Humble Beginnings: The History of Mabolo Parish

Often referred to as cradle of Christianity in the Far East1, Cebu City has always
an important religious center in the Philippines. The city was founded on 1521,
when the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross that became
the herald of Christianization in the Philippines2. The seed of Philippine
Christianity was then preached throughout the settlements in the island of Cebu.

One of the early settlements in Cebu was an area known as Talamban. The town
of Talamban was established on 16003 and became a one of the sites of commerce
and trade in colonial Cebu. On 1850, Bishop Fray Romualdo Gimeno decree for an
establishment of a church for the patronage of San Jose for the town of Talamban4.
The church was later transferred to an area presently known as Mabolo5. The
parish catered to the spiritual needs of the residents from the surrounding areas
of Talamban until the creation of an independent parish in the old Talamban
pueblo6.The church in Mabolo later became known as Saint Joseph the Patriarch
Parish and has since then become the center-piece of religious life for the faithful
residents of Barangay Mabolo, Luz, Banilad, Hippodromo, Apas, Lahug and
Carretta.

1
A Glimpse of Its Past (2012), Accessed on March 18, 2019, https://www.cebucity.gov.ph/4-about-
cebu/government/64-history-24865722
2
St. John Paul II, Message of His Holiness John Paul II to the President and to the People of the Philippines, February
17, 1981, sec. 2, para. 2, accessed March 18, 2019,
www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1981/february/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19810217_manila-
presidente_en.html
3
See page 9, Panaw: A Pilgrim’s Journey (2016)
4
See page 10, Panaw: A Pilgrim’s Journey (2016)
5
Sy, Dioniso, et. al.,The History of Cebu City (2014). Available at Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos
6
See page 13, Panaw: A Pilgrim’s Journey (2016)