HISTORY OF SAN MIGUEL PARISH CHURCH

Looking back the portal of our past, Tibal- Og was once a barangay of the Municipality
Kapalong, Province of Davao del Norte. The word Tibal-og was derived from Aeta dialect
which means “a river passage “ to where the indigenous tribe of Aetas dwell.

Years passed by, Tibal-og was inhabited by different races from neighboring cities and
municipalities all over the country.

In 1955, during the term of President Ramon Magsaysay, Tibal-og was part of the National
Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration ( NARRA ) where its main goal is to distribute
land properties to the new inhabitants.

Since, population growth in Tibal-og increased during the NARRA period, they decided to put up
a shed where it became a meeting place every Sunday for the Holy Rosary. It was located infront
of Sto.Tomas Central Elementary School. There was no Patron Saint for the land that time. PME
and Maryknoll Missionary Priests visit the land to officiate once a month Holy Mass .

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.

In 1957, missionary priests who constantly visit Tibal-Og to spread Catholicism all over the
abovementioned barangay through the consent of Bishop Tibault , Diocese of Davao. Maryknoll
Missionaries led by Bishop Joseph Regan M.M, Fr. John Rich M.M, ug si Fr. Walter Maxey who
relentlessly spread the word of God.

In 1959,The words of God and Catholic activities eventually began in Tibal-Og as Fr. Walter
Maxcy M.M, a Maryknoll Priest transferred to Tibal-Og. He rented a house in the said barangay.
With his initiative and the help of active Catholics, they look for a lot where they aimed to build
a church and an institution that will serve the Catholic community of Tibal-og. Anib – Babaw, a
native in the land, offered his one hectare lot for the realization of the common goal. This was
the beginning of the Maryknoll High School where convent for the nuns and priests was also
provided.

In the middle of 1959 , the chapel built infront of Sto.Tomas Central Elementary School was
wrecked. The Catholic Community of Tibal- Og immediately consolidated and decided to build
another chapel in Maryknoll High School.

TIBAL OG AS MUNICIPALITY

Due to the positive impact of NARRA Administration, and fast progress of Davao Settlement
Area 1. Tibal-Og was declared by Pres. Carlos P. Garcia as a Municipality separated from the
Municipality of Kapalong last August 14, 1959. Governor Vicente Duterte of Davao Province
renamed Tibal-Og to Sto.Tomas in honor of their patron saint in Danao, Cebu. At the same time,
Gov. Duterte wished to change the Patron Saint of the Municipality of Sto.Tomas but Tomasians
pleaded to let Sr. San Miguel to remain as their Patron Saint.

The Beginning : San Miguel Parish Church

Early 1960’s the Construction of the Parish Convent was done. It was under the management of
Fr. Walter Maxcy M.M where he declared San Miguel Parish Church as independent parish.
Also, it was the birth of recording the book of sacraments such as : Book of Baptism,
Confirmation, Marriage, and Death.

In 1961 , the construction of the bigger church began.

Fr. Frederick Crispo M.M became the Assistant Parish Priest of Fr.Maxcy in year 1962.

1964, half of the parish church construction was done, Fr. Walter Maxcy M.M was assigned to a
parish in Mabini. Fr. Donald Brand M.M became the new Parish Priest in town. In June 19,1966
the catholic community in Tibal-Og led by Fr. Donald Brand M.M celebrated the very first
Holy Mass in the newly built Parish Church together with Fr. Gerald Wekenhauser M.M who
later became the new Parish Priest. July 3, 1966 Fr. Michael Cole arrived in the parish.
September 11 on the same year, Fr. David Rezek M.M became the Parish Priest and Fr. Cole
M.M , Assistant Parish Priest. December 25, Fr. Linus Brown, M.M became the Assistant Parish
Priest. May 4, 1967 Fr. Francis Paris M.M became the Parish Priest and on the 28 th day of
August 1967, Fr. Herman Cisek, M.M became the Assistant Parish Priest.

April 24, 1969 Fr. Herman Cisek M.M, became the Parish Priest that time he has no Assistant
Parish Priest but he was assisted by Fr. Gradey M.M., Fr. Robert Bayne M.M., Fr. Cole M.M.,
and Fr. Mc Mahon M.M..

July 1974, Fr. Jerome Peters M.M., became the Parish Priest. November 1974 , Fr. Michael Cole
became Parish Priest with Fr. Peters as temporary Parish Priest in town until 1975.

In year 1975, was the rise of GKK’s or Gagmay Kristohanong Katilingban.

Management of Filipino Priests

January 1977, Fr. Romulo Malooy of Mati , Davao Oriental became the first Filipino
administrator of San Miguel Parish Church. Fr. Benjamin Tampus of San Isidro, Davao Oriental
as Assistant Parish Priest on May 1977. With matter of days, Fr. Benjamin Tampus was
transferred to Nabunturan and replaced by Fr. Pedro Traqueña O.P , a Dominican Priest.
December 24, 1978 – Midnight Mass was the last mass celebrated by Fr. Romulo Malooy.

During Fr. Malooy’s time, was the seminars of Lay Ministers or Kaabag was prioritized which
enables the Lay Ministers or Kaabag to lead Kasaulogan or KSP in Every GKK.
January 1979 , Fr. Pedro Traqueña, O.P became acting Parish Priest. In May 1979 Fr. Pedro de
Guia from Laguna became the Assistant Parish Priest. September on the same year, Fr. Roland
Macale O.P , a Dominican Priest assisted Fr. Pedro Traqueña, O.P.

