Giant Lantern Festival 2013

Visited the exhibition for the first time last year, and the lanterns were just a spectacle to see!  Check out the dates for this year or better yet, include a tour of Pampanga with my itinerary!

• Dec 15 to 21, 2013 · 7 PM · Robinsons Starmills, CSFP
• Dec 25, 2013 to Jan 3, 2014 · 7 PM · Robinsons Starmills, CSFP
• Dec 22, 2013 · 7 PM · Telabastagan, CSFP
• Dec 23, 2013 · 7 PM · Greenfields, Sindalan, CSFP
• Dec 24, 2013 · 11 PM · City Proper, CSFP
• Dec 27, 2013 · Nepo Center, Angeles City
• Dec 28 to 29, 2013 · Marquee Mall, Angeles City

You can read about my 2012 visit on this link:
http://moleinthefoot.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-tour-of-pampanga-and-giant-lantern.html

Awake for 24 Hours Over the Weekend!

The day started early for me and my Corinthian family last August 31, 2013, as 49 members and guests assembled at the parking area of CW Balintawak Home Depot from 6:00 am to 7:30 am.  We were en-route to the famous San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga after making a quick stop for breakfast at NLEX.

We arrived at the church around 10:00 am and toured the Interiors and the Bacolor Museum that houses the Church Collections of Religious Icons, Models, Paintings and Pictures of the original 12 meter facade of the Church.  San Guillermo is famous for its history.  Half of the Church was buried in Lahar during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, September of 1991.  The people of Bacolor still uses what's left of the structure after unearthing and relocating the original Baroque inspired Retablo.

We then moved to the neigboring town of Betis in Guagua to visit the Paris of St. James de Apostle popularly known as Betis Church.  Considered as the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines, most of the interiors was adorned with paintings by Simon Flores (1838-1904).

The Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has designated the conservation and protection of more than 30 other Spanish-era churches to be of utmost importance. These were registered as National Cultural Treasures. These churches were given priority status not just due to their historical value, but also based on the geographic representation of various regions across the nation, and include Santiago Apostol Parish Church in Betis, Guagua, Pampanga.  It is also one of the remaining churches in the Philippines with wooden floors.  It also showcases the talent of Betis in woodcarving evident in the door details.

By 11:30 am, we went back to the City of San Fernando for an Eat All You Can Buffet lunch at Partyland.  After the filling meal, we proceeded with the tour and boarded the bus to Las Casas de Acuzar in Bataan.

It was close to 4:00 pm when we arrived.  Their service Jeepney transfered us from our bus to one of the houses called Casa Jaen for the welcome drinks.  After registering at the reception, we proceeded with the guided tour of the restored houses in the property.  We were awed not only by the beauty of the details and the houses but also with their individual stories and how it was acquired.  The tour ended around 5:00 pm and used the remaining hour to freshen up, take pictures and rest in time for the cultural show at 7:00 pm.

After watching the performance of the Las Casas de Acuzar dance troup, we boarded the bus again for our return home to Manila.  We made a quick stop at NLEX again for dinner and was at Balintawak interchange by 11:00 pm.

I arrived at the house around midnight.  I quickly showered and change to the black outfit imposed by event I was attending.  We purchased VIP Tickets for a cocktail table that comes with a bottle of booze.  The Bigfish Black Innovation at World Trade Center.  The party started out slow for me, maybe because I was tired already, but after a few servings Bacardi, I was jumping with the crowd to the music of the featured DJ's.

We went home around 6:00 am after having breakfast at Rufo's at their new location at A. Venue in Makati Ave.

7 Out of the Top 10 'Ang Pinaka' Yummy Restaurants in Pampanga

I was back in Pampanga again last Sunday for work.

After my branch duties, I tried to research on the best places to eat in Pampanga.  I read an article about the top 10 yummiest places to eat in Pampanga as compiled by "Ang Pinaka', a local television show at QTV channel 11.

I'm so glad to report that due to my frequent trips in Pampanga, I scored 7 out of the 10, trying out the latest which is the Kambingan Row near Bayanihan Park.

