ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA 2126 Singalong St. corner San

Andres St., Malate, Manila

By: Mary Lyn S. Dioso 217A BFA-VDC

THE ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH

Profile :•At the turn of the century, Singalong had become crowded with people expelled from the other areas of Manila or coming from the provinces. •They lived in simple houses constructed with nipa or wood. There was a “visita” dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua in the area. Since 1901, Fr. Francisco of Santibanez and other Capuchins visited there on Sundays to celebrate mass, visit the sick and teach Christian doctrine to children.

•In 1905 Archbishop Michael J. O’Doherty, realizing the need of the people and recognizing the good work of the Capuchins, built a simple convent and in October, asked the capuchins to live there permanently and take care of the people. •This was willingly accepted. On November 25, 1905, Fr. Mariano of Olot, as president and parish priest, moved there together with Fr. Vicente of Pamplona and bro. Gabriel of Lizarza. •On Dec. 10, 1905, they celebrated their first baptism and the parish of St. Anthony was subsequently erected in an official manner on April 2, 1906. •Two months later, Fr. Vicente of Pamplona took over and during is three years as parish priest, he was able to build a real church to replace the old “visita”. The new church was made of concrete with galvanized iron roofing and a massive façade and belfry resembling the rural churches of Mexico and Spain. During his second term as parish priest of Singalong (1915-1921)

•Fr. Blas de Guernica extended the church, making the interior higher than the main nave in order to consolidate the sanctuary with the main altar and the sacristy. In his return, Fr. Felix of Iguzquiza (1926-1930) worked hard in beautifying the surroundings. Although he had plans to build a larger church for the growing population, it was his successor Fr. Florencio of Lezaun (1930-1939) who successfully carried the burden of building the big church with a seating capacity of two thousand. It also had a beautifully grand façade and a beltower. Together with the church, a new convent was also built•. During this time, on June 1, 1936, the Singalong School opened under the title of Immaculate Conception Institute starting with a kindergarten followed by primary and intermediate level. This school was recognized by the government. The fees were also almost purely nominal. The sisters of St. Paul of Chartres assisted the fathers in running the school. It was founded by Sr. Suzanne, SPC, Sr. Salvacion, SPC, Fr. Florencio de Lasaun, OFMCap., and Mrs. Maria Gutierrez.•During the Japanese war, the building were damaged. Worse yet, the Japanese, tortured and killed the three priest working in Singalong: Fr. Raymundo of Labiano, Parish Priest (1939-1945), and his assistance Fr. Santiago of Ibiricu and Fr. Pacificio of Villatuerta. All this happened on Feb. 6-7, 1945. It was then the work of Fr. Jacinto of Arandigoyen (1945-1954) to repair the damages to the spirit of the people. The school was turned over to the Capuchin fathers in 1956 to mark its expansion though the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres continued to assisted in the administration. Finally, the present magnificent church in Honor of St. Anthony was built under Fr. Julio of Narcue, Parish Priest from 1965-1970. This church was blessed on December 10, 1967.

•Meanwhile, the school kept growing in different stages: in 1959, Fr. Adolfo of Echavarri built a three storey building and opened a high school department. In 1963, during the administration of Fr. Ramon of Navaz, another four storey building was raised. This maybe seen as the portion running from the central stairway abutting the building of 1959. •In 1967, under Fr. Julio’s administration, the imposing central and the entire east-wing behind the church where added. In the 70’s when Fr. Manuel Ramirez was parish priest, six lot were acquired in view of future expansion. The parish center was also built in 1972. The expansion finally happen in 1980, during Fr. Luis Arrieta’s administration; a new building was raise with an auditorium and rooms for vocational courses.•The St. Anthony community Center and the multi- purpose center in Dagonoy established in 1974•In July 16, 1990, a strong earthquake damaged the church bell tower and the concrete cross, including its foundation. Through the initiative of the parish priest, Fr. Alfred Micua, a fund raising was launched for the reconstruction of the bell tower and the cross. The new bell tower was finished just in the time for the “Simbang Gabi” and it was on December 16, 1990, at three o’clock early morning that the bell tower was heard by the Singalong parishioners and it sounded the start of the Yuletide season.With the thrust of the Catholic Church to promote lay collaboration, in line with the goals and objectives of the August 1996 Second Provincial Council of Manila (PCM II), the parish now aims to encourage a more active participation of lay men and women in the activities of the church. The parish have active roles in various organizations in the Archdiocese of Manila. With the continued support and patronage of St. Anthony of Padua and our Blessed Mother of the Immaculate Conception, the parish hopes to continue its growth in the service of the Kingdom of God 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH

