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17/06/2024
OCTOBER 1, 1995 ∙ SAN GUILLERMO PARISH CHURCH, BACOLOR, PAMPANGA ∙ Lahar flow from the slopes of Mount Pinatubo, buried the church to half its 12-metre (39 ft) height, prompting more than 50,000 town residents to evacuate to safer grounds in resettlement areas. 📷September 1995 ∙ Yann Arthus-Bertrand
After the volcanic eruption, the town's people painstakingly excavated the altar and the retablo and relocated it under the dome in order for the tall wooden retablo to fit. The retablos niches are filled with centuries old statues which were saved from destruction of the lahar. The citizens of Bacolor carefully excavated the ornately carved main and side altars and restored in its immaculate condition.
By 1995, Bacolor, Pampanga had reclaimed its previous status as elevated land.