A HISTORY OF

THE DIOCESE OF BORONGAN, 1585-2021

This essay is dedicated to Bp. Godofredo Pedernal, a saintly bishop

by Lope C. Robredillo, SThD

The Beginnings of the Evangelization of Ibabao. Though the Estehanons’ first recorded encounter with Christianity occurred on March 18, 1521 when Magellan’s expedition reached Homonhon island, the historical beginnings of the Diocese of Borongan may be traced to as far back as 1585 when Augustinians set foot on Ibabao or Eastern Samar, but especially 1595 when Jesuits from Dagami, Leyte, systematically preached the gospel to the natives of the southern part of the island.  The people in the eastern littorals, on the other hand, were evangelized by Jesuits from Catubig and, later, Palapag as early as 1601. 

The Jesuit Missionaries. In spreading the Christian religion, the Spanish missionaries initiated the reduccion of the population and founded towns, educated the inhabitants in the faith, raised stone churches, taught settled agriculture, and protected the faithful from Muslim raids.  The major bungtos at that time were Bacod (now part of Dolores river bed), Jubasan (now Giboangan, Can-avid), Sulat, Libas, Borongan, Guiuan and Balangiga.  On the whole, there was no stiff opposition to the reception of Catholic faith.  After half a century, however, the mission suffered a major setback in the Sumuroy rebellion in 1649.

The Augustinian and Franciscan Friars. When the Jesuits moved out in 1768, the Franciscans took over the parishes that the former had created save for Guiuan and Balangiga which were briefly administered by the Augustinians.  The major problems that they faced were largely the same: population dispersion, Muslim raids and cholera epidemics.  They founded the parishes of Lanang [Llorente] (1851), Balangiga (1854), Sudao [Salcedo] (1862), Oras (1863), Libas (1863), Nag-as [Hernani] (1864), Paric [Dolores] (1878), and Quinapondan (1894). These parishes, together with those founded by the Jesuits, all twelve of them, constituted the Vicariate of the Eastern Coast of Samar, under the Diocese of Cebu.  In terms of orthodoxy, however, they found a big challenge in the influential but heretical teachings of Don Gaspar de Guerrero.  He had a number of followers in several towns who held heretical beliefs and were engaged in unorthodox practices.  It may be remarked that during this period, some Samareño priests already held parishes as pastors.

Under the Americans and Pulajanes. However, the Spanish-American war in 1899 shook the Franciscan ministry and the local Church on Samar as a whole, what with the anticlericalism and Aglipayanism of Gen Vicente Lukban who had presented himself as Aguinaldo’s appointed Governor of Samar.  In fact, the Spanish friars resigned from their posts.  But at the same time, many people, including a number of Filipino priests, suffered from American ill-treatment.  Bucolic life was disrupted; hundreds of Samareños were killed.  Though Lukban was captured in 1902, peace never reigned; in the fierce war of the Philippine scouts with the local freedom-fighters, the Pulajanes, the latter practically controlled the island until 1905, leaving much suffering in its wake.  As a consequence, there was dearth of priests, between 1899 to 1905, to serve the needs of Samareños. 

Ibabao Under Calbayog Diocese. On April 10, 1910, the Estehanons became part of the Diocese of Calbayog, when the island of Samar was separated from the Diocese of Cebu.  Protestantism, American education system, and American culture became a challenge. Several Franciscans returned to work in the parishes.  Partly to counteract the spread of Protestantism, a Catholic school was established in Guiuan in 1927, as was done in other towns of the island.  Other schools followed, eventually placed under the management of or established by the RVM sisters (Assumption College of Samar [Guiuan], 1940; St Joseph’s College [Borongan], 1946; Holy Cross Institute [Oras], 1947; Our Lady of Fatima Academy [Gen. MacArthur], 1949; and St Anthony’s Academy [Llorente], 1949; Loyola Academy [Sulat] 1958 reverted to Msgr Desoloc). During World War II, which displaced, decimated and impoverished the Estehanons, some priests aided Filipino guerillas.  After the war, the following parishes on the eastern part of the island were created, now all under Filipino priests: San Ramon [Arteche] (1955), Giporlos (1955), Maydolong (1956), Can-avid (1956), Sulangan (1957), Pambujan [Gen. MacArthur] (1958), Matarinao-Burac (1959) and San Policarpo (1959).  Catechesis in elementary school was engaged in by almost all parishes.  In 1957, A lone Italian missionary (FdCC) started working in the parish of Jipapad.

