LaRuY LaRuY SiNtA: Do you still remember the church in Tamontaka ?

LaRuY LaRuY SiNtA: Do you still remember the church in Tamontaka ?: "This is the Immaculate Conception Church located in Tamontaka, Cotabato City. Here the Jesuits - Fr. Juan Bautista Vidal, Fr. Jose Ignac..."

KaEtchosan At Etchetera: City Hall sa Barangay sa Buayan

KaEtchosan At Etchetera: City Hall sa Barangay sa Buayan: "Meet and greet of the City Health doctors with patients to undergo check up as one of the services provided in the city hall sa barangay. M..."

Do you still remember the church in Tamontaka ?

This is the Immaculate Conception Church located in Tamontaka, Cotabato City. Here the Jesuits -  Fr. Juan Bautista Vidal, Fr. Jose Ignacio Guerrico, Bro. Venancio Belzunce, Bro. Ignacio Zumeta established the Tamontaka Mission  in 1861 patterned after that of an earlier mission in Paraguay. The first church was built along the banks of the Tamontaka River in 1872. It was relocated to its present site in 1879 where it was administered by the Jesuits until 1899 then by the Oblates of the Mary Immaculate in 1939. The church was destroyed during an earthquake in 1976, reconstructed in 1978, razed by fire in 1994 and completely rebuilt in the same year. 

 

When Cotabato City was on its heights as one of the fastest growing cities in Mindanao, Tamontaka was one place where many travelers and tourist desires to visit.  Likewise, many religious activities are often held here since this has become known to be a venue of strengthening the faith of many christians. Though the city is dominated mostly by our Muslim brothers, this place paved ways to those who desired to serve the almighty.

A Century Old City Hall

A century old  City Hall in one of the earliest cities in Mindanao.  Before this unique and antique architectural design depicting the Muslim Art structure houses almost all of the city government offices.  

 

It is not yet too long  ago when this well lighted city plaza is where many tourists and transients go around and walk through to find different business or stores where they can shop. 

The statues of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat was the 7th Sultan of Mindanao, a Muslim leader and a hero who fought against the Spaniard.

Muslim and christian celebrations are held at the plaza stage where the residents and local tourist as well as travellers witness its staging.

At present time though many are still enjoying the archetectural design of the old building and the plaza, I fear that this treasures might not be enjoyed by the future Cotabateneos.  Preservation is necessary for its a place where you can remember how COTABATO CITY before and now.

Three Newly Ordained Priests : to serve new parishes

 I happen to meet a friend who is one of the point person in an ordination of the three priests at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cotabato City on October 26,2010, tuesday just after the election of Barangay and SK officials.

It really feels good to know that there are those who really pursue this vocation despite the challenges they  encounter along their journey during their life in the convent.  Many might not be able to overcome the life of serving the Almighty but all I can feel right now is my admiration to them who made it.

Being part of this momentous event of Rev. Fr. Jomar Roquero Roselo,of Libungan, North Cotabato; Rev. Simeon Viernes Samson, Jr.of Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat and , Rev. Gerry Dominic Celeste Villaof Lebak Sultan Kudarat is a ones in a lifetime opportunity.

As a witness to this religious gathering, I hope that by shring this I will be able to ignite the hearts of those who wish to serve the church and will be inspired to  enter into this vocation.

The Port inside the City

Before vessels (lantsa) bound for Lebak & Kalamansig Sultan Kudarat as well as Pagadian City docks in this port then load passengers and cargos.  It is bounded on the North by the Rio Grande de Mindanao, on the South by the Rajah Tabunaway Boulevard, on the East by the Maguindanao Creek and the West by the Manday River.

The total port area of 5,200.5  square meters and an operational area of 4,697.5 square meters.  During its busy times before, porters, food vendors and passengers are visible here until the vessels depart to its destination.  When the vessels comes back crops and products from the areas are transported to city for trading.

At present the port is still being maintained but  the passengers and other couriers has now the option to transport by land using the Sen. Ninoy Aquino or South Upi route.

A glimpse of ARMM

 

One Trivia I can share with you is that Cotabato City is under the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao or ARMM.  Above is an architectural creation of where the leaders of this region converge to set plans for its development.

The creation of the Autonomous Region in Mindanao (ARMM) happened during the time of President Corazon C. Aquino. A plebiscite was conducted in the proposed area of the ARMM on November 17, 1989 and four provinces officially joined ARMM  and these are  Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Atty. Zacaria A. Candao was the First Regional Governor of ARMM when it first started to function on July 9,1990.  The September 2001 plebiscite paved the way for the expansion of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to include the Province of Basilan and City of Marawi.

The region seeks to fulfill its two general objectives: Development and Peace for its 2.8 million people in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and City of Marawi.  


ARMM now is headed by one (1) Regional Governor, one (1) Regional Vice Governor and twenty four (24) representatives of Regional Legislative Assembly representing the eight districts of the five provinces and one city of the region.

Like all the places in the islands of Mindanao, ARMM leadership has ushered new hopes for the expanded ARMM and achieve the objectives, peace and development.

Source: http://www.armm.gov.ph

My hometown COTABATO CITY

Kutang Bato. . .  Kutawato. . . .  Cotabato is a city where commercialism flourished in the island of Mindanao particularly in the South and Central Mindanao. 

Growing up here has given me the opportunity to discover its treasures, its faces and its places.  I came to see and experience the culture of different tribes who in one way or another has a part of making this place as colorful as other places in the country.

According to its historical accounts the source of the city's present name for "Kuta" means "Fort" and "Bato" means "Stone" hence the name "Fort of Stone" which later on became Cotabato.

The city is a convergence of different tribes from all over the country.  Many Mindanaoan has savored the conglomerate of cultures from many parts of the regions.  I cannot also discount the places that made the City known like the PC Hill where the famous cave in the heart of the city is located  and many other landmarks which made the city known all over the country.

Today, Cotabato City is the seat of two administrative regions: Region XII and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.   Though after some areas of Region XI like General Santos City was transferred to Region XII where some Regional Offices of the different government agencies were transferred to Koronadal City,  Cotabato continued to be the center for economic support activities (trade and finance), education and other support services such as social, physical, cultural and other basic services of Central Mindanao are offered in the city.