Restoration of Guagua Church (Phase 1)

Project: Restoration of Guagua Church (Phase 1)
Location: Church of St. Anne, Guagua, Pampanga
Cultural property owner: Archdiocese of San Pablo
GAA Budget: P5,000,000.00
Fiscal year: 2017
Date of implementation: 30 May to 20 November 2017
Implementing agency: National Historical Commission of the Philippines
Contractor: New Profile Construction Co. Inc.
Project description: The restoration work focused on bringing back the structural and architectural integrity of the stone walls made of adobe of volcanic tuff. Some of the additions to the church such as canopies and porticoes, were also removed to restore the architectural features of the portals and windows.
Project documentation:

BEFORE RESTORATION: The walls were observed to have micro cracks. Upon material characterization, the stucco applied was cement. The moisture from the adobe pushes the incompatible plaster, which causes the cracks. The restoration team, along with the stakeholders, decided to chip off the cement plaster.

AFTER RESTORATION: After removing the cement plaster, the adobe surfaces were applied with water repellant. This chemical allows the stones to breathe while protecting the brittle adobe stones from powdering and water damage is minimized.