Our Lady of the Gate Church. Daraga, Albay

The Daraga Church was built by Franciscan missionaries in 1773 when the present town of Daraga was but a barrio of the older town of Cagsawa. The catastrophic eruption of Mayon Volcano on February 1, 1814 destroyed Cagsawa, Budiao and three other towns and killed almost 2,000 people. Today, only the belfry of the old Cagsawa church remains as a mute testimony to Mayon’s treacherous wrath. The survivors of the 1814 eruption chose to relocate to Daraga. This was then approved by the Governor-General on October 4, 1814 and implemented on November 7,1814.

The 17th-century church built on top of Santa Maria Hill overlooks the slopes of Mount Mayon. According to architects of the National Museum, its facade had to undergo restoration because of its badly deteriorating state brought about by age.

People visiting the church have been wondering why the façade was painted white, obliterating the Old World look that had long been admired.

Angel Bautista, chief of the cultural properties division of the National Museum, said lime coating containing chemical ingredients turned it white while restoring and protecting the structural image.

Bautista said the Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, which was built 238 years ago, had been exposed to the sun and rain, which eroded the façades architectural design.