We almost got lost finding the place. From Macarthur Highway, turn left at the Shell Station and the row is on the right side opposite the park.  We turn left before the gas station and have to drive around the park.  We tried asking for directions, but I think they have a different term for Kambingan.

We went to Nancy's, since it has the most customers, and they have a barbecue stand for non goat eaters.

Papaitan and Caldereta for 65 pesos each.

The others we already tried were:

1. Camalig Restaurant

2. Razon's of GuaGua

3. Susie's Cuisine

4. Aling Lucing's Sisig

5. Everybody's Cafe

6. Abe's Nature Farm

Still on our bucket lists are:

1. Binulo Restaurant

2. Atching Lilian Borromeo's Kusina

3. C'Italian Dining

Though not in the list, I also want to experience lunch or dinner at Bale Dutung.

I also have a few that I would recommend.

1. Party Place for their Buffet for less than 200php near Dolores Intersection

2. The Rellenong Bangus at Sylvias in Sindalan

3. Green Kitchen for some organic salads.  Although, I think I need to move this on my bucket list since the last time we were there, they weren't fully operational and we only had coffee.

Please feel free to comment should you want a tour or inquiries about the place and food.

My Vios-venture: Aling Lucing's Sisig, Angeles Pampanga

Even before having a car, I have always like to discover places.  I remember a time when I traveled all the way to Pampanga just to have my workout.  I have this need to be mobile all the time.

Now that I have a car, my destinations have become farther and farther.

Last Thursday, I went back to Pampanga to visit a branch in San Fernando.  I frequent the province, but every time I explore it, I would always miss a destination.  I have visited Betis Church and Bacolor already.

This time my agenda is to visit the original stall of Aling Lucing believed to be the birthplace of Sisig.

I googled for its location but all I got was the address.  It was located along G. Valdez St., where the red pin on my map was dropped.

The blue path on my phone was impossible due to road blockage and instead, I drove straight along MacArthur Highway passing Angeles University Foundation till I reached the corner of P. De Guzman St.  Instead of turning right, I turned left to the direction of the pin which was a mistake.  I hould have just turned right to where the blue dot on my map was located.

Since its already four in the afternoon, parking was easy.  I am assuming that it gets packed during meal time.

 

Aside from Sisig, they also offer other grilled items and vegetable side dishes.

 

But I came for the house specialty.  My bill was a little over 200 pesos for an order of Sisig (good for sharing), Rice and a softdrink.  It was so worth the trip.  Unlike the canned version you can see and taste the chunks of pork cheeks and meat. 

 

It was a quaint Turo-Turo restaurant decorated with photos documenting different milestones of Aling Lucing and the Restaurant.

 

This is a definite must stop when visiting Angeles, Pampanga

Christmas Around the Philippines

I realized just now, that I have actually spent my holiday vacation in the 3 major regions of the country.
I attended the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga in Luzon, Christmas Day in Cebu, Visayas, New Years Eve in Zamboanga, Mindanao, and going back to Cebu on New Years Day, and eventually to Manila the next day.

All thanks to Cebu Pacific that allowed me to break down my flight enabling us to visit more cities.

Read about it on my previous blogs.

A Tour of Pampanga and the Giant Lantern Festival 2012

Christmas Day in Cebu I Will Never Forget, and Almost Regret

Christmas at the Asia's Latin City, ZAMBOANGA!!!

A Tour of Pampanga and the Giant Lantern Festival 2012

Being home alone for Christmas, I took the opportunity to see the giant lanterns of San Fernando Pampanga, last December 23, 2012.

Since I have the whole afternoon that Sunday, and the show is not until 7:30 in the evening, I included the places in Pampanaga that I've always wanted to visit but never had the chance.  I was supposed to join the Culinary Tour package of Travelfactor, but was not able to make payment on the allotted time, so I just browsed through the itinerary and chose what I can do for that afternoon.

My first destination was Betis Church in Guagua.  Armed with my Map application, I arrived at the town around 4pm after leaving manila at 2.  I passed by a branch of Razon's (the famous palabok and halo-halo) behind a gas station near San Agustin.  Assuming that Razon's originated from Guagua, what could be more authentic than having it at the same town.  I guess I assumed too much. The halo-halo was great but the Palabok sauce was starchy (It's either they made a mistake on the preparation that day, or the original should really taste like paste. I would'nt know!).

