113. 7 ANCESTRAL HOUSES OF GUAGUA: A LIST BY JERRY PUNZALAN SAGMIT

Guagua—or uaua--meaning “mouth of a river”, has been called as such since 1590 owing to its location along the river which played a role in turning it early into one of Pampangan’s most prosperous towns. The affluence of the twon led to the erection of some of the most stunning ancestral residences in the province.

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1. ARRASTIA-GONZALES HOUSE 1929, San Roque, Guagua

2. DE MESA HOUSE 1935, San Isidro, Guagua

3. DR. GALICANO CORONEL HOUSE 1925, San Nicolas II, Betis

Former vice mayor of Guagua in 1928. The symmetrical looking Victorian house or "gingerbread", is notable for its lace-like fretwork carvings, and its graceful steps that lead to a gated open porch. The house sits on a well-kept, manicured garden.

4. GONZALES-ARAULLO HOUSE 1928, Sto. Nino

 5. OCAMPO HOUSE 1928

Former residence of Mayor Isidro Ocampo.

6. SANTOS-OCAMPO HOUSE 1920

Now occupied by the Jiao Family

7. LOPEZ MANSION 1929, San Nicolas 1^st

One of Guagua’s most spectacular landmarks is the Lopez Mansion, an imposing concrete residence built by the sugar magnate, Don Alejandro Lopez (b. 16 May 1883). Done in the  Greek revival style, the façade is dominated by Grecian columns accented with reliefs of foliate swags. Sandwiched in between are glass-paneled openings that lead to individual room balconies. During the war, Japanese Col. Gempachi Sato, commander of the 61st infantry took over the house in 1942. The Alejandros reclaimed the house in 1945. Severely damaged by the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, it was restored in 2016 by an heir, Jose Ronrico “Rico” Vitug Gueco. The house is open for social events and for various functions.

ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR.  JERRY PUNZALAN SAGMIT originally hails from Guagua, but now resides in Porac. He operates Funeraria Punzalan, a memorial service company founded by his ancestor Pedro Manalili Punzalan in Arayat in 1930. He is also interested in heritage and local culture and history.

103. 10 ARTS AND CRAFTS OF PAMPANGA

In the late 19^th and early 20^th century, a design trend swept Europe and America called “Arts and Crafts”, a movement that promoted handcraftsmanship over industrial mass production. But long before that, Kapampangans have been creating all kinds of objects with their hands, with utilitarian and decorative functions, for their homes, work, leisure and religion.

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1. KURAN AT PASU (Sto. Tomas)

Utilitarian and decorative clay vessels and containers were among the earliest crafted objects made by man. All sorts of earthenware—including the ubiquitous  ‘kuran’ (round-bottom cooking pot)—have been produced in parts of Pampanga, as recorded by American Thomasite Luther Parker in the 1900s.  Sto. Tomas is the acknowledge pottery center of the province, with many major potters clustered along Quirino street. According to oldtimers, one pioneer potter was Apung Sindung Mercado who made “pilones”, clay jars used in the manufacture of molasses. From making traditional oya, tapayan, kuran, gusi, balanga and pilun , the potters also added ornamental pasu or masetas for growing garden plants and flowers,

2. PUKPUK (Betis, Apalit)

The fine art of metalsmithing was known to pre-Hispanic people in our archipelago, blossoming in the the late 16th to the 19th century, when the Spanish missionaries arrived to introduce the idea of sacred art in which the Chinese excelled. To decorate the altar, Mexican silver coin were melted and fashioned into tabernacles, altar frontals and vessels, ramilletes (silver floral standees), carrozas, and more. Betis artisans mastered the art, locally termed as ‘pukpuk’ (to hammer) as designs were created by chasing and using the repoussé method,  in which designs are raised on a metal sheet by pounding a pattern from the back using a sinsil (blunt chisel). This is achieved by working on the metal against a wooden block, on which designs have been incised. Artisans spread the art to Apalit which once had the largest number of ‘pukpuk’ shops. Names like the Ramirez Family, Edgardo Yutuc and Jeric Canlas continue this tradition to this day.   

