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Caramoan
Religions and
Sacred Sites

ni
JINKY S. ALEJANDRINO
COPYRIGHT 2022

Caramoan Religious and Sacred Sites JINKY S. ALEJANDRINO

Permission to use or reproduce this publication or parts of it in hard or digital copies

and for personal or classroom use is granted free provided that the copies are not
reproduced or distributed for commercial purposes and that this notice and full
citation of the Philippine Department of Education appear on the first page of the
reproduced copies. Otherwise, prior written approval from the Philippine Department
of Education is required to reproduce, republish, post online, store in a retrieval
system, or transmit this publication in any form.

Published 2022 in the Philippines by the Department of Education

SDS : Loida N. Nidea CESO V

ASDS : Sueño S. Luzada

CID CHIEF : Mariben D. Berja

EPS : Mariben D. Berja

DAPC : Rosemarie N. Miraña

LRMDS : Salvador T. Pelingon

PSDS : Gilda P. Bustilla PhD.

PRINCIPAL: Marijane B. Matucad EdD.

Writer : Jinky S. Alejandrino

Content Editor : Divina Francia D. Crisolo
Language Editor : Rosemarie N. Miraña
Copyright Checker : Francis Hassel N. Pedido
Layout Editor : Maria Divina S. Chavez
Illustrator : Abegael Arindaeng
Reviewer : Rosemarie N. Miraña
 Caramoan is situated at the tip of the Caramoan Peninsula. It is said to be a
land extending into the waters of the Maqueda Channel on the north and Lagonoy
Gulf on the south. Before the arrival of Spaniards, Caramoan was also called Guta
de Leche by the Dutch traders whoi operated a gold mine in Lahuy Island and who
frequented the area to trade with the natives. The name was perhaps derived from
the milkdrop stalagmites found among the rocks of Guta Port. Then the Spaniards
called the place as "Carahan" because of the presence of the sea turtles, which was
was abundant along the shores of the Peninsula.

Caramoan is now an emerging tourist destination known not only for its white
and pink sand beaches but also of its religious places and pilgrimage. These
religious heritage sites are meaningful sources of identity and inspiration of the
community. Like other Bicolanos, Caramoanons have their strong faith with God.

Religious heritage and pilgrim places in Caramoan will surely inspire every
Bicolano to enrich knowledge and understanding of religion as part of history. The
identity of Bicolanos is greatly defined by religions. It has great impact on how
people value the creation of God like how the Caramoanons are doing so.

Source: “Caramoan - Camarines Sur Destinations.” Copyright © 2022 retrieved from Wikipedia.org

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MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:

Natataya ang bahaging ginampanan ng relihiyon sa iba’t ibang aspekto ng

pamumuhay AP7KIS-IVh-1.21

FILIPINO 8 Quarter 1
Naiuugnay ang mahahalagang kaisipang nakapaloob sa mga karunungang-bayan
sa mga pangyayari sa tunay na buhay sa kasalukuyan F8PB-Ia-c-22

Read the book silently and answer the comprehension check

Check and evaluate your answer.

Using the Data Retrieval Chart, identify the names of the founders, the
priests/pastors assigned in the parish or church, and the years of their assignment.
Role play/dramatize the events happened during the foundation of the church.
Research on the installation of the priest/pastor assigned in the Caramoan parish or
churches.
Make an editorial of the present condition of your church.
Make an infographic about the religious and sacred sites.
Source: Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of Camarines Sur Copyright 2019

iii
 In 1619, an ardent Franciscan Spanish missionary friar, Fray Francisco de la
Cruz y Oropesa, was able to penetrate the forested peninsula of Caramoan and
founded a Christian settlement called BALWARTE/ Baluarte. It was turned over to
the administration of Sagrada Mitra or Holy Bishopric in 1696. The settlement grew
and became known as Caramoan. At present, Caramoan covers approximately
277.41 square kilometres (107.11 sq mi) with approximately 71 kilometres (44 mi) of
irregular coastline surrounded by the vast ocean, bay, seas and swamps. It is
approximately 500 kilometres (310 mi) from Metro Manila; 95 kilometres (59 mi)
from the municipality of Pili, where the seat of the provincial government and
the Naga Domestic Airport are located; and 110 kilometres (68 mi) east from Naga
City, the heart of Bicol. In 2020 populstion census based on religious affiliation.
Roman catholic has the highest number of members followed by the Iglesia ni Cirsto,
Jehovah's Witness, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints.

There were religious sects that established worship sites that became part of
the journey of locals and tourists. These religious heritage sites are meaningful
sources of identity and inspiration of the community.

Caramoan is now a popular destination for pilgrimage or religious journey in

Bicol region.

Source:1. Caramoan wikipedia.org

2. 2000 Census of Population And Housing
Sacred Heritage

Photo taken by Jinky S. Alejandrino 1/31/2022 11:30AM

St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church

This parish church was built in honor of St. Michael the Archangel whose
feast is annually celebrated on May 7th and 8th. In 1696, Caramoan was turned over
to Sagrada Mitra. Then, in 1619 a chapel was built out of indigenous materials like
nipa, bamboos and wood. It underwent numerous repairs and renovations. After 200
years a permanent structure was built. This was said to be constructed by slave
labor (polo y servicio) out of adobe, local stones, and clay under the supervision of
well-known artisans and masons. It has traces of Romanesque architectural design
with lime plastered walls. This church in red adobe withstood natural calamities and
also the harshness of World War II. In 2019 the St. Michael the Archangel Church
celebrated its 400 years.and It is considered the oldest church in Caramoan
aesthetically built in its red bricks which makes it unique.

