Hinundayan Memorial Gardens

Hinundayan Memorial Gardens
The Best Place for Remembrance on Earth

A well-planned memorial park with modern facilities:

• Multi-purpose Pavilion/Chapel
• Paved Roads, Alleys and Pathways
• Entrance Gate
• Water System
• Steel and Concrete Perimeter Fence
• Public Toilet
• Landscaped Grounds
• Electricity/Lightings
• Drainage System
• Park Maintenance
  

It pays to plan ahead of time, make that important investment decision now…

• Protect your family from stress and financial burden with pre-planning.
• Spare your love ones’ difficult decision at emotional time.
• Save money by securing tomorrow’s arrangements at today’s costs.

MAIN OFFICE:
KM. 6 Diversion Road, Matina Pangi, Davao City Philippines
Tel. Fax. No. (082)298-49-54
Mobile No. 0918-919-5079
E-mail Address: landevtech@yahoo.com
Website: www.hinundayangardens.com
Sales Office: Hinundayan Memorial Gardens
Lungsoda-an, Hinundayan, Southern Leyte
Mobile No. 0915-596-1866

KURA PARUKO 1885 UP TO THE PRESENT

1. Rev. Fr. Manuel Corcuera - 1885
2. Rev. Fr. Candido Esguerra - 1887
3. Rev. Fr. Florentino Garcia - 1887
4. Rev. Fr. Juan Mate - 1887-1892
5. Rev. Fr. Maximo Congzon - 1892-1899
6. Rev. Fr. Servando Suarez - 1899
7. Rev. Fr. Domingo Javier - 1899
8. Rev. Fr. Mateo Avila - 1899-1915
9. Rev. Fr. Arsenio Cobros - 1915-1918
10. Rev. Fr. Pedro Aruta - 1915-1925
12. Rev. Fr. Catalino Salazar - 1928-1930
13. Rev. Fr. Sulpicio Ilaud - 1930-1935
14. Rev. Fr. Eustaquio Horca - 1930-1935
15. Rev. Fr. Magdalino Agnis - 1930
16. Rev. Fr. Hupmann - 1934
17. Rev. Fr. Lesmes Ma. Ricalde - 1935-1939
18. Rev. Fr. Anatolio Alfaro - 1939-1954
19. Rev. Fr. Narciso Codilla - 1942-1956
20. Rev. Fr. Kenneth Dietrich, SFM - 1956-1958
21. Rev. Fr. Robert Cranley, SFM - 1956-1958
22. Rev. Fr. Armand Clement, SFM - 1958-1961
23. Rev. Fr. Joaquin Resma - 1957
24. Rev. Fr. Patrick Breen, SFM - 1958
25. Rev. Fr. Frederick Wakeham, SFM - 1961-1963
26. Rev. Fr. Anthony Martin, SFM - 1961-1963
27. Rev. Fr. Charles Gervais, SFM - 1964
28. Rev. Fr. William Luitkus, SFM - 1968-1970
29. Rev. Fr. Patrick Kelley, SFM - 1970-1971
30. Rev. Fr. Mark Murphy, SFM - 1971-1972
31. Rev. Fr. John Joseph Mclver, SFM - 1971-1974
32. Rev. Fr. Frederick Wakeham, SFM - 1972-1974
33. Rev. Fr. Rodolfo B. Lacerna - May 1974-September 1974
- February 1975-July 1977
34. Rev. Fr. Consorcio Poblete . - September 1977
35. Rev. Fr. Frederick Wakeham, SFM - 1977-1978
36. Rev. Fr. James McGuire, SFM - 1978-1982
37. Rev. Fr. Felix Fortuna - January 20, 1982-October 20, 1982
38. Rev. Fr. James McGuire, SFM - October 5, 1982-June 30, 1983
39. Rev. Fr. Miguel Alquino - 1983-1986
40. Rev. Fr. Urcisino A. Luzon - 1986-1992
41. Rev. Fr. Rogelio S. Lumbre - 1988
42. Rev. Fr. Luis Resma - 1991
43. Rev. Fr. Santos O. Lagumbay - July 1, 1992-August 4, 1992
44. Rev. Fr. Lorenzo N. Suarez - 1992-February 7, 1999
45. Rev. Fr. Lito F. Narit - February 21, 1999-June 21, 2002
46. Rev. Fr. Hope L. Lambonao - June 22, 2002-November 7, 2004
47. Rev. Fr. Joel T. Llanos - November 13, 2004-April 9, 2005
48. Rev. Fr. Nestor S. Astillo - April 26, 2005 up to Present

A Powerful Prayer

Prayer to Saint Joseph

O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving Fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never grow tired contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His dear head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath, AMEN. O Saint Joseph, hear my prayers and obtain my petitions. O Saint Joseph, pray for me.

