MONICA is one of the 9 parishes of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in the Diocese of Zambales, usually known in this Town as the Aglipayan Church.
1902-1906
The August 3, 1902 proclamation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente served as the birth of Filipino Church in Botolan, Zambales. Filipino priests were in control of the Parish of Sta. Monica, Roman Catholic Church.
1907
In 1907, The R
ev. Gregorio Balda, a Filipino Priest from the Roman Catholic Church who was assigned in Sta. Monica Parish, Botolan got married with a parishioner. He then expressed allegiance and supported the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and acknowledged the leadership of the First Obispo Maximo Grogorio L. Aglipay who gave him his appointment as parish Priest in Botolan. The earliest Aglipayan sacramental and Church’s services were held in the Roman Church and the last quarter of this year Aglipayan members were in dilemma and panic upon knowing the Supreme Court order, “ On November 30, 1906 the Supreme court ordered the IFI to return all properties it had ‘seized and occupied’ from the Roman Catholic Church”. Balda then encouraged every Aglipayan members to separate and build their own Church’s building and as their identity. Some members remained at the Roman Catholic Church.
1908
In 1908, Aglipayan devoted members vacated the Roman Catholic Church through the leadership of Fr. With encouragement Aglipayan members had been able to put up a temporary Church in the Town Plaza. Balda then formed the LAYMEN ORGANIZATION known as the Caballeros de Honor and the WOMEN AUXILLIARY (DAMAS). He also formed the Church Choir of whom members were known musicians namely; Vidal Nepumuceno, Francisco Nepumuceno, Lazaro Dollosa, Isidro Dinoso, Segundo Ramos, Teofilo Rojo, Gil Mora, Concepcion Nepumuceno, Juana Felix, Marcela and Maria Felix.
1912
In 1912, Aglipayan members were blessed by the piece of land with an area of 940 square meters donated in the name of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente by Don Casimero Lim and his family. According to the Provincial Assessor this portion of lot had been registered under tax declaration No. 8176, located adjacent side of Roman Catholic Church and particularly situated along the National Road corner Sta. Monica Street,Paco,Botolan. They kept Sta. Monica as the Aglipayan Patron Saint in Botolan. The Image of Sta. Monica was also acquired in this year through initiative of the Women’s Auxiliary (DAMAS) of the IFI and Rev. Gregorio Balda (Parish Priest). The image was purchased with funds solicited from Aglipayan members and supporters. Santiago Dequina an active member of the Caballeros de Honor (at present known as the Laymen of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente-LIFI) had been tasked to buy the image of Sta. Monica in Manila by sailboat called “Bagong Sikat” as means of transportation owned by Mr. Francisco Corum. Aglipayan members and many people from Botolan with the Botolan Band and the “Binabayani Dancers” met at Pader, Bancal, Botolan to welcome the Image as the sailboat anchored at Lokil (small port) near the ruins of Fort Playa Honda.
“The Image of the Patron Saint Santa Monica of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in Botolan, Zambales is owned by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente particularly the Aglipayan members in Botolan.” This statement is handed down in detailed from the first Parish Priest (refered to Parish Priests of Sta. Monica, Botolan, Zamabales) assigned in Botolan,Zambales up to the present. Every 4th day of May, the feast of Sta. Monica is celebrated in this Parish. Statues of Aglipayan Barangay Chapels were invited and present during the occasion especially the Image of “Apo Apang”,(Nuestra Seniora dela Paz/ Ina P**n bato), the Image of Sto. Nino in Capayawan and other Brgy. Statues of IFI Patron Saints. After the fiesta celebration the Image is kept in the house of the assigned Aglipayan member as a privilege and responsibility to take care of the Image for the whole year. The Dequina Family in Paco ( Papo Anda Dequina) was in charge of the Image for a long period to give credit to the effort of Mr. Santiago Dequina. It was then became an internal arrangement that the Image will be brought to the church on feast days. The church was constructed with walls of plain galvanized iron sheets then renovated into wood. The Parish rectory was made of bamboos, nipa and cogon. During the World War II, the Image of Sta. Monica was kept by the Corum family in Paco, Botolan to give credit to Mr. There was at this time an internal arrangement between the Church of P**n Bato “Apo Apang” and the Church of Sta. Monica about the statue Images on feast days. Monica’s image is expected during feast day of Apo Apang (24th day of February) in the same manner the Image of Apo Apang is welcome on the feast day of Sta. Monica in Botolan Church. After the feast celebration, the Image is being kept by Aglipayan member at home.
