The Mais Festival in Mexico

The fourth of May marks the town fiesta in the municipality of Mexico. After several years, the feast committee decided to relive the Mais Festival, since there is a really good number of the pupul mais or corn harvest this season.

There are several events to sizzle up the feast week like a cooking show and a ladies' beauty pageant.




Check out the Mexico Fiesta Calendar of Events.


#Happenings Today (04/26/2014)

Gone Google. 

That's what I have gone today. Thanks to the Google Business Group (GBG) Angeles, I was able to join the biggest Google event in Central Luzon this year, the GDays Pampanga.

"GDays Pampanga is a one of a kind and fun Googley experience so expect a day of learning and showcase of cool stuff from Google which you may be able to use in your career, profession or in your business or classroom. Whether you’re in small/medium business, academe, government, IT industry, GDays Pampanga is for you... and oh did we mention joining GDays events are free of charge." (Source: GBG Angeles Page)

#GettingToKnow: ANGELES CITY in pictures



Tigtigan, Terakan King Dalan ( Music and Dancing on the Streets)
Tigtigan, Terakan King Dalan is a yearly gathering attended by celebrities and citizens alike, music from amateur and OPM bands are featured. It is held every last Friday and Saturday night of October; the biggest street party held each year in the city. At least a kilometer of the highway is blocked to give to this party and thus causing a major traffic overhaul. Beer, please!

Villa Alfredo's Resort



#GoingPlaces featured: Villa Alfredo's Resort


Whenever summer season is approaching, I tend to start thinking of where to go. I've been in this resort several times but whenever I come back, there's always something new being offered. If you want to go ahead and check it out, here are a few quick stuff that you need to know.


Address:
Barangay Baliti, San Fernando
Pampanga Philippines

Directions:
• From Manila take North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) to Pampanga
• Exit to San Fernando Pampanga Toll Gate (Exit 66)
• Take Gapan Olongapo Road and turn right going to Angeles.
• Head to Barangay Baliti upon
02 5844840

 Resort Phone Office: 
045 455-3984
045 455-1397
045 455-0789

Globe: 0927.9338858
Smart: 0920.6009904

FEATURES AND AMENITIES

Besides swimming pools of different themes, you can also enjoy its other amenities including an aviary, a lagoon with several aquariums that features some rare marine species (well, that equals to a ZOO!), believe or not there's an arcade park & some rides (including  horse and a train) and a lot more!

STAR MILL, CLTV36's Artista Star Season 2 launches

Today, CLTV36, the lone regional station in the region, officially launches the Season 2 of the STAR MILL: CLTV36's Star Search. The launch will be held later today at 4PM in Robinsons Starmills. Last year's winners will be there to entertain, like a mini-concert for free.
Season 2 of the said program will now be bigger and better. The stage for the contestants' performances has been redesigned. There will also be new hosts. The prizes for the grand winners weren't announced yet but are expected to still include a house and lot, scholarships and cash prizes.

Maleldo 2014

Maleldo is the local term for the Lent in Pampanga. Also kaleldo.

San Fernando all set for ‘Maleldo’


CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government of San Fernando is all set for their yearly observance of the Lenten week here as the city finished preparations for at least three crucifixion rites in three different barangays.

This, as Mayor Edwin Santiago launched on Monday "Maleldo" 2014. The mayor officially presented the members of the Executive Committee that are tasked to prepare for the conduct of the city’s Lenten season attraction.

"Considering the great number of visitors and guests coming to San Fernando for this yearly affair, we assure our people that the City Government is prepared for any eventuality and has taken the necessary measures to ensure that order and safety prevail," he added.

Around 50,000 to 60,000 local and foreign tourists are expected to troop to the re-enactment sites, prompting the city government to mobilize some 500 security personnel, including 250 uniformed and plainclothes operatives from the Philippine National Police, emergency medical teams from the City Health Office and San Fernando Rescue Unit and enforcers and aides from the Traffic Management Department.

