesias pimentel to burn Colegio de San Buenaventura and other big buildings in the poblacion in order to prevent the Americans from occupying these. The old church was also burned. What stands today of the Franciscan Seminary of Colegio de San Buenaventura are its ruins and was never rebuilt. It was constructed in 1895 through the initiative of the last Agustinian Bishop of Nueva Caceres. Most Rev. Arsenio M. Campo, who channeled its construction through the initiative of the last Agustinian Bishop of Nueva Caceres. Most Rev. Arsenio M. Campo, who channeled its construction through the Franciscan Missionaries. It was, however, Rev. Fr. Carlos Cabido, Franciscan parish Priest of Guinobatan, who personally directed the construction of the college and let its solemn inauguration on January 07, 1895. With the Colegio de San Buenaventura, the church and other big buildings burned, most of the people took refuge in Barrio Malobago. The commander of the Revolutionary Forces in Albay, Gen. Vito L. Belarmino and his men retreated also to Malobago. Rev. Fr. Jose Natera temporarily established the church in the house of Captain Mariano Ope, the father of Msgr. Julian O. Ope. In 1903, the first Guinobateño Parish Priest who secceeded Rev. Fr. Natera was Fev. Fr. Julian Ojeda Ope. The early historical development of Guinobatan and its church had been closely linked to the events of the Philippine Revolution and the Mayon Volcano eruptions. The mobility of Guinobatan and its church, so to say, had been made possible due to the consequences of a hostile environment and perseverance and sacrifices of its people. These consequences happened due to the Revolution of 1896, the Filipino-american War 91899-1903) the Mayon eruptions and other natural and man-made calamities.
The conversion of the Philippines to the Christian Faith and the Revolution of 1896, culminated in the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. These two events brought to shape the religious temper and national unity of the Filipinos. It was the Revolution of 1896 that puts in bold relief of the patriotism of some of our fellow Guinobateños that inspires our genuine pride as Bicolanos. During the later part of 1898, the Spaniards hauled down their flag for the last time in Guinobatan under the mounting pressure of the revolutionary victories in Albay. The town was as usual, so peaceful as if there had not occurred at all a change of great importance. The church, public buildings and all the houses in the town stood unchanged. The people went about the usual buseness with the same Christian-spanish names in which they had been baptized. The unique change was the complete absence of the Spaniards.
In 1899, the Provincial Government of Albay under the Malolos Government was transferred to Guinobatan. Colegio de San Buenaventura was the seat of the Provincial Revolutionary Government with Domingo Samson, Presidente Provincial; Hugo de la Torre, Provincial Vice-Presidente; Thomas Almonte, Counselor of Justice; Elias Imperial, Counselor of Revenue and Jose Salcedo, Counselor of Police. Prior to the outbreak of the Filipino-American war on February 04, 1899, the local Revolutionary Government of Guinobatan was established with the following local officials: Francisco Lukban, Local President; Eustaquio Villanueva, Vice-President; Ponciano Obed, Delegate of Justice; Cirilo Jaucian, Sr., Delegate of Revenue and Martin Ofracio, Delegate of Police. The Parish Priest at that time was Rev. Fr. Jose Natera.
After a short period of peace in Guinobatan (1898-February 03, 1899), Filipino-American hostilities broke-out. The Americans started the war on February 04, 1899. on January 23, 1900, the American Occupation Forces under Gen. William Kobbe, Commander of the American Expedition to the Bicol Region, attacked Legazpi Port. Mayon Volcano was erupting also at that time. These two events caused again the panic evacuation of all Albayanos to the mountain area of the province. The 4th Regiment under Col. Howe tried to enter Guinobatan by way of the San Francisco Bridge. The American soldiers were interested in the capture of Guinobatan, it being the temporary provincial capital of Albay. Two hundred “Macheteros” (Bolo Battalion) under Capt. Jose Arboleda and two hundred riflemen were stationed in the poblacion of Guinobatan, Major Simeon Arboleda Ola and Col. Engracio Orense’s troops were strategically positioned in Barrio Binogsacan. Ola’s troop was to delay the entry of the American soldiers from the northern sector of the poblacion. Ola and Orense fought furiously Col. Dorst’s forces in Binogsacan and in Ominipus. The troops of Gen. Jopse Ignacio Pawa fought the American invaders from the south.
While the fight was going on, Gen. Pawa ordered his bugler, Captain Mesias pimentel to burn Colegio de San Buenaventura and other big buildings in the poblacion in order to prevent the Americans from occupying these. The old church was also burned. What stands today of the Franciscan Seminary of Colegio de San Buenaventura are its ruins and was never rebuilt. It was constructed in 1895 through the initiative of the last Agustinian Bishop of Nueva Caceres. Most Rev. Arsenio M. Campo, who channeled its construction through the initiative of the last Agustinian Bishop of Nueva Caceres. Most Rev. Arsenio M. Campo, who channeled its construction through the Franciscan Missionaries. It was, however, Rev. Fr. Carlos Cabido, Franciscan parish Priest of Guinobatan, who personally directed the construction of the college and let its solemn inauguration on January 07, 1895. With the Colegio de San Buenaventura, the church and other big buildings burned, most of the people took refuge in Barrio Malobago. The commander of the Revolutionary Forces in Albay, Gen. Vito L. Belarmino and his men retreated also to Malobago. Rev. Fr. Jose Natera temporarily established the church in the house of Captain Mariano Ope, the father of Msgr. Julian O. Ope. In 1903, the first Guinobateño Parish Priest who secceeded Rev. Fr. Natera was Fev. Fr. Julian Ojeda Ope. The early historical development of Guinobatan and its church had been closely linked to the events of the Philippine Revolution and the Mayon Volcano eruptions. The mobility of Guinobatan and its church, so to say, had been made possible due to the consequences of a hostile environment and perseverance and sacrifices of its people. These consequences happened due to the Revolution of 1896, the Filipino-american War 91899-1903) the Mayon eruptions and other natural and man-made calamities.
