Davao Life Photos: ADDU Blessing – University Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption

Davao Life Photos: ADDU Blessing – University Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption at Ateneo de Davao University’s Jacinto campus in Davao City. #ADDUBlessing

Our intention was to provide the Ateneo de Davao University community with a place of worship and prayer that would support both its catholicity in the multi-ethnic context of Mindanao and its culture of Ignatian spirituality.    

    – Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., Ateneo de Davao University President

View more photos below…

Photos by DavaoLife.com | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

We were blessed and happy to have been there invited as an alumni to see the new chapel.  As I was looking around, it has been transformed to a different chapel from the old chapel that we love and have many memories of during our time which was more than two decades ago. I would attend the noon or afternoon masses here alone or with my classmates when we have time in between classes then. It was a beautiful chapel way back then with a different look. Today, it looked very beautiful in a different way, with a totally different look with quite a different feel. You’ll find many Mindanao-inspired things inside the chapel for us being in Davao City, an important part of Mindanao, if one looks at the paintings and murals in this new chapel.

Archbishop Romulo Valles D.D. with Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J. at the Chapel Altar during the Mass at the blessing of the University Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption. Now, let us look around at the new chapel through these photos…

In the design, the faith in Mindanao is celebrated. In indigenized sacred art, the transcendent mysteries of the Word-made-flesh are re-presented in the cultural symbols and flavors of Mindanao. – Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J.

The crucifix is made of narra and carved by Paloy Cagayat of Paete at the University Chapel altar of the Our Lady of the Assumption.

A statue of the Our Lady of the Assumption who is the patroness of Ateneo de Davao University and this new chapel in the ADDU Jacinto campus, is placed at the left side of the crucifix. Mary is in a Maranaw-inspired dress.

On the right of the crucifix is the statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola who is the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Architect Vincent Martin “Veepee” Pinpin

One will find this very interesting painting on a beam of the chapel as one looks up to the second floor. Victor “Bong” Espinosa is a veteran Davao artist who made this painting at the beam of the new University Chapel depicting the Salubong, or the encounter of the Risen Lord Jesus with Mary. It depicts hope in the resurrection in Mindanao.

A bigger view of the chapel.

Mother Mary (Sitti Maryam) in oil painting by Davao artist Mark Tolentino which can be seen as one enters the main door at the back of the Assumption Chapel.

There are also two huge mural paintings on each side of the Assumption Chapel made by this talented Davao artist Mark Tolentino.

One is the Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth mural on the left side as one faces the altar.

In the first mural, Jesus’ proclamation of his mission to his own townspeople leads to rejection. – Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J.

Mark Tolentino, below, poses with one of his works of art.

Another one is the Jesus and the Samaritan Woman mural by Davao artist Mark Tolentino.

In the second mural, Jesus dialogue with a Samaritan woman leads to faith. In Mindanao, evangelization is accomplished in dialogue.- Fr. Joel S. Tabora, S.J.

This one is seen on the right side of the chapel as one faces the altar.

The section of the chapel where the choir is seated during the mass celebrations.

One cannot ignore the beautiful stained glass windows overhead with the colorful patterns same as the Yakan fabric of the chapel pews.

Pews in the Assumption Chapel are fabricated by Timburana headed by Milton Chua.

Yakan fabric on the pews in the chapel were woven specially by the family of Krishnan Kin Nasser Ilul of Zamboanga. Yakan fabric are woven by the Yakan tribe of Mindanao.

Six heavy doors in cured brass on stainless steel by Sajid Imao at the Assumption Chapel. The other doors are still work in progress during the blessing last December 30, 2015.

Second floor of the Assumption Chapel…

View of the altar from the second floor.

Yes the chapel now has a second floor, which can be accessed at a door outside the chapel and from the second floor of the Martin Hall.

 With the second floor, it can now accommodate more people who will attend masses here.

Monitor systems designed and have been installed at the chapel to enhance the participation of the people in liturgical worship or in shared devotional prayer. – Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J.

It was nice to be back in Ateneo de Davao University over the holidays attending the Misa de Gallo most of the time there with my boys and the Christmas eve mass. Those were still done at the 4th floor of Martin Hall.

Next Christmas season, am already looking forward to attending the Misa de Gallo masses with my husband and son here at the Assumption Chapel.

Photos by DavaoLife.com | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Mass schedule at the Chapel are 12noon and 5:00PM Monday to Friday;

5PM anticipated mass on Saturday;

and 7:00AM Mass on Sunday.