BALER, Aurora, Philippines – Local historians have called on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Museum to stop the alleged desecration of the historic 400-year-old church in this capital town by the local parish.
In a letter to NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy, the Baler Historical Committee led by historian Ilovita Mesina said the church, which was built in 1611, has been undergoing renovation starting last month on the instructions of parish priest Fr. Nilvon Villanueva.
Mesina asked the NHCP if the renovation had its approval and to issue a cease-and-desist order immediately to prevent irreparable damage to an important historical and religious monument.
Mesina said the modification of the church is a clear violation of the National Cultural Heritage Law, it being a National Historical Landmark and listed in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property.
The church was the site of the “Siege of Baler,” the historic saga of 50 Spanish soldiers who holed up there for almost a year after the war ended in 1898. Only 33 Spanish soldiers survived and they were given a safe-conduct pass by then President Emilio Aguinaldo as a gesture of goodwill.
The church was reconstructed by Aurora Aragon Quezon, wife of Commonwealth President Manuel Quezon.
Recognizing its cultural and historical significance even then, she had the church restored in 1939 to its original anay finish over the stone-and-coral structure. The interior of the church has remained largely preserved.
Mesina said the anay finish is being stripped and replaced with bright paint and varnish, with the entire altar area being redecorated with garishly gilded ornaments and fixtures.
“As a native of this town, I consider the Church of Baler as an invaluable part of our town’s – as well as our country’s – heritage and history. The government must lead in preserving and protecting it vigilantly from defilement because it is a genuine national cultural treasure,” Mesina said.
“The Church of Baler gives us something of the past to look upon and learn from. And keeping it faithful to its original appearance allows the young generation to fully appreciate and absorb the richness of its history. We cannot allow this cultural treasure to be remade and its historical import stripped,” she said.