Tumpok Village, Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines
July 27, 2026, will be remembered as a special date for the community of Tumpok Village, in the city of Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. After years of efforts, difficulties, and perseverance, the Chapel of Saint Joseph, Spouse of Mary, was formally handed over and blessed. It was a place long desired by the faithful and promoted with particular dedication by the members of the Amigonian Lay Movement (MLA), with the support of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters.
The history of this project is marked by the community’s steadfastness. When the parish requested representatives for each chapel, the sisters proposed Mrs. Sally Adorias and Mrs. Editha Baynosa, members of the MLA, to represent the village. Both took on the leadership with commitment and responsibility, keeping alive the desire to have a dignified place in which to celebrate the faith.
The need became even more evident with the arrival of the new parish priest in 2024. Until then, celebrations had taken place in small spaces or, on some occasions, in the street or on the basketball court. Because of the flow of people and the interruptions that could occur during the Eucharist, the parish priest considered those places unsuitable. The community, which wished to participate in Holy Mass at least once a month, began to see the construction of a chapel as increasingly urgent.
However, the first steps had been taken years earlier. In 2017, Mrs. Sally Demawalo, former president of the Amigonian Lay Movement and wife of a former Talisay councilor, coordinated with village authorities to request a plot of land on which to build the chapel. To this end, she collected the signatures of residents of Tumpok Village and of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters from the Novitiate community. Unfortunately, after she suffered a stroke, the project was temporarily put on hold.
Over time, the initiative regained momentum. In 2025, the village chief granted permission to build on a vacant lot facing the sea, where young people used to play volleyball. The lack of resources initially led the community to consider a bamboo structure. In fact, a simple bamboo shelter was built and used for catechesis, and on one occasion the parish priest was able to celebrate the Eucharist there.
The dream, however, was to have a concrete chapel. Those responsible approached the village captain for assistance and began further negotiations with the local authorities. On September 11, 2025, they asked the parish priest to sign a letter addressed to the mayor of Talisay. The request was submitted to “Angel’s Wings,” the charitable works office of Mayor Rowena Lopez Lizares.
The road ahead was still long. In December 2025, while following up on the request, they were asked to provide a budget proposal signed by the village captain, a requirement that was completed in February 2026. On April 22, they again inquired about the status of the request, especially with the approaching celebration of Flores de Mayo. They were then informed that they could receive building materials, while the community would contribute the labor through the traditional bayanihan, that is, voluntary community work.
May arrived and, while awaiting a final response, the community celebrated Flores de Mayo in the humble bamboo shelter. Children in particular gathered there, and the activities were also shared through Facebook. The wait continued until June, when they were informed that the materials were ready. After another delay, the materials were finally delivered during the second week of that month, and construction began.
There was no shortage of difficulties or moments of discouragement. Differences arose over who had carried out the negotiations with the local authorities to obtain support for the project. Although some comments caused hurt, the members of the MLA decided not to lose sight of what truly mattered: making the chapel a reality. Throughout this process, they also found constant support from the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters, who were always available to listen to them, acknowledge their efforts, and encourage them to continue.
Once construction was completed, preparations began for the handover and blessing ceremony. Coordinating the schedules of the parish priest and the municipal authorities was not easy, but a date was finally set.
On July 27, 2026, the long-awaited celebration took place. The mayor of Talisay, local government officials, the parish priest, members of the Amigonian Lay Movement, local residents, and the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters were present. After the ribbon-cutting and the handing over of the key, the MLA president, Mrs. Sally Adorias, offered words of gratitude, recalling the journey they had traveled and expressing the joy of the entire community at seeing that dream fulfilled.
The Chapel of Saint Joseph, Spouse of Mary, now begins a new chapter. The novices and the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters already gather the children there for catechesis; the space is also used for some MLA meetings, and Holy Mass is expected to be celebrated once a month.
More than a concrete building, the new chapel is the fruit of years of hope, perseverance, collaboration, and faith. Every effort, every difficulty, and every small contribution helped make it possible for the Tumpok community to have a place today where they can gather, pray, and celebrate their faith.
Blessed be God!
