A ‘Missa pro Defunctis’ (Mass for the Dead) was immediately offered following his arrival.

Earlier this morning, he was received at the Tacloban Airport by Board Member Albert Lucero, PIO Head Jhon Allen Berbon and other members of the Catholic clergy in the province. The Provincial Government, through Governor Edwin Ongchuan, facilitated the air transfer of the remains of Bishop Hobayan from Manila to Tacloban, and the transport from Tacloban to Catarman. Meanwhile, the 803rd IB and 43rd IB led the silent transfer from Lope de Vega to Catarman while the Catarman PNP assisted the motorcade from Brgy Washington to the Catarman Cathedral.

Bishop Hobayan was the first Bishop of the Diocese of Catarman since its establishment in 1975 and served as such until his retirement in 2005.