Dioceses Catarmaniensis

Suffragan of Palo
Created: December 5, 1974. Erected: March 11, 1975.
Comprises the civil jurisdiction of the province of Northern
Samar. Titular: Our Lady of the Annunciation, August 29.

Bishop
Most Reverend
EMMANUEL CELESTE TRANCE, DD, PHD
Born: August 18, 1953 in Calinog, Iloilo. Ordained Priest: May 17, 1978.
Installed Coadjutor Bishop of Catarman: August 12, 2004. Ordained Bishop:
July 22, 2004. Installed 2nd Diocesan Bishop of Catarman: March 11, 2005.

Diocese of Catarman
OFFICE OF THE BISHOP
Diocesan Catholic Center
Catarman 6400 Northern Samar, Philippines
Telefax: (055) 500-8560
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobile: 0917-799-0155 • 0998-570-7160

Bishop’s Residence
Brgy. Cawayan, Catarman, 6400 Northern Samar

Bishop Emeritus
Most Reverend
ANGEL T. HOBAYAN, DD, JCD
Born: December 11, 1929 in Taft, Eastern Samar. Ordained Priest: March 25,
1955. Appointed First Bishop of Catarman: December 12, 1974. Ordained
Bishop: March 5, 1975. Installed: March 11, 1975.

Diocese of Catarman
Diocesan Catholic Center (DCC)
Catarman 6400 Northern Samar, Philippines
Mobile: 0936-950-7566 • 0918-935-3679
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRESENT STATUS
Bishop.......................................................1
Bishop Emeritus....................................1
Priests:
Diocesan.......................................... 67
Active........................................... 43
Outside diocese....................... 21
Retired............................................3
Religious.............................................3
Total.............................................. 70
Religious Sisters:
Filipino.............................................. 47
Foreign................................................1
Total.............................................. 48
Seminarians:
Theology.............................................9
Philosophy...................................... 29
Pre-college.........................................8
Not engaged in study....................1
(doing pastoral work)
Total.............................................. 47
Seminary..................................................1
Diocesan Divisions:
Vicariates............................................4
Parishes............................................ 22
Mission Centers................................8
Chaplaincy.........................................1
Educational Centers:
Kindergartens...................................8
Primary/Elementary.......................2
High Schools.....................................6
College................................................1
Total.............................................. 17
Sacraments:
Baptisms:
Up to 1 year old.................. 8,263
From 1 to 7 yrs. old........... 4,228
Over 7 yrs. old.........................547
Total.................................13,038
Confirmations.......................... 1,750
1st Communicants................. 2,822
Marriages......................................464
Population................................ 587,434
Catholics.................................... 555,400
Area ................................. 3,498 sq.kms.

DIOCESAN CURIA
Chancery
Diocese of Catarman
OFFICE OF THE CHANCERY
DCC Catarman 6400 Northern
Samar, Philippines
Tel.: (055) 500-8560
Vicar General: Rev. Msgr. Gaspar D.
Balerite, HP, SThD
Chancellor: Rev. Fr. Sandy Nito T.
Quibal
Vice Chancellor: Rev. Fr. Clarence B.
Dabocol
Oeconomus: Rev. Fr. Alan B. Abalon Jr.
Asst. Oeconomus: Rev. Fr. Anthony
G. Salazar
Legal Counsels: Atty. Emily Sison-
Acompañado; Atty. Noel G.
Fernandez
Secretary/Cashier: Leonora M. Dizon
Bookkeeper: Rhodora C. Mollejon
Disbursing Officer: Donna Tresia G.
Dosal

ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
Board of Consultors: Rev. Msgr.
Gaspar D. Balerite, HP, SThD; Rev.
Fr. Diego S. Unay; Rev. Fr. Otillo P.
Lobriño Jr.; Rev. Fr. Tobias G. Irinco;
Rev. Fr. Anelito G. Cesista; Rev. Fr.
Jimel D. Varela; Rev. Fr. Fred I.
Placa; Rev. Fr. Ronemo J. Tendoy;
Rev. Fr. Sandy Nito T. Quibal
Judicial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Otillo P.
Lobriño Jr.
Chairman of the ADHOC Committee
for the Cultural Heritage & New
Church Construction: Rev. Msgr.
Gaspar D. Balerite, HP, SThD
Administrator of Church Land & Edifices:
Rev. Fr. Fernando M. Bogtong
Secretary to the Bishop: Rev. Fr. Ariel
T. Quibal