The Birth of the Diocese of Borongan. On October 22, 1960, Pope John XIII issued the apostolic bull, Quod sacri, creating the Diocese of Borongan (Dioecesis Boronganensis), which originally included the aforementioned parishes as well as the parishes of Gamay, Basey, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Villareal, Osmeña, Talolora and Sta Rita.  The Pope appointed as its first bishop Bp Vicente P Reyes, DD, auxiliary bishop of Manila, who was installed on April 11, 1961.  In keeping with the executory decree on the erection of the diocese, the construction of the Borongan Cathedral and the minor seminary, Seminario de Jesus Nazareno, which was formally inaugurated in 1965, became priority infrastructural projects.  

Partly to halt the inroads of Protestantism in parishes, and in compliance with the First Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1953, diocesan schools, managed by diocesan priests, were also established: Jesus Nazareno Academy (Maydolong) 1962; Divine Child Academy (Lawaan) 1962; Borongan Cathedral School 1965, and Guimbaolibot Memorial School 1965.  Apart from Lapinig in Northern Samar, erected were the parishes of San Buenaventura [Balangkayan] (1961), Lawaan (1961), Mercedes (1964) and Lalawigan (1964).  The faith was sustained among others by the strengthening of the cofradias (San Antonio, Lourdes, Children of Mary, Apostolados, San Jose, Holy Name, etc.) and such Catholic organizations as the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), Knights of Columbus (KC) and the Legion of Mary which had 12 Curiae and 105 Praesidia, all of them under the umbrella of a very active Catholic Action, which was the participation of the laity in the apostolate of the bishop and his priests.

Impact of Vatican II. With the closing of the Second Vatican Council, the Diocese moved toward the implementation of some conciliar decrees. In 1962, the Cursillo de Cristianidad became popular in the renewal of Christian faith and life, but the movement that penetrated the common people both in the poblaciones and the barrios was the Barangay han Birhen.  To involve the laity not only in the apostolate but in governance, pastoral councils were organized in all the parishes as early as 1961. In the wake of the National Rural Congress in 1967 that promoted awareness of the socio-economic problems of the people, the Diocese saw non-conflictual development as one of its thrusts.  With the assistance of the Knights of Columbus, cooperatives and credit unions sprung up in the Diocese in 1969, and the rural banks in Guiuan, Borongan, Oras, Dolores and Giporlos were established.  A corn mill was even put up in Dolores to help farmers. Meanwhile, a new, concrete bishop’s residence located near the Cathedral began to rise in 1968, replacing the old wooden residence in Sitio Libertad (Taboc), Borongan. 

The Period of Martial Law. It was in the 1970s until the early 80s that the faithful in the Diocese, including the clergy, were confronted with the problems spawned by Martial Law: deterioration of peace and order, human rights abuses, displacement and evacuation of inhabitants, among others.  People were caught up in the crossfire between the Philippine Army (PA) and the New People’s Army (NPA), with many untold and unhappy consequences. In the 80s, population declined in some areas.  The clergy tried to respond concretely to these problems.  The diocesan thrust, following the response of the Philippine Church, was development and liberation. Developmental projects were pursued, especially for farmers and fisher folk.  It was in line with this thrust that An Tiklos, a mimeographed diocesan paper, was born.  On December 5, 1974, the Diocese became confined to the civil province of Eastern Samar, when the parishes of Gamay and Lapinig were ceded to the new diocese of Catarman. Only one parish was added in the 70s: Homonhon (1979).

The Involvement of the Laity. Late Martial Law period (1980s) and onward saw the rise and growth of movements that sustained and deepened the Catholic faith—Charismatics under various brands (Community of the Risen Lord, Faithful Followers of Jesus Christ, Lamb of God Community, etc.), Neo-Catechumenate, Marriage Encounter (ME), Oasis of Love, El Shaddai, Light of Jesus, Chrisma, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), Mother Butler’s Guild, and the Couples for Christ family (CFC), the last one having branched out to all the parishes and large barangays.  They appeared to have put a break to the spread of Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism. 