Source: Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of CAMARINES SUR Copyright 2019

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 Source: Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of Camarines Sur Copyright 2019

MOTHER OF PEACE/CARA-BHHE-Ina
On Mt. Caglago, 700ft above the sea level in barangay Tabgon, magnificently
stands the image of Our Lady Mother of Peace. A flight of 760 steps (and 786 if
including the alternate route) to the grotto leads to the 26-foot image of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. This image was built from 1989-1990 through the efforts of Rev. Fr.
Felix F. Barela with the budget from foreign and local funds. Voluntary works were
rendered by the local folks. And opened to the public on May 20,19190 led by
Archbishop of Caceres Most Reverend Leonardo Z. Legaspi. However, on October
2, 1998 super typhoon Loleng ravaged the municipality and did not spare the Marian
image. It was struck by the lighting that caused more serious damages in 1999.
During the priests’ assembly on May 11, 2000 at the parish of St. Joseph, San Jose,
Camarines Sur, Archbishop Legaspi presented a proposal that instead of restoring
the image, replacement will be done. Rev. Msgr. Juan N. Buentiempo commissioned
Ben Nierva to construct the second image of the Marian and finished the image on
May 1, 2008. Since then, the grotto became a regular venue of Via Crucis during
holy week. It is lighted at night that glows like a candle and guides the fishermen
back to the shore of Tabgon.
Source: Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of Camarines Sur Copyright
2019

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Photo credit to Henchie
D.Alvarez

St. Dominic of Guzman

Parish in Tabgon,
Caramoan

To evangelize the
locals in the peninsula, the
Capella de Pambuhan (now
Garchitorena)
was created in 1906 with Fr.
Pablo Rebaya as the
resident priest. In 1950’s,
St. Dominic of Guzman
Parish was installed at
Tabgon with Rev. Fr. Lino
Regala as the first parish
priest. The patron feast day
is celebrated every fourth day of August.

Source: Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of Camarines Sur Copyright 2019

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 Photo credit to Aiza A. Refugia January 2021

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church

In August 2001 established the St. Roque Parish of Guijalo with Rev. Fr.
Joaquin T. Camano as the pioneer parish-testimony. But it was renamed to its patron
saint Our Lady oof Peace and Good Voyage. It celebrates its feast every August 15 th
and 16th.

Source: Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of Camarines Sur Copyright 2019

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 A. CHART WHAT YOU LEARNED!

DIRECTION: Complete the information needed on the data retrieval chart below.
You can use the text you read to check your comprehension. Write your answers on
your answer sheet.

RELIGIOUS AND
SACRED DESCRIPTION
SITE/CHURCH

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6
 B. I KNOW IT!

Direction. Choose the best answer to the following questions/statements below.

Write the correct answer on your answer sheet

6. Which of the following is the oldest church in Caramoan?

A. Iglesia ni Cristo
B. St. Roque Parish of Guijalo
C. St. Michael Archangel Church
D. Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish Church

7. Which of the following does not best describe the Lady of Mt. Caglago?

A. 26 feet tall
B. On top of Mt. Caglago
C. A flight of 786 steps
D. All of the above (Provide other option)

8. Who established the St. Roque Parish Church?

A. Rev. Fr. Lino Regala

B. Rev. Fr. Vicente Ramirez
C. Rev. Fr. Joaquin T. Camano
D. Fray Francisco de la Cruz y Oropesa

9. Who commissioned Ben Nierva to make the second image of the Marian?

A. Archbishop Legaspi
B. Rev. Fr. Joaquin T. Camano
C. Rev. Msgr. Juan N. Buentiempo
D. Fray Francisco de la Cruz y Oropesa

10. What are the statements that would best described Caramoan?

I. It has 10 main islands.

II. It was declared a pilgrimage destination.
III. Founded as a small settlement called Baluarte.
IV. It was turned over to Sagrada Mitra or Holy Bishopric

A. I and II B. II, and III C. III and IV D. IV only

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Bishopric noun bish·op·ric | \ ˈbi-shə-(ˌ)prik - DIOCESE, the office of bishop

Polo y Servicio – forced labor during the Spanish period

Peninsula - an area of land that juts out into a body of water

“Caramoan, Camarines Sur Profile – PhilAtlas.” n.d. Www.philatlas.com. Accessed

January 8, 2022.
https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r05/camarines-sur/caramoan.html.

“Caramoan, Camarines Sur.” n.d. Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.

Accessed January 8, 2022. https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1021467.

“Definition of BISHOPRIC.” n.d. Www.merriam-Webster.com. Accessed January 8,

2022.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bishopric#:~:text=Definition
%20of%20bishopric.

Division Local Heritage Matrix Division of CAMARINES SUR Copyright 2019 by the
Department of Education Learning Resource Management and Development
System (LRMDS) All Rights Reserved. 2019

Rebuya, N.R., Lasarte, E.S., Amador, M.M.A. and De la Roca, G.R. (2020)
Assessing Religious Tourism Motivational Factors and Experiences of Visitors
to Selected Religious Sites in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Open Access
Library Journal, 7: e6404. (06): 1. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106404.

‌ “Thesaurus Results for PENINSULA.” n.d. Www.merriam-Webster.com. Accessed

January 8, 2022. https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peninsula.

“2000 CENSUS of POPULATION and HOUSING c c c a a a M M M a a a R R R I I I N N

N E NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE.” n.d.
https://www.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Camarines%20Sur_0.pdf.

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‌
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Jinky S, Alejandrino is a Master Teacher I of Camaligan National

High School. She had Completed academic Requirement for MAED at Goa

Partido College and graduated her college degree at Ateneo de Naga now

Ateneo de Naga University. She had her elementary and high school at

Columban in Olongapo City and Colegio de Sta Isabel. She had been CI

research Presenter in 2019. And a writer in DLP and Bicol Culture.