3. DUKIT (Betis)

Betis is the town synonymous with quality carved woodcrafts (“dukit” -to carve) —from church and home furniture, decorative architectural pieces,  to religious statuaries and  relief sculptures.  One of its ancient barrios—Sta. Ursula—was known as the premiere source of such carved masterpieces.  A famous resident is Maestro Apung Juan Flores, who started as  a santo carver an expanded into “muebles” and carved wooden furnishings. He made the decorative wooden carvings of Malacanang Palace during the term of Marcos. Angeles, with its many Clark residents, was a major market of woodcarved products during the 50s thru the 80s. Modern-day mandudukit include the descendants of the Flores family, Willy Layug, Peter Garcia, Salvador Gatus, and the artisans of Betis Crafts of Myrna Bituin, who exports their prized furniture worldwide.

4. PARUL (San Fernando)

The lantern industry owes its popularity to San Fernando lantern maker pioneers who evolved the parul from the simple wooden and paper star lanterns for the “lubenas” (procession)  to the giant kaleidoscopic lanterns that the world marvels at, every December’s Giant Lantern Festival. The advent of electricity gave rise to the invention of the rotor by Rodolfo David; which is used to give the lanterns their amazing play of colors. Well-known parol makers include the Quiwas (led by Ernesto David Quiwa), Rolando Quiambao, Arnel Flores, and Jesus Maglalang. The Christmas capital of the Philippines  has parul stores all over the city still selling traditional lanterns. The Dau Expressway exit is line with lantern stores, hawking paruls of all sorts—capiz, LED-lit,  wire and plastic, and even “rope” lanterns.

5. BURARUL (Angeles)

Kite-making,  though not exactly an industry,  requires a certain degree of artistic and technical skill. Believe to have originated in China, these paper and wood air craft are flown mainly for leisure and play—but they were said to be used also for measuring distances and for military communications. In Pampanga, they are called “burarul”, from the Spanish “volador”,  one that flies. The basic “karang-karang” is nothing more than a folded paper with thread. But the more elaborate kites come in box (“tukong”) or diamond shapes (“sapin-sapin”). There are high-flyers (“gurion”) and competition fighter kites (“panyaklit”). The most complicated ones are figural kites mastered by the professional kite-maker Eulogio Catalan of Angeles City. A former sepulturero, Mang Eloy won renown for his imaginative, award-winning kite creations. He made kites in the forms of birds, fishes, angels, saints and figures  of our  national heroes—all using wooden framework,  paper and paint. His most elaborate was a ferris wheel kite with seated human figures, that actually turned when flown on a string. He also introduced the concept of folding kites. The art of kite making died with him, and today, just a handful in Pampanga know how to fashion homemade kites from “tingting” and papel de hapon.

6. DASE (Candaba, San Luis, San Simon)

As early as the 18^th century, dictioanarist Fray Diego Bergaño made mentioned of towns lining the Candaba Swamp that were known for weaving house mats or “dase”. Made from “ebus” (buri palm leaves) . These included weaving families from San Luis and San Simon who are skilled in the art of “pamaglala”, or weaving, usually done communally, after the day’s work. Mat weavers or”magdadase” wove fine mats of large, medium and small sizes—made for sleeping or for covering the bamboo floor. For variety, the leaves are dyed in different colors to produce mats with appealing patterns.

7. KUPIA (Apalit)

An allied product from the province’s weaving tradition are hats or “kupia”, an essential accessory for our tropical climate, where  wearing a head protection from the  scorching sun or sudden rains is mandatory.Before commercial hat shops were established in Pampanga, everday functional hats—"kupia"-- were made all over the province. Apalit was once a hat center, and in Barrio Sucad, ‘kupyang ebus’ by the thousands were woven and commercially sold in town markets from as far as Tarlac, Baguio, Bataan, Zambales and Manila. But due to the scarcity of ‘ebus’ materials, production  gradually slowed down in the 1920s. Pampanga shops that operated in the 1930s sold hats of all shapes, sizes and materials. In San Fernando, one could go to La Fernandina, Zapateria Moderna or to the Japanese bazaar of T. Tsuchibashi along Mercado St. and the Indian Bazaar of Battan Singh. "Sombreros del pais y del extranjero" (local and imported hats) could be bought in Macabebe at the Bazar L. Magat, while "El 96" in Angeles offered a few headwear selections.

