We were heading back to Manila when we passed by the Angeles Church, Pampanga. It was evening and we thought that this church is stunningly beautiful. So, we parked and explored the area. According to history, the first chapel of Angeles Church was established in 1812, however, the current Renaissance-style structure was built through "polos y servicios" or forced and unpaid labor under the supervision of the Spanish government from 1877 to 1896. Dubbed as "Pisamban Maragul," Kapampangan phrase for "big church" because it was the tallest church in Pampanga during that time.
The backyard of the church became the execution ground in shooting Filipino rebels and suspects by the Spanish forces until 1898. Like the other churches in the Philippines, the twin bell towers of Angeles Church were used as the watchtowers, the church itself served as the U.S. military hospital until 1900 and during the Second World War, it was used by the Japanese troops as a garage for their military vehicles.
Before I forget, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo celebrated the first anniversary of the Philippine Independence by giving a speech and waving the Philippine flag at this church, not at the Pamintuan Mansion. An image of the Nuestra Senora de Santissima Rosario de la Naval is enshrined in the altar. During Holy Week, this is where the locals gather for their procession and other Holy activities, such as the Salubong.