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| A photo of Bacolor Church. |
About Pampanga:
The province of Pampanga is located in Region 3 or commonly known as the Central Luzon. This province is prominent for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant culinary scene, and historical significance. Often referred to as the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines," Pampanga is home to a diverse range of delicious dishes, including the world-famous sisig and tocino. Its capital, San Fernando, is known for its stunning Christmas lanterns and is also the site of historical events that shaped the nation's struggle for independence. Not only that, the Giant Lantern Festival and Sinukwan Festival are the most awaited event that showcase the province’s creativity and deep-rooted traditions. Below are list of the recommended destinations in Pampanga:
List of Tourist Spots in Pampanga:
- The Sandbox
- The Sky Ranch
- Clark Aqua Planet
- Dinosaurs Island
- Clark Museum and 4D Theater
- Puning Hot Spring
- Dine at Aling Lucing’s
List of Historical Sites in Pampanga:
- San Fernando Train Station
- Bacolor Church
- Angeles Church
- The Guagua Mansion
- Hizon Ancestral House
List of Mountains in Pampanga:
- Mt. Pinatubo
- Mt. Arayat National Park
- Mt. Negron
- Mt. McDonald
- Mt. Dorst
List of Festivals in Pampanga:
- Giant Lantern Festival
- Philippine International Hot Air Baloon
- Cutud Lenten Rites
- Sinukwan Festival
- Ligligan Parul
- Pampanga Day
- Duman Festival
- Caragan Festival
Affordable Hotels/Resorts in Pampanga:
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How to Get to Pampanga:
By Commute:
- In Cubao, Pasay, or Alabang, you can take a bus ride to Dau Terminal. Then, ride in a jeepney, taxi, or other public transport to your destination. Buses like Victory Liner, Five Start, and Philtranco have regular trips to Pampanga.
By P2P Bus:
- In NAIA, Robinsons Galleria or Trinoma, there are pick points to Clark International Airport.
By Flights:
- In NAIA Terminals, you can take P2P bus to Pampanga. Or, you can book a flight to Clark International Airport. Then, ride taxi to your destination.
Angeles Church
We were heading back to Manila when we passed by this stunning church. It was evening and we thought that this church was 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 labour 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 the province during that time.
Bacolor Church
The Bacolor Church is also known as the San Guillermo Church, in Pampanga, is considered the Cagsawa of the North. More than twenty years ago, Mt. Pinatubo erupted and many municipalities were left devastated, including Bacolor, Pampanga. This church was built in 1576 and was named after their local patron saint San Guillermo Ermitaño. Destroyed by earthquakes and fire then was rebuilt in 1886.
Giant Lantern Festival
The first festival was held to honour President Manuel L. Quezon. At that time, the late President made Arayat his rest area and converted Mount Arayat into a tourist resort. As a show of gratitude to Quezon, the people of San Fernando held a Christmas lantern contest to honor the first family. Quezon himself donated the prize for his lantern contest, which was personally awarded to the winner by First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon -WikiPedia.org.