Heritage Churches and Other Significant Structures in Pampanga That Were Damaged By the Earthquake

The 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the Philippines on April 22, 2019 left many in Luzon shaken. In its wake, the natural occurrence left more than just a couple of items out of place. Operations were immediately halted in transportation systems, road and construction damages were sustained, while injuries were minimal. The city that felt the quake’s power the most was Lubao, Pampanga, which was a few kilometers away from the epicenter in Zambales. Just as we were beginning to find hope in rebuilding a religious place as significant as the Notre Dame Cathedral after last week’s fire, some of Pampanga’s very own places of worship took a hit and suffered damages of its own.

Here’s what the damage looks like: 

Santa Catalina de Alexandria

Porac, Pampanga

IMAGE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

One of the more significant buildings to receive media attention was this parish in Porac. The church’s bell tower sustained substantial destruction and was left in rubble. Fortunately, there was no mass held at the time of the earthquake, reports say.

Santa Rita de Cascia

Santa Rita, Pampanga

The parish church’s belfry was left with notable cracks. 

Hacienda Dolores Chapel

Porac, Pampanga

Another chapel in Porac suffered as the façade of this old parish had crumbled.

Monasterio de Santa Clara

Guagua, Pampanga

While the structure itself remained intact, the outlying walls of the Monasterio de Santa Clara had partially come apart.

Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando

San Fernando, Pampanga

While a few items and religious relics were knocked around, this beautiful church also sustained some cracks in its interiors. 

Clark International Airport

IMAGE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Images of the damaged Clark International Airport also circulated the around web. A recorded number of at least seven people were injured and the ceiling above the check-in counters has collapsed. Flights were canceled today, April 23, despite the minimal damage to the tower and the runway areas, but its management hopes to reopen and resume operations tomorrow.

The arch that once welcomed visitors and residents to Pampanga and separated the province from Dinalupihan also collapsed. Remnants from the damage blocked the road preventing vehicles from passing through.

Consuelo Bridge

Floridablanca, Pampanga

Chuzon Supermarket

Porac, Pampanga

IMAGE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Five casualties were recorded in this four-story local supermarket, which collapsed during the earthquake. At present, a search is still underway for those who were trapped or are still missing underneath the debris.