Mabalacat City College

Institute of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts in History Program

Title: Half-Buried, Half-Blessed: The Story of Bacolor Church Against the Volcano
(1991-2000)

Garcia, Aaron John A.

Tang, Christian
Muldong, Gabriel
Genuino, Kimberly

HISTM1

Ms. Jhannaine Delaserna

December 31, 2023 11:59 pm

 2

Introduction

San Guillermo Church is one of the oldest churches in Bacolor, Pampanga. The church was

named after the Bacolor’s patron saint, San Guillermo. It is also known for the name “half-buried

church” because of the lahar overflow from Mount Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991. The church has

survived a lot of calamities including typhoons, earthquakes, and specifically the eruption of

Mount Pinatubo, the lahar overflow entered in the church on September 3, 1995 is the event that

damaged the church and the rest of the town. As time passed, the lahar got cleared by the people

to restore the original altar, the retablo, and the religious images from the church. It also became a

tourist spot for a time because of the history of the church and its architecture. It is built in the

Baroque-style of architecture and looks to be built of concrete.

Upon closer inspection however, one can see that its meter-thick wall consists of bricks and

stone works—although most of it is already concealed by modern finishing, especially in the

church interior. The objective of this study is to explore after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and

to know what are the processes they do restore their faith and the rehabilitation of the church in

the period of time. San Guillermo Church old convent is converted into a museum they called

“Museo de Bacolor”. Besides the usual church relics and old photographs displayed along the

museum corridor, art installations are also exhibited inside its interior halls. And even though

these spaces were not spared by the ravaging mud flow of Mount Pinatubo, one can still see the

age of Bacolor Church through the exposed parts of its thick walls.

Traveling around the Philippines, I can say that I’ve seen almost every kind of churches

there are in the country. But this one in Pampanga is something new for me. One can argue that

this is not really new, what with Albay’s own buried Cagsawa Church. The difference is that

Bacolor’s San Guillermo Church continues to function, even with its half-buried state, after being
 3

devastated by a massive volcanic eruption.

Within the museum’s interior corridors are art installations in addition to the customary

church relics and antique photos along the corridor. And even though the destructive mudflow of

Mount Pinatubo did not spare these areas, the age of Bacolor Church is still visible in the exposed

portions of its massive walls. I can say that, having traveled throughout the Philippines, I have

seen practically every type of church that exists there. However, this one in Pampanga is new to

me. It may be argued that this is nothing new, given the existence of Albay’s own buried Cagsawa

Church. The San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, which was destroyed by a powerful volcanic

explosion, is still operational despite being partially submerged.

The San Guillermo Parish Church has played a significant role in Philippine history and

culture. It served as a sanctuary during the Spanish colonial period, and its bells were used to

signal the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. One of the features of this church is the

roof, because the roof is brick and its shape is like a inverted boat, and the bell tower that is

original structure from the church and it is designed to withstand earthquakes and other calamities.

A must-see location for anybody interested in Philippine history and culture is San Guillermo

Parish Church. It is a great national treasure because of its magnificent architecture, distinctive

features, and cultural value. While learning about the church’s lengthy history and its significance

in forming the identity of the nation, visitors might be in awe of its beauty. Today, it continues to

serve as a place of worship and a symbol of the resilience and strength of the Filipino people. The

analysis will encompass the period from 1991-2000’s, it will focus on understanding the plans that

the community does in restoring the church and their faith. 1

1
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/destinations-and-attractions/san-guillermo-church

https://philippinefaithandheritagetours.com/san-guillermo-ermitano-church-villa-de-bacolor-pampanga/

https://www.lakadpilipinas.com/2014/02/pampanga-half-buried-bacolor-church.html?m=1

https://palibut.com/2017/04/11/san-guillermo-parish-church/
 4

Background of the Study

The San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga, stands as a testament to the Philippines’

rich history, architectural legacy, and the profound resilience of its people. The San Guillermo

Church is one of the oldest churches in Pampanga, it was named after Bacolor’s patron saint, San

Guillermo, where the church is located. The story begins with the arrival of Augustinian friars

who constructed the first San Guillermo Church, making it one of the earliest churches built in the

country. Don Guillermo Manabat is believed to be the founding father of the church; known as a

wealthy landowner, he donated the land on where the church was built, giving it its namesake.

Over the centuries, San Guillermo Church underwent several reconstructions, showing proof

of evolving architecture: reflecting architectural styles from baroque to neoclassical. But, during

1991, the church was destroyed by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The lahar flow

buried the church, leaving only the upper portion of the bell tower visible. Showing an undeterred

spirit, the Kapampangan people refused to let their beloved church buried; embarking on a five-

year excavation project, meticulously uncovering and restoring the church. The emergence of the

San Guillermo Church from the lahar became a powerful symbol of hope and resilience,

showcasing the community’s unwavering faith and determination.