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In 1505 it was sent from the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle. Whoever shall read this prayer or hear it or keep it about themselves, shall never die a sudden death or be drowned, nor shall poison take effect on them; neither shall they fall into the hands of the enemy, or shall be burned in any fire or shall be overpowered in battle.

Say for nine mornings for anything you may desire. It has never been known to fail, so be sure you really want what you ask.

Feast day: March 19

Vision and Mission

VISION:

“A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, UNITED IN THE SAME BELIEF, FULLY DEVELOPED, GOD-LOVING AND RESPONSIBLE THAT PRAYS, TEACHES, AND SERVES IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE CHURCH AND EFFECTIVE IN SPREADING THE WORD OF GOD.”

MISSION:

WE THE FAITHFUL OF ST. JOSEPH PARISH, INSPIRED BY THE WORD OF GOD AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH COMMIT OURSELVES TO HELP ONE ANOTHER:
1. TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE PARISHIONERS THAT WITH MOTHER MARY AND ST. JOSEPH LOVE AND WORSHIP GOD, UNITED WITH HIM IN HOLY EUCHARIST;

2. TO BECOME INFORMED, FORMED, TRANSFORMED PARISHIONERS WITH DEEP CHRISTIAN VALUES, WHO ARE EVANGELIZED AND EVANGELIZING, CATECHIZED AND CATECHIZING, LIBERATED AND LIBERATING; AND

3. TO LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE AND SERVICE FOR OTHERS AS WE GROW IN FAITH AND UNDERTAKE THE EVANGELICAL TASK OF TOTAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.

ST. JOSEPH, Our Patron Saint

(Note: The following story, excerpts from an unknown source considering a rotten scratch paper picked-up by the unknown writer, which seemed to be a paper wrapper thrown out along Magsaysay St., of Barangay Lungsoda-an in which, some parts of it were no longer readable having been terribly wet and tear-off.)

Joseph is a Jewish working man. He comes from the tribe of Judah, the family of David. The Bible calls Joseph a just man, for he spends his life in conformity with the will of God.

His great faith in God is shown when he accepts without question the role that God gives him. God assigns him to be the head of the family, for whom Jesus is a member. As head of the family, he becomes the protector and provider for Jesus and his mother.

The humble, obedient faith of God’s great servants like Moses and Abraham, is found also in Joseph. Because of his concern for others, he heeds the call of God to be of service to the people.

Today, as Patron of the Universal Church (Pope Pius IX proclaimed him in 1870), St. Joseph still continues his role as guardian of Christ in the Church. He continues his mission of service to the people. According to Matthew (13:55), Joseph was a carpenter. It is almost certain that he died before Jesus’ public ministry began. He is never named during this period when other relatives are mentioned. Moreover, when Jesus was dying on Calvary, he entrusted Mary to the care of St. John, indicating that she was then a widow…(this was the portion no longer readable having been wet and tear-off).

Husband of Mary.

Joseph and Mary, being truly married, possessed full marriage over each other like any other husband and wife, although by common consent they abstained from use of those rights. The ultimate theological reason why Jesus was to be born of a virgin mother was that, as the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, He had been generated from all eternity by God the Father. However, God wanted Jesus to be born within human family. Joseph though not his father the physical senses, was linked to Jesus by spiritual bonds of fatherly love, authority and service. Jesus belonged to Joseph’s family and the relationship is expressed by describing Joseph as the foster father, the virginal father or the legal father of Jesus.

After the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph is our most powerful intercessor before God. St. Joseph faithfully cared for his family, Jesus and Mary. No sacrifice was too great for him. Now Jesus shows him His gratitude by granting our requests through St. Joseph’s intercession.

The Great Silent One.

Joseph is called the man of deep silence. He came and went did his work, and gave orders in his home in a kindly way, with a purpose which had matured in him after he had learned the divine will, after he had tried to study what the Lord wanted. His way of giving orders was to make a slight sign, to give a slight hint of what seemed to him to be the will of God. This man of deep silence occupies as first among the saints, and what an amount of wisdom his mind contained!