Maleldo is a re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion, is practiced by devotees each year. The tradition originated in 1955 with the staging of the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a street play written in Kapampangan by Ricardo Navarro.

Maleldo executive committee chairman Harvey Quiwa said that the three "crucifixion" sites in barangays San Juan, Sta. Lucia and the main "Golgotha" area in San Pedro Cutud where the "Via Crusis" will be played on Good Friday are all prepared.

He added that Capitol has agreed to lend the entire compound for parking where pedicabs and calesas will be on standby those going to the main site after the cut-off time of 10:00 a.m. It is also the main assembly area.

Tourists may also join in the Good Friday processions after the crucifixion rites at the San Fernando Cathedral.

Aside from these, pilgrims and tourists may also visit local churches for the Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday. Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting at least seven churches and praying before the Blessed Sacrament enthroned in the various Altars of Repose in different churches.

City tourism officer Ching Pangilinan said that interested tourists may coordinate with the city tourism office for further details of the event adding that there will be heightened security for the safety of foreign and local tourists.

"We are also on social media so those going to the city for Maleldo could get updates and latest advisories," she said.

Mayor Edwin Santiago, for his part, encouraged Fernandinos to support in the preservation of the decades-long tradition as well as observe the solemnity of Maleldo.

"Aside from participating in Maleldo activities where the safety of local and foreign tourists is foremost, we would like everyone to join us in reflecting about the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ and observe the solemnity of Lent," he said.


Why is the Balloon Fest held in Lubao this year (and not in Clark)

Photo credits to Citypress.co.za
When February was approaching, a lot of people were excited to once again witness the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) that has been held annually in Clark, Pampanga. Suprisingly, the said event was moved to Lubao town and was scheduled to start on April instead, so a lot of people were confused. There were also a lot of questions raised as to why was the event not held as expected.

Here's why.

PIHABF has an Official Organizing Committee. Last year's festival was really huge "featuring more balloons than ever, the highly impressive Breilting Jet Acrobatic Team, and the myriad of other flying, ground and static events". So that particular organizing committee decided not to hold this year's event because they felt that "the length of time allocated for them to learn the processes and preparations for this kind of activity is too short".
That being said, this year's organizers are of another committee. It is actually the Department of Tourism (DOT) headed by Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico together with Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corporation (PETCO) that host the event for this year in Lubao.
Photo from Philippine Star Facebook page

Here's the part of the official statement from the PIHABF Organizing Committee:
The decision not to hold a Fiesta this year was not undertaken lightly. From the perspective of the PIHABF organizers, our 2013 event (featuring more balloons than ever, the highly impressive Breilting Jet Acrobatic Team, and the myriad of other flying, ground and static events) would be a hard act to follow without allowing sufficient time to plan, prepare and book new and interesting activities. 
We believe that by suspending the 2014 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, allowing our organizing committee more time to secure a suitable venue for the fiesta and investing more time in planning, securing sponsorships and implementing enhancements, we can offer our public spectators a truly safe and world-class event in 2015. 
PIHABF will not be part of the April 2014 event in Clark, Pampanga. We will not participate in the planning, organization or staging of the event. We disclaim any association with the organization or management of the said event.
So for those who were expecting a Hot-air balloon fiesta in Clark, we'll wait a little bit longer for a bigger and better festival in 2015!


Pampanga according to Wikipedia

Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast. Pampanga also lies on the northern shore of Manila Bay. Angeles City, although geographically within Pampanga, is classified as a first-class, highly urbanized city and has a government independent of the province.

The name "La Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who found the early natives living near the river banks. It also served as the capital of the archipelago for two years from 1762–1764 during the British invasion of Manila. The word pampang, from which the province's name originates, means river bank. Its creation in 1571 makes it the first Spanish province in the Philippines. The Province of Pampanga is the culinary capital of the Philippines.

Pampanga is served by the Clark International Airport, which is located at Clark Freeport Zone, some 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north of the provincial capital. The province is home to two Philippine Air Force air bases, Basa Air Base in Floridabalanca, and Clark Air Base in Angeles City. The province is also honored as one of the 8 rays of the sun in the national flag because of its revolt against the domination of Spaniards.