8. SANTOS (Betis, Macabebe, Bacolor, Apalit)

Although Betis is the center of woodcarving  in Pampanga, it is Macabebe town which is known as the home of santeros. A santero is a craftsman who uses wood, ivory, cement or fiber glass to produce an ecclesiastical art piece known as santo, in the image of Christ, Mary or a Saint. Before the war, fishing and farming were the only means of livelihood of the people of Macabebe. Santo making was then merely an expression of their ingenuity, and the products were mostly for personal use. Pablo “Ambo” Bautista, a local businessman, is credited with promoting santo-making in the town by gathering local artists and putting them to work in a talyer he opened just for them. Sons Antonio (a painter) and Gener (a carver) further grew the business and improved the craft of santo making. This inspired other carvers to put up shops that soon proliferated along the whole stretch of the town’s main road. Others found their way in the other towns of Pampanga. U.P. Fine Arts graduate Maximiano Jingco also set up a pre-war religious statuary shop in Guagua. Second and third generation carvers continued the santo tradition like Rolando and Boyet Flores (from the Flores family of Sta.Ursula), while a new breed of highly trained carvers came to fore—Nick Lugue (Apalit).Wilfredo Layug  (Betis),  Joseph Magcalas (Apalit) ,  Joed Miclat (San Luis) and the Viray brothers (Bacolor).

9. GITARA (Guagua)

Cebu may have a reputation as the Philippines’ guitar industry leader, but the more well-known guitar brands are made in Guagua, Pampanga. The “gitara” has its origins in Spain, and there’s a mention of  a guitar-prototype in Byron Pabalan’s zarzuela “Ing Managpe”—a stringed instrument called “kalaskas”. Another is the pre-Hispanic “kudyapi”, which, like the guitar, has a box and a fretboard. The pioneer guitar maker in Pampanga is a Matuang Bacani who managed to copy an old Spanish guitar. He passed on his techniques to his son-in-law, Angel Lumanog who mastered the craft of guitar-making, opened a shop and started supplying Macabebe, Bacolor, and San Fernando stores. Son, his guitars were being sought after in Manila. Today, the Lumanog brand is a name synonymous to fine guitars. Apart from the Lumanogs, families like the Garcias, Dizons, Mallaris, Jucos and Manansalas engaged in the production guitars.

10. GAWANG PANDE (Apalit)

The first cannon maker of the country was a Kapampangan named Pande Pira, a smith who put up a foundery in Manila to make “lantakas” or cannons, and other artillery to protect the Intramuros and for use in Spanish galleons. Apalit takes pride in continuing this smithing tradition, and is the leading source of world-class steel crafts in the province,  such as bolo, machete, all types of knives and daggers, plus home and garden implements like rakes, hoes, spades, and other tools. The steel products are made the old fashioned way by hammering sheets of metal ,  made malleable by superheating them, then shaped into blades for bolos, palang, knives, scythes, spears or any bladed implement. The industry gave Apalit town its nickname, “The Blacksmith Capital of Pampanga”. In Floridablanca, smiths produced aluminum crafts, using “aluminyu” that are heated and pounded into shape, using molds.

