1. 2126 Singalong St. corner San Andres
St., Malate, Manila
By: Mary Lyn S. Dioso
217A BFA-VDC
2. •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)
3. •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.
4. •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
5.
6.
7.
8. PRESIDENT: FATHER BENITO TUAZON
CHAIRMAN: GERRY CALANOG 303-39-87
ASST. CHAIRMAN: MR. JOEY GUILLERMO 521-93-16
SECRETARY: MYRNA POTENCIANO 528-44-71
TREASURER: WILLY PACLIBAR 530-37-11
MINISTRY FOR LITURGICAL AFFAIRS
MINISTRY HEAD GOMER LEJANO 524-50-98
CHOIRS LEILANI TRINIDAD 523-02-92
KOA CHRISTIAN PANAGUITON 303-83-21
LECTORS & COMMENTATORS GERRY CALANOG 530-37-11
LOA LITA ROMUALDEZ 521-93-16
SMHC JUN SALVADOR 400-72-53
USHERS MYRNA POTENCIANO 528-44-71
MINISTRY FOR LAY FORMATION
MINISTRY HEAD DULCE SALVADOR 400-72-53
ADORACION NOCTURNA SALING DAKIS
APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER LETTY TAMAYO 562-36-61
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE DULCE SALVADOR 400-72-53
COUPLES FOR CHRIST HENRY MALONZO 564-63-62
HOLY NAME SOCIETY MANNY AGUILAR 671-65-70
LEGION OF MARY NANCY ZABALA 536-47-50
NEO CATHECUMENAL WAY DOMINIC PORTUGAL 897-64-91
POUSTINIA TERESITA LIZARES 523-04-12
SACCHAM JEAN TADIAMA 646-34-40
MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL SERVICE
MINISTRY HEAD MRS. HELEN REMARDO LOC 107
MINISTRY FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS
MINISTRY HEAD ANTHONY AURELIO 400-26-52
MINISTRY FOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION & CATECHESIS
MINISTRY HEAD JACKY SAN JUAN
MINISTRY FOR FAMILY LIFE
MINISTRY HEAD MR & MRS BOYET DUMATANY 729-02-47
MINISTRY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS
MINISTRY HEAD ALEX PANAGUITON 303-83-21
BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY
MINISTRY HEAD MR.REY SAN JUAN 525-10-26
9. • LCM
• YOUTH MINISTRY
• AP
• BEC
• MINISTRY OF ALTAR SERVER
• LAY MINISTRY
• GREETERS AND COLLECTIONS
• NEO
• CHOIR
10. January July
Solemnity of Mary Mother of Youth Mass
God August
Sto. Niño Festival Parish Youth Ministry
Youth Mass Celebration of the world youth
February day Parish base
Youth Mass
Ash Wednesday September
Youth Mass
Mama Mary’s birthday
March
Youth Mass
Youth Mass October
April Month of the Rosary
Lenten Recollection Procession
Holy Week Youth Mass
Youth Mass November
May Christ the King
Flores de Maria Advent
Procession Youth Mass
Youth Mass December
June Christmas
Fiesta New Year
Youth Mass
Youth Mass
11. 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: Manila
Vicariate: Holy Family
Feast day: June 13
Titular: Saint Anthony of Padua
Immediate Preceding Pastor:
