IN 1861, THE PARISH OF TAMBOBONG, in the town of Tañong, Malabon, was constructed by the Augustinian priests. Six years after, a fisherman by the name of Tiburcio Cabiching found a cross from a branch of a Duhat tree owned by Eulogia Santos. The cross was reported to be miraculous, and so immediately, a chapel was built where it was found. The “Munting Katedral”, or “Little Cathedral”, as it was fondly called, was placed under the care of Kapitana Ramona de Baens.

In 1902, at the height of the Aglipayan Schism, the Aglipayans headed the administration of the parish of Tambobong and its chapel, as they used them in order to promote their faith. Although Kapitana Baens, the caretaker of the parish, used her influence in persuading the people of Hulong Duhat to join the Aglipay Church, the residents remained firm in their faith to the Catholic Church. The act infuriated Baens, thus she kept the cross away from the people.

Five years after the reign of the Aglipayans, the administration of the Church was brought back to the Catholic Priests. It was also then that the tutelage of the cross was given to Kapitana Baens’ husband Alfredo, as the former custodian died. Alfredo, who was sick, heeded the cry of the people on having the cross once again.

After several years, the aging chapel was renovated through the efforts of Councilor Maynardo Espiritu. At the same time, the residents formed the Hulong Duhat Community Movement (HDCM), to solicit funds needed for the development and for the parish construction.

On November 24, 1991, the cornerstone was laid, signifying the start of a new age for the chapel. Three years after, on September 26, 1994, the Archbishop of Manila, His Eminence Jaime L. Cardinal Sin issued the Decree of Establishment of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish with Reverend Fr. Nelson Orqueta as the first parish priest. Fr. Orqueta was replaced by Reverend Fr. Rey Amante, then by Rev. Fr. Joel Sabijon, and then by the current parish priest, Rev. Fr. Octavio Bartiana.