Explore Old and Historical Churches in Pampanga

Province of Pampanga
(San Agustin - Lubao, St. James - Betis, San Guillermo - Bacolor, Cathedral - San Fernando)

I had been doing photo walks around the Metro for the past few weekends to see old and historical churches and landmarks. I had also been challenging myself to be "more economical" when it comes to my travel expenses.

After exploring most of the well known historical sites and monuments around the Metro, I decided to go out of Manila and do my photo walks in the provinces near the National Capital Region.

Pampanga is a province popularly known when it comes to "Food", "Christmas Lanterns", "Re-enactment of Christ Crucifixion during Easter" and many more. With its popularity, I decided to visit the province and explore some of its mostly visited old and historical churches.

According to the Philippine Department of Tourism (It's More Fun in the Philippines), Pampanga offers several sightseeing options for visitors. Pampanga has always enjoyed the title, “The Culinary Center of the Philippines.” It is populated by resourceful hardy folk who are justifiably proud of their famous Kapampangan cuisine.

The capital city of San Fernando is world-famous for its annual Easter re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also famous for the Pampanga Christmas lanterns.

The province has remnants of a long and colorful history. It houses a booming night life and tourist destinations. It is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty free shopping, and golf courses.

It was a sunny Saturday morning. I set out early and prepared myself and my equipment for my photo walk in Pampanga. As a challenge, I set a maximum travel budget of max P1k inclusive of transportation, food, and others. From my place I took a jeep bound for Divisoria and alighted at Bustillos market in Sampaloc. Few steps away from the market is the Sampaloc terminal of Victory Liner bus.

My plan was to explore four areas in Pampanga: LUBAO, GUAGUA, BACOLOR and SAN FERNANDO, the capital city. Looking at the map, coming from Manila, Lubao is the farthest among the four locations and nearest to the province of Bataan.

I took a bus bound for Olongapo and asked the driver the drop me at the town of Sta. Cruz in Lubao. At 1000H, I was walking at the town proper of Sta. Cruz in Lubao Pampanga.

I first approached a lady police officer and asked where can I take a jeep bound for Lubao town proper. The police officer asked me in return, "Noka munta?" - she meant "Where are you going?".

Church #1: San Agustin Church, Lubao Pampanga

Church Facade, Belfry and Adjoining Convent

From the town proper, I took a jeep bound for Guagua and asked the driver to drop me at Lubao Plaza. It was my first time to be at the place and I was depending on the direction from the map that I printed from Google.

It was a 15-minute travel from Sta. Cruz to Lubao town proper. At 1015H, I was at Lubao plaza facing the municipal hall building. Lubao is a first class municipality of Pampanga.

Church Interior

The San Agustin church (also known as Lubao church) is at the opposite side of the highway facing the plaza. Standing at the plaza, I immediately saw the tall belfry of the old church.

I took a few steps towards the church and entered the gate. The building's impressive facade has immediately captured my attention.

Parish Marker

The main facade is covered with a red brick. Attached to the church is the convent at the right (facing the facade). Though the building looks new, it is equally impressive as the main facade.

I had a chance to see the interior of the church. Unlike the other churches in Pampanga, the church interior is quite plain but the altar is impressive. It's a 3-layer wooden altar with the images of saints. They call this kind of altar "Retablo" in the Spanish language.

Church Main Altar

The ceiling is plain white and the buttresses are massive, hence it is of baroque architecture. The windows are made of pieces of stained glass.

Stained Glass Window

According to the Philippines Historical committee, the Church of Lubao was founded in 1572 in Barrio Santa Catalina. Moved to the present location thirty years alter due to yearly floods. Architect Fr. Antonio Herrera, Augustinian, reconstructed the church from 1614 to 1630, out of locally made brick and sand and mixed in egg albumen contributed by the people of Lubao. Occupied 1898 by the revolutionists. used as hospital 1899 by American forces. Destroyed 1942 by Japanese shelling. repaired 1949-1952, under the direction of Fr. Melencio Garcia and other Priests. This is also where Diosdado Macapagal, Philippines' 5th President wad baptized in 1910.

 

From San Agustin church, I walked back to the plaza and had a short snack at a nearby store. It was 1100H. The weather was hot considering that the ground is a volcanic lava.

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Church #2: St. James Church, Betis Pampanga

Betis Church Facade and Belfrty

At 1110H, I took a jeep bound for Guagua. I alighted at Plaza Burgos located at Guagua town proper. The Guagua church is few steps away from the plaza. Unluckily, the church was closed at that time.