PASTORAL SECTION
Diocesan Pastorial Secretariat
Director: Rev. Fr. Fred I. Placa

Commission Directors
Commission on Worship & Liturgy:
Rev. Fr. Roberto S. Cisneros
Commission on BEC: Rev. Fr. Fred I.
Placa
Vice Director: Rev. Fr. Zandro D.
Gorgonia
BEC Coordinator: Rev. Sr. Remedios
Baldevizo, MSPC
Commission on Education: Rev. Fr.
Eduardo E. Dorico
Family and Life Apostolate: Rev. Fr.
Sandy Nito T. Quibal
Vice Director: Rev. Fr. Adrian P.
Adriasola
Bible Apostolate: Rev. Fr. Ruel T.
Deterala
Catechetical Coordinator: Rev. Sr.
Ma. Lourdes G. Bruno, MCJ
Office of the Mass Media: Rev. Fr.
Elmer E. Lopez
Commission on Social Action: Rev. Fr.
Fred I. Placa
Commission on Temporalities: Rev.
Fr. Ronimo J. Tendoy
Commission on Youth: Rev. Fr.
Charles Victorino M. Diaz
Vice Director: Rev. Fr. Ariel T.
Quibal
Commission on Clergy & Vocations:
Rev. Fr. Jimel D. Varela
Commission on Laity & Popular Devotions:
Rev. Fr. Rico M. Manook
Commission on Prison Pastoral Care:
Rev. Fr. Wendel A. Rotamula
Vice Director: Rev. Fr. Antonio
Renoblas, CFIC
Commission on Catholic Health Care:
Rev. Fr. Alan B. Abalon Jr.
Seminary Board:
Chairman: Rev. Msgr. Gaspar
D. Balerite, HO, SThD (Former
Rector)
Members: Rev. Fr. Jimel D. Varela
(Present Rector); Rev. Fr. Giovanni
R. Picardal
Pontifical Mission Commission: Rev.
Fr. Rey S. Lagrimas

PARISHES AND PAROCHIAL CLERGY
Vicariate of St. Joseph
Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Ronimo J.
Tendoy
Our Lady of the Annunciation Cathedral
Parish (F-1596/1649), Catarman
6400 Northern Samar
Tel.: (055) 354-8475
Titular: Our Lady of the Annunciation,
August 29
Rector and Team Ministry Moderator:
Rev. Fr. Fernando M. Bogtong
Co-Pastors: Rev. Fr. Ronimo J.
Tendoy; Rev. Fr. Jessan D. Magallanes
Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (F-1697),
Bobon 6410 Northern Samar
Titular: Most Holy Name of Jesus,
August 10
Parish Priest: Rev. Msgr. Gaspar D.
Balerite, HP, SThD
Diocesan Shrine of the Nuestro Padre
Jesus Nazareno (St. Rock the
Healer Mission Center) (F-2007),
Cawayan 6400 Catarman, Northern
Samar
Titular: St. Rock the Healer,
August 18
Rector & Acting Administrator:
Rev. Fr. Rico M. Manook
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Miss ion
Center (F-2008), Dalakit, Catarman
6400 Northern Samar
Tel.: (055) 500-8144
Titular: Our Mother of Perpetual
Help, June 27
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Sandy Nito
T. Quibal
St. Isidore the Farmer Parish (F-1995),
Lope de Vega 6403 Northern
Samar
Titular: St. Isidore the Farmer,
May 15
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Eduardo E.
Dorico
St. Anthony of Padua Parish (F-1894/
1957), Mondragon 6417 Northern
Samar
Titular: St. Anthony of Padua,
June 12
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Prospero
Elmo B. Cabili
Co-Pastor: Rev. Fr. Eleno A. Delizon
St. Joseph, Husb and of Mary Miss ion
Center (F-2009), Polangi, Catarman
6400 Northern Samar
Titular: St Joseph, Husband of
Mary, Sept. 25
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Zandro D.
Gorgonia
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo
Rosario (F-1996), Rosario
6416 Northern Samar
Titular: Nuestra Señora del Rosario,
October 7
St. Anthony of Padua Parish (F-1955),
San Jose 6402 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Anthony of Padua,
July 29
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Roberto S.
Cisneros
Chaplaincy of the University of Eastern
Philippines, UEP Catarman 6400
Northern Samar
Titular: Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal, November 27
Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Elmer E. Lopez