Continue reading about Pampanga's History and more on Wikipedia.org

#Pampanga

Map of the province of Pampanga and its cities & towns
Welcome to the site where you will find everything you need know about the province. (Well atleast 'some' for now). We will be updating the site regularly with recent news, helpful articles, photos and other contents to spice it up. Anyone who's interested to co-author this site is welcome. Please notify the author if you are.

This site is #UnderConstruction

Feedback and suggestions are highly appreciated. Thank you!

PAMPANGA / Native Kapampangan Food

Page underconstruction. Nothing to display yet. Check back later.

Random Foodporn! Shots

This will be a new feature to be released soon.

Nothing to display yet. Check again later.

About the Province

GENERAL INFORMATION

MAP

Map of the Philippines highlighting Pampanga

Political map of Pampanga




< Back | Next >
Jump to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

About the Province

GENERAL INFORMATION

PEOPLE

The inhabitants of Pampanga are generally referred to as Kapampangans (alternatively spelled Capampañgan), Pampangos, or Pampangueños. SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampanga

RELIGION 

The province of Pampanga is composed of many religious groups but it is predominantly Roman Catholic.

Pampanga is also known to be the main seat of the Members Church of God International known to its religious program in television and radio Ang Dating Daan. Where, Eliseo F. Soriano or Bro. Eli started to preach in so called "Pulong" or Bible Study every night in different towns which yield people to hear and listen his teachings and later join the church. The first MCGI church locale in the province was in Sto. Cristo, Guagua and then the church start to grow in number. Because of huge number of membership it resulted to divided the province into two church divisions: Central division which composes of municipalities of Macabebe and Masantol and Apalit where the church compound is located and bulk of members residing. While the division of Pampanga which includes the rest of Pampanga that is divided into five church districts.

Other religious groups are Iglesia ni Cristo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus, Jesus is Lord Church, Seventh-day Adventist, Evangelicals, Islam, Aglipayan, Jesus Miracle Crusade and many other religious groups are also found and established in the province. SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampanga

CLIMATE

Two distinct climates, rainy and dry. The warmest period of the year occurs between March and April while the coolest peiod is from December throuogh February.

TERRAIN

The province has a total land mass of 2,180.68 square kilometers. Its terrain is relatively flat with one distinct mountain, Mount Arayat and the notable Pampanga River. Among its municipalities, Porac has the largest land mass with 343.12 square kilometers; Candaba comes in second with 208.7 square kilometers; followed by Lubao with 155.77 square kilometers. SOURCE: http://www.andropampanga.com/index.htm



Jump to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

About the Province

GENERAL INFORMATION

HISTORY

The Name of Pampanga 

Pampanga derived its name from the Kapampangan words "pangpang ilog" meaning "riverside" where the early Malayan settlements were concentrated along the Rio Grande de la Pampanga. SOURCE: http://www.andropampanga.com/index.htm

Pampanga was the first province and the richest spoil created by the Spaniards in 1571. It was named after the Indung Kapampangan River, the largest river in the former empire. Ancient Pampanga's territorial area used to include portions of the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales in the big Island of Luzon of the Philippine Archipelago.

Pampanga, one of the richest provinces in the Philippines, was re-organized as a province by the Spaniards on December 11, 1571. For governmental control and taxation purposes, the Spanish authorities subdivided Pampanga into towns (pueblos), which were further subdivided into districts (barrios) and in some cases into royal and private estates (encomiendas).

Due to excessive abuses committed by some grantees of private estates, the King of Spain prohibited in 1574 the awarding of private estates (encomiendas). However, the royal decree was not fully enforced until the year 1620. In a report of Philippine encomiendas on June 20, 1591, Spanish Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas reported to the King of Spain that La Pampanga's encomiendas were Bataan, Betis y Lubao, Macabebe, Candava, Apalit, Calumpit, Malolos, Binto, Guiguinto, Caluya, Bulacan and Mecabayan. The encomiendas of La Pampanga at that time had eighteen thousand six hundred and eighty whole tributes.

