The Southern Cagayan Valley Mission—fondly known as SOCAVA Mission—was born out of a deep burden and vision for the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and parts of Southern Isabela. Back in the early 2000s, while there were a handful of small Christian Church/Churches of Christ congregations scattered throughout the area, their presence was limited. In fact, the entire province of Quirino only had one congregation, planted in 2002 in the town of Diffun. Nueva Vizcaya had three modest congregations at the time—in La Torre and Bonfal (Bayombong) and Nagcuartelan (Aritao).

Though there were more congregations in Southern Isabela, they too were generally small and struggling to grow. Historically, the broader Churches of Christ work in Northern Luzon—spearheaded by the former Philippine Mission Churches of Christ Northern Luzon, founded by the late Charles W. Selby in 1947—focused its mission efforts in the provinces of Cagayan and northern Isabela. This left the southern part of the valley, particularly Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya, largely unreached.

Recognizing this need, the late Pastor Gilbert B. Guillermo, a graduate of Aparri Bible Seminary, took a bold step in March 2007. He called together leaders and key members from the Diffun Church of Christ, Santiago City Church of Christ, and Bonfal Church of Christ to dream and pray about a unified mission effort to reach Southern Cagayan Valley.

Out of that gathering, the Southern Cagayan Valley Mission was born.

Though officers were selected early on, it wasn’t until January 10, 2009, that the Mission was formally launched. At the inauguration, seven congregations came together to mark the occasion:

• Alicia Church of Christ (Isabela)
• Bantog Petines Church of Christ (Isabela)
• Echague Church of Christ (Isabela)
• Santiago City Church of Christ (Isabela)
• Sinamar Norte Church of Christ (Isabela)
• Diffun Church of Christ (Quirino)
• Bonfal Church of Christ (Nueva Vizcaya)

Even before that formal launch, SOCAVA had already begun organizing area-wide activities—quarterly youth and women’s fellowships, and church development seminars, often hosted by the Diffun congregation.

From the beginning, the heart of SOCAVA Mission was church planting and evangelism. Despite limited finances, the work pressed on—led by Pastor Gilbert Guillermo with the assistance of Pastor Paul Ysmael and Pastor Solomon Perillo. Bible studies and outreach efforts steadily expanded across Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Southern Isabela.

In 2013, Pastor Gilbert proposed the idea of formalizing the organization by registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). After prayerful meetings and much planning, the leadership moved forward. A formal Board was elected:

• President: Pastor Gilbert Guillermo
• Vice President: Pastor Paul Ysmael
• Secretary: Norma Guillermo
• Treasurer: Luzviminda Ysmael
• Board Members: Pastor Solomon Perillo, Sis. Mylene Acosta, Francis Acosta, Jeraldy Benitez, and Emilia Perillo

With their leadership, the Constitution and By-Laws were drafted, the Articles of Incorporation prepared, and the application was submitted. By December 2014, SOCAVA Mission was officially registered and recognized.

In April 2015, SOCAVA hosted its first Cagayan Valley Churches Convention at Quirino State University in Diffun—a milestone event that drew believers from across the region. Every year since, SOCAVA has continued to organize Youth Summer Camps and Conferences, encouraging spiritual growth and fellowship among young believers.

Though the mission has faced many trials—including the loss of its two founding presidents, Pastors Gilbert Guillermo and Paul Ysmael—the work has never ceased. By God’s grace, SOCAVA has helped establish new congregations in:

• Ammogaoen, Diffun (Quirino)
• Cabarroguis, (Quirino)
• Uddiawan, Solano, (Nueva Vizcaya)
• San Felipe, Echague, (Isabela)
• Ambatali, Ramon, (Isabela)

SOCAVA youth are also actively involved in campus ministries, regularly reaching out in universities and colleges.

The mission has also been blessed with the financial and spiritual support of PMCC, whose partnership has been instrumental in fueling SOCAVA’s growing efforts in the valley.

Through challenges and victories alike, the Southern Cagayan Valley Mission has remained faithful to its calling: planting churches, raising leaders, and sharing the Good News across the southern reaches of the valley—one heart, one home, and one community at a time.