To allow the formal participation of the laity in the liturgy, especially in the celebration of Sunday liturgy in the absence of a priest in the barrios, lay ministries were introduced and flourished, starting in 1993.  In 1991, DYVW, the only Catholic radio station in the province, started a new media ministry.  New parishes were born during this period: Maslog (Quasi-Parish, 1982), Buenavista (1999), Sapao (2004), Maypangdan (2005), Hinolaso (Quasi-Parish, 2006), Buabua (Quasi-Parish, 2006) and Sabang, Borongan (in process).  To form seminarians in the local context, the Nativity of our Lady College Seminary was established in 1996. 

The Coming of Religious Communities. Several religious congregations, each with its own apostolate, enriched the pastoral ministry: Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSH) in 1987, Sister Servants of the Visitation (SSV) in 1988, Society of Don Bosco (SDB) in 1991, Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart (SFSC) in 1995 in Dolores, Daughters of Charity (DC) in 1995-2005, Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFMConv) in 1997, Oikos Ptochos Tou Theou (OPT) in 1998, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (PM) in 2010, the Living the Gospel Community (LGC) in 2010, Poor Claire Sisters (OSC), Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd or Pastorelle Sisters (SJBP) in 2016, and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM).    

Agents of Evangelization. Partners in formation in the faith are 2 colleges (St Mary’s College of Borongan and Mater Divinae Gratiae in Dolores) and 9 high schools, mostly run by religious sisters, a good number of pre-schools, and 1 technical school. In line with Catholic faith formation and in response to the call of the New Evangelization, established in 2010 was the “Voice of the Word” Media Network (VWMN), the media arm of the Diocese, which now runs DYVW-AM, DYVW-FM, online radio, VWTV, VWMN FB & YouTube Channels. Eastern Samar News Service and Este newspaper.

The First Diocesan Synod of Borongan. In keeping with the recommendations of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), the Borongan Diocese, after a two-year preparation, held its greatest ecclesial event: the First Diocesan Synod (1997), defining its life and mission in the present and coming years, and providing basis for its pastoral plan. Its diocesan pastoral plan was formulated in 2004, almost decade after the synod, supposedly to culminate in the golden anniversary of the diocese, but it has yet to see its implementation phase.  Its major pastoral thrust, however, as enshrined in the first synod and in the pastoral plan, was the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs).  The Daughters of Charity (DC) handled the program for 10 years (1995-2005), and several other communities sprouted in various parishes after they left.  

Toward a New Financial System. In line with its mind to give new direction to the life and mission, the Diocese systematically implemented the New Financial System (NFS) in 2015 based on the spirituality of stewardship.  It might be of interest to recall that, historically, the first parish to initiate a system that dispensed with arancel in its program of maintenance was Lalawigan when, in 1961, each family contributed a nominal sum every month for the needs of the pastor and the parish apostolate.  In conformity with the decrees of the 1997 synod, however, several parishes likewise instituted a modified tithing system, a more proportionate system that reflected the call for Church renewal by the diocesan synod.

Services to the Poor. The underprivileged have been the destinataire of its social mission.  In the immediate past, it may be recalled that the Diocese started several social programs to help the poor, like the now defunct Emergency Livelihood and Assistance Program (ELAP) in 1991, and those handled by the Social Action Center, like Small Enterprises and Kapital Assistance Program (SEKAP) in 1995, Community Health Base Program (CHBP), involvement in the election process, anti-mining advocacies, not to mention other services (orphanage, home for the aged, clinics, home for children of the poor).  At present, through the Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace, the Diocese carries on such other projects as Bulig Kablas Medical Mission, Botika sa Parokya and Disaster Response Program aimed at social change through value formation and people empowerment.  But its biggest social program for the poor was undertaken in the aftermath of Yolanda (Haiyan) super-typhoon in 2013 when, largely through the assistance and partnership with major donors, it brought about substantial services to the affected parishes south of the diocese.

Services to Its Own Clergy. On the other hand, as a service to its own ordained workers, the Diocese established its own medicare program (1984), local pension program for the elderly priests (2007), and a priests’ home (2010).  