After my merienda, It only took me a few minutes to reach the church.

The exterior of the church gives very little to the treasure hidden inside.

The ceiling and walls were ornately painted, and its very unusual for me to see churches that still has wooden floors.  The massive wooden doors showcases the carving skills of the Betis carvers.  My facebook shoutout was that "this is one of the most beautiful churches I've visited" with the picture above as attachment!

I wish I could have shown more pictures, but most of it were saved on my Samsung S3 which got lost in Cebu (another story).  I am only left with the Instagram pics and those I have posted in my FB account.

Here's a bit of history sourced from : http://betis.wetpaint.com/page/The+Story+of+the+Betis+Church+

The Story of the Betis Church

The baroque-inspired Betis Church was built around 1660 and it was headed by Father Jose de la Cruz. The preliminary structure was made out of light materials which was composed mainly of wood and stucco. Fire broke out within the church several times due to these light materials so it was finally built with concrete materials in 1770.

In the last quarter of 19th century, Father Manuel Camañes dug an artesian well on the north-side of the church which served as a source of potable water not only for the Betis townsfolk, but to the other nearby towns as well. On the other hand, the present-day concrete fence with caryatids was built in the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. 

In 1908, the rectory of the church was burned with fire and all the documents about baptism and other historical catalogues of the church turned into ashes.

Beautification of the interior part of the church was extensively done by the last Spanish priest named Father Santiago Blanco in 1939. The ceiling paintings were repainted by a native of San Agustin named Macario Ligon. His assistant named Victor Ramos, who was in his teen years then was also the one who restored these paintings in the 1970s.

During the Spanish-Colonial period, Betis is an independent town which has its own autonomy as a municipality. But due to migration of its inhabitants to the nearby Guagua in the American Period, it was merged to this town in 1904 under the Act 943.

Today, although part of the municipality of Guagua, the Betis church has its own parochial priest and has its patron saint named St. James the Great.

--------------

After Betis Church, I was supposed to go to the neighboring Bacolor to visit San Guillermo Church, but it was late in the afternoon and figured the pictures would not register well on my phone cam, so instead I went to Mexico to visit the Kusina ni Atching Lilian Borromeo.

It's included in the Travelfactor Pampanga Foodtrip itinerary, but something you can't do on your own, which I learned after getting stuck in traffic in front of SM and Robinson near San Fernando NLEX exit for almost an hour.

When I reached the house, I was expecting a small restaurant, or a small store selling the San Nicolas cookies.  On that night, it was really quiet, and showed no signs of a buffet station, only a signage that bears the surname Borromeo (I forgot the name), but was for a doctor that supposed to specialize on cancer.  I guess, access to places like this is the advantage of going on group tours.  

I left immediately, and spared myself of the embarrassment of actually entering the property.  Since it's dinner time already, I stopped by Partyland for their buffet which cost 200php with bottomless Iced Tea.  It's located near Dolores Instersection along MacArthur Highway going to Angeles. Included in the station are local Kapampangan dishes, but what stood out for me was the Adobong Balut.

I was busy stuffing myself when I realized I was late for the 7:30 PM Giant Lantern show at the Greenfield District in Sindalan.

When I reached the venue, the first 4 lanterns have already performed.  Fortunately, after witnessing the 6 other giants performed one by one, the next segment was in groups of 3, and the last segment was 5 simultaneously.  The sight of these giants made the trip so worthwhile.  I was so drawn to the lanterns that, I'm literally right in front of them.  I remember reading from other blogs that on the launching day, it's really hard to see the lanterns due to the limited viewing area.  But here, at the Greenfield District, you can even go behind the lanterns to see how they choreograph the lights by rolling drums mounted on huge trucks.  I would also suggest that you schedule your visit on sites other than malls and on dates after the launch.  Again, I regret to inform that my pictures are limited to those I posted on facebook, the rest are in my phone who's now in somebody else's hands in Cebu.

It was past nine when the show ended.  I went to check in myself at Victoria Court San Fernando also in Sindalan for the night.

