Know Angeles' Heritage Sites

Heritage sites in Angeles City include:

• Historic Camalig Restaurant
• Holy Rosary Parish Church
• The Museum of Philippine Social History / Pamintuan Mansion
• Museo ning Angeles (Angeles City Museum)
• Plaza Angel

Unlinked items are not yet available; more listings will be added as KnowAngeles grows!

July 30, 2016: Angeles City Day Tour (by Vespa!)

(photo from the AVT Facebook page by Bruno Tiotuico)

See Angeles from the back of a Vespa scooter!

By reservation at (0917) 821-0466

Itinerary:

• Starts 10:00 a.m. at MarQuee Mall
• Angeles Heritage District (Plaza Angel, Angeles Cathedral, Holy Angel University, Pamintuan Mansion, Museo ning Angeles)
• Clark Museum and 4D Theater
• Delyn's Fastfood (lunch) and Pasalubong
• Ends 3:00 p.m.

Fee: P1500/person, includes:

• vespa rental w/ driver
• entrance fees
• lunch and refreshments

More Information:

• Event page on Facebook here
• Angeles Vespa Tours page on Facebook here

How to find Marquee Mall

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Created July 11, 2016

Clark Parade Ground

The Parade Grounds from the air, courtesy Google.

Note: This Listing is a placeholder.

Please come back later for a full description and photos.

The Parade Ground lies at the heart of what was originally Fort Stotsenburg, an American Army base chosen in 1902 for the sweet grass that grew there--excellent forage for the Cavalry's horses. The base expanded, and was subsequently occupied by the Japanese during World War II. In 1947 it was transferred to the US Air Force, becoming Clark Air Base, and remained in American hands until 1991, when it was handed over to the Philippines. In 1993, the Clark Special Economic Zone and Clark Development Corporation were established. The Parade Ground has remained through it all!

Just the Facts:

• Location: Inside Clark, West of Manual A. Roxas Highway. Between R. C. Santos and E. Aguinaldo, between S. Osmena and E. Qurino; between the Clark Development Corporation offices (to the west) and the Clark Museum (to the east)
Map: Click here; GPS: 15.180476, 120.522461

More Information:

• The Parade Ground itself is but an open space; however the Clark Development Corporation has a Facebook Page and a website.

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Created July 2, 2016

June 17, 2016: Exhibit Openings and More (Event Gallery)

On Friday evening, June 17, the area around Plaza Angel witnessed the opening of three (well, make it two-and-half) art exhibitions centered around the eruption of Mount Pinatubo 25 years before, as well as an evening program of reminiscences and performances. Here are some images captured by KnowAngeles.

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Gallery
(Click any image to enlarge)

We began the evening in the Angeles City Library and Information Center for the exhibit called "Tula Kaibat na ning Lua" (Joy after Tears) by Gamat Kapampangan.

Ms Cecile Yumul, close-up eyewitness to many of
the events of that fateful time, served as
Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. Here,
she greets guests in the Library lobby
before the ribbon-cutting.

Apung Mamacalulu or "Apo Shrine"

One of the most popular places of worship in Angeles City,  the Archdiocesan Shrine of Christ our Lord of the Holy Sepulchre--better known to locals as Apung Mamacalulu Shrine, or simply "Apo Shrine"--hosts no fewer than 14 masses, and that's just on Fridays (five in English, three in Tagalog, and six in the local language, Kapampangan; see the schedule).

There's also a mass in Kapampangan on Sunday and Wednesday, and a healing mass on Saturday.

(click image to enlarge)

The building is quite new, and it seems every time we visit there is more art in the interior; but the story goes back to the 1820s or 30s, when a parish priest in Angeles had an image fashioned of the "Santo Entiero," the Interred Christ. It was kept in a chapel on the priest's own property, and suffered various vicissitudes before the fateful year 1928, when an ownership dispute arose.

Today there are two such images, one in Apo Shrine and the other in Holy Rosary Parish Church (and there is some doubt whether either of these is the original!)

Parties interested in this fascinating history should follow the links below.

Today, the Shrine is a pleasant place to visit on most days, though a busy place on Fridays. Add to that the presence of the Apo Market on Fridays, like a medieval "market day" centered around a weekly religious celebration, and you have all the makings of a great day out.

Don't miss the Dayrit Ancestral House next to the Shrine, now occupied by religious and closed to the public.

Just the Facts:

• Address: C. Dayrit Street, Lourdes Sur, Angeles City, 2009 Pampanga, Philippines
• Location:  Enter from C. Dayrit Streetbetween P. Burgos and Kuliat Streets, roughly one kilometer's walk  north of the town center
• Phone: (045) 624-0344
• Map: Click here; GPS: 15.141260, 120.590082

More Information:

• Wikipedia Article with some legends and historical background
• Facebook Page
• Well-illustrated account of one family's visit
• Background on the historical feud
• 2012 account of the "end of the feud"

June 12, 2016: Independence Day Celebration

See a Gallery of this event

How to get to the Pamintuan Mansion

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Created June 13, 2016

The Museum of Philippine Social History (Pamintuan Mansion)

Note: This Listing is still under construction.
Please come back later for a full description and photos.

The Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas (Museum of Philippine Social History) provides a glimpse of Filipino social history past and present, offering an exciting panorama of life and culture that uniquely describes the Filipino.

Housed in the former Pamintuan Mansion, the very edifice speaks of "social history." The house was built during the 1880s as a wedding present for the son of Don Mariano Pamintuan and Valentina Torres. That son, Florentino Pamintuan, became the mayor of Angeles in the American period.

