Why Banga is so Beautiful?

 

In preparing for and celebrating the fifth centenary of Christianity in the Philippines, the Parish of Banga in Aklan through its team ministry headed by Msgr. Frederick G. Malacas, launched the “VISITA” of St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the parish to all the chapels under its territorial jurisdiction. This is also timely done to mark the occasion of the 150^th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

With the proclamation of Pope Francis of the “Year of St. Joseph” from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021, it is but proper for the faithful of Banga to know that the devotion and dedication of Banga to St. Joseph began in 1581.

In the book “Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas” by Gaspar de San Agustin, OSA., one may read this:

“Recibiose el convento de Aclan, encomienda de Antonio Flores en la provincia de Panay, con la advocacion de San Juan Bautista. Tiene seis visitas muy grandes y pobladas: cuatro en la tierra adentro y dos en el rio, que es muy caudaloso. Llamanse las cuatro primeras: San Jose de Banga, San Pedro de Polo, Santa Catalina de Hinsonogan y San Nicolas de Tolentino de Anangui. Las dos del rio son: Santo Tomas de Villanueva de Macato y San Ignacio Martir de Tangalan. Fue Aclan antiguamente tan grande que el solo tuvo mil tributarios, y por esto se llama el pueblo Calibo, que significa mil, porque el nombre de Aclan es del rio. Fue el primer ministro que se puso en Aclan el P. Fr. Andres de Ibarra.”

Jorde’s work confirmed that Fr. Andres Ibarra started his mission in 1581:

IBARRA (Fr. Andres) …Destinado en 1581 a la conquista espiritual de Aclan (Panay), consagrose con ardiente celo a la conversion de aquellos naturales, encaminando a este santo fin todos sus esfuerzos hasta lograr la sumision y obediencia de aquel pueblo salvaje.

With this account, it may be said that BANGA has the oldest devotion to St. Joseph at least in Aklan which started in a chapel until a parish was erected. Among the six chapels mentioned under the Parish of Kalibo, only BANGA did not change its patron saint when its chapel was elevated into a parish. (Unless if it can be verified that Hinsonogan is what is now called Libacao). Makato is now dedicated to the Sto. Niño and Tangalan has St. John Nepomucene as its patron saint. With regard to the remaining chapels (Polo and Anangui), the researcher has no knowledge and information about them. What matters most for the researcher is that the faithful of Banga should be proud of their religious-historical devotion to St. Joseph. The celebration of the feast of St. Joseph is not only a religious event but also an intangible cultural heritage.

Sources:

Perez, Elviro Jorde, OSA, (1901) “Catalogo Bio-Bibliografico De Los Religiosos Agustinos De La Provincia Del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus De Las Islas Filipinas Desde Fundacion Hasta Nuestros Dias”, Establecimiento Tipografico del Colegio de Sto. Tomas

San Agustin, Gaspar de, OSA, (1698) “Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas 1565-1615”, ed. Pedro G. Galende, Manila: San Agustin Museum