Establishment of Loboc, Bohol

June 29, 1597

 

Loboc or lubok means a deep portion of a river where people go to hide, especially from pirate attack.

The Jesuit priests, Fr. Gabriel Sanchez and Fr. Juan de Torres, arrived in Baclayon, Bohol on November 17, 1596. Barely six (6) months later, Fr. Juan de Torres  entered the Loboc River. He was accompanied by Chief Juan Batto of Hinawanan, Loay together  with his wife and servants. They anchored at a deep and wide portion of the river.

They were me by six (6) local chiefs who were sarcastic and did not  want to be Christians. Fr. Torres befriended them by offering food, drinks and gifts.

After becoming friends, the chiefs decided to help Fr. Torres build a wooden church and convent near the bank of the river.

When the church was finished, it was advocated to St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles. It was the practice of the priests to use the name of the saint whose feast day falls on the event.

The feast day of St. Peter is June 29. Therefore we can say that the  church building was finished on June 29, 1597.

Fr. Torres gathered almost 3,000 Lobocanons to live near and around the church. To maintain order and provide governance, Fr. Torres appointed and Alguacil or constable. There was yet no attempt to Christianized the Lobocanons. The evangelization came later.

There was no law or decree that created the town of Loboc, Bohol. It was only established by Fr. Juan de Torres on June 29, 1597 under the authority of Doña Catalina de Bolaños, the encomiendera assigned for Bohol.

 

Our location

More about Loboc

Today 14

Yesterday 35

Month 1203

All 178128

Currently are 2 guests and no members online

LOBOC, BOHOL
citizenscharter.jpg