The Ordinaries Who Governed the Diocese. In its 60-year history, the Diocese of Borongan was governed by nine Ordinaries: (1) Bp Vicente Reyes, DD, 1^st bishop of Borongan (1960-1967), his Vicars General being Msgr Simeon Desoloc (1961-1966) and Msgr Angel Hobayan (1966-1967); (2) Msgr Hobayan, JCD, Vicar Capitular (1967-1968), (3) Bp Godofredo Pedernal, DD, 2^nd bishop (1968-1976), his Vicars General being Msgr Angel Hobayan (1968-1969), Msgr Conrado Balagapo (1969-1971); Msgr Desoloc (1971-1973), Msgr Hobayan (1973-1974); Msgr Desoloc (1974-1976) with Fr Exequiel Singzon as Pro-Vicar General (1974-1976); (4) Bp Ricardo Tancinco, DD, Apostolic Administrator (1976-1977), (5) Bp Sincero Lucero, DD, 3^rd bishop (1977-1980), his Vicar General being Msgr Emiliano Balein (1977-1978); (6) Bp Nestor Carino, DD, 4^th bishop (1980-1987), his Vicar Generals being Msgr Conrado Balagapo (1980-1985) and Msgr Alfredo Amistoso (1985-1987); Bp Carino resigned in 1986, but he was appointed Apostolic Administrator until the arrival of his successor; (7) Bp Leonardo Medroso, DD, 5^th bishop (1987-2006), his Vicars General being Msgr Crescente Japzon (1987-2001) and Msgr Lope Robredillo (2001-2006); (8) Msgr Robredillo, SThD, Diocesan Administrator (2006-2007), and (9) Bp Crispin Varquez, DD, 6^th bishop (2007-to date), with Msgr Robredillo as Vicar General (2007-to date). 

Current Status. As of 2018, out of the 490,645 inhabitants of the province, the Diocese has about 475,011 or 96.3% Catholics, who populate the 34 parishes/quasi-parishes.  Compared with other dioceses, Borongan may be categorized as economically poor.   In terms of personnel, the diocese has 1 bishop and 101 priests. Of the 76 actively working in it, 6 are religious, and 70 were ordained for the diocese.  Those who reside outside the diocese number 9, while those working abroad are 8. On study leave are 3, while the retirees are 5.  Professionally, the diocese has 9 priests who earned doctorate degrees: 1 doctor in biblical studies, 1 in dogma, 1 in moral theology, 1 in spiritual theology, 1 in philosophy, 1 in mass media and communications, and 3 in canon law.  In addition, it has 14 clerics who finished licentiate or masteral degrees in various ecclesiastical sciences.  

Currently (2021) shepherding Christ’s faithful in Eastern Samar is Bp Crispin Varquez, DD, the Ordinary of the Diocese.  His Vicar General or deputy is Msgr Lope Robredillo.  Serving in the Chancery are Fr Edmel Raagas, Chancellor, and Fr James Abella Vice-Chancellor.  In charge of the financial affairs is Fr Michael Vincent Bormate, the Economus.  For administrative purposes, the Diocese is divided into three regions, Northern Region, with Fr Joseph Nicolas, Jr as Episcopal Vicar, Central Region, with Fr Guido Ditalo, and Southern Region, with Fr Inocentes Abuda, Jr.  Each region has two vicariates, each headed by a Vicar Forane. In the diocesan tribunal, the Judicial Vicar is Fr Antonio Alconaba, Auditor Fr Leroy Geli, and Defender of the Bond, Fr Abuda.

To implement its various programs, the Diocese has a Pastoral Secretariat, which is directed by Fr Geli, the Executive Secretary.  Corresponding to the various aspects of its pastoral life and work are the following commissions along with their respective chairs: Doctrine of the Faith, Fr Eutiquio Belizar, Jr; Catechesis, Fr Michael Jay Rebamontan, Mass Media and Communication, Msgr Pedro Quitorio III; Liturgy: Msgr Robredillo; Clergy: Fr Jan Michael Gadicho; Vocation: Fr Romeo Lito Cardoso; Biblical Apostolate: Fr Edgar Abucejo; Family and Life: the Most Rev Bishop; Youth: Fr Jason Gamalo; Migrants, Fr Dennis de Leon; Mission, Fr Guido Ditalo; Social Action, Fr James Abella; Basic Ecclesial Communities, the Most Rev Bishop; Religious Associations and Confraternities, Fr Edwin Lanuevo; Custody of Church Properties, Fr Michael Vincent Bormate; Cultural Heritage of the Church: Msgr Robredillo; Prison Pastoral Care, Fr Emmanuel Carilla; and Catholic Schools, Fr Rey Anthony Navidad.  These commissions, however, have yet to move on in terms of concrete pastoral plans and program of action.*