Pampanga which is about 850 square miles (2,200 km2) in area and presently inhabited by more than 1.5 million people, had its present borders drawn in 1873. During the Spanish regime it was one of the richest Philippine provinces. Manila and its surrounding region were then primarily dependent on Pampangan agricultural, fishery, and forestry products as well as on the supply of skilled workers. As other Luzon provinces were created due to increases in population, some well-established Pampanga towns were lost to new emerging provinces in Central Luzon.

During the 17th century, The Dutch recruited men from Pampanga as mercenaries served the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army, known as Papangers contingent which was a part of the larger Mardijkers community. Their legacy can still be found in North Jakarta, however there are no traces of their descendants, except for a small community currently lives in Kampung Tugu.

The historic province of Bataan which was founded in 1754 under the administration of Spanish Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia, absorbed from the province of Pampanga the municipalities of Abucay, Balanga, Dinalupihan, Llana Hermosa, Orani, Orion, Pilar, and Samal.

The old Pampanga towns of Aliaga, Cabiao, Gapan, San Antonio and San Isidro were ceded to the province of Nueva Ecija in 1848 during the term of Spanish Governor-General Narciso Claveria y Zaldua. The municipality of San Miguel de Mayumo of Pampanga was yielded to the province of Bulacan in the same provincial boundary configuration in 1848.

In 1860, the northern towns of Bamban, Capas, Concepcion, Victoria, Tarlac, Mabalacat, Magalang, Porac and Floridablanca were separated from Pampanga and were placed under the jurisdiction of a military command called Comandancia Militar de Tarlac. However, in 1873, the four latter towns were returned to Pampanga and the other five towns became municipalities of the newly created Province of Tarlac.

On December 8, 1941, Japanese planes bombed Clark Air base marking the beginning of the invasion of Pampanga.

Between 1941 and 1942, occupying Japanese forces began entering Pampanga.

During the Counter-Insurgencies under the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1944, Kapampangan guerrilla fighters and the Hukbalahap Communist guerrillas was foought side by side around in the province of Pampanga and attacking and retreating the Japanese Imperial forces from the couple of three years and few month of fighting and invasion.

The establishment and built of the military general headquarters and military camp bases of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was active on 1935 to 1946 and the Philippine Constabulary was active on 1935 to 1942 and 1944 to 1946 in the province of Pampanga. During the military engagements of the Anti-Japanese Imperial Military Operations in Central Luzon from 1942 to 1945 in the province of Bataan, Bulacan, Northern Tayabas (now. Aurora) Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and aided the local guerrilla resistance fighters, Hukbalahap Communist guerrillas and the U.S. military forces against the Imperial Japanese armed forces.

In the 1945 liberation of Pampanga, Kapampangan guerrilla fighters and the Hukbalahap Communist guerrillas supported combat forces from both Filipino and American ground troops in attacking Japanese Imperial forces during the Battle of Pampanga until the end of the Second World War. The sending the local military operations of local Filipino soldiers and officers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army 2nd, 21st, 26th, 3rd, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 35th, 36th and 37th Infantry Division and the Philippine Constabulary 3rd Infantry Regiment was recaptured and liberated the province of Pampanga and fought against the Japanese Imperial forces during the Battle of Pampanga.

After the Second World War, The operations in the main province of Pampanga was downfall insurgencies and conflicts between the Philippine Government forces and the Hukbalahap Communist rebels on 1946 to 1954 during the Hukbalahap Rebellion.

