www.dioceseofalaminos.org
AGNO (F- 1791),
2408 Pangasinan
Tel: (075) 557-2062
Population: 25,077
Titular: St. Catherine of Alexandria,Nov. 25
Parish Priest: Fr. Bayani M. Liguid
St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish - Agno, Pangasinan
Better times, not exactly, but surely, Agno’s scenic location is something that is there for permanent appreciation. Its western border is a long coastline along the China Sea where wide, white and sandy beaches and bubbling fiords which are in some areas shaded by rock umbrellas make a pitch for first-rate tourism. The town’s poblacion is snugly ensconced within the warm bosom of the Zambales mountain ranges.
Founded in 1610, how it got its name has several versions. One is, the word is derived from a species of swamp tree called “agnocasto” that grew abundantly in the once virgin region. “ Agnocasto” is known as dangla in the vernacular, a chaste tree that still grows abundantly and is being used for medicinal concoctions to relieve pain and illness. In time, the suffix “casto” was dropped. Another record says the town “Agno” was named after Governor-General Agno.
The town evolved from ethnic settlements, the Zambales being the most predominant group. But due to piratical attacks or plain sea adventures who harassed the residents, they move southeast into the interior and established the town permanently in 1791 with Gaspar de San Jose, a Zambal, as the first Capitan or Gobernadorcillo on record. In 1818 the residents moved to the site which it now occupies. In time the Ilocanos came pouring in and occupied and cleared a vast valley along the Balincaguing, now Mabini, river. In 1826 the first Ilocano Capitan was Agustin Pablo. Later on, intermarriages and constant interaction between the groups erased whatever distinctions there were before.
The town’s first known Catholic church was made of light materials and built in the place where the Agno Rural Bank and basketball court now stand. Behind the chapel was the cemetery. Fr. Santiago Fernandez was the first parish priest on record who performed the first baptismal rites on June 24, 1831, also on record, at the Catholic church.
In 1834, work on the present stone church was begun with Fr. Fernandez still as parish priest. On March 1, 1835, the first cornerstone was laid. In 1842 the church tower was erected and in 1845, the foundation of the convent was started with Fr. Jose Garcia as parish priest.
At that time there were no machines nor mechanical devices the people could utilize in construction except some crude contraptions. Hence sheer human sinews and innate skills of men were highly depended upon. In addition, construction materials like stones, sand, lumber, boulders and bamboo were donated and to a large extent, required from the parishioners or residents. To the Cabezas were entrusted the ask of organizing the labor . Building a concrete church in Agno, the process involved all dimensions of sacrifice, dedication and commitment. Finally, after fifty-three years, the Church was completed in 1887 with Father Felix Rojo as parish priest.The onset of American occupation in the country also allowed the winds of liberalism to take hold on the people. In terms of evangelization, other religious sects sprung in the town of Agno such as the Philippine Independent Church or Aglipayanism and the United Methodist Church. At the Roman Catholic Church of St. Catherine in Agno after a brief (the Filipino-Spanish revolution from 1896- 1898) , the immediate priests assigned were Fr. Hipolito navascues (1902 to 1914) and Fr. Joaquin Uzubiaga (1914 to 1915). The first Filipino priest assigned in Agno took over from 1915-1916 –Fr. Bernardo Braganza from Mabini, Pangasinan. Meantime, Agno became part of Pangasinan in 1903, along with Alaminos, Anda, Mabini, Bolinao, Burgos, Bani, Infanta and Dasol.
On October 13, 1978, the Bayanihan ni Cristo movement caught fire among the parishioners of Agno. Like the Cursillo movement, this religious aggrupation sparked a somewhat religious renaissance. Imbued with idealism, charity and surrender, the volunteers for Bayanihan ni Cristo worked for a spiritual uplifting of its members and families. Directed by Fr. Fernando A. Castillo (then parish priest of Agno) with the blessings of then Archbishop Federico Limon, the group providentially prepared the townspeople when the parish hosted the Archdiocesan celebration of the feast of Christ the King in November, 1979.
To raise funds for this momentous event, the people made bold decisions regarding their century-old church. They opted for a contemporary altar, a crucifix with the images of the patron saint and the Virgin Mary. Its retablo had found its way to the Villa Escudero Museum in San Pablo City, Laguna. Extensive repairs on the Church were also undertaken during the celebration.
This video was compiled by concerned Agno Facebook People