The priest-architect who designed the altar at the Quirino Grandstand during the visit of Pope Francis in 2015 has passed away.
The Diocese of Tarlac announced the demise of Father Alex Bautista, 50, on their Facebook page Thursday.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely demise of Rev. Fr. Alex O. Bautista, parish priest of La Sagradia Familia Parish, Sulipa, Gerona, Tarlac," read the post.
According to CBCP News, Bautista succumbed to an underlying neuromuscular ailment at the Cardinal Santos Hospital at around 2am, Thursday.
A celebrated architect, the priest also designed beautiful churches and buildings in the country and abroad.
But the Diocese of Tarlac said Bautista is more known to them as a "dedicated and loving pastor."
The diocese has asked the faithful to pray for Bautista's eternal repose.
Bautista served as architectural consultant to the Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.