  | REBUILDING THE CHURCH OF GUINOBATAN Out of the havoc of war and natural calamities, Msgr. Julian O. Ope, was determined to reconstruct the burned church of Guinobatan. As he viewed one morning the vast ruins of the Colegio de San Buenaventrua and the church and as far as the ruins of San 9Rafael, Msgr. Ope’s desire to rebuild the church of Guinobatan was firmly developed in him. Msgr. Ope then, religiously and constantly appealed to his fellow Guinobateños for patience and perseverance in the reconstruction work of the church. The Guinobateños, considering the deep and solid foundations of the culture and Catholic religion engrained in their hearts, which Spain had left as a legacy to them, unanimously rallied behind Msgr. Ope’s project of rebuilding the church. It was said that every member of the families in Guinobatan, be they children and adults were seen in long lives to the direction of the church site bringing stones, bricks, sand and other building materials they could freely contribute for the reconstruction of the church. However, all the rest of the materials were provided by Msgr. Julian O. Ope out of his own funds and that of his brothers’ and parents’ property, just to bring the reconstruction of the church to completion. It was also revealed that most of the Ope family’s property was exhausted for the reconstruction of the Guinobatan Church. |
INAUGURATION OF THE CHURCH OF GUINOBATAN
On December 08, 1906, after all the sacrifices of Msgr. Julian O. Ope and his constituents, saw the fruits of their labors – the completion of the reconstructed church. From then on, the church of Guinobatan emerged from its transferable status to a stationary one. It has survived to stay put in its present site and probably never to be moved again to other places, although it had undergone some repairs during the time of Msgr. Carlos Badiola and even up to the present. Originally, the old church had three main doors. At present, it has five main doors. It is likewise hoped that the murals (painting in the ceiling) be restored due to their religious and historical significance.
Way back on December 08, 1981, it could be recalled that the Guinobateños celebrated pompously and solemnly the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Guinobatan Church. The challenging question at that time was – “Do we still possess these traits of the Guinobateños during the time of Msgr. Ope seventy-five 975) years ago, wherein everynone had a hand in the reconstruction work of the church?”
Well, two parish priests earlier assigned in Guinobatan parish took turns in the renovation of the church when it was again destroyed by successive strong typhoons in the area. Msgr. Juan B. Binlayo and Fr. Bert Crisol made tremendous improvements of the Physical aspects of the church. Through the creation of the church’s Commission on Temperarilities, the whole-heated support and cooperation of all religious organizations and parishioners, the Guinobatan Parish Church of Guinobatan appears to be well-renovated as it approaches its hundred years of existence come December 08, 2006. When that Centennial Celebration of our Church Anniversary (February 16, 1867 – February 16, 2006) and 80th Death Anniversary (December 10, 1926 – December 10, 2006) of the BENEVOLENT BENEFACTOR OF THE GUINOBATAN CHURCH – MSGR. JULIAN OJEDA OPE.
Source: http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/guinobatanchurch.htm
On December 08, 1906, after all the sacrifices of Msgr. Julian O. Ope and his constituents, saw the fruits of their labors – the completion of the reconstructed church. From then on, the church of Guinobatan emerged from its transferable status to a stationary one. It has survived to stay put in its present site and probably never to be moved again to other places, although it had undergone some repairs during the time of Msgr. Carlos Badiola and even up to the present. Originally, the old church had three main doors. At present, it has five main doors. It is likewise hoped that the murals (painting in the ceiling) be restored due to their religious and historical significance.
Way back on December 08, 1981, it could be recalled that the Guinobateños celebrated pompously and solemnly the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Guinobatan Church. The challenging question at that time was – “Do we still possess these traits of the Guinobateños during the time of Msgr. Ope seventy-five 975) years ago, wherein everynone had a hand in the reconstruction work of the church?”
Well, two parish priests earlier assigned in Guinobatan parish took turns in the renovation of the church when it was again destroyed by successive strong typhoons in the area. Msgr. Juan B. Binlayo and Fr. Bert Crisol made tremendous improvements of the Physical aspects of the church. Through the creation of the church’s Commission on Temperarilities, the whole-heated support and cooperation of all religious organizations and parishioners, the Guinobatan Parish Church of Guinobatan appears to be well-renovated as it approaches its hundred years of existence come December 08, 2006. When that Centennial Celebration of our Church Anniversary (February 16, 1867 – February 16, 2006) and 80th Death Anniversary (December 10, 1926 – December 10, 2006) of the BENEVOLENT BENEFACTOR OF THE GUINOBATAN CHURCH – MSGR. JULIAN OJEDA OPE.
Source: http://tourism.albay.gov.ph/guinobatanchurch.htm