2

2
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/destinations-and-attractions/san-guillermo-church

https://www.bacolorpampanga.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/BACOLOR-TOURISTS-SPOT.pdf

https://palibut.com/2017/04/11/san-guillermo-parish-church/
 5

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study shows the steps or the type of research that we used. We used a

qualitative method to know what the challenges and processes were that the

Bacolorians faced in preserving their faith and the church after the eruption of

Mount Pinatubo. Finding sources for this study is challenging because other sources

lack information and do not have any evidence. The researchers found a sources in

the museum of the church, we gathered information with the help of pictures,

memoirs, videos and documentations that we found in the church and online.

We gathered data by analyzing the sources that we got from the internet.

We gathered primary and secondary sources like articles, journals, and books.

Even though we found sources, the information in our sources was limited, so

we gathered an interview and went to Bacolor to interview people. The

researchers found people to interview, and we saw Mrs. Bernadeth. She

discusses the information about the church and the changes that happened.

With the data that we gathered, we improved and analyzed our study. After the

interview, the researchers received a new information that it can help them to

study about San Guillermo Church.

 6

The researchers used the following questions in their study:

Sub Questions:

1. How did a centuries-old church survive the fury of a monstrous volcano?

2. What role did the local community play in the church’s post-eruption

restoration and preservation?

3. How has the San Guillermo Church become a symbol of Bacolor’s

recovery and a testament to the enduring power of faith and community?

Research Outline

1.0 Architecture of San Guillermo

1.1 The techniques of Spanish on building the church

1.2 The primary materials they used while building the church

2.0 The Aftermath of Pinatubo

2.1 The structural challenges faced during the rehabilitation process?

2.2 The local community contribution to the rehabilitation effort

3.0 The Social Significance

3.1 The strengthen faith of the locals

3.2 The ongoing efforts to maintain and protect the church for future

generation
 7

Discussion

Implications
 8

The researchers tend to generate research about the San Guillermo Church, this church is

named “half-buried church” because of the lahar flows that came from Mount Pinatubo. The

researchers want to know more about the history of the church and what happened to the church

and its community after the eruption of the volcano. It will be clearer to the people on what the

struggles are, the suffering of people, journey of the people when the lahar flows hit Bacolor,

Pampanga and it is also clear to know what are the plans they did in achieving the restoration,

rehabilitation, and connection of the community to the church. It will be a factor to the people in

Bacolor on what factors and events happened to affect their lives.

This study focused about the history of the church and how the people preserve their faith

and dignity by the help of San Guillermo Church in the time of troubles, affliction, and suffering.

Despite its unfortunate history and state, the church is still one of the most revered and visited

churches in Pampanga. Events like weddings are also held here every so often. Its simplicity and

rich history attracts soon to wed couples to exchange vows in this historic and resilient church.

The history of this church has a lot of historical events, because this church was built in 1576 and

it was built by the Spanish that occupied the Philippines for how many years. The researchers also

know how mother nature can be so dangerous and deadly to people.

The students will be the ones who will get benefits in this study, because in this study they

will see how the people in Bacolor love their own traditions, beliefs, and how they cope with the

damage that the volcano did to their town. The researchers want to show the students what

happened in their area especially in Bacolor, Pampanga during the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

The other reason for the researchers is to showcase the great architecture and the strength of this

church even though so many calamities have passed through it, because San Guillermo Church

was one of the oldest churches in the Pampanga, this church was built in Spanish period so it has a

lot of have passed but it is still standing until now. In this way, the students will know how hard
 9

life is when the lahar flows buried their houses and specifically how San Guillermo Church got

called half-buried church.

The people in Bacolor should be concerned about San Guillermo Church, because this

church has been part of their history as a Bacolorians, the legacy of this church continued their

faith and religious practices because of the preservation of the community back then, the people

must take care of it because of the history that gave to the town and the timeline that the church is

standing.

Synthesis

The story of San Guillermo Church after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 has a big

impact in the lives of Bacolorians, the effect of the monstrous volcano is memorable to the people.

The history of this church can reflect the lives of people in Bacolor because the church is their

priority for their faith and for their religious services. San Guillermo Church also symbolizes the

continuing life of the town and it serves as sources of religious practices of the community for

example the festivals, procession and especially the masses that they celebrate.

However, the struggle of people affected the church, but in this study the researchers see

how the people in this community helped each other in this type of event, San Guillermo Church

shows how people care about their faith by preserving it. Even though the church got half buried

by the lahar flows, it did not stop the people in preserving and protecting it from getting damaged

or collapsing, the faith of the people in Bacolor has a lot of contribution in this church because of

what they did in the altar, retablo, and religious images that got buried by the lahar. This event

changed a lot in Bacolor, Pampanga this the cause of their suffering. San Guillermo Church is one
 10

of the oldest churches in Pampanga, it is still standing because of its strong foundation and its

beautiful and good quality architecture.