Nabas Church Badly Needs Reconstruction

by ODON S. BANDIOLA

The dilapidated St. Isidore Parish Church, Nabas, Aklan.

Being predominantly Roman Catholics, the social and economic status of communities all over the country, oftentimes, is mirrored by the beauty and elegance of their respective place of worship, their house of faith, their Catholic Churches.

Churches in many communities traditionally occupy prominent locations, in area frequented by people and where travellers and commuters regularly pass by as if to indicate “this is our church, a sacred home of our faith, which reflects our quality of life, the strength of our faith, and the Lord graces us with His bounty”.

A dilapidated church shall mean how impoverished the community is, but an elegant edifice shall signify a prosperous people and a progressive community.

Sadly, the Roman Catholic Church in Nabas, Aklan is in a state of disarray, decaying, dilapidated and may collapse at any time. It is a product of decades of Nabasnons’ apathy and indifference, the inability of past parish priests to solicit and rally their Nabasnons’ faithfuls to come to its rescue.

Population

Nabas is one of the 17 towns of Aklan with a population of 31,052 as of May 1, 2010. Its local government unit has an income classification of a 4th class municipality with a 2012 budget of a measly P52,635,839.00 million. It is the gateway to Boracay Island as it is the nearest town to the Municipality of Malay where Boracay is, where everyday hundreds of local and foreign tourists pass, the main thoroughfare of the town bound to Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off point to the pradise island. 

Nabas is noted for its hat and mat industry made of indigenous bariw leaves which abound on the hillsides and plain lowlands of the town. It is likewise a farming and fishing community with its vast lowlands and elongated strips of shoreline stretching from Alimbo Baybay in the East to Brgy. Union in the Northwest. The town boasts of its cold springs in barangay Laserna, notably the Hurom-hurom and Basang. Its caves in the same village are unexplored.

Yet, Nabas remains a sleepy community. Signs of gradual progress can be seen in its urban center but mainly the income inflows can be felt in the families with relatives working abroad. Some Nabasnons have likewise turned businessmen because of the tourism industry ignited by Boracay Island. The town serves as a satellite area for the expansion of tourism from the traditional town of Malay to expand and stretch developments to Nabas. The expansion of the Caticlan Airport in Malay will overlap into the jurisdiction of Nabas once facilities of an International Airport are completed.

It is pathetic however, that the church of Nabas remains antiquated. It was transformed into a parish wayback a century ago when the Spaniards colonized the Philippines and made the Filipino nation a predominantly Catholic Country including the people of Nabas.

Not only antiquated but to the point of being considered as condemnable unless reconstruction is immediately started.

The present state of the Roman Catholic Church in Nabas has rekindled unity and faith among well-meaning Nabasnons particularly those residing abroad who cannot hide their disappointment over the pathetic structure of the Nabas church when they come home on vacation.

Home of St. Isidore

The Nabas Catholic Church is the home of St. Isidore, the Farmer, and Nuestra Senora de Salvacion. The Feast of St. Isidore is celebrated by Nabasnons every May 15. The feast of Nuestra Senora de Salvacion is integrated into the Nabas Municipal Fiesta every September 24.

Several decades back, the Feast of the Nuestra Senora de Salvacion is deluged by devotees from all walks of life, from numerous places in the Province of Aklan. Devotees who flocked to the town every Sept. 24- talk of miraculous tales of Mama Mary, though unconfirmed, like surviving accidents, healing from sicknesses and the return of long-lost relatives.

And so, the United Nabasnons Aklan Association, Inc., instigated and spurred by Nabasnons working and living in foreign lands begun the re-construction movement with the blessings and cooperation of Parish Priests Rev. Fr. Ramon Bansuelo and Rev. Fr. Mike Ibardolaza. A separate group, the Nabasnon Aton Buligan ang Aton Simbahan (N.A.B.A.S.) launched a separate but parallel movement to raise funds for the Church reconstruction.

To all well-meaning Nabasnons anywhere in the world, please help “REBUILD OUR CHURCH”.  /MP