LOOK: Restoration Gone Wrong? 400-year-old Church Gets a Colorful Makeover

Photos of the newly-restored Calumpit Church in Bulacan have been making the rounds on social media and have been met with criticism from netizens.

Calumpit Church, also known as San Juan Bautista Church, is a 17th century “baroque” church under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos, Bulacan.

In the photos circulating on social media, Calumpit Church has been painted white and pink, making it— described by one Facebook user—look like a “giant cake.”

Eliseo Dela Cruz, who first posted an album of the newly restored church last May 25, 2015 wrote the caption:

400 years ka ng mahigit pero batang bata ka na ngayon. Kesong sad 🙁 Save Calumpit Church. ANO ANG NANGYARI SA’YO? Nawa huwag tayong husgahan ng kasaysayan sa ating panahon.

(You are already more than 400 years old, but you look so young now. How sad. What happened to you? Hoping we will not get judged by history.)

The album now currently has almost 200 shares.

Another Facebook account holder named Toni Ga posted a photo of the old church and the newly-restored one describing it as a giant cake.

Both of the photos have received comments and criticisms from the public.

No actions taken yet

In a report from ABS-CBN News, Bernan Corpuz, head of the Cultural Heritage subcommittee of The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), said the report about the church was received by their office last May 26. He also mentioned that “structures dating at least 50 years old” are considered cultural property, citing the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

However, as of writing, no actions have been taken yet as they are looking into all possible perspectives. One of them is the original color of the church, whether it was changed or retained during its painting process.

Featured Photo Credit: Toni Ga/ Facebook