The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo displaced a large number of people with the submersion of whole towns and villages by lahar. SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampanga

Jump to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

About the Province

GENERAL INFORMATION

LAND AREA AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

Pampanga is located in the central part of Region III. It is bounded on the north of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, on the east by Bulacan, southwest by Bataan and west by Zambales. It's terrain is relatively flat with only one distinct mountain, Mount Arayat.
Its land area is 2,180.68 sq. kms. Its terrain is relatively flat with only one distinct mountain, the Mt. Arayat. Among its municipalities, Porac has the largest land area with 343 sq. km.; Can­ daba comes next with 208.7 sq. km.; Lubao is the third largest with 155.77 sq. km.
The province is divided into 4 congressional districts. It is composed of 19 municipalities, 3 cities and 538 barangays. The City of San Fernando is the capital of the province and serves as the government seat of Central Luzon.


First District
1. Angeles City (First Class)
2. Mabalacat City (First Class)
3. Magalang ( First Class)

Second District
1. Floriblanca (First Class)
2. Guagua (First Class)
3. Lubao (First Class)
4. Porac (First Class)
5. Sasmuan (Fourth Class)
6. Sta. Rita (Fourth Class)

Third District
1. Arayat (First Class)
2. Bacolor (Third Class)
3. Mexico ( First Class)
4. City of San Fernando (First Class City)
5. Sta. Ana (Third Class)

Fourth District
1. Apalit (First Class)
2. Candaba (First Class)
3. Macabebe (First Class)
4. Masantol (Second Class)
5. Minalin (Fourth Class)
6. San Simon (Third Class)
7. Sto. Tomas (Fourth Class)
8. San Luis (Third Class)

GEOGRAPHY

The province of Pampanga is strategically located at the crossroads of Central Luzon. The province is home to two airstrips: Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, which is utilized by the military, and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (formerly Clark International Airport) in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. Pampanga has five existing municipal ports which function as fish landing centers. These are situated in the municipalities of Guagua, Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin and Sasmuan. The 83.7m North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) extends from Balintawak in Metro Manila, to Sta. Ines in Mabalacat, Pampanga. It passes through the large cities of San Fernando and Angeles. 

< Back | Next >
Jump to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

PAMPANGA / Towns and Cities

This page will include the list of all the Towns and Cities of Pampanga. 
Nothing to show yet, page is currently being updated. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Please check back soon.


We're in need of staff


Yes, we need you in our team! 

1. CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS/ CO-AUTHORS
Requirements:
- Must be a Kapampangan OR is a resident in Pampanga
- Good writing skills
Responsibilities:
- Write timely articles and/or post photos & videos about Pampanga

>> APPLY HERE <<





PAMPANGA / Town Feasts

Throughout the year, various towns and cities within the Province of Pampanga celebrates feasts honoring their patron saint. These fiesta days are listed below:

  • Angeles City — Second Sunday of October "Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de La Naval de Angeles"
  • Apalit — June 28,29 and 30 "San Pedro Apostol"
  • Arayat — November 25 "Santa Catalina Alexandria"
  • Bacolor — Third Sunday of November "Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario de La Naval de Bacolor"
  • Candaba — November 30 "San Andres Apostol"
  • Floridablanca — May 1 "San Jose Talapagobra"
  • Betis — July and December "Santiago Apostol"
  • Guagua — December 8 "La Purisima Concepcion"
  • Lubao — August 28 "San Agustin de Hippo"
  • Mabalacat — February 2 "Nuestra Señora de la Divina Gracia"
  • Macabebe — September 10 "San Nicolas Tolentino"
  • Magalang — August 24 "San Bartolome Apostol"
  • Masantol — May 8 "San Miguel Arcanghel"
  • Mexico — May 4 "Santa Monica"
  • Minalin — Second Sunday of May "Santa Monica"
  • Porac — November 25 "Santa Catalina Alexandria"
  • City of San Fernando — May 30 "San Fernando Rey"
  • San Luis — June 21 "San Luis Gonzaga"
  • San Simon — October 12 "Nuestra Señora del Pilar"
  • Santa Ana — July 26 "Santa Ana"
  • Santa Rita — May 22 "Santa Rita de Casia"
  • Santo Domingo - August 8 "Sto. Domingo De Guzman"
  • Santo Tomas — December 21 "Santo Tomas Apostol
  • Sasmuan — December 13 "Santa Lucia Martir"