1948
In May, 1948 after the feast day, the Image of Sta. Monica was handed to the Blanco’s family in Batonlapoc (Papo Umbay/Papo Iya) for a year in custody then returned to the Dequina Family in Paco. One of the active members and officer of the Church then was Mr. Teodolo Blanco who donated woods for church’s pillars. After some years, the Image is being turned over to the Corum Family (Nina Cocum) in Paco. Several years the Image is kept in custody by the family Corum. Members and other devotees of Sta. Monica visited their residence to pay her homage.
1968
In 1968, the first major Church reconstruction took place under the administration of Rev. Federico C. The walls of the church were made concrete with funds from donations of members and of individual sponsors. The officers of the Sta. Monica Parish namely:
President: Mr. Floro Docuyanan
Vice president: Mr. Domingo Blanco
Secretary: Mrs. Consolacion Escusa
Treasurer: Mr. Manuel Chiong
1991
In 1991, the Church’s roof turned down due to the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Aglipayan members seek donations and extended support to rebuild the roof of the Church.
2004
In 2004, the Church’s wood pillars were replaced into concrete through the funds solicited by members and caretakers of Holy Week Saints “Santo and Santa” Images with the supervision of the Rev Fr. Rolando M. de Guzman, parish priest. The custody of Image of Sta. Monica is being transferred to Mrs. Magdalena T. Diesta in San Miguel, Botolan. Mrs. Diesta then the president of WOPIC (Women of the Philippine Independent Church), the former Women’s Auxiliary of the PIC. She was accompanied by Mrs. Gleceria Esmelo at the residence of the Family Corum in Paco to get the Image with the approval of the Rev. de Guzman, the parish priest.
2006
The Rev Fr. de Guzman was being transferred to the Parish of San Sebastian in San Narciso, Zambales. The Parish of Sta. Monica was served by Rev. Bryan Biltz as an extension of his assignment in Iba. Biltz will have to hold two Parishes at the same time, the parish of St. Augustine in Iba and the parish of Sta. Monica in Botolan due to the shortage of priests in Zambales.
2007
In 2007, the Rev. Medever O. Hinay then a graduate intern from St.Andrew’s Theological Seminary was appointed as Parish Administrator of Sta. Monica by the Rt. Rev. Generoso A. Rosales, Diocesan Bishop. Church’s office was constructed with comfort room and two public toilets with new septic tank. Cora Rico and Mrs. Myrna Gumangan headed this improvement with other donations from members. Convent was also renovated. Church’s Altar Table was replaced with curved wood Images of Last Supper donated by the Mangohig Family (Mrs. Mila Mangohig from Beneg, Botolan). Images of the New Way of the Station of the Cross was also acquired in this year from the donation of members. Two (2) Statue Images of Angel holding the basin of holy water donated by Mrs. Anicia Dayap of Brgy. San Miguel, Botolan. Main door of the Church was constructed through the funds donated by Mr. Hipolito Domacena and Family from Camara, Taugtog. The church’s water system (water pump &tank) was donated by Hon. Mayor Roger Yap. New sets of WOPIC officers were elected. President: Mrs. Magdalena Diesta
Vice- President: Mrs. Mila Mangohig
Secretary/treasurer: Ms. Redencion Dagsaan
Auditor: Mrs. Penny Blanco
The Image of Sta. Monica is properly kept in custody by Mrs. Magdalena Diesta and it was unanimously approved by the Parish Council that Mrs. Diesta will be the official and recognize care taker of the Image until such time the body demands for revert/ turn over.
