San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga
San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga
The facade of the Church
The San Guillermo Parish Church (or popularly, Bacolor Church) in Pampanga is well-known throughout the Philippines, at least, for three reasons: First, it is a very old Baroque-styled Church which was built in 1576 by the Augustinian friars, concurrent with the foundation of the town of Bacolor itself. It has been a mute witness of gracious liturgical celebrations and mournful funeral rites through the centuries. It stands as the faith monument of the Catholics in this part of the country.
Secondly, its 12-meter altitude has been cut into half after the devastating Mt. Pinatubo eruption on June 15, 1991. Lahar flow devoured the town leaving its 50,000 residents homeless. Nevertheless, the spirit of bayanihan emanated from the town’s people as they dug up and recovered the altar. They relocated it under the dome in order for the tall wooden retablo to fit in. When the lahar hardened, many returned and build their homes.
Secondly, its 12-meter altitude has been cut into half after the devastating Mt. Pinatubo eruption on June 15, 1991. Lahar flow devoured the town leaving its 50,000 residents homeless. Nevertheless, the spirit of bayanihan emanated from the town’s people as they dug up and recovered the altar. They relocated it under the dome in order for the tall wooden retablo to fit in. When the lahar hardened, many returned and build their homes.
Santino of 'May Bukas pa'
Lastly, it served as the set for the location shoot of a high-rating soap opera in 2009, May Bukas Pa. It is a local drama series with a religious tone that revolves around the life of its protagonist, the boySantino and his relationship with BRO(Jesus Christ) whose image can be seen inside the Church. Undoubtedly, it made the Church more famous that many local tourists visit it regularly.
The place was not as developed as today, the first time I went there in 2002. I was with a group of Dominican brothers and sisters who attended a seminar on Justice and Peace. Sr. Rose Yaya, OP gave us a short history of the Church as well as the physical adjustments inside the Church after the deluge of 1991. The main door today was just once a window in the facade. One needs to bow down before one could enter the Adoration Chapel. The ceiling, evidently, becomes lower while the arches of some formerly high lateral windows already touched the ground. It served both for illumination and ventilation. And as mentioned earlier, the beautiful retablo was preserved.
The place was not as developed as today, the first time I went there in 2002. I was with a group of Dominican brothers and sisters who attended a seminar on Justice and Peace. Sr. Rose Yaya, OP gave us a short history of the Church as well as the physical adjustments inside the Church after the deluge of 1991. The main door today was just once a window in the facade. One needs to bow down before one could enter the Adoration Chapel. The ceiling, evidently, becomes lower while the arches of some formerly high lateral windows already touched the ground. It served both for illumination and ventilation. And as mentioned earlier, the beautiful retablo was preserved.
Low arched opening to the Adoration Chapel.
In 2010, I went there again, now with my family, to stop by before proceeding to Subic. We took pictures and identified the different spots where scenes from May Bukas pa was taken. We even took a photo with “BRO”, an image of Jesus Christ the Risen Lord. It is good that there is a continuing beautification and maintenance inside the Church and the plaza. However, they need to develop a formal museum to showcase all of those antique images of saints, vintage photos and the old gold-painted altar table that we saw for the first time. Indeed, Bacolor Church is a rich cultural heritage.
The people held on to their faith during troubled times...and this Church has been their refuge and strength. Truly, BRO never abandoned His children. He is almighty and we must offer our lives to Him Who is (as the inscription in facade says) “Rex Regum et Dominus Dominorum” (King of kings and Lord of lords).
The people held on to their faith during troubled times...and this Church has been their refuge and strength. Truly, BRO never abandoned His children. He is almighty and we must offer our lives to Him Who is (as the inscription in facade says) “Rex Regum et Dominus Dominorum” (King of kings and Lord of lords).
Facade of the Church
GLOSSARY
Bayanihan refers to the spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective.
Retablo is the carved altar behind the communion table where the tabernacle, crucifixion and icons of a parish church’s patron saints are enshrined.
Lahar is a type of mudflow or debris flow composed of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water. The material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley.
Bayanihan refers to the spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective.
Retablo is the carved altar behind the communion table where the tabernacle, crucifixion and icons of a parish church’s patron saints are enshrined.
Lahar is a type of mudflow or debris flow composed of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water. The material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley.
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