October 1979, Fr. Jeremiah Burr M.M., became the Parish Priest and the newly ordained
Fr.Ruben Maybuena became the Assistant Parish Church. During Fr. Burr’s phase, Parish Hall
was built and renovation of Parish Grounds, and Renevation of Church and Convent was
initiated.

Year 1984, Fr. Francisco Lanzaderas became the Parish Priest while Fr. Anastacio Postrano Jr.
served as the Assistant Parish Priest. During this period, Alay Kapwa Apostles was commenced
to every GKK.

September 1984, Youth Members of Catholic Youth Organization was separated from Family
Life Apostolate and later became Diocesan Youth Apostolate or DYA. Epistle Readers
Apostolates or ERA ( present lectors ).

March 1985, San Miguel Council Knights of Columbus led by Atty. Juan Aquino, fourth degree
member from St.Jude Council, Davao City.

June 1986, Catholic Relief Services was formally recognized by the San Miguel Parish during
the time of Fr. Frank Lanzaderas.

April 1986, Parish Choir was created where it was organized by Rebecca Sampayan. At the
same time, Fr. Gerry Agustin became the Parish Priest and his Assistant Parish Priest was Fr.
Bernard Banal.

Year 1988, Fr. Jose David became the Parish Priest and his Assistant Parish Priest was Fr. Baja.
Initiated Projects : Renovation of Convent Office, Altar, and Priests’ seat in the Altar.

October 1989 up to 2002, Fr. Henry Ramonida became the Parish Priest and his Assistant Priests
were : Fr. Melvin Dela Cuesta, Fr. William Magos, Fr. Alejandro Pizaras, Fr. Arturo Luayon,
transferred to Kimamon after the construction of their Parish. Newly Appointed Assistant Parish
Priests were Fr. Raymond Suela, Fr. Medrano, Fr. Larry Paquio and Fr. Monching Lara.

1993, Pledge System for every GKK was recognized to sustain parish needs. In 1997,
Kimamon , together with the 24 GKK’s was separated from San Miguel Parish and became a
Parish named Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish.

September 3, 1999 El Shaddai was recognized in the parish.

January 21,2002 , Fr. Carmelito B. Redondo stands as the Parish Priest while Fr.Henry Ramonida
was transferred to Merville , Tagum City with Fr. Christopher Segura, and Fr. Monching Lara.
Various improvements were being implemented such as : development parking space for
parishioners, building fences around parish compound.
October 2002, the Parish Lay Formators organization began where Pre Fiesta Seminars were
done before every GKK Fiesta celebration. Ushers and Usherettes were also well-organized . At
the same time, Fr. Benjamin Lucena served as Assistant Parish Priest to Rev. Fr. Chris Segura.

Aside from the improvement of physical structure of the Catholic Church, was also the rise of
Kasanag sa Kinabuhi Training Center for those less fortunate individuals who are interested to
acquire quality education. This was made possible through Sr. Ma. Domitilla Sendino OP of
Maryknoll High School of Sto.Tomas Davao del Norte. Selected GKK’s opened the Kasanag sa
Kinabuhi Preparatory School like GKK Road 4 San Isidro Labrador, GKK New Visayas San
Vicente Ferrer, GKK Balagunan Tabuk, San Isidro Labrador, and GKK La Libertad Nuestra
Señora Dela Salvacion.

July 2004, Dujali was separated with the 10 GKK’s located at Tanglaw and San Miguel anf
became an independent parish known as San Jose Quasi Parish. After two years, reshuffling of
priests took place where Fr. Noel Refamonte became the Parish Priest assisted by Fr. Jeremy
Tanong.

October 1, 2004, by the virtue given by Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, Fr. Jeremy Tanong was
transferred to Nabunturan.

October 14, 2004 was the Pastoral Visit , an annual official visit to every parish that checks the
Record Book of the following Sacraments : Baptism, Confirmation,and Marriage.

October 2005, Rev. Fr. Noel Gastones – newly ordained priest that time was assigned to San
Miguel Parish . Fr. Adonis Rancho and Fr. Alex Adaya worked with Fr. Gastones as Assistant
Parish Priests.

In 2007, Fr. Nick A. Consencino became the Parish Priest . He was Assisted by Rev Fr. Alex
Adaya,Fr. Jerson Estose, and Fr. Edwin B. Casa. During Fr. Nick’s time, was the installation of
Parish Ground Bricks, putting up the Structure of the Parish Church.

Rev. Fr. Gregorio P. Dedal Jr. became the Parish Priest in 2013. Fr. Edwin Casa as his Assistant
Parish Priest with Fr. Elpidio Alcontin , I . After few months new Assistant Parish Priests were
assigned to SMP namely Fr. Darius Joseph Abuela followed by Fr. Rey Aruy.

September 2016, Fr. Roselo A. Melloria served the Catholic Community of Sto.Tomas as
Assistant Parish Priest to Fr.Dedal. With the initiative of Fr. Dedal, he pushed the Renovation of
Parish Ceiling, Repaint of the Parish Church, and on going renovation of the Parish Rectory.

San Miguel Parish of Sto.Tomas on its 57 fruitful years , still standing strong.