The Cross Was Brought to Sitio Nursery Umayam in Loreto, Agusan del Sur
Kasapa Sitio Nursery Umayam: A Glimpse into the Heart of the Ata-Manobo Community

Nestled in the lush landscape of Umayam, Agusan del Sur, lies the Sitio Nursery of Barangay Kasapa, home to around 1,000 families—predominantly members of the indigenous Ata Manobo tribe. The sitio is characterized by a diverse religious landscape. Until recently, the Roman Catholic Church had no presence here—until now. This diversity reflects the openness of the Ata Manobo to various faith traditions, while they continue to uphold their cultural identity.

Despite difficult living conditions, the Ata Manobo community in Barangay Kasapa Sitio Nursery demonstrates remarkable resilience and cohesion. The urgent need for improvements in education, hygiene, and infrastructure highlights the importance of long-term development support in securing a better future for this vibrant indigenous community.

Cultural Background: The Ata Manobo Tribe

The Ata Manobo, often referred to simply as “Ata,” are an indigenous group in the southern Philippines, particularly in the regions of Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Agusan del Sur. They belong to the broader Manobo-speaking ethnolinguistic family and are known for their strong cultural identity, spiritual traditions, and deep connection to ancestral land. Spirituality plays a central role in Ata Manobo life. They practice a form of animism and believe in the presence of spirits in nature—inhabiting trees, rivers, mountains, and animals. These spirits are venerated through rituals during key life events such as birth, marriage, and harvest.

The community’s social structure is clan- or family-based, with a “Datu” serving as the traditional leader. The Datu is responsible for maintaining peace, resolving conflicts, and leading ceremonies and community decisions. Elders also play a crucial role as keepers of tradition and wisdom.

The Mission Chapel of Saint Othmar

In 2024, benefactors Estrelleta Borda Ruppert from Reinach and Stephan U. Breu from Taegerschen in Switzerland were informed by the Diocese of Tagum in Davao del Norte—responsible for the Sitio Umayam area—that a Roman Catholic presence in the community would be warmly welcomed. Various Christian denominations such as the Foursquare Church, Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, and Baptists are already present.

In the summer of 2024, construction began on a mission chapel dedicated to Saint Othmar—the abbot of the Abbey of Saint Gall in Switzerland, who served from 719 to 759. The entire project was privately funded. After its completion, the Diocese of Tagum will assign a deacon to regularly conduct liturgical services in the chapel.

Artistic Design of the Chapel

The chapel features a unique two-meter-tall cross above the altar, along with a statue of Saint Othmar. Both were created by renowned artist Jag Bueno from Davao del Norte in collaboration with the benefactor. The chapel’s patron, Saint Othmar, is also accompanied by a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, crafted by the young and talented artist Jimwel De Dios Pinlac from Bacolor, Pampanga.

Relics of Saint Othmar

During the consecration of the altar, a relic of Saint Othmar, Abbot (ca. 689 – ca. 759), was enshrined. Saint Othmar was a medieval monk and priest, and the first abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Gall in Switzerland, which laid the foundation for the later city of St. Gallen. The relic was donated by the Diocese of St. Gallen to the Diocese of Tagum and is now part of our mission chapel.