Address
7042 Guipos,
Zamboanga del Sur
E-mail: mphpguipos2018@gmail.com
Contact No.: +63 963 149 1861
Facebook Page: Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Guipos
About the Parish
The Augustinian presence in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, began on July 1, 2017, when two friars, Fr. Vicente F. Amplayo, OSA, and Fr. Mark Anthony C. Tampos, OSA, officially started their six-month exposure to the San Isidro Labrador Chapel in Guipos. This mission was initiated upon the invitation of Bishop Emmanuel T. Cabajar, CSsR, then Bishop of Pagadian, who sought to share the Augustinians’ specific charism and pastoral ministry with the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Pagadian. The friars were warmly welcomed by the local clergy, including Fr. Foelan G. Echavez, the Vicar General, and Fr. Leslie A. Bataoel, Chancellor of the diocese. At the time, Guipos had approximately 23 Catholic chapels and 49 Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), reflecting a vibrant but underserved faith community.
The pioneering friars quickly immersed themselves in the pastoral life of Guipos. Their work laid the foundation for the Augustinians’ formal establishment in the area. On June 19, 2018, Guipos was officially accepted as a Residence of the Province of Santo Niño de Cebu – Philippines, with Fr. Mark Anthony Tampos, OSA, appointed as its first Local Superior. This marked a significant milestone in the Augustinian mission in Mindanao, as Guipos became the fourth Augustinian-ministered poblacion parish (main parish of a town) after Socorro, Burgos, and Saguday, and the third Augustinian parish in Mindanao.
Just days later, on June 27, 2018, the Parish of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was canonically erected by Bishop Cabajar during its patronal fiesta. The ceremony was attended by Fr. Andres D. Rivera, Jr., OSA, the Provincial, along with members of the Provincial Council and other friars from the Provincialate community. Fr. Tampos was installed as the first parish priest, solidifying the Augustinians’ role in shepherding the faithful of Guipos.
The canonical erection took place at the new site of the parish, located less than a kilometer away from the original church. Although the new site initially featured a structure made of light materials, it provided a more spacious and suitable location for the community’s spiritual needs. The existing church, which was small and situated along the national road, could no longer accommodate the growing number of devotees.
The Augustinians continued to deepen their roots in Guipos over the years. On July 1, 2021, Fr. Vicente Amplayo, OSA, was appointed as the new parish priest and superior of the residence, with Fr. Rey Cyril Lagrosa, OSA, and Fr. John Louis Ricamora, OSA, joining him as members of the community. Under their leadership, the parish flourished, and plans for a new church began to take shape.
On June 27, 2023, the parish celebrated its 6th Patronal Fiesta with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new concrete church. The event was led by Bishop Ronald Lunas, D.D., the new Bishop of Pagadian, alongside Fr. Amplayo and other Augustinian friars. This ceremony symbolized the growth of the Catholic community in Guipos and the Augustinians’ commitment to providing a permanent spiritual home for the faithful. The new church, situated on the donated lot, represented a significant step forward in addressing the needs of the growing congregation.
The mission of the Augustinians in Guipos expanded further in early 2024. Months before the 11th Provincial Chapter in February 2024, the Diocese of Pagadian offered the friars the administration of the nearby San Miguel Parish in Zamboanga del Sur. Fr. Amplayo, then parish priest of Guipos, accepted the administration, and the proposal was later approved during the Provincial Chapter. This led to the establishment of the Guipos/San Miguel Residence, marking a new chapter in the Augustinians’ pastoral work in the region.
From its humble beginnings in 2017 to the establishment of a new church and the expansion of their mission to San Miguel, the Augustinians in Guipos have demonstrated unwavering dedication to evangelization and community building. Their journey reflects the enduring spirit of the Order of Saint Augustine, as they continue to serve the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful in Zamboanga del Sur.