2008
On February 25, 2008, feast of St. Matthias the Apostle, the ordination to Deaconate (Deacon) of Rev. Hinay, eldest son of Mr. Diomedes R. Hinay and Mrs. Claver N. Onod from Cortes, Bohol took place in this Church. The residence of Mrs. Penny R. Blanco in Batonlapoc served as the home-based of the ordination. In this celebration, the Hon. Gov. Amor Deloso became the honorable guest. The Rt. Rosales with all the clergy of Zambales, the delegates from St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary, Quezon City headed by the Rev. Dr. Guillermo Juan Jr., SGS, the officers and members of the different IFI Parishes of the Diocese of Zambales blessed the occasion. In the same year, on September 22, Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, Fr. Hinay was ordained to the Sacred Order of Presbyter (Priesthood); the first priesthood ordination took place in this Church by the Rt. Generoso Rosales, Diocesan Bishop. After the ordiation, Fr. Hinay received his first appointment as Parish Priest of Sta. Monica in Botolan and the Parish of St. Augustine in Iba, Zambales. An instant canvassing, “the Search for Mrs. Monica” has been conducted of where Mrs. Mila Mangohig successfully won the crown on December 14, 2008.
2009
On the 10th day of January, 2009, The Rev. Hinay, parish priest got married with Ms. Marita A. Ongotan from Navotas City. Celebration has been done in the church. In August 2009, ten (10) Barangays in Botolan were flooded including the Brgy. Paco of where the Church is located. Knee-leveled water entered the church especially at the rectory side. Hinay, priest in residence evacuated and moved to the Parish of St. Augustine. Dra. Sixta M. Abadam and other Aglipayan members in Iba extended their support and assistance. Monica became an instrument of distributing foods and in kind donations from NCCP (National Council of Churches in the Philippines), Office of the Obispado Maximo (I.F.I., Central Office), Diocese of Zambales and IFI Parishes and other volunteer organizations. Most of the Aglipayan members particularly residing in the Barrios of Carael, Paudpod, San Juan, Batonlapoc, Paco, Tampo, San Miguel, Capayawan and some part of other Barrios were greatly affected. Evacuation areas were put up along the Tarlac Road and in the Tent City, Camara, Taugtog. Extension of the church was constructed with the initial funds from the instant canvassing “search of Mrs. Monica 2008”. Other material donations were given from the Hon. Amor Deloso and Hon. The steel gates of the church’s entrance were donated by Mrs. Norma A. Muhlbauer and Family.
2010
In the months of February to May, 2010, the Parish accepted Rev. Fedelino Ofdi as guest/assistant Priest in Botolan as an order of the Diocesan Bishop. Ofdi served the Chapel of San Jose in Panan.
2011
In January, 2011, Convent Fences were reconstructed through the donations of Mrs. Penny Blanco, Mrs. Magdalena Diesta and family, Ms. Redencion Dagsaan and Mrs. Zenaida Montalla. The Steel Gates of the Convent were donated from the Ronquillo and Blanco family. The Crucified Christ at the Altar was replaced by The Wooden Image of the Risen Christ. This image was bought in Pampanga by Rev. Hinay with Mrs. Marita O. Hinay, his wife, through the funds donated by Mrs. Anicia Dayap. The ownership of the Aglipayan Image of Sta. Monica in Botolan has been claimed by the Corum family, the heirs of Mr. There was a special parish council meeting dated March 26, 2011 at the Parish of Sta. Monica to tackle and resolve the issue. The body came up with the decision and re-affirmed that: firstly, “the Image of Sta. Monica is owned by the Aglipayan members in Botolan, Zambales”. Secondly, “the Image of Sta. Monica will be placed in the Church on the 24th day of April, the Easter Sunday as her proper place and home.” And thirdly, “the Parish Council will have to determine and assign an Aglipayan member who will be the “Hermana Mayor” and the care taker of the Image for the whole year.” The Corum family as represented by Ms. Artrude delos Reyes and Maribel Corum gave way to their claims and in trusted the Image to the Church. Present on this meeting were: Rev. Hinay (Chairman/ Parish Priest), Mrs. Leny Mendoza (Secretary), Mrs. Diesta (Treasurer), Mrs. Peny R. Blanco (Auditor), Mr. Carlos Farala (Member), Mr. Eulogio Diomino (Member), Ms. Redencion Dagsaan (Member), Mrs. Cristina Inocencio (WOPIC President), other person present and invited for the discussion were Ms. Artrude delos Reyes and Mrs. Maribel Corum on the side of the claimant, Madam Gloria Docuyanan who presented some of the important part of the history of the church in Botolan, Andres Baylon and other observers were Delima de San Juan, Anecita Delueste, Ferdinand Inocencio, Remy Diesta and Marita Hinay.
