Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Gaddani, Tayum, Abra

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Gaddani, Tayum

The chapel in Barangay Gaddani is believed to have been built after World War II during the service of Rev. Fr. Herman Joseph Hermes, SVD, as parish priest. The chapel has a floor area of 6 meters by 10 meters and is constructed of cement and stone, with a galvanized iron roof. The land was donated by Mr. Jesus Balanse.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help was chosen as the patron of the chapel and the entire barangay. The chapel serves the sitios of Guingad, Landos, Bagaan, and Paccpaco.

Barangay Gaddani has a total area of 1,048.28 hectares and a population of 1,406. The barangay is known as the “barangay of the weavers” because many residents are skilled in bamboo crafts, which is also a primary source of income for the community.

However, because it is close to the river, many of them are also fishermen. There are also farmers, carpenters and office workers among them. It is said that people mix in luga because there are Ilokano, tingguian, Tagalog, Pangasinense, Ilonggo, Bikolano and others.

*** English Transcription from the Ilocano text in the “St Catherine of Alexandria 200 years Book from 2003”

KAPILIA TI BRGY. GADDANI
Fiesta: Mayo 9
Patron: Ina ti Agnanayon nga Tulong

Ti kapilia ti Brgy. Gaddani ket mapapati a nabangon kalpasan iti World War II kabayatan ti panagtean ni Rev. Fr. Herman Joseph Hermes, SVD a Kura Parroko. Ti kapilia nga addaan ti lawa nga 6 meters by 10 meters ket naaramid iti semento ken tarikaga. Addaan met iti galva nga atep. Nagsaad daytoy iti lote nga indonar ni Mr. Jesus Balanse.

Ni Apo Santa Maria nga Ina iti Agnanayon nga Tulong ti napili a kas patron ti kapilia ken ti sibubukel a barangay. Ti kapilia sersebrian dagiti sitios ti Guingad, Landos, Bagaan ken Paccpaco.

Ti Brgy. Gaddani ket addaan iti pakabuklan a lawa nga 1048.28 hektarya ket addaan met iti populasyon nga 1,406 nga tao dagitoy. Daytoy nga barrio ket maaw-awagan ti “barangay of the weavers” gapu ta adu dagiti umili nga aglaga kadagiti bamboo crafts nga isu pay met ti paganduan dagiti bumarangay.

Ngem gapuen ta asideg daytoy iti karayan, adu met kadakuada ti mangngalap. Adda met pay mannalon, karpintero ken mangop-opisina kadakuada. Makuna nga aglalaok dagiti tattao iti luga gapuen ta adda Ilokano, Tingguian, Tagalog, Pangasinense, Ilonggo, Bikolano ken daduma pay.

*** Ilocano text about Gaddani Chapel from the “St Catherine of Alexandria 200 years Celebration” Book from 2003

Other Information about Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, Gaddani

The original Belfry sat on the roof above the entrance door.(see old photo) It was destroyed by a typhoon sometime in the 1990’s and the current metal one was erected.

The rear left corner block of the chapel has a date, 7/ 27/ 60 inscribed on it. So presumably this is the construction date.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Gaddani is built of cement and stones on the lower part of the walls. The upper parts are wooden. The design of the Chapel has not changed since its construction apart from the Belfry.

***All images Courtesy of Silverbackpacker.com

Rev. Fr. Herman Joseph Hermes, SVD

Succeeding Fr. Byroslawski as Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. Herman Joseph Hermes. Fr. Hermes was installed Parish Priest of Tayum in October 1956 and served in this capacity until April 7, 1965. His term was one of the longest in the history of the parish.

Twice did he also serve as Assistant Parish Priest to Fr. Schlombs. The first was from August 1940 to November 7, 1940 and the second was from July 1, 1944 to November 1, 1945. During World War II, he together with Fr. Schlombs were abducted by guerillas on October 8, 1944. They were however allowed to return to Tayum in January 1945.

After his return from captivity, Fr. Hermes stayed at the public school building in Velasco which he used as convent and chapel. He kept the Blessed Sacrament for Viaticum for the many sick people in the evacuation sheds.

He ministered to the scattered evacuees south of Tayum-Bucay Road. Fr. Filomeno Molina, on the other hand, ministered to the evacuees on the north-east side of the same road.

Fr. Hermes strived to build chapels during his incumbency. He built four chapels in four barangays, namely, Basbasa which was placed under the patronage of St. Lawrence of Rome, Gaddani which was placed under the patronage of St. John the Baptist, Velasco which was placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima and An-anaao which was placed under the patronage of St. Patrick.