Parokya San Miguel
Erected in 1970 by the Jesuit Missionaries, this parish is
named Parokya San Miguel, after St. Michael the Archangel. Located in the
Municipality of Mabuhay (Diocese of Ipil), Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines, this
parish was turned over to the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) in 2005. Fr. Joseph
Audiencia, SVD became its first SVD parish priest. I succeeded him on August 6,
2011.
The Municipality of Mabuhay in terms of land area is 5,816
hectares with 3,907 households according
to the 2005 survey. It has a population of 22,541. Majority of the population
speak Cebuano but a good number also speak Tausug and Subanen. Thus, this place is a mix of
Catholics, Muslims and indigenous folks.
The parish is blest with 19 chapels which are scattered
around the Olutanga Island. Motorcycle is our mode of transportation. Occasionally,
we also use pumped boats to reach far-flung areas. Two of our chapels are named
after our SVD founder St. Arnold Janssen. The one in Catipan is along the road
while the one in Looc Barlac is an outskirt chapel which is sometimes
threatened by the presence of extremist groups who wanted to spread chaos in
Western Mindanao.
Our annual feast is September 29. We regularly showcase our
street dancing which is participated by many sectors, including Muslims and
Subanens. It is a dance of thanksgiving through the intercession of St. Michael
who appeared before the Barracuda extremists, together with his legion of heavenly
armies, back in the 70’s. The testimony of witnesses, some of whom are still
alive until today, can attest to this.
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