SOURCE:

SINGSING MAGAZINE, "Pampanga's Folk Arts & Crafts: Going, Going, Gone?", Vol. 5, No. 1.Published by the Center for Kapampangan Studies,Holy Angel University. Excerpted and edited from the articles of JoelPabustan Mallari (Dase, Gitara, Kuran, Burarul, Kupia), Arwin Lingat (Santo), Alex R. Castro (Pukpuk), 

www.viewsfromthepamang.blogspot.com (Hold on to that Hat, Hamming on an Old Guitar, The Art of  the Kuran)
PHOTOS:
Alex R.Castro (Pande, Kupia, Gitara, Santos, Parul, Pande, Pukpok, )
Best, Jonathan. A Philippine Album: American Era Photographs 1900-1930, The Bookmark Inc.(Dase)
Miss Millenial Pampanga 2017 FB Page: (Betis Carving-Dukit)
Singsing Magazine: (Burarul)

100. 10 KAPAMPANGAN MATINEE IDOLS OF THE 1950s-1960s

These midcentury Kapampangan screen stars were the Daniel Padilla, Dingdong Dantes, and Alden Richards of their days--captivating female fans, melting hearts and causing screams and swoons, with their good looks and great acting talents.

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1. GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, Lubao

(b. 25 May 1904/ d. 11 March 1973)

Actor-director Gregorio “Yoyong” Fernandez was the son of  Eugenio Aranita Fernandez and Maria Montemayor, and grew up in an artistic milieu. To help finance his dentistry studies, he  became an actor at  Mayon Photoplay Corp.  where he did  “Anak sa Ligaw”. This film started his long career in Philippine moviedom, first as an actor ( “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” ,  “Ang Lumang Simbahan”, and the 1921 hit, “Ligaw ni Bulaklak” ). His first directorial debut was  “Asahar at Kabaong” (1937). He would have a directing career at LVN Studios, even winning a FAMAS in 1955 for “Higit sa Lahat”. His children with Pilar Padilla became actors too: Merle Fernandez, and Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez. Fernandez  was active until the early 70s; his last film was “Daing”, shown in 1971. 

2. MANUEL CONDE, San Fernando

(b. 9 Oct.1915/d. 11 Aug.1985)

Manuel Pabustan Urbano Sr., better known as Director Manuel Conde, is recognized as one of the greatest Filipino directors of our time. Born in Daet to Dionisio Urbano and Lucia Pabustan of San Fernando, Manuel enrolled in Geology at Adamson University, hoping to be a mining engineer. But he was lured by the movies, starting as an ‘extra’ in “Mahiwagang Biolin”. It was in LVN that he became a director. When he started his production outfit, he starred in his on pictures starting with the popular “Juan Tamad” series, and costume epics like Prinsipe Paris (1949), Krus Na Kawayan (1956), Siete Infantes de Lara (1950) and its re-make in 1973. But it was for “Genghis Khan” (1950) that introduced Philippine cinema to the world. From among 780 film entries, it was chosen as one of 20 films to vie for awards at the Venice Film Festival. Though it did not win, the film emerged as one of the most acclaimed movies of the prestigious festival. United Artists bought the film for international distribution, where it would later be dubbed in 16 languages and became a bestseller.

3. ROGELIO DELA ROSA, Lubao

(b. 12 Nov. 1916/ 26 Nov. 1986)

Lubao’s native son, born Regidor dela Rosa,  rose to become the brightest male star in the Golden Age of the Philippine Cinema (1940s-50s). Born to Feliciano de la Rosa and Rosario Lim, he was discovered by Gregorio Fernandez. He debuted in “Ligaw na Bulaklak”, with Rosa del Rosario in 1932. Soon, he was being paired with Emma Alegre, and Paraluman, but his team-up with Carmen Rosales was the longest and most successful . By 1948, he was the highest paid movie actor in the Philippines. . His 1955 role in “Higit sa Lahat” earned him a FAMAS 'Best Actor' trophy as well as the Best Actor Award at the 1956 Southeast Asian Film Festival in Hong Kong. After retirement, he entered politics, got elected as a Senator (1957-63), ran for Presidency (retracted upon the pleading of Macapagal, his brother-in-law, who was also running for the same position) and became an ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cambodia and The Hague, Netherlands.