Check out the 2012 Ligligan Parul / Giant Lantern Viewing Schedule:

★ Dec 15 · 6:00pm · Robinsons Starmills, Pampanga · COMPETITION DAY!
★ Dec 16 to 21 · 6:30pm · Robinsons Starmills, Pampanga
★ Dec 22 · 7pm · Essel Park, Telabastagan, CSFP
★ Dec 23 · 7pm · Greenfields Subd., Sindalan, CSFP
★ Dec 24 · 11pm · In front of Metropolitan Cathedral/City Hall, City Proper, CSFP
★ Dec 25, 2012 to Jan 3, 2013 · 630pm · Robinsons Starmills
★ Dec 27 · 7pm · Special Lantern Exhibition of 6 giant lanterns at Clark, Pampanga
★ Dec 29-30 · 6pm · Special Lantern Exhibition of 4 giant lanterns at Marquee Mall, Angeles City

The next day, I continued my tour by visiting San Guillermo Church in Bacolor.

Half buried in Lahar after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, also used in the Teleserye, May Bukas Pa

The original facade

Inside San Guillermo, Beside it is a  Museum with Religious artifacts as well as pictures documenting Mt. Pinatubo eruption

San Guillermo Parish Church

From: Wikepedia

San Guillermo Parish Church is named after San Guillermo, the patron saint of Bacolor, Pampanga, the Philippines, where the church is erected. The church was originally constructed by the Agustinian Friars in 1576 – also the town's founding – with Fr. Diego De Ochoa, OSA, as the town's first parish priest.having been installed as such two years after.
In 1880, the church was destroyed by an earthquake only to be rebuilt by Fr. Eugenio Alvarez in 1886. On September 3, 1995, lahar flow from the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo which erupted into world notice on June 15, 1991, buried the church at half its 12-m height prompting its more than 50,000 town residents to evacuate to safer grounds in resettlement areas.^[1]

____________

After the short trip to Bacolor, I headed for Everybody's Cafe, in San Fernando Town Proper.  On the way I noticed old houses which are worth visiting near the cathedral.  Also, they are setting up the giant lanterns for the Christmas Eve show.

Everybody's Cafe, claims to be the home of authentic Pampanga Cuisine, and the Turo-turo style menu includes exotic dishes like the Kamaru(Crickets) and Stuffed Frogs.  The food here is meant for sharing and would be really be expensive if dining alone.  My meal cost me almost 700php.

After that hefty lunch, I went back to Manila for some Christmas Eve errands and pack for my flight to Cebu on Christmas Day.

Still on my Pampanga wishlist:

Bale Dutung of Claude Tayag

Villa Gloria Subdivision,
Angeles City, Pampanga
Mobile: 09175950218
(02) 6684038, (02) 5024527
reserve@baledutung.com

Aling Lucing Sisig

Address: Glaciano Valdez Street, Angeles City 

Phone:(045) 888 2317

Transit: Old PNR Station

Kusinang Matua ng Atching Lilian Borromeo  

Mexico, Pampanga 

Proposed Pampanga Culinary Tour DIY Itinerary (Pre-scheduled and reserved) :

Breakfast at Everybody's Cafe, San Fernando
San Guillermo Church, Bacolor 
Betis Church, Guagua
Lunch at Bale Dutung, Angeles
Nayong Pilipino, Clark
Dinner at Aling Lucing, Angeles
Giant Lantern Festival, San Fernando
Check in for overnight accommodation at Hotel Victoria de San Fernando, San Fernando
Breakfast at Kusinang Matua ng Atching Lilian Borromeo, Mexico
  

Proposed Pampanga Culinary Tour DIY Itinerary (Eat and Run Version) :

Breakfast at Everybody's Cafe, San Fernando
San Fernando Cathedral
San Guillermo Church, Bacolor 
Betis Church, Guagua
Lunch Buffet at Partyplace, San Fernando
Nayong Pilipino, Clark
Merienda at Kabigting's or Razons Halo Halo
Dinner at Aling Lucing, or Camalig Restaurant, Angeles
Giant Lantern Festival, San Fernando or just shop at Marquee Mall if beyond Christmas Season