Saint Michael the Archangel Cathedral & Diyandi Festival of Iligan


Saint Michael the Archangel, locally known as “San Miguel” is considered as Iligan’s protector against evil and healer of the sick. One of Iligan’s churches, the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel was built in honor of this saint in the city center of Iligan. The church is fronting St. Michael’s College which is considered as the oldest school in the Lanao area, which was established as a catechetical center in 1914 by Fr. Felix Cordova. A year after, it was formally constituted as Escuela de San Miguel in honor of the patron saint of Iligan City, Saint Michael the Archangel.

The Church of San Miguel in Iligan is considered as one of the most visited churches in the city because of its miraculous powers that can defend and heal its devotees. Many have become walking witnesses and until this day, they continue to share the experiences brought about by St. Michael the Archangel’s divine abilities.

The feast of Senior San Miguel is held every 29th day of September. A ritual dance known as Diyandi is offered to the patron saint in a way of thanking him for everything he has done to the city. Other activities during this festival include the Eskrima dance, imitating the fight between San Miguel and his foes and the “Yawa-yawa” which literally means Devil-devil. Both of these two additional dances depicts the celestial combat between the good forces against the evil forces as shown by St. Michael the Archangel and Lucifer (the Light bearer), who was casted down to hell.

Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel

Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel

San Miguel near the Altar

San Miguel near the Altar

The Diyandi dance is not an inter-tribal marriage between a Muslim (moro) and a Lumad (“native” or “indigenous”). It is a ritual celebrated by the Higaunons, Muslims and Christians which are known as the tri-people. The word Diyandi has different meanings among the indigenous and the Muslims but as a general term, it stands as a feast to be celebrated by everyone. The ritual was done to pay respect to the patron saint who is said to be the defender among those who are assaulted and the healer among those who are sick. It is because of these legendary folk oral traditions and beliefs that the Muslims, the Lumads, and the coastal people or Christians celebrate as one in welcoming St. Michael’s feast. Until this day, the oral traditions of Iligan’s folk endlessly speak of St. Michael’s heroism through folk stories and beliefs.

In 1986, the local fiesta committee decided to change the name Diyandi into a more popular name to further enhance the tourism of the city of Iligan in the Philippines. They renamed it to “Kasadya Festival”, literally, “Happiness Festival”. Because of modernization, street dancing and other activities have been developed to promote both the city and groups who joined the celebration.

Sometime in 2004, the festival committee of Iligan renamed the “Kasadya Festival” celebration to “Diyandi Festival”. This move was done so the city will have a unique fiesta celebration and suitable to be called Iligan’s own.

The statue of Saint Michael the Archangel stationed at a small cell at the left side of the church will be “moved down” or placed outside of the church so devotees can pray and touch their patron saint during the fiesta celebration.

Statue of San Miguel to be exposed during the Diyandi Festival

Statue of San Miguel to be exposed during the Diyandi Festival

At the right corner of St. Michael the Archangel Church is the convent and office, next to it a small open room where folks light candles and pray to the statues of Jesus, Mary and the pSaints. Connected to it is the adoration chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and praying in silence is encouraged. Nearby is a group of therapist who offer (by donation) reflexology service every Mondays to Saturdays at 8am to 5pm.

The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Iligan can be contacted at telephone number (+63)(63) 221-3285. It has regular 12nn masses on weekdays and several schedules on Sundays. If you are in Iligan, be sure to attend mass or drop by the Cathedral of Señor San Miguel the Archangel and be protected and cured by its divine might.

Adoration Chapel

Adoration Chapel

Candlelight Prayer Room

Candlelight Prayer Room

Convent and Office

Convent and Office

Fish Pond

Fish Pond

Reflexoloy

Reflexoloy

Interior of Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel

Interior of Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel


This page is last updated on Jun 16, 2011 @ 2:02 pm
About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.

  1. Myles C. Heyres says:

    Hi there!

    I am Myles here in Dubai and we are facilitating mass wedding here every year, one of our couples (civilly married) was baptized and confirmed there, and willing to participate, his name is Jasper Alreymond T. Capistrano, however his copies are old thus he needs new baptismal & confirmation certificate with “for Marriage purposes” indicated and needed before 31 October 2015 as the mass wedding is scheduled on 2 Dec 2015. He said he has no one to help him secure said documents from there. Is it possible to courier said documents here, or please suggest best way to process them.

  2. RENE PERNIA says:

    Kumusta na ang prince chapel dinha? Camp Rex Motto building up somewhere in Argentina?
    SPC: AMOR VICINUS TUUM. SAFE IN THE COMMANDMENTS: TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND HONOR!

