HISTORY OF LANDMARK

(Our Lady of Pillar Church in Cauayan City, Isabela)

by Jane Dacumos on August 23, 2012

Photo from http://cityofcauayan.gov.phThe Story of Our Lady of Pillar Church and Cauayan City

It was September 8, 1739 when a group of Dominican missionaries landed in Turayong, a barangay
of this town which was later named Cauayan. From the very start of their mission work, the missionaries
managed to convert to the Christian Faith some 140 Gaddangs, the pioneer inhabitants of this city.

It was in the year 1741 when the Dominican authorities, meeting in a general chapter in Manila,
declared this mission of Cauayan a full-fledged parish. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar
commonly known as the NUESTRA SEÑORA DEL PILLAR in the old days. The first vicar of this parish was
Fray Antonio Del Ocampo who was at the same time Superior of all the missions from Cauayan to
Bayombong.

The first parish church was constructed by Fray Juan Prieto with the first class materials with
galvanized roofing and a ceiling of bricks. It has a beautiful tower which was later destroyed by a violent
earthquake.

Through the years, the faith of the Gaddangs and other migrants who made Cauayan their home
kept growing. As an indication of said growth, we can see our churches and barangay chapels filled to
capacity on Sundays and Fiestas. Baptisms, marriages and other sacramental rites have become a serious
concern not only of the parish priests but also by parents themselves. Catechetical instruction in public
schools has intensified with the increasing number of volunteer catechists. In 1956, a Catholic School
was founded by Fr. Roque Fidel. Starting from modest beginnings, it has grown into a big institution
offering college and high school courses now on its way to become the premier university of the region.
 The fist parish priest was Fray Pedro Sierra. Until 1912, all parish priests were Spaniards. In 1912,
the first Filipino was named parish priest in the person of Fr. Proceso Cortes. He was followed by Fr.
Alvaro Jaramillo, Fr. Rafael Quimpo, Fr. Angel
Ranjo, F. Manuel Apostol, Fr. Teleseforo Cordova, Fr.
Federico Pagallaman, Fr. Jesus Gaffud, Fr. Roque
fidel, Msgr. Marino Gatan, Fr. Francisco
Uanan, Msgr. Daniel Guiyab, Fr. Dante Mazo, Rev. Fr.
Angel Luga and the rest of the Diocesan Priest
have came and left to serve our beloved Our
Lady of the Pillar Parish Church.

Photo from https://cityofcauayan.gov.ph

Our Lady of Pillar Church and Cauayan City

On March 20, 2001, Cauayan was converted into a component city of the Province of Isabela by
the power of people’s plebiscite. The town got its name from the word “Cauayan” meaning bamboo in
the dialect of Gaddang, the early settlers of this place. How it got its name is told vaguely by the natives
in the tale about how the early Spaniards who reached the place found abundant growths of bamboo
trees along creeks that circled the town site namely Bulod, Sipat, Bungkol, and Marabulig creeks where
few families lived. It was also a common sight to see crocodiles basking under the cluster of bamboo
along the creeks in the early morning sun.

Travel to Cauayan, Isabela

Take any Cagayan Valley Region aircon bus from Manila at 7 PM and get down at Cauayan City
early morning the following day. Cyclone Planes in Cauayan City take the passengers to Palanan for a 30
minute flight. For independent motorists from Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway and exit at the
Sta. Rita Exit. You may park vehicle at the Cyclone parking area. Cebu Pacific fly to Cauayan City Airport
from Manila.

Santiago City buses travel to Disalag, Aurora daily; from Dilasag take a boat to Palanan through the
Pacific Ocean.
Accommodations: Cauayan City is a commercial center for the Cagayan Valley Region. Accredited hotels
and restaurants abound in the area