Miarayon

Parish, School & Mission Chapels

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish has been a Jesuit mission outpost for more than 20 years. Two missionaries now serve 20 chapels in far-flung settlements, accessible only on foot, horseback or motorbike. The parish needs supports for catechism materials for its lay ministers and parishioners; liturgical supplies. Miarayon population: 11,839; Catholic: 8,477; Titular: St. Therese of the Child Jesus, October 3.

Parish Priest: Fr. Jereme Asunto, SJ

Parochial Vicar: Fr. Kenzlee Ybañez, SJ

Address: Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon 8708

Telephone: 0998-530-9098

Our Parish on FB

St. Therese School of Miarayon

St. Therese School of Miarayon was established in 1997 by Fr. Norberto Bautista SJ in collaboration with the Talaandig tribal leaders of the community. It is the only high school in the area. There are public and private schools in Poblacion, Talakag, however the town center is 50 km. away. Student population – 746; 95% indigenous youth (the largest indigenous population among the mission schools); 17 teachers. Academic track – general academic strand (GAS). Funding is needed to support its Lumad college scholars.

School Supervisor: Fr. Kenzlee Ybañez, SJ

Address: Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon

Email: therese.of.miarayon@gmail.com

Our School on FB

Our mission community

About the Miarayon region

Miarayon is a barangay of Talakag (a 4th class municipality) located in the picturesque valley between Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Kalatungan. At 4500 feet above sea level, its cool weather and high elevation make it suitable for growing vegetables and arabica coffee. The mission station consists of 6 barangays with about 5000 families, 85% belong to the Talaandig tribe. The local roads can be accessed only by motorcycle (habal-habal), on horseback or by walking. Telecommunications access is not reliable.

Click here to view the vicinity map of Miayaron, Talakag. Searchable and featuring map layers for terrain details. Data source: OpenStreetMap

Priorities of our mission

The Parish and Indigenous Peoples Ministry need financial support: (a) funding for indigenous high school and college scholars; (b) catechetical and literacy program materials; (c) refurbishing of structures and interiors of various kapilyas in far flung sitios that also serve as literary centers; (d) purchase of liturgical vestments; (e) medical assistance for parishioners in view of the distance of Miarayon far from public hospitals.

Video about the Lumad youth

Watch video to learn about the stories and struggles of our Lumad students as they pursue their dreams of a better life. Earning a high school education is already, by itself, a big leap for them.

We thank our benefactors from the Mary the Queen Parish of Greenhills West, San Juan City, Metro Manila, for their support and for producing this video,

The Lumad youth of Miarayon

Mission Volunteers

Through the years, the Miarayon school and parish have been enriched by the selfless work and generous services of many volunteers. Among them are:

Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP) - Ma. Teresa Quijano, George Hepolito, Jacqueline Javier, Ma. Carmeli Montecillo, Marlon Dejadina, Jong Gempeson, Mark Brazil, Charisse Luayon, Ayn Magtrayo, Caloy Prado, Gyobs Baguio, Therese Chan, Ybonne Christine Chua, Patrick Dequina, Lee Ann Tarroza, Paul Gelvosa, Eleneday Villamor Batistil , Marie Aisie Villafuerte
VIANNEY SEMINARIANS - Fr. Anthony Bagtong (now serving in Camiguin), Rev. Arnel Bahian (now a deacon), Bro. Rico Pajo
YOUTH OUTREACH SERVICE - Charity Nulo and Lyza Beja Artazo (now teachers in FLMS Cabanglasan), Dexter Dumas Dalangpan

Shown in photo are community volunteers with Fr. Philip Yohan, SJ, former parish priest, and Fr. Norberto "Kit" Bautista, SJ, STSM founding missionary.

About Jesuit Volunteers Philippines

Mission Chapels and Literacy Centers

Mga Kapilya

Miarayon has about 15 mission chapels. Many are located far and wide across sitios and barangays, some on mountain slopes and others accessible only on trails by motorcycle or on foot. They are built on land donated by the local parishioners with simple structures constructed, many with bamboo and lumber from locally sawn timber, and labor provided by the residents. Some were funded with seed money from generous donors, but many were completed by the devotees themselves from farm income and contributions from overseas workers. Photo shows parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima chapel in Tankulan, Lirongan.

Many thanks to Fr. Jeremy Asunto, SJ who has taken these photos since 2020. He is now the parish priest in Miarayon.

Scroll the photo gallery below to view our numerous chapels.