THE LADY AND THE PARISHIONERS

Assumption of Our Lady Parish: A History

The municipality of Tanauan is one of the historic places in Leyte. One of its
heritage is the Assumption of Our Lady Parish. The devotion started since the Jesuits’
period in 1595. It continued to grow by the time of the Augustinians and until the
arrival of the Franciscans in 1847. They establish and introduced new devotions such as
the foundation of confraternity and celebration of the feasts of the saints.

The image of La Asuncion de Nuestra Señora de Tanauan enthroned in the altar

mayor is still the original image and considered to be the oldest image in the province.
Different scholars concluded that the image was made during the Jesuits’ time in 1700’s.
The annual fiesta celebration started in the year 1909 with Doña Obdulla de Veyra-
Perez as the first Hermana Mayor and a member of the Cofradia de La Asuncion de
Nuestra Señora de Tanauan. The fiesta carried on even during the verge of the Guerra
Mundial II.

During the period of their deep devotion, the number of parishioners started to
grow. The Tanauananons sensed the desire to build a bigger place, which from an
interim chapel to a church with fortified stone walls that also served as the defense
against the Moros.

Upon the building of the church, Juanillo Siengco – a Mestizo de Sangley, was
held in charged to oversee the building that is surrounded by the stonewall. The
building was finished ion 1714, and further renovation was done during the Franciscan
time in 1897. The church was devastated and partially damaged by a strong typhoon
with storm surge. However, some important pride of the church remained like the
Stations of the Cross, which was made of Spanish terracotta and originally made in
Mexico.

The devotion to Our Lady of Assumption remained strong and resilient through
the years, and it became vital to the lives of every Tanauananons. Every 15 th day of
August, the annual fiesta is celebrated throughout the whole town. A new tradition had
been established since 1991, which is the “Pasaka Festival”. Its name is derived from the
word “pasaka” that means “assumption”. It is a festive and colorful dance of culture
that is showcased to honor the Blessed Virgin.

Assumption of Our Lady Parish is a home of devoted parishioners for over 400
years. It has been part of an amazing history, and now is continuing to make great
stories to be told as history in the future.

“VIVA SEÑORA, MAHAL NGA PATRONA!”

Costiniano, Lyndon C. BSHM 2-A