  3. KRING says:

    November 13, 2012

    A SIS. OF MINE WOULD LIKE TO ASK ASSISTANCE ON HOW SHE CAN GET HER BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES- NEEDED VERY BADLY. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET HER BIRTH CERTIFICATE. HER NAME IS KHARISMA O. LOPEZ. ITS BEEN 29 YEARS NOW THAT THEY ARE LEAVING IN BUKIDNON. I WOULD APPRECIATE SO MUCH ANY HELP YOU CAN EXTEND.

    SALAMAT,
    KRING

  4. Rubielyn says:

    I really missed all of those places. The adoration Chapel… that I always visit just to have a peace of mine and in general my COMFORT ZONE…

  5. Jun Carlo C. Pioquinto says:

    HI., I just want to ask something about the TEN COMMANDMENTS posted OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. When i read the whole passage in the Book of Exodus Chapter 20 I noticed that there is one commandments which is not written in the tablet outside the church. I want to clarify it defend my faith…tnx sa answer. GOD BLESS

  6. kimberly says:

    in this coming sep. 29 we celebrating the fiesta of Saint Michael the Archangel

    we are so very excited ….

  7. genalyn oliva says:

    dear sir /madam,

    magpapatulong po sana kame mkuha ang baptismal cert po ng fiancee q. n c fil patromo ipinanganak po sya nung march 1, 1984.dyan s st michael cathedral parish po sya bninyagan,kelangan po namin s kasal namin,eto po email adress ko genfil@yahoo.com at ang cntact no. q po ay 09295166285,sana po m2lungan nio kme.

    thanks,
    genalyn oliva

  8. janice mae alfarero says:

    Dear Sir,Mam

    Good evening…..Si Janice Mae Alfarero po to,Magpapatulong po sana ako pra makuha ko po yong baptismal,magpapakasal po ako at isa po yong baptismal na kailangan pra sa kasal ko po.Sana matulongan nyo po ako dyan po ako sa San Miguel Cathedral,Iligan City na binyagan.
    Salamat po and God Bless.

    contact no.09465414334 at pwedi po
    email nuke_crude@yahoo.com

    at ito po yong address ko sa cebu city
    220-1-j V.rama ave. Cebu City

  9. Geraldine Pama says:

    Good Day!

    I have an urgent need which only you can help. Please. My fiancee was born in Iligan City and baptized at St. Michael’s way back 1981. However, they left Iligan City several years after and lived in Manila. Now, we are getting married and we cannot find his baptismal certificate. I’d like to ask for help if you can furnish us copy of his baptismal certificate. Details are below:

    Dustin Joe T. Lagran
    Born on January 4, 1981

    Please help us. We will send the fee however you wish, just please help us. They have no relatives there. They were only there that time because his father who was a medical representative was assigned there but ony for a short period of time. I hope you can help us.

    Thank you in advance.

    Yours truly in Christ,

    Geraldine Pama

  10. Elsie says:

    JANUARY 6, 2012

    A FRIEND OF MINE WOULD LIKE TO ASK ASSISTANCE ON HOW SHE CAN GET HER BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES- NEEDED VERY BADLY. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET HER BIRTH CERTIFICATE. HER NAME IS EFFIE MARI CYZVYL NERI. ITS BEEN 20 YEARS NOW THAT THEY ARE LEAVING IN CEBU. I WOULD APPRECIATE SO MUCH ANY HELP YOU CAN EXTEND.

    GOD BLESS,
    ELSIE

  11. Fr Orlando R Fuller says:

    correction to address:
    722 Skyline drive
    Junction City, KS 66441
    USA

  12. Fr Orlando R Fuller says:

    I am Filipino priest working in the US Army..we have here a Filipina, Princess Kanohan Carpio, married (civilly) to a US Soldier…and she needs certificte of baptism to have their marriage convalidated. She has no more relatives over there who can get it for her. A priest from Cagayan de Oro City, Msgr Tex Legitimas knows me. Is there a way you can verify to me that she was baptized in your church, and is it possible to have one copy sent to me (722 Skylien xrive, Junciton City, KS 66441, USA), or send the copy to Msgr Legitimas? Please help us with this…Thank you very much,

    FR ORLANDO R FULLER

  13. elena gilbert says:

    the best time to visit this place is during the feast of Saint Michael Archangel. Every 29th of September. im sure you’ll enjoy the traditional street dance of kasadya festival. and iliganon are really hospitable. we enjoyed our stay there.


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