Rooted in Mission, Growing in Grace: The Cubao Cathedral at 75

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao joyfully celebrated its 75th Canonical Erection Anniversary as a parish on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. A simple but solemn Thanksgiving Mass was held at 6:00 PM, presided over by Most Rev. Elias Ayuban, Jr., D.D., Bishop of Cubao, marking a significant milestone in the parish’s faith journey and missionary legacy.

Photo taken after the Holy Mass celebrating the 75th Canonical Erection Anniversary as a parish. Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, July 15, 2025.

Humble Beginnings

The cathedral traces its roots to the San Isidro Labrador Chapel, a small community place of worship under the then Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (now Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine). On July 15, 1950, the chapel was canonically erected as a parish and rededicated to the Immaculate Conception.

The first parish priest was Fr. Juan Simón, SVD (1950–1954), an Argentinian Divine Word Missionary who previously served as parish priest of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish from 1944 to 1946.

“Without the SVDs, There Would Be No 75 Years”

Before the Mass began, Bishop Ayuban noted the presence of Fr. Randy Flores, SVD, parish priest and rector of the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine, and Fr. Vhen Yator, SVD, parochial vicar. He remarked:

“Without the SVDs, there would be no 75-year anniversary.”

Indeed, the rich history of Immaculate Conception Parish in Cubao is deeply rooted in the missionary zeal of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the devotion of the lay faithful.

During the Thanksgiving message, Fr. Steve Zabala, current rector of the cathedral, expressed the diocese’s heartfelt gratitude to the SVDs, especially the early pioneers who helped establish the parish.

Logo of the Diamond Jubilee

A Glimpse of History

Based on Divine Word Missionaries: The First Fifty Years of SVD Missionary Engagements in the Philippines by Fr. Michael Layugan, SVD (Logos Publications, 2025, pp. 465–467).

In the post-war years, Divine Word missionaries from Christ the King Mission Seminary began offering regular liturgical services to residents living around Manga Street. As the number of Mass-goers steadily grew, the Eucharistic celebrations had to be moved to a building once abandoned by the U.S. Armed Forces on Spencer-Brooklyn Street.

Eventually, they built a chapel and dedicated it to San Isidro, the patron of farmers. In 1949, with the arrival of Fr. Panfilo Gianan, SVD, the chapel was rededicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Key to the parish’s foundation were the women of the Catholic Women’s League. Their persistent appeals to the archbishop secured the land and approval for a new parish to serve New Manila, Rosario Heights, and nearby communities. However, they had one firm condition: the new parish must be entrusted to a religious priest, specifically an SVD.

Initially, the SVD Provincial Council declined, citing existing commitments and deference to the diocesan clergy. But the women returned to the archbishop with renewed insistence: they would only help build the church if an SVD were appointed.

Their determination moved the archbishop to approach the SVDs again. After prayerful discernment and on the recommendation of the then provincial superior, Fr. Kondring Becker, the SVD General Council accepted. Thus, on September 8, 1950, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Parish of the Immaculate Conception was officially established in Cubao, Quezon City.

Its first parish priest, Fr. Johann Simon, SVD, served until 1954, followed by Fr. Alois Vogel, SVD (1954–1956), and Fr. Benedikt Rixner, SVD (1956–1958), along with many other dedicated missionaries who helped nurture the growing faith community. The last SVD parish priest was Fr. Liberato Fernandez, SVD (1980–1990). He was succeeded by the first diocesan parish priest, Fr. Reynaldo Celso (1990–2000). The current parish priest and shrine rector is Fr. Steve Zabala (2024–present).