The Nativity of Our Lady Parish 4.18

The Nativity of Our Lady Parish came into being sometime in Subdivision (IVS). At that time, Industrial Valley, Cinco Hermanos I (now known as Monte Vista Subdivision and Cinco Hermanos II (also known as Melitona Estate), were already booming with construction of private residences, while Sitio Olandes (known then as Sitio Tumana) was still in the drawing boards of the National Housing Authority. The owner of IVS, the late Justice Roman Ozaeta (represented by his son Gerardo Ozaeta), named the area the Industrial Valley Subdivision since it was originally intended as an industries estate, and since the site lay between two small mountain ridges.

The community was then under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Our Lady of Abandoned (OLA) in San Roque, Marikina. Up to that time, there was no permanent structure within the subdivision that served as a place of worship, nor was there any formal organization responding to the spiritual needs of the residents. One day, a number of families composed of Elmer Gamiao, Roming and Alice Honasan, Jess and Auring Galsim, Viol Directo, Dick Dagsaan, Antonio Guevara, Mike Ramos, Johnny Hizon, Col. Cui, and Messrs Balaba, Caranto and Lazo decided to invite the parish priest of OLA to celebrate Mass for the community at least once a week.

The first Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Jose B. Cruz on September 3, 1967 in the vacant lot located at the corner of Pres. Roxas and Arellano Streets. It was the first Sunday of the month and the Mass was to honor the Nativity of Our Lady. For almost two years afterwards, Masses were celebrated every Sunday in the same place which later become known as IVS area II. Later still, the venue of the Mass was moved to another vacant lot near the creek, along the main road (subsequently named Major Santos Dizon Avenue in honor of the homeowner’s association’s first president). The vacant lot was later found out to have been reserved by subdivision owner Justice Ozaeta for his personal use. On this site, a small wooden chapel was temporarily erected where Sunday Masses were celebrated by priests of different nationalities.

As the years went by, the residents of the subdivision grew in number. This time, the core group of Gamiao et al decided to formally organize the IVS Homeowners Association. They made representations with Gerardo Ozaeta, requesting the donation of a parcel of land where a permanent chapel could be built. By the grace of God, the young Ozaeta acceded to the request of the homeowners and formally donated the requested property.

On July 7, 1968, the cornerstone on the permanent site of the chapel was laid by Msgr. Jose B. Cruz and Fr. Henneken. The late Marikina Mayor Osmundo de Guzman and former Rizal Province Cong. Frisco San Juan were also present.

The construction of the permanent chapel was eventually completed through the concerted efforts of a handful of concerned parishioners. The chapel was inaugurated in September 1968, to coincide with the feast of our Lady, in whose honor it was dedicated, and named it Our Lady of the Nativity. The name was modified to Nativity of Our Lady Chapel (NOLC) under Fr. Alfonso Flores, SJ, the first resident priest, at the time when the Parish of San Jose Manggagawa was established in Marikina. (The Succeeding resident priests were Frs. Dizon, Raul Nery, Andro Macalinao, Amado Cruz, Ramon Katigbak and Manny Flores, all Jesuits. Fr. James Mechan, another Jesuit, likewise constributed greatly to the spiritual growth of the community.)

The Pastoral Council headed by Dick Dagsaan at the time of Fr. Katigbak initiated the move for the conversion of the chapel to a parish church. The Diocese of Antipolo gave its approval therefore on February 21, 1992. On this same day, the first parish priest of the Nativity of Our Lady Parish, Fr. David Vincent F. Onilongo, was installed. Fr. Dave a dynamic young man soon initiated various projects including the renovation of the church and the construction of a three-storey multi- purpose building. He was succeeded four years later, in February 1996, by Fr. Uldarico Dioquino, another hardworking young man, who continues the NOLP projects, including the completion of the aforementioned multi-purpose building. In the year 2000, another parish priest was installed, Fr. Gervacio Evarola and last April 1, 2002, the 4th parish priest was transferred to Nativity of Our Lady Parish and was installed last May 30, 2002, by Bishop Crisostomo Yalung D.D.

Today, the Nativity of Our Lady Parish stands as a beautiful landmark and a lasting legacy of the first generation of IVC residents. It is also a statement of the parishioners’ faith in the Almighty and love for His Blessed Mother. It may not be much different from other places of worship, but for us and our children and our children’s children, it is an extension of our homes, a place where we make our offerings to the Heavenly Father, a refuge from life’s trials and tribulations.