Vicariate of St. Therese of the
Child Jesus
Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Diego S. Unay
St. Michael the Archangel Parish (F-1768),
Laoang 6411 Northern Samar
Tel.: (055) 251-9017
Titular: St. Michael the Archangel,
Sept. 29
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Diego S.
Unay
Co-Pastor: Rev. Fr. Pio A. Aquiatan
Jr.
St. Joseph the Worker Parish (F-1596/
1645), Catubig 6418 Northern
Samar
Titular: St. Joseph the Worker,
July 19
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Marlon T.
Osal
Holy Family Miss ion Center (F-2008),
Hibubullao, Catubig 6418 Northern
Samar
Titular: Holy Family, June 28
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Anthony
G. Salazar
Our Lady of the Nativity Parish (F-1883),
Las Navas 6420 Northern Samar
Titular: Our Lady of the Nativity,
September 8
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Gervacio R.
Osias II
St. Joseph the Baptist Parish (F-1868),
Pambujan 6413 Northern Samar
Titular: St. John the Baptist,
June 24
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Tirso C. Giray
St. Anthony of Padua Miss ion Center
(F-2000), Rawis, Laoang 6411
Northern Samar
Titular: St. Anthony of Padua,
June 4
Administrator: Rev Fr. Cleofas P.
Añonuevo
Nuestra Señora de Salvacion Mission
Center (F-2000), Salvacion,
Laoang 6411 Northern Samar
Titular: Nuestra Señora de Salvacion,
August 4
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Ruel T.
Deterala

St. Roche Parish (F-1962), San Roque
6415 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Roche, August 16
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Eruen A.
Añosa
St. Isidore the Farmer Miss ion Center
(F-2000), Silvino Northern Samar
Titular: St. Isidore the Farmer,
June 16
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Ariel D. Diaz

Vicariate of the Immaculate
Conception
Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Anelito G. Cesista
St. James the Greater Parish (F-1867),
Allen 6405 Northern Samar
Titular: St. James the Greater,
July 25
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Potenciano
E. Dulay
St. Vincent Ferrer Parish (F-1996), Biri
6401 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Vincent Ferrer, June 25
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Charles Victorino
M. Diaz
St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish (F-1559/
1625), Capul 6408 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Ignatius of Loyola,
July 31
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Billy M.
Quimbo
Our Lady of the Ass umption Parish
(F-1895), Lavezares 6404 Northern
Samar
Titular: Our Lady of the Assumption,
August 22
Pastor Moderator: Rev. Fr. Otillo P.
Lobriño Jr.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish (F-1926),
San Antonio 6407 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Anthony of Padua,
June 13
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ryan Paul G.
Opeña
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
(F-1959), San Isidro 6409 Northern
Samar
Titular: Most Sacred Heart of
Jesus, May 15
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Anelito G.
Cesista
St. Vincent Ferrer Miss ion Center (F-
1996), San Vicente 6419 Northern
Samar
Titular: St. Vincent Ferrer, April 29
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Leo T.
Jazmin
St. Anne Parish (1996/2010), Victoria
6406 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Anne, August 7
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Cyril M.
Paredes

Vicariate of St. Michael
Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Tobias G. Irinco
St. Michael the Archangel Parish (F-1949),
Gamay 6422 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Michael the Archangel,
Sept. 15
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Lito C.
Jumadiao
Co-Pastor: Rev. Fr. Oscar L.
Atibagos
St. Bonaventure Parish (F-1963), Lapinig
6423 Northern Samar
Titular: St. Bonaventure, July 14
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ronel M. Vilan
Our Lady of the Angels Parish (F-1975),
Mapanas 6412 Northern Samar
Titular: Our Lady of the Angels,
July 19
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Julius Augustus
R. Balanquit
Our Lady of the Ass umption Parish
(F-1596/1674), Palapag 6421
Northern Samar
Titular: Our Lady of the Assumption,
August 15
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Tobias G.
Irinco
Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Adrian P.
Adriasola

Diocesan Clergy with No Parish
Assignment or in Other Diocese
On Leave
Balay Padi-Catarman: Rev. Fr.
Walter A. Cerbito; Rev. Fr. Wendel
A. Rotamula
Manila: Rev. Fr. Leo C. Almasco;
Rev. Fr. Bartolome N. Bacsal; Rev.
Fr. Timoteo V. Esquillo; Rev. Fr.
Eduardo C. Maghacot Jr.; Rev. Fr.
Michael A. Entico
USA: Rev. Fr. Michael Semaña
Abroad: Rev. Fr. Elizardo S. Uno

On Loan
Manila: Rev. Fr. Jonathan L. Chy;
Rev. Fr. Dennis P. Floralde; Rev. Fr.
Almero R. Panis; Rev. Fr. Jose O.
Sumayap Jr.
USA: Rev. Fr. Alwin P. Legaspi; Rev.
Fr. Jonathan I. Loverita
Canada: Rev. Fr. Trini C. Pinca
Australia: Rev. Fr. Pompeyo C. Tan Jr.

