(October 11, 2009) – With the scenic Mt. Malarayat range as its backdrop and given a fairly good weather that afternoon of October 10, Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles canonically erected the latest parish in the Archdiocese in an elaborate liturgical rite that lasted for more than two hours. The new parish is located at the outskirts of famed Malarayat Golf and Country Club, in a lot donated by Architects Tony and Tina Turalba, major stockholders of this booming golfing and housing site in Talisay, Lipa City.
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles challenged the faithful comprising the new Christian community to emulate the example of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, especially her love for God and zeal for the missions. He also made special reference to her child-like dependence of God. Likewise, he appealed to the congregation to be more generous to those in need as a sign of the Batangueno gratitude for being spared from major disasters that the recent calamities brought to other parts of the country.
Later, he installed the 74-year-old Fr. Hermogenes “Jun” Quiambao as the parish first pastor. Fr. Jun was made priest-in-charge of this latest parish after its original priest-in-charge, Fr. Jojo Mendoza was transfered to the Parish and Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer at Banaybanay, Lipa City. Under his watch, Fr. Jun was able to begin the construction while raising the funds by personally appealing to the generous benefactors and friends with the help of the Parish Pastoral Assembly, headed by Mrs. Nelia Flores. This is the first parish of Fr. Jun, who has been a priest for 43 years. Prior to his installation, he has served as a long-time seminary formator, guidance counsellor, superintendent of Catholic schools, director of Sta. Teresa College, rector of St. Francis de Sales Minor Seminary, Apostolic Visitator of Minor Seminaries in the Philippines. He had also a stint at pastoral work at the aRchdiocese of Agana, Guam before coming back to the Archdiocese.
Aside from the Turalba couple, other prominent benefactors and guest who graced the occasion included Batangas 3rd District Representative Vicky Reyes, former Ambassador Macario Laurel, and banker and art patron Danilo L. Dolor. Sec-Gen Isabel Gonzales Tubio of the Presdiential Council for Values Formation represented President Gloria Macapal Arroyo. Various church lay leaders of the Parish of St. Sebastian were also present to witness the birthing of the latest daughter of the mother-parish. Lipa City alone has the following as parishes aside from this one: San Sebastian (mother parish), Our Lady of Good Voyage (Lodlod), San Antonio (Bolbok), San Vicente Ferrer (Banaybanay), Sto. Nino (Pinagtungulan), Sto. Nino (Marawoy), Divina Pastora (Tambo) and San Isidro (San Isidro). Another one is being prepared — that of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace (Antipolo), which hopefully would also be canonically erected before the start of the centennial year 2010. 
November 1, 2009 at 9:03 am |
Congratulations to my dear Former Rector! This is long overdue. But as they say, nothing comes late…Everything happens in God’s time. God love and bless you more Fr. Jun!
ryan