St. Raphael the Archangel Parish – Sagkahan, Tacloban City

During the 1940’s the then small barrio of Sagkahan in Tacloban was inhabited by religious people, showing devotions to saints and attending the holy Eucharist. One of the prominent people of the barrio named Gregorio Peñaranda owned an image of Saint Raphael and showed great devotion towards it. He even wrote a hymn in honor of the saint back in the day (this is not the hymn used in the main church as of the present time). Because of his devotion to Saint Raphael, he was believed to have healed Sagkahanons of their illnesses along with other people in nearby barrios. Mr. Peñaranda promised to himself that Saint Raphael be made as patron saint of Sagkahan. To fulfill this hope, Gregorio organized the pioneers of Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish namely, Potenciano Peñalosa, Isabelo Gerez, Aurelia Nombre Gerez, Marcelo Jacosalem, Emilio Daa, Eliseo Teraza, Mrs. Alo, Juana Peñaranda, Teodoro Rabino and others to help him with the necessary decisions to push through with what he had planned including whom to choose as Hermana Mayor to facilitate activities for the feast day. This is the group who decided that the 24th of October be the feast Day of the Patron Saint. To accelerate in the hope of having a church of worship, a parcel of land was donated by Peñalosa and Peñaranda families and built a small chapel where the big church is located today.

In its early years, Sagkahan’s chapel then was part of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, also known as Redemptorist Church. Holy Eucharist was not celebrated daily in the chapel and spiritual services were not regular yet. Memberships to spiritual organizations and confraternities were only available at the main church (Redemptorist). The holy Eucharist was celebrated then by Rev. Fr. Detig, SVD, a priest assigned to say mass in Divine Word chapel up until his transfer of assignment to Redemptorist church as parish priest.

With the migration of people to the city, many came to live in Sagkahan. This increase in population prompted the Archdiocese to establish a Mission Station where two priests were assigned namely Rev. Fr. Eliseo ‘Bong’ Loreto and Rev. Fr. Pastor ‘Jun’ Carion. From then on they led all the regular religious activities. That time, the two priests lived in a private house for there was no convent yet. They were vital instruments in the improvement of the Mission Station as they initiated fund raising endeavors for the construction of a house of worship that was widened to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners. They were followed by Rev. Fr. Ronnie Barreda who’s efforts of forming the organizations- Sagkahan Social & Cultural Organization (SSCO), Youth Organization, Hermanidad, and other organizations of function to the Mission Station paved the way for the construction of a bigger building for the mission station.

The chapel eventually became a parish on November 24, 2001 with Rev. Fr. Roel Cahido as its first parish priest. He took charge of the parish from year 2001 to 2007. Extensive fund raising campaigns were done that fruited to a newly widened and improved parish building, parish office and living quarters for the parish priest built for the service of the parishioners and for future priests to be assigned in the parish. This big and beautiful parish building erected in the midst of Sagkahan, which is now one of the districts of Tacloban, is a legacy of Rev. Fr. Cahido which the Sagkahanons will forever be grateful for.

After almost seven years of priest residency of Rev. Fr. Roel, Rev. Fr. Carlito ‘Boy’ Loreto was then assigned to the Parish where he served up to the year 2009. Accomplishments of the parish through his leadership were the church ceiling, the big wall paintings of Jesus and Mary Mother of Jesus on the left and right side of the retablo. Rev. Fr. ‘Boy’ was instrumental in the opportunity of the parish to make available NFA rice to less privileged parishioners under one of the programs of the Archdiocese of Palo. He also offered free amancebado weddings.

In the years 2010 to 2014, more focused organizations were built among the parishioners. All ministries were to function according to the mandate of the church. The parish priest during these years adhered to the functional structure of church organizations and he believed that these functional structures would result to a smooth flow of parish activities. A new rectory was constructed on the left wing of the church and on the right wing a new parish office and ministry offices. A shrine for saints was placed outside of the parish building for devotees. Rev. Fr. Pesado’s practice of offering free amancebado weddings all year round, once a month on a chosen Saturday is very memorable for the Sagkhanons. This activity of free amancebado weddings was made possible by the help of the empowered Commissions of Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish.

Throughout the years since 1946, Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish has opened various avenues for parishioners to grow spiritually. Some organizations and confraternities created since are:

• Hermanidad han Senyor San Raphael de Arkanghel Parish
• Pastoral Council
• Parish Finance Council
• Knights of Columbus
• Catholic Women’s League
• Confraternity of Señor Sto. Niño
• Confraternity of San Pedro Calungsod
• Confraternity of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
• Confraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes
• Confraternity of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
• Confraternity of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal
• Confraternity of Saint Joseph
• Confraternity of San Lorenzo Ruiz
• Confraternity of San Antonio de Padua

Many changes have occurred in the last 68 years of the parish. Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish has become a landmark of the district of Sagkahan and known for its active faith in the community. Throughout our history, Saint Raphael’s parishioners have been extremely proud of our parish as an integral part of the Archdiocese of Palo.

Last Updated year 2015

Researcher:
VIRGILIA DAA DABLEO
Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson, 2015

Copy read by:
GWYNETH BELLE D. LESIGUES
Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish Media Coordinator, 2019

References:

1. 63rd Feast Day Souvenir Program, Unknown Writer, 2009
2. Interviews from Parishioners of Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish, aging 75 years and above