Gamu Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel, formerly known as Saint Ferdinand Cathedral is a cathedral located in the town of Gamu, in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Before it was built, the former seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilagan was located in San Fernando Church in Barangay Bagumbayan, Ilagan City, Isabela.[1]

Saint Michael Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel Catedral de San Miguel Arcángel
Saint Michael Cathedral Republic of the Philippines
17°05′16″N 121°51′16″E
Location	Isabela
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Former name(s)	Saint Ferdinand Cathedral
Status	Cathedral
Founded	1686, 2013
Founder(s)	Father Pedro Jimenez, O.P.
Dedication	Saint Michael the Archangel
Past bishop(s)	Msgr. Ricardo Jamias, D.P., S.T.L. (Appointed as Vicar General under the Diocese of Tuguegarao) Most Rev. Francisco R. Cruces, D.D. (1970 - 1973) Most Rev. Miguel G. Purugganan, D.D. (1974 - 1999) Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, D.D. (1999 - 2006) Rt. Rev. Msgr. Marino D. Gatan, H.P. (Appointed as Diocesan Administrator in 2007 - 2008) Most Rev. Joseph A. Nacua, OFMCap, D.D. (2008 - 2017) Most Rev. Prudencio P. Andaya, CICM, D.D. (Appointed as Diocesan Administrator in 2017 - 2019) Most Rev. David William V. Antonio, S.Th.D., D.D. (February 12, 2019 - present)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Church building
Specifications
Materials	Brick, Sand, Stone, Gravel, Cement, Steel, Concrete
Administration
Archdiocese	Tuguegarao
Diocese	Ilagan
Province	Tuguegarao
Clergy
Archbishop	Most Rev. Ricardo L. Baccay, D.D.
Bishop(s)	Most Rev. David William V. Antonio, D.D., S.Th.D

Old Saint Ferdinand Cathedral

History

Ilagan had its beginnings as an encomienda of Don Hernandez de Paz circa 1617. The town was also founded as a mission of the Dominican priests called San Miguel de Bolo on April 21, 1619. After the local revolt in 1621 by the locals of Ilagan and nearby towns of Naguilian and Baculud, nothing has been written about the town’s history until it was re-found by Father Pedro Jimenez, O.P. in 1678. During that time, it was officially named as San Fernando de Ilagan. It was also formally accepted as a Dominican mission in March 1686.[2]

Architectural History

Records tell that the construction of the church of Ilagan started at around 1696 to 1700. In 1777, Father Pedro de San Pedro, O.P. started the construction of the belfry. Later on, the tower was competed by Father Joaquin Sancho, O.P. in 1783, the date indicated in the clay inset found at the top of the tower. The church was recorded to have sustained heavy damages during a typhoon in 1866. It was torn down by the parish priest in the hopes of erecting a new structure. The current church structure is no longer the old stone structure erected in the Spanish-era.[2] Only the tower remains intact.

New Gamu Cathedral

In 2013, the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ilagan was transferred from the Saint Ferdinand Parish Church to a new structure in Barangay Upi, in the town of Gamu, Isabela in reference to the decree by Pope Francis. The decree also re-dedicates the Cathedral to Saint Michael the Archangel and in honor of Bishop Miguel Gatan Purugganan, although the diocese remains under the patronage of Saint Ferdinand of Castile.[1]

References

1. Darang, Josephine (September 22, 2013). "Pope Francis transfers episcopal seat of Diocese of Ilagan to Gamu, Isabela". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
2. Hornedo, Florentino H. (2002). On the Trail of Dominican Engineers, Artists & Saints in the Cagayan Valley & Batanes (First ed.). Manila, Philippines: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. p. 31. ISBN 9715061923.