Pampanga remembers Mt. Pinatubo eruption

BACOLOR, Pampanga — The provincial government of Pampanga and the local government here unveiled a marker at the San Guillermo Parish Church during the 34th commemoration of the Mount Pinatubo eruption.

The monument, dubbed “Rising from the Ashes,” serves as a powerful reminder that “while the volcano may have claimed land and stone, it could not extinguish the heart of the Kapampangan,” according to the Arts, Culture, & Tourism Office of Pampanga.

“May the monument we unveil today serve as a beacon for generations to come — a lasting symbol that no calamity, however great, can break a people united by faith, love and the will to begin again,” the office added.

Commissioned by the Provincial Government of Pampanga and the Municipality of Bacolor, the marker’s construction was a collaborative effort with the Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan Inc. and the San Guillermo Parish Church.

The monument honors the more than 20,000 Kapampangans who were affected by the devastating Mount Pinatubo eruption on 15 June 1991. The office highlighted that the town of Bacolor, in particular, rose again “from the ashes” through faith, collective cooperation (bayanihan), and resilience, showcasing the enduring strength of the Kapampangan spirit.