Masinloc, Zambales: Augustinian Recollect Mission (1607-1902)

Abstract

Zambales carved a special niche in Augustinian Recollect mission history. Recollects evangelized Mariveles, then part of Zambales, where their protomartyr Miguel de la Madre de Dios met his death. Rodrigo de San Miguel later set up five towns. In 1607, Andrés del Espíritu Santo founded Masinloc and then proceeded to create Casborran [Alaminos], Bolinao, Balincaguin [Mabini] and Agno in Pangasinan.  Blessed Francisco de Jesús resided there before his 1632 martyrdom in Nagasaki. We recall the successful defense of Masinloc in 1649 against 600 Moro pirates by the natives headed by Father Francisco de San José. Its parish priest José Aranguren became Manila archbishop in 1845. In the wake of the Revolution, the returning Agustín Pérez was welcomed by his parishioners. He restored the Catholic worship and urged Aglipayans to return to the fold. In 1902, Father Pérez left due to a conflict with its anti-friar mayor. Thus, ended its Recollect history. But the legacy of Christian faith lives on. The parish church of 1745 is a witness to the zealous Recollect evangelization and the people’s steadfast Catholic faith.