Tacurong City Patroness: Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria...guiding light of Notre Dame of Tacurong College
Posted on Sunday, 9 November 2014
Tacurong
City Patroness: Nuestra Seῆora de
La Candelaria
…guiding
light of Notre Dame of Tacurong College
By Apolinario Villalobos
The swampy barrio of what was once
Pamansang (later, Talakudong), the old name of Tacurong, formed part of Buluan.
The barrio was accessible then, via the Rio Grande de Mindanao. Makeshift
wharfs were located at Dulawan, Maganoy, and Buluan, according to Mr. Menandro
Lapuz who, together with his two brothers, Felipe and Eusebio, came all the way
from Nueva Ecija during the early part of the 1940’s to seek their fortune. The
road that led to the already progressive Koronadal was nothing but a “feeder
road” with its length furrowed by the sledges drawn by water buffaloes. Another
“feeder road” cut through the grasslands that led to Surallah via Isulan. A
tamer road led to Cotabato via Esperanza and Maganoy.
The Pamansang of long ago was a typical
barrio, greened by the profuse growth of talahib, cogon, enyam and acacia
trees, as well as, bamboo grooves. There was a makeshift chapel occasionally
made alive by visits of priests from Koronadal. Not long after, several priests
who belonged to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) came, to build the
foundation of the Notre Dame of Tacurong. Simultaneously, pioneer settlers of
the land joined hands in expanding the chapel. The advocacy of the early
educators of Notre Dame was not limited within the confines of the school, but
extended to the spread of Christianiy, through the first chapel which was yet
empty of any venerated image.
One of the early teachers of Notre Dame who
hailed from Iloilo, Mrs. Josefina Legayada-Lechonsito, suggested a patroness
for enshrinement in the chapel – the miraculous Lady of Candelaria, whose image
has been venerated in Jaro, Iloilo since the early 1800’s. Her suggestion was
eventually, heeded. The bell followed, donated by Don Vicente and Dona
Salud Garcia, Don Juan Garcia and his
wife, Mrs. Maria Montilla, and Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Tulio. The four massive
posts for the bell tower were donated by Mr. Menandro Lapuz.
Soon the patroness became known even among
the settlers in areas around Tacurong. The celebration held during the first
week of February attracted devotees who flocked to the continually improved
chapel which necessitated expansion to accommodate them. When Tacurong became
the center of evacuation during the unrest in early 70’s, the church was always
filled with devotees who sought intercession so that peace would prevail, a
call which was heeded, as Tacurong now enjoys tranquility and harmony despite
cultural diversity of the locals.
When Notre Dame of Tacurong for boys was
established by the missionary priests of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, they
opened its gate to all who would like to learn, regardless of their religious
affiliation. It was therefore, not
surprising when Muslim youth from Maganoy, Buluan, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu
Piang, and Dulawan, donned the green- striped khaki pants and white t-shirt
uniform, although, they were exempted from joining Religion class, scheduled
novenas and rosaries.
Along with the establishment of the Notre
Dame high school for boys, the Notre Dame high school for girls was also
established and administered by the Dominican nuns of the Order of Preachers
(O.P.). Just like its counterpart for
boys, the Girls Department was also some kind of an educational institution
without barrier. Muslim girls donned the green skirt and white blouse uniform,
although, not required too, to attend Religion class, and scheduled novenas and
rosaries.
Later, the sisters of the Oblates of Notre
Dame (OND), arrived to assist the priests in their effort to reach out to the
far barrios that needed to be visited regularly.
To make sure that graduates of the two
Notre Dame high schools could pursue even the first two years of their college
education, preparatory courses were offered, leading to Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education (BSEEd), Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), Liberal
Arts (LA), and Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC). Despite the trying times
that tested the financial acumen of the college administration, somehow, third
and fourth year levels were opened not long after. The school which started
with small rooms to accommodate high school students has metamorphosed into a
progressive college, with courses that big colleges and universities also
offer.
With the Lady of Candelaria as the
inspiring and moving spirit behind the enthusiastic pioneer educators and
religious groups, many things were accomplished for Tacurong. What they did set
the trend of progress. More schools were established, such as Lyceum of the
Philippines and Magsaysay Memorial College, even vocational schools such as
Grimaldo Fashion School and Parisienne Academy. The public market flourished
and resulted to a more healthy business environment that encouraged the trek of
more migrants to Tacurong.
There are stories about miraculous
transformation of lives of locals that they attribute to the Lady of
Candelaria, but which are kept as of yet, though, sometimes, they are shared
discreetly. As a gratitude to the patroness, they maintain their vow to come
home from where they are permanently settled today, to be part of the annual
fiesta celebration.
Tacurongnons attest to a unique miracle
that involved the quick transformation of the once swampy barrio into a
progressive town, and eventually, a city. Strongly felt, too, is the prevailing
harmony among the locals who are composed of Muslims, Christians and indigenous
tribes. The harmony clearly oozes with goodwill, prompting the local government
to refer to Tacurong as the “City of Goodwill”.
As an added information, the devotion to
the Lady of the Candle or Candelaria, originated in the city of
Candelaria,Tenerife, one of the islands of Canary Islands, where it is regarded
as a “black Madonna”, hence, the name Our Lady of Candelaria or Nuestra Señora de
la Candelaria. Although, the basilica
that enshrines the patroness is located at Candelaria, she is considered as the
patroness of the whole Canary Islands.
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