Study Leave
Spain: Rev. Fr. Edgar S. Ponce

Retired Priests
UEP, Catarman: Rev. Fr. Nunilon B.
Cui
Lavezares: Rev. Fr. Orlando V. Galias
Catarman: Rev. Msgr. Romeo P.
Infante

SEMINARY
John Paul Seminary House of Formation
(JPS), Alisyao, Makiwalo Mondragon
6417 Northern Samar
Rector: Rev. Fr. Jimel D. Varela
Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Giovanni
R. Picardal
St. Vincent de Paul College Seminary
(SVPCS), Dagum Hills, 4712 Calbayog
City
Formator: Rev. Fr. Clarence B.
Dabocol

INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE/
SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE
MEN
Congregation of the Sons of the
Immaculate Conception (CFIC)
Order of Friars Minor (OFM)

WOMEN
Congregation of the Augustinian
Recollect Sisters (AR)
Daughters of St. Therese of Avila
(DST)
Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine
of Siena (OP)
Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred
Heart (RSC)
Missionaries of the Child Jesus (MCJ)
Missionary Sisters of the Poor of
Christ (MSPC)
Order of St. Clare (OSC)
Secular Franciscan Order (SFO)
Sisters of the Divine Mercy (SDM)
Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ)
Order of St. Benedictine (OSB)

EDUCATIONAL CENTERS
Kindergartens
DMI International Day Care Center,
Allen 6405 Northern Samar
Our Lady of the Annunciation Children’s
Educational Development, Inc.,
Cathedral Compound, Catarman
6400 Northern Samar
Sacred Heart School of Northern Samar,
Inc., San Isidro 6409 Northern
Samar
St. Francis College, Allen 6405 Northern
Samar
St. John the Baptist of Pambujan Kindergarten,
Pambujan 6413 Northern
Samar
St. Joseph Academy, San Jose 6402
Northern Samar
St. Michael Kindergarten School of
Laoang, Inc., Laoang 6411 Northern
Samar
Gamay Nuestra Señora de Salvacio Academy,
Inc., Gamay 6422 Northern
Samar

Primary or Elementary
St. Francis College, Allen 6405 Northern
Samar
Sacred Heart School of Northern
Samar, Inc., San Isidro 6409
Northern Samar

High School
Barobaybay Academy - Miss ion School,
Barobaybay, Lavezares 6404
Northern Samar
Colegio de Sta. Teresita, Laoang 6411
Northern Samar
St. Anthony Academy, Mondragon
6417 Northern Samar
St. Francis College, Allen 6405
Northern Samar
St. Joseph Academy, San Jose 6402
Northern Samar
St. Michael Academy, Catarman 6400
Northern Samar

College
St. Francis College, Allen 6405 Northern
Samar

MISCELLANEOUS LISTING
Balay Padi
St. John Paul II Pastoral Complex, Doña
Lucia, Makiwalo Mondragon
6417 Northern Samar
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Alan B.
Abalon Jr.
Bishop’s Residence, Cawayan, 6400
Catarman, Northern Samar
Diocesan Catholic Center (DCC), Catarman
6400 Northern Samar
In-Charge: Rev. Sr. Ma. Janet
Amistoso,
MCJ
Diocese of Catarman Multi-Purpose
Building, Allen 6405 Northern
Samar
Administrator: Rev. Fr. Alan B.
Abalon Jr.
Diocesan Pastoral Aff airs Off ice, 1/F
Hobayan Hall, Diocesan Catholic
Center, Cathedral Compound,
Catarman 6400 Northern Samar
Diocesan Pastoral Secretariat Building
(DPS), JP Laurel cor. ML Quezon
Streets, Brgy. Acacia, Catarman
6400 Northern Samar

NOTE: No updated data received from the Diocese of Catarman.