In 1899, the mansion housed Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines, during the war with the United States. At this time he celebrated there the first anniversary of Philippine independence, on June 12, 1899.

The building was later occupied by American General Arthur McArthur (1901), housed Japanese kamikaze pilots in 1944, served as an extension of Angeles's municipal hall (located in what is now the Museo ning Angeles), and was an office of the Central Bank of the Philippines.

Today, the Museum is comprised of nine galleries, covering--in addition to a history of the Mansion--Filipino textiles, tools, clothing, architecture, furniture, music, games, mythological creatures, and a typical Filipino dining room and kitchen. Other facilities include an Audio-Visual Room, a Conference Room, and an E-Learning Room.

See the photos below.

Just the Facts:

• Address: 1251 Miranda Street, Angeles City, 2009 Pampanga, Philippines
• Location: Corner of Miranda and Santo Entiero Street
• Phone: (045) 304-4042; (0917) 553-8107
• Email: mpshnhcp@gmail.com
• Map: Click here; GPS: 15.135698, 120.591522
• Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays)
• Entrance Fee: Free

More Information:

• Facebook Page

Historic Camalig Restaurant

Note: This Listing is a placeholder.
Please come back later for a full description and photos.

The "Home of Armando's Pizza" housed in a rustic old camalig (storehouse for rice and other goods) built in 1840.

Just the Facts:

• Address: 292 Santo Rosario Street, Angeles City, 2009 Pampanga, Philippines
  
• Location: Santo Rosario Street, next to the north entrance to Nepo Mall
• Phone: (045) 322-5641
• Map: Click here; GPS: 15.135145, 120.589073
• Hours: 7:00 am to midnight daily

More Information:

• Official website
• Facebook Page

Plaza Angel and Cafe Museo

A charming open space at the heart of the city, home to the tiny-but-scrumptious Cafe Museo and site of numerous civic functions.

The menu at the Cafe includes toffee, a selection of teas, hot chocolate, pastries, chicken adobo, and two kinds of rice noodles.

Just the Facts:

• Address: Heritage District, Santo Rosario Street, Angeles City, 2009 Pampanga, Philippines
  
• Location: Corner of Santo Rosario Street and Santo Entiero Street, across from Holy Rosary Parish Church and next to Museo ning Angeles
• Map: Click here; GPS: 15.134849, 120.590799
• Hours: Plaza always open; Cafe 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm daily

More Information:

• Plaza Angel (generated Facebook page)
• Cafe Museo Facebook Page
• One visitor's experience

Holy Rosary Parish Church

Built between 1877 to 1896, this impressive stone edifice lies at the physical and spiritual heart of the community.

Holy Rosary Parish was inaugurated by Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda and his wife Dona Rosalia, founders of what is now the City of Angeles. The first edifice was a chapel built of wood and nipa (a local species of palm, frequently used in construction).

The town was properly established in 1829, and named in honor of the Holy Guardian Angels (with, perhaps, a sly nod to the name of Don Angel). However, church authorities deemed that the town's patron would by the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary. In the same year, the Founders donated land to provide income for a parish priest. The first festival in honor of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary was held in 1830, commemorating a 1646 naval victory of the Spanish over the Dutch off the coast of Luzon, so the festival--still held in October--is called "La Naval" (see video below).

The first proper church building was begun in early 1834, using more substantial materials. In 1877, construction was begun on the earliest stages of the church that stands today. Most sources say it was built by forced labor under a Spanish colonial system ("Polo y Servicio") that required 40 days per year from all Filipino native males. Others insist it was a labor of love and devotion by the local people. Although the church bells were rung for the first time in 1896, some sources say the church as we know it today was not completed until 1909.

With the end of the Spanish occupation in 1898, the church was turned over to native priests. But the American occupation began a year later, and the church was converted to a U.S. Army hospital and barracks. It was returned to church use in 1904.

The church was used briefly as a garage and stable by the Japanese occupation forces in 1942. In 1945, the Japanese shot down an American B-25 bomber and it crashed through the church's roof.

The church stands today as a beacon of religious and social life at the city's main crossroads.

Just the Facts:

• Address: Santo Rosario St., Angeles City, 2009 Pampanga, Philippines
  
• Location: Santo Rosario Street at Santo Entiero Street
• Phone: (928) 520-7489; (919) 958-9471; (045) 322-5068; (045) 322-9990; (045) 888-6355 (all unverified)
• Map: Click here; GPS: 15.134289, 120.590265
• Mass schedule: http://www.mass-schedules.com/catholic-church/40/holy-rosary-parish-pisamban-maragul.html ("last update: 2013-10-07" "Data may not be accurate or updated.")
• Note that the church is often closed between masses.

More Information:

• Parish Facebook Page
• Wikipedia Article
• An excellent history of the Church by Fr. Sol Gabriel, currently parish priest in nearby Magalang
• Another church history by Alex R. Castro, with some alternate dates

Museo ning Angeles (Angeles City Museum)

Built in 1922 as the municipio or Town Hall, this venerable landmark was converted into the city museum in 1999, when the City Hall moved out near MarQuee Mall.

Just the Facts:

• Address: Heritage District, Santo Rosario Street, Angeles City, 2009 Pampanga, Philippines
• Location: Corner of Santo Rosario Street and Santo Entiero Street, across from Holy Rosary Parish Church
• Phone: (045) 887-4703
• Map: Click here; GPS: 15.134676, 120.591024
• Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays); appointments can be made for tour groups for nights and Sundays; call (045) 887-4703 for details
• Entrance Fee: 50 pesos

More Information:

• The Museum's site (currently being updated)
• On Pinoy Adventurista
• On Angeles City Voice