PRESIDENT: FATHER BENITO TUAZON  CHAIRMAN: GERRY CALANOG 303-39-87ASST. CHAIRMAN: MR. JOEY GUILLERMO 521-93-16SECRETARY: MYRNA POTENCIANO 528-44-71TREASURER: WILLY PACLIBAR 530-37-11

MINISTRY FOR LITURGICAL AFFAIRSMINISTRY HEAD GOMER LEJANO 524-50-98CHOIRS LEILANI TRINIDAD 523-02-92KOA CHRISTIAN PANAGUITON 303-83-21LECTORS & COMMENTATORS GERRY CALANOG 530-37-11LOA LITA ROMUALDEZ 521-93-16SMHC JUN SALVADOR 400-72-53USHERS MYRNA POTENCIANO 528-44-71

MINISTRY FOR LAY FORMATIONMINISTRY HEAD DULCE SALVADOR 400-72-53ADORACION NOCTURNA SALING DAKIS  APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER LETTY TAMAYO 562-36-61CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE DULCE SALVADOR 400-72-53COUPLES FOR CHRIST HENRY MALONZO 564-63-62HOLY NAME SOCIETY MANNY AGUILAR 671-65-70LEGION OF MARY NANCY ZABALA 536-47-50NEO CATHECUMENAL WAY DOMINIC PORTUGAL 897-64-91POUSTINIA TERESITA LIZARES 523-04-12SACCHAM JEAN TADIAMA 646-34-40

MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL SERVICEMINISTRY HEAD MRS. HELEN REMARDO  LOC 107

MINISTRY FOR YOUTH AFFAIRSMINISTRY HEAD ANTHONY AURELIO 400-26-52

MINISTRY FOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION & CATECHESISMINISTRY HEAD JACKY SAN JUAN  

MINISTRY FOR FAMILY LIFEMINISTRY HEAD MR & MRS BOYET DUMATANY 729-02-47

MINISTRY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRSMINISTRY HEAD ALEX PANAGUITON 303-83-21

BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITYMINISTRY HEAD MR.REY SAN JUAN 525-10-26PAR

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• LCM• YOUTH MINISTRY• AP • BEC• MINISTRY OF ALTAR SERVER• LAY MINISTRY • GREETERS AND COLLECTIONS • NEO • CHOIR

ST ANTHONY DE PADUA PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

January

Solemnity of Mary Mother of GodSto. Niño FestivalYouth Mass

February

Ash WednesdayYouth Mass

March

Youth Mass April

Lenten RecollectionHoly WeekYouth Mass

MayFlores de MariaProcessionYouth Mass

JuneFiesta

Youth Mass

JulyYouth Mass 

AugustParish Youth MinistryCelebration of the world youth day Parish baseYouth Mass

SeptemberMama Mary’s birthday

Youth Mass OctoberMonth of the RosaryProcessionYouth Mass

NovemberChrist the KingAdventYouth Mass

DecemberChristmasNew YearYouth Mass

  

PARISH CALENDAR

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Saint Anthony of Padua Parish  Address: 2126 Singalong and San Andres Sts.,    Malate, 1004 Manila, Philippines  Phone: +63 2 536-7120   Fax: +63 2 536-7120  Pastor: Father Benito Tuazon Attached Priests:  FatherNolan Que  Established: December 06, 1905   District: ManilaVicariate: Holy Family Feast day: June 13  Titular: Saint Anthony of Padua   Immediate Preceding Pastor:

INFORMATION :

Reference: •http://www.saintanthonyschool.edu.ph/parish-stanthony_profile.htm•The office church itself