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Museo de Bacolor

November 2, 2024November 2, 2024 adminbdmc 0 Comments a pilgrimage to pampanga, altar of bacolor church, bacolor, bacolor church, bacolor church history, churches in pampanga, la naval de bacolor, lahar in bacolor, museo de bacolor, old churches in pampanga, pampanga, religion, san guillermo parish, san guillermo parish bacolor, suncken church, travel

When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the massive eruption caused catastrophic lahar flows that buried much of Bacolor, including San Guillermo Parish. Only about the top third of the church remained visible, with around 12 meters of the structure submerged under the volcanic debris. Despite being buried, locals preserved what remained of the church, converting the visible portion into a functional chapel.

The remaining structure was carefully restored to enable worship once more. Today, it holds a collection of historical relics and artifacts, some originating from the Spanish colonial era, which are preserved within the San Guillermo Museum, also known as Museo de Bacolor, housed inside the church. This museum highlights the church’s profound historical value and Pampanga’s vibrant cultural and historical legacy, providing insight into the region’s past and its enduring heritage.

The Museo de Bacolor’s roots are deeply intertwined with the history of Bacolor, a town with a rich legacy dating back to the Spanish colonial period. The museum was established to protect and showcase Bacolor’s cultural identity, especially after the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

The idea for Museo de Bacolor emerged as part of the community’s efforts to document and preserve their history. The museum’s collection includes artifacts from before the lahar disaster, including Spanish colonial religious icons, antique furniture, documents, and memorabilia that illustrate Bacolor’s former role as a bustling provincial hub. There are also displays dedicated to Bacolor’s time as the capital of the Philippines from 1762 to 1764 during the British occupation.

Through exhibitions of paintings, religious relics, and historical photographs, the Museo de Bacolor aims to instill pride in the people of Bacolor and educate visitors about the town’s legacy of strength, culture, and faith.

The corridor highlights some paintings and life-sized processional images of saints and others depicting the life of Jesus.

This one depicts the crowning of thorns

La Pieta

San Guillermo (Saint William the Hermit)

Mother Theresa

This one depicts the Death of Saint Joseph

Saint Therese

The Museo de Bacolor corridor. As you walk through, the corridor displays various artifacts, photographs, and documents that provide a chronological narrative of the town’s past. Each section highlights Bacolor’s cultural heritage, from the Spanish colonial period to the modern day, and includes pieces from everyday life, religious artifacts, and items affected by the Mount Pinatubo eruption.

Here’s one of the paintings showcasing the aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo eruption.

One of the passages like this one, leads you to an Adoration chapel

The adoration chapel

Another room of the museum takes you to a different chapel

It also displays photographs of various images, how they were unearthed from the lahar and how they were restored.

The chandeliers are still in good shape

Other rooms serve as galleries showcasing various artifacts, memorabilia and many other ecclesiastical items.

A beautifully ornate carriage of Santo Entierro (locally known as Apung Mamacalulu) Check: Apung Macalulu Shrine of Angeles City, Pampanga

Image of Saint Michael the Archangel

Señor Desmayado

Saint John Vianney

Santo Niño de Buena Salud

A replica image of La Virgen de los Remedios de Pampanga also known as Indu ning Capaldanan, Tula ning Kapampangan – the Official patroness of Pampanga

An image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

A diorama showing the Bacolor Church

An old bas relief of the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus

Displayed old crowns and aureoles by the La Naval de Bacolor