Maly is a typically small 'barangay' that sits at the border of San Mateo Municipality at the Province of Rizal. It is a land of God-fearing people living in sobriety and peace.
Maly is part of the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi of Guinayang under the Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu Parish.
In their craving to bring people nearer to God, the "Kursilistang-Alagad ni Kristo" Group and some barrio folks strived to found a shrine to augment the spiritual needs of native residents.
On that first day of November 1982, the group started their odyssey in search for the perfect venue to erect the said structure. At the same time, they launched campaigns to raise the necessary building materials the design required.
Before that month ended, a philanthropist by the name of Ms. Cecilia Amado, better known as "Tiya Nena" of San Mateo, learned of the plan and generously donated a square lot (300 m. each side) for the shrine's site. For some strange reason, the group's original plan was put in abeyance and was never realized.
Years have past and in May of 1985, another group of devotees emerged from Maly carrying out house-to-house evangelization with the Images of San Roque and Our Lady of Fatima to spread obedience to the Catholic Faith and devotion to the Holy Rosary. During their services, they met Fr. Moises Maramba, a guest priest at the Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu Parish. With Fr. Maramba's guidance, the group grew in record number and was later renamed "Ecclesiae of San Roque". With its growing membership, Fr. Maramba encouraged its officers to consider erecting a common place for assembly and worship, and thus, the old plan of building one was revived and revisited.
Within that same year, Fr. Maramba strived to broaden the original land area to accommodate more worshipers and believers. His efforts paid him well and with the jubilation of all parishioners, "Tiya Nena" granted the entire 6,000 sq.m. of land for the project.
Eventually on the 11th day of August, 1985, Fr. Moises Maramba officiated the very first Eucharistic Celebration (Holy Mass) at Barangay Maly. Inspired with the Holy Spirit, he met with all those who joined the celebration and formed the Chapel Council to facilitate and ensure its sustained efforts.
The week after, August 18, a public meeting was held to elect its officers tasked to manage the construction of the project and Mr. Gelito Delos Reyes and his family were unanimously favored.
After series of deliberations and planning, the corner stone was finally put into its place in December 1985 led by Fr. Jose P. Matan, Parish Priest of the Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu Parish, Ms. Cecilia Amado, Mr.& Mrs. Gelito delos Reyes, and all parishioners of Maly and neighboring barangays.
As a result of 11 months of continuous hard work and perseverance, the project was completed 22nd November 1986 and His Eminence Bishop Protacio G. Gungon, D.D. of the Diocese of Antipolo enshrined the patron saint of the newly established chapel. A virgin and a martyr who happens to celebrate her feast that same day was enthroned to the altar. She is Sta. Cecilia. Also given as a token of gratitude and recognition to Ms. Cecilia Amado who was celebrating her birthday that very same day. It was a day of festivities and thanksgiving to God for His blessing of a church that symbolizes the unity and brotherhood of the people of Maly.
With the consent of Fr. Manuel Prudente, the new Parish Priest of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu, a Jesuit priest, Fr.Paul Brunner, whole-heartedly gave his time and effort to regularly hold the Holy Mass on Sundays.
And on the Eucharistic celebration held on November 30, 1990, "Tiya Nena" officially awarded the land title to the Diocese of Antipolo, along with the transfer of ownership granted by the Delos Reyes family. Such gestures were warmly received by Bishop P. Gungon, who in turn, recognized St. Cecilia's potential of becoming a full-pledged parish in days to come --- a word that encouraged its parishioners to strive even harder.
True to his words, Bishop P. Gungon commissioned a vigorous and versatile priest to carry out all the necessary tasks and roll up his sleeves to prepare the St. Cecilia community to its envisioned progress.
"Time is gold" as they say... that Fr. Efren C. Villanueva wasted no time in bringing together all active members of each chapel that will be covered by the new 'quasi' parish, e.g. Nuestra Senora dela Paz Chapel and Shrine of San Francisco de Asisi that are both under the Nuestra de Aranzazu Parish of San Mateo, Rizal, and the Sacred Heart Chapel and Senior de Burgos Chapel of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish of Montalban, Rizal.
December 1991, Fr. Efren formed the Sta. Cecilia Parish Pastoral Council to be the parish's governing body for all its activities. The Council and its officers held their first meeting in January 12, 1992. Different committees were eventually formed to address the need for further church expansion and the construction of a Parish Rectory.
The Groundbreaking Ceremony held January 25, 1992 signaled the start of the Parochial Office construction led by Fr. Efren C. Villanueva, the Parish Pastoral Council and all church organizations. Bishop P. Gungon graced the festivity and facilitated the ceremony in its entirety.
While implementing fund-raising campaigns to support the construction project, the spiritual and apostolic formation of the Sta. Cecilia community were also carried out to complete its parochial preparation.
To everyone's amazement, all hurdles and obstacles were paved away in a matter of ten months. Ten months is all it took to preponderantly prepare for its much awaited birth.
And on that 21st day of November in the year of our Lord 1992, the most significant and memorable day in the history of Sta. Cecilia Church happened --- The Canonical Erection of the Sta. Cecilia Parish. Officiated in a simple but worthwhile ceremony, His Eminence Bishop Protacio Gungon, D.D. of the Diocese of Antipolo, officially proclaimed Sta. Cecilia Church as a full-pledge Parochial community. Consequentially, the well-deserved Fr. Efren C. Villanueva was installed as its official Parish Priest.
The hands of time may run season after season and these people who comprised crucial parts in the evolution of Sta. Cecilia Parish may be forgotten, but they will leave a gift to generations to come --- a heritage of humility, hard work, loyalty, and an unwavering faith ... a living faith in the Almighty God
ST. CECILIA, PRAY FOR US.
* This historical narrative was transcribed by Bro. Remigio Alfonso based on real accounts, events and researches from the people who played crucial roles in its initial formation.
** English Translation by Mr. Geron D. Landavora
