SAMBAHAN SA GULOD
Nurturing Faith, Building Community
During WW2, Gulod became the HIDING PLACE OF THE MARASIGAN FAMILY and some members of the United Church of Christ in Nasugbu.
GULOD, a HIDING PLACE...
Homily and History of Gulod and Pantalan
March 15, 2025
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
Yes, Gulod became the HIDING PLACE OF THE MARASIGAN FAMILY and some members of the United Church of Christ in Nasugbu. This was during WW2; the Japanese had occupied the Philippines. My father, Panfilo Marasigan fought with the Americans as a Guerilla. Kuya (Felino), the oldest in our family was also listed as cub scout.
God had been with them and is with us today.
My brother Kuya Efren was newborn. His crying was not heard by the Japanese soldiers. There were many snakes, but our family did not get bitten. Ate (Rosalina), our second oldest would gather some wild sweet potatoes for food.
That is why we are calling Gulod, the Hiding Place (Pinagtaguan)
My parents shared many stories, one of which I will share with you. There was an old rich person who loved his granddaughter very much. This old rich man did not like her granddaughter to play with the poor children in the neighborhood. He asked his help at home to bake a cake. He secretly put poison and gave it to the children playing with his granddaughter. The granddaughter saw the house help baking the cake. She is used to good tasting cake, so she ate first knowing it came from his grandfather. The grandfather saw his granddaughter eating and it was too late, the effect of the poison was sudden. The children of the neighbor did not have a chance to eat the cake. They ran away seeing the playmate dropped. When we do good things, goodness come back. When we do bad things, bad things come back.
As we sang the song, THIS IS HOLY GROUND, we must be thankful there are SIX members of the VILLAFRANCA MARASIGAN FAMILY who agreed to have their shares be used in this project to witness for the love of God by sending His Son Jesus Christ to save us. There will be a cross at the highest peak powered by solar energy to shine in the dark. I thank God for the dedication of the families of Felino, Dalmacio, Placido, Modesta, Isagani for joining my family in this project.
A story of missionary in Africa was written in the book authored by Billy Graham about angels.
There was a missionary that went to Africa with his family to bring the word of salvation. The leader of the valley did not approve of what the missionary was doing. He tried to plot a scheme to kill the family at night. Each time they came to massacre the family; they noticed that there were brilliant soldiers dressed in gold with sword and shield. They tried many times but again and again they could not even go near. Until one day the leader of the tribe was convinced to become a Christian. The leader of the tribe asked,” Where do you hide your soldiers? I tried to kill you all, but you were heavily guarded” The missionary answered,” I don’t have soldiers”.
Yes, there maybe people thinking of something to destroy our desires to serve the Lord. The Lord will be always with us. He will send ANGELS just like the missionary had. Let us remember, the Lord had brought us this far, and he promised to be with us all along the way. I firmly believe that. I put this project in the hands of the Lord.
There will be no Gulod if there was no Pantalan.
207 Pantalan, Nasugbu, Batangas. This is the place where all 12 of us were born. This is also the place where the first 11 converts by the American missionaries who became protestants worshiped for 3 years until they were able to have a lot for the church. My grandfather Gavino Villafranca served as the treasurer of the group till his death according to my mother.
This was formerly called Embarcadero, meaning where the ship anchored. The Pantalan River was still very deep then.
Our family has history to tell. Let us continue to worship together, The faith that we inherited from our parents, let us pass it on to our generations now and to come. I pray that we all live in love, peace, joy, and hope.
The twelve of us:
Felino V. Marasigan
Rosalina V. Marasigan
Hospicia Carandang Marasigan
Dalmacio V. Marasigan
Jorge (died as a child)
Modesta Marasigan Placido
Vicente (died as a child)
Efren V. Marasigan
Isagani V. Marasigan
Ligaya V. Marasigan
Adelaida V. Lim
At the writing of this document, only three of us are alive -- Isagani, Ligaya, Adelaida.
Respect our parents. That is a command with a promise. That promise is LONG LIFE. May our family be blessed as promised.
Ligaya. Marasigan, MD, FACOG, Associate Professor Ob-Gyn- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois USA.
Contact Us
Visit us at our location or send us a email.
Sambahan Sa Gulod
Pantalan, Nasugbu 4231 Batangas, Philippines
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