Immaculate Conception Parish in the Archdiocese of Lipa located at Mataasnakahoy, Batangas (CALABARZON)
Home of the Miraculous Episcopally Crowned Image of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion, Ang Birhen ng Mataasnakahoy Over a century ago, a small chapel, made of light materials was built at the corner of a piece of land originally owned by the RECINTO SISTERS: PRIMITIVA, FERMINA and ESTEF
ANA. The priest-in-charge, in consultation with the people, decided to transfer the chapel to the center of the lot. The chapel “Simbahang Ilaya‟ which was made of light materials was changed to a semi-permanent structure using galvanized sheets for roofing and bamboo slits “sasag‟ for the flooring. Accordingly, liturgical celebrations were held there regularly. Moreover, Flores de Mayo became the most celebrated event in that chapel where different varieties of flowers from distant places arrived either on horse backs, carts or calesas and offered them before the feet of the Blessed Virgin Mary along while the sponsors for the whole month engaged themselves in preparing the altar, sanctuary, carrozas and food for the visitors. Henceforth, many people, with the bayanihan spirit, offered their assistance and support to the activity. The food that will cater the event was given by the Hermano Mayor of the Flores de Mayo. At the end of the month of May “TAPUSAN”, the event was highlighted by a Misa Cantada and a procession was held with a long line of pious people in their best dresses solemnly praying and exhibiting their ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was indeed a grandiose and extravagant affair. Meanwhile, the priests who celebrated the mass in the chapel were usually accommodated at the house of SEGUNDO and PRIMITIVA for merienda or breakfast, thus automatically making it an extension of the church or a quasi-convento. The family’s generosity did not end there, to give some more space for the needs of the church, ESTEFANA and PRIMITIVA sold the eastern portion of their lot to the church at a very low price. This is now the present site of the parish convent and parish office. About the year 1910, another church building was built in a different place (Ibaba). This church was made of materials that are more permanent: galvanized roofings, concrete walls and tile flooring. The altar was beautifully decorated with chandeliers and complete with antique furnishings. The church was called “Simbahang Ibaba‟ and it was built under the auspices of a pious group headed by KAPITANG PEDRO SILVA, VIRGINIA SILVA (daughter of Kapitan), AGAPITO TEMPLO (Virginia’s husband) and CLAUDIA RECINTO together with a handful of religious people. The elders say that the “Simbahang Ibaba” was built for the rich while the “Simbahang Ilaya” was for the underprivileged. This rumour gave rise to some conflicts and elicited unhealthy competition. On March 27, 1931, an Executive Order No. 308 signed by George Butte, acting Governor General that time, proclaimed the separation of Mataasnakahoy from the town of Lipa, thereby giving it an entity as a town, effective January 1, 1932. With the birth of the town, the parish was also erected. The parish priests assigned to Mataasnakahoy used both the church in Ibaba and the convent in Ilaya to resolve some conflicts. In 1941, at the outbreak of the Second World War, “Simbahang Ibaba” was annihilated, and it was never reconstructed. Thus, the succeeding priests utilized the “Simbahang Ilaya” as the permanent site of the local parish while the lot previously occupied by the “Simbahang Ibaba” was sold to interested parishioner/s. With grateful acknowledgement to the generous Christian soul of RUFINO & FERMINA and children, and to ESTEFANA and PRIMITIVA RECINTO for without their generosity and love for the church, the faithful would have been deprived of lasting monument of their faith and a sacred place for worship. In recent times, the church went through a series of renovations, in 1945, 1979, 1995 under Rev. Pio Bagamano who enhanced the church through carvings from his hometown in Paete, Laguna, and built the parish gymnasium. Pio, the feast of the parish was transferred from January 3 to December 8 and was confirmed by the then Archbishop of Lipa, Most Rev. Gaudencio Rosales D.D. in a “Decree Confirming the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception Parish”. Meanwhile in 2007, Rev. Eugenio Valencia added the dome, made the church more spacious and renovated the altar-retablo. In 2018, during the time of Rev. Godofredo Mendoza, the parish hall and parish convent was built. Despite the problems brought about by calamities, the pandemic, and the eruption of the Taal Volcano that occurred in 2020, the parish continued to flourish through extensive pastoral activities under the directives of Msgr. Conrado G. Castillo. This further strengthens the intense devotion to the Blessed Mother. Hence, sincere prayers bear fruit to harvest. A gift to the parish through another priest under the name of Rev. Paul M. Hermano was ordained in 2021 to whom he was assigned as the parochial vicar of his hometown. Furthermore, with the devotion to the patroness together with the celebration of the 90th Founding Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Rev. Aurelio Oscar Dimaapi with the then Parochial Vicar Rev. Paul Hermano and the Parish Pastoral Council petitioned for an Episcopal Coronation (a recognition of a local ordinary, given to a manifestation of fervent devotion of the faithful to the Blessed Virgin within an Arch/diocese) as a fitting recognition for the great love, guidance, and prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary for her beloved town. The petition was granted by Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, D.D., Archbishop of Lipa on May 25, 2022. Accordingly, the coronation transpired on the 8th of December 2023 that was attended by all parishioners and celebrated by the faithful devotees. In 2023, still under the pastoral guidance of Rev. Aurelio Oscar Dimaapi and Rev. Mar Andreen Castillo the façade commences its construction. At the present time, the parish has sixteen (16) barangays with fourteen (14) established chapels under its supervision. Together with the unbroken tapestry of our parish community, each thread of faith, woven with devotion and love, continues to guide us on a continuous journey towards Jesus through the Blessed Mother. As we traverse the path ahead, may the spirit of unity strengthen our bonds, and the light of our shared commitment illuminate the way, leading us to a life deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ and nurtured under the loving gaze of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