In an inexpressible manner, St. Joseph was and is a faithful cooperator in the redemption of the world. He is the foster father of Jesus and His provider, the defender of the Virgin Mother of God, the rescuer of the threatened life of the Savior, the protector of the Universal Church, the confident and hope of innumerable souls who have recourse to him.

Lungsoda-an...

Lungsoda-an…
A Visayan Term for Old Town

Barangay Lungsoda-an, was then the site of the Municipality of Hinundayan, Southern Leyte. Why it was transferred to the present location now, is a fascinating story as told by an aging folk. He would then, evidently with pride, earnestly narrate to anyone interested the untold heroism of the early Hinundayanons, a couple of years past.

Facing the enormous Pacific Ocean in the East and dwarfed by the unknown Mt. Kantawoktok in the West, the peaceful town of Hinundayan can be reached after a five hour ride from Maasin, the Capital town of Southern Leyte. Mostly viewed by the 144km. journey along the parsley-paved roads, a rice farmlands that are almost immediately walled by the mountains. Lungsoda-an is less than a kilometer from Poblacion, having been cut by the Camunga-an River in the South. Even before the turn of the centuries Lungsoda-an has been at the top among rice-producing barangays of Hinundayan, whose area is about 933,707 square meters.

Hinundayan was one of the Visayan villages that experienced the fury of the Muslims Marauders during the 17th and 18th centuries. The shoreline of the town which curves to form a small bay is an inviting resort for refuge to imperiled bathers. The mile long beach grants an excellent atmosphere to any campers or picnickers. Thus, the Muslims might have this idea when they made their unforgettable stopover.

The people were just alarmed one day, when a flotilla of Muslim vintas made the most unexpected landing, supposedly to fetch fresh water. Upon learning that the place was populated, the relentless pirates moved to plunder the town.

The Muslims, entering the river, sailed nearer but viewing a resistance from the distance, positioned themselves in the bank opposite the Markadero. What ensued was a great battle between the Hinundayan Christians and Muslims, unknown in our history. The hole-wielding defenders, though greatly swarmed, fought valiantly to the great surprise of the Muslims. Some defenders were said to be stone-bodied and the pirates found it futile to pierce their “Kris and Kampilan”.

All the efforts of the defenders were directed to prevent the Muslims from pushing through, for a breakthrough for them, would mean perile or death to the many people inside the town Church. After almost a day of heavy encounter, the defense seemed to weaken. Heroes steadily lost their courage.

A few defenders languid and demoralized having perceived the futility of further resistance, fled away. Only a handful of heroes remained and fought to the last breath. The Muslims sensing victory, found new energy and became more ferocious in crashing the waning adversaries. At sunset, the skirmishes were over. The triumphant pirates then advanced, razed the houses and lotting everything including domesticated animals. The church was not spared. A few families were able to escape before it was burned down. Many people perished in the fire together with statues of images of Saints in the altar.

The pirates were astonished when they saw

the image of Saint Joseph remained unscathed after the whole church was razed down to the ground.

They dragged the image and tried to crush it into pieces with the use of an axe, but to no avail. So, they threw it away somewhere near the church. The Muslims, enjoying the deserted farmland of the place, choose to reside for months before leaving. They waited the harvest time of the crops principally, corn. Their enjoyment was undisturbed by any threat from the Spaniards, but they could not penetrate the neighboring pueblos. They then sailed away after harvesting the crops and never set foot again in Hinundayan. They attempted to carry the “Lingganay” (The Golden Bell of the Church) along with them, but any boat would then can capsize once loaded with the very precious load. The Golden Bell fell into the deep river and thy never were able to retrieve it.

The families who fled to the mountains and those of the neighboring villages, begun to settle again. They rebuild the badly plundered church. They were able to recover the image of Saint Joseph. Many had attempted to retrieve the Golden Bell from the river, but all were in vain. The Golden Bell would periodically show its glitter from the deep river but then would vanish when anyone attempts to find it.

Weeks after the people had settled down, they unanimously resolved to move the town opposite Camunga-an River. It was a more spacious place than the previous site. They named the town Hinundayan (“Ang Hinungdan, Dayan-dayan…) to honor the fallen defenders during the siege. Naturally, the old place was appropriately called, “LUNGSODA-AN”, a Visayan term for Old Town.