From the church, I walked back to the plaza and then had a quick lunch at a nearby food court.

I left the place at 1200H riding a jeep bound for Betis passing through a narrow road inside the town. At 1220H, I was standing in front of the old Betis church.

Church Facade, Belfry and Adjoining Convent

Unlike San Agustin church with exposed bricks and adobe stones on its walls, Betis church facade wall is well plastered and painted white. The facade is simple and plain.

Somebody was decorating the church isle for a wedding when I stepped inside the church. At that time, the church should have been closed but again I was lucky to be able to get in and explored its interior.

The church interior is totally impressive. It is superbly painted both walls and ceiling using the trompe l'oeil technique just like those in San Agustin church in Intramuros. The old pulpit can be seen immediately at the left side of the altar facing it.

Church Superbly Decorated Interior

Church Main Altar

The dome is impressive and the old altar looks similar with the San Agustin altar in Lubao. It is a 3-layer wooden altar with the images of Saints.

Church Domes

Dome Details

Unlike other churches, Betis church floor is made of thick hardwood. I was assuming at that time that the present wood flooring is still the original one. The church doors are also old and the carvings are impressive. The windows are made of stained glass.

 

The church baroque architecture is evident with the massive buttresses and think walls.


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Church #3: San Guillermo Church, Bacolor Pampanga

Church Half-Buried Facade and Belfry

I left Betis church at 1320H and headed on to Bacolor. Bacolor is a third class municipality of Pampanga. The weather was very hot at that time. From Betis, I passed through the rim of the huge lahar drainage. It is a kilometer long dusty rough road.

Bacolor is one of the hardest hit town in Pampanga by lava flow during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 1995. Most of the structures in the town were buried deep with layers of lahar.

San Guillermo church is just beside the road leading to Bacolor town proper. I started exploring San Guillermo church at 1340H.

Immediately, I noticed that only the remaining half of the church is visible. Half of the church was buried with lahar and the remaining visible part of the structure survived and now being used.

The church was closed at the time of my visit but I was able to take few shots of the interior from an open window.

Side of the Building with Buttresses

The church ceiling is exposed. The main altar might be a 3-layer wooden altar just like San Agustin and St. James altars. Only the second and third layers of the San Guillermo church altar are visible. The first layer might also be buried with lahar.

Church Interior

From San Guillermo church, I walked towards the road crossing and took a jeep bound for San Fernando city, the province capital. I alighted at Palawe jeep terminal and took another jeep bound for San Fernando market (palengke).

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Church #4: San Fernando Cathedral, San Fernando City Pampanga

Church Facade and Belfry

At 1500H, I reached San Fernando city and alighted in front of SM City. I noticed that the traditional "Calesa" ride still being used at San Fernando and spotted several old houses around standing and in good conditions.

The Cathedral of San Fernando is few meters away from SM City.

Church Interior

There was an ongoing renovation of the church interior at the time of my visit. Nevertheless, I was able to get inside and took some shots of the interior.

Main Altar and Pulpit

Unlike the interior of Betis church, the Cathedral's interior is plain. The old pulpit still hangs at the left side of the altar (facing it). The church architecture is a baroque one. The bishop's office is at the right side of the Cathedral.

Dome

From the Cathedral, I walked back to SM City and had a quick snack and refreshment.

Main Altar

I left SM City at 1545H and took a jeep bound for SM Pampanga. I alighted at Victory Liner bus terminal in San Fernando and then took the bus bound for Sampaloc in Manila.

See more photos.

My travel expenses:

Nagtahan - Bustillos Victory Terminal - p8.00
Bustillos - Sta. Cruz, Lubao Pampanga - p139.00
Sta. Cruz - Lubao plaza/municipal hall - p8.00
Donuts snack at Lubao Plaza - p26.00
Lubao plaza - Plaza Burgos, Guagua - p12.00
Lunch at Chowking Plaza Burgos - p84.00
Plaza Burgos - Betis, Guagua - p8.00
Betis - Bacolor - p8.00
Dirty ice cream snack at the Plaza - p5.00
San Guillermo church Bacolor - Palawe - p8.00
Palawe - San Fernando palengke - p8.00
Snack at SM City San Fernando - p150.00
San Fernando City - Victory Terminal - p8.00
San Fernando, Pampanga - Bustillos, Manila - p102.00
Bustillos - Nagtahan - p8.00

TOTAL - p582.00

I was so happy to have explored four old and historical churches in Pampanga with less than P600.00 and not exceeding my travel budget.

Dacal a Salamat! Pampanga.

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