Did you know that? Hinundayan was?___

Hinundayan was once a part of Hinunangan, and it also existed as a town in 1853. During the end of the 19th century, the townsite was transferred a kilometer away towards the southeast. After the outbreak of the revolution against Spain in 1897, the town was annexed to Hinunangan. It was reinstated as a town on January 1, 1910. Hinundayan, the story goes, was the subject of frequent raids in the earlier 1700 and 1880’s, and an epidemic that decimated the population of the town. Rich relics were found in the ruins of the church and towser in 1752-1754 in Lungsodaan. Towards the end of the 18th century the last Moro raid in Lungsodaan burned the church but the image of St. Joseph was not burned. The barangays are District 1, District II, District III, Amaga, Ambao, An-an, Bacolod, Bugho, Cabulisan, Cat-iwing, Hubasan, Lungsodaan, Navalita, Plaridel, Sabang and Sagbok. Role Assignment: - Center for marble industry - Major producer of rice in the province - Potential for mineral and water processing - Producer of ceramics Other Data: Population: 11,113 Area: 60 Sq. Km. Class: 6th: Number of barangays:16 Patron Saint: St. Joseph Fiesta: June 5 Schools: Hinundayan Institute, 14 elementary schools.

Welcome to the Beautiful Town of Hinundayan!!

HISTORY

The municipality of Hinundayan was founded over two hundred years ago. It derives its name from an interesting legend traditionally accepted by the townspeople

During the early Spanish period, a group of soldiers went to the pueblo to determine the peace and order conditions existing. Legend states that the people at the time were preparing for their fiesta that was to take place the following day. The windows of all the houses were decorated with seashells colored with native dyes as was the custom of the time, among the well-to-do. The Spaniards, surprised at the display, asked what these things meant. The natives, ignorant of the Castillian language, answered in their tongue, "Ang hinungdan niini dayan-dayan." (The purpose of this is for decoration.) Since then, the Spaniards have referred to the pueblo as such. Since it was a difficult name to remember, much less pronounce, the name was changed to its present form: Hinundayan.

Church records as early as 1853 show that the official name of the town was Hinundayan.

In 1752 and for two years thereafter, the town was continually raided and pillaged by moro pirates under the much-feared moro bandit, Agud-ud. The moros burned all the homes and public buildings including the church which was built by the Jesuit missionaries. Because the moro pirates decided to stay within the sitio, the people moved their barangay to another site which was then called Ylihan. Finally, however, the moros left at their own accord and the natives returned to their former pueblo and began to rebuild what the pirates had destroyed.

In 1883, the pueblo was inaugurated as a municipality. On May 9, 1885, the new town was erected into a parish with Fr. Manuel Concuera as the first parish priest. A year after the outbreak of the revolution against Spanish rule, the town was annexed as a barrio again to the municipality of Hinunangan.

The American forces arrived in 1901 and established their headquarters at Hinunangan. Peace and order had not been restored yet due to the active guerilla maneuvers of the insurrectors, so Hinundayan had to remain under the jurisdiction of Hinunangan.

On January 1, 1910, Hinundayan was inaugurated as a full-fledged municipality. It was under Mayor Inocentes Villaflor that the town won its independence from Hinunangan. Previously, Villaflor had succeeded in opening the first intermediate classes in the locality. It was the only complete elementary course in the southern part of the province.

World Wary II broke out and the years of occupation passed without any major change in the municipality.

However, Japanese troops occupied the town one-month after the declaration of unconditional surrender by the Filipino troops to the Japanese Imperial forces. A puppet mayor was designated. The appointed mayor campaigned for the return of the evacuees to their homes. When the Japanese moved out of the town upon orders from their headquarters at Tacloban, the town enjoyed comparative peace for two years.

A guerrilla band under the leadership of Atanacio Asodisen was organized, and with his three brothers as captains of the band, there arose fear in the town proper because of the existence of an organized guerrilla movement. With the aid of the Japanese soldiers, which came upon hearing of the Asodisen guerrillas, the puppet mayor was re-instated.

On October 21, 1944, two American airplanes sunk a Japanese ship, as it was about to drop anchor at Hinundayan Gulf. Those who survived proceeded to Tacloban by land. The Filipinos who decided to cast their fate with the Japanese accompanied them.

On the following day, October 22, Hinundayan was finally free from the clutches of Japanese rule.

The people returned to their homes and the Municipal government again began to function under peacetime conditions. Acting Mayor Teodoro Niog took the reins of the town government until the inauguration of Philippine Independence. Leoncio Olarte, the first mayor under the new regime, succeeded him.

Hinundayan like other coastal towns is blessed with an abundance of natural resources.

A fourth class municipality, Hinundayan produces copra as a major product. Fishing is one of the major industries and the catch of more than three tons annually are sent to neighboring towns as well as to Cebu.