4. JAIME DELA ROSA, Lubao

(b. 18 Sep.1921/d. 2 Dec. 1992)

Rogelio’s younger brother, Tommy, assumed the screen name Jaime de la Rosa, and he too, would earn his place in Philippine showbiz. He was studying Law when he was first featured in the Eastern Pictures movie, “Anak ng Lansangan” in 1939.Making his strong presence felt, he was cast successively in 3 movies: “Cadena de Amor”, “Bawal na Pag-ibig” and “Kahapon Lamang” . Before the war began, he was seen in a musical, “Ibong Sawi”. Two post-war roles would etch Jaime’s image in the hearts and minds of movie fans forever. One, was in the 1st ever “Darna” movie, starring Rosa del Rosario, as the lead’s love interest. And, in 1953, he was Fredo, the human lover of the fabled mermaid , “Dyesebel”, played by Edna Luna. Jaime was married to Betty Santos, also a Kapampangan.

5. EDDIE DEL MAR, Candaba

(b. 13 Oct. 1923/d. 8 Nov. 1986)

Born Eduardo Magat in Candaba, the son of Albino Magat and Benigna Sangalang, he was a medical student at UST when war intervened. After the War,  Sampaguita Pictures gave him a screen test which he passed. As “Eduardo del Mar” he became a featured player in "Kapilya sa May Daang Bakal" starring Oscar Moreno and Tita Duran, and directed by Tor Villano. It was at Premiere Productions where he made his most memorable film "Sisa". As Crisostomo Ibarra, he generated much buzz and an acting nomination. The film itself won the top "Maria Clara Award" in 1951. Thus began his association with "Rizaliana movies". His 1956 film, “Ang Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal” would changed the course of his showbiz career. The film, which dramatized Rizal’s romances,  won for del Mar the 1956 Best Actor Award trophy. Five years later, he would star in the movie adaptation of “Noli Me Tangere”  that was produced to commemorate Rizal’s birth centenary in 1961. Many actors have essayed the role of Rizal since— Joel Torre, Albert Martinez Cesar Montano, to name a few—but nobody was more famously identified with that role than Eddie del Mar.

6. LUIS GONZALES, San Luis

(b. 8 Aug. 1928/d. 15 Mar. 2012)

Luis Mercado, also known as Luis Gonzales, did over 100 films during his career, mostly by Sampaguita Pictures. He is best remembered for essaying the role of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in two 1965 biopics: “Iginuhit ng Tadhana”, a Marcos’ propaganda film; and  “Pinagbuklod ng Langit”. He co-starred with Gloria Romero, who had appeared with him in the 1955 romantic comedy, “Despatsador” and which led to other blockbusters like “Artista” , “Hootsy Kootsy” (1955), Pagdating ng Takip Silim, Teresa, Vacationista (1956), Colegiala, (1957), Alaalang Banal, Palaboy, (1958), Sinisinta Kita (1963) and Show of Shows (1964). Together, they did about 30 movies. Luis would continue to be active in the next decades and some of his memorable movies include “Tubog sa Ginto” and “Haydee” in 1970, where he helped launch the career of another Kapampangan, Hilda Koronel. He was married to socialite Vina Concepcion, with whom he had 3 children.

7. EDDIE GARCIA, Macabebe

(b. 2 May 1929)

The bemoustached kontrabida you love to hate—Eduardo “Eddie” García started in showbiz as a swashbuckling hero in Manuel Conde’s 1950 classic, “Siete Infantes de Lara” . It also comes as a pleasant surprise that his grandmother was from Macabebe, married to a Spaniard, which makes him a quarter Kapampangan. Born in Sorsongon to Antonio Garcia and Vicenta Verchez, he joined the Philippine Scouts after the war. Fresh from his assignment in Okinawa, he answered a casting call for a costume film—and the tall, Hispanic-looking scout made it to the Conde film. Soon, he was being called to play villains, owing to his sleek, well-kept moustache, roles he played with such credibility. One of his movies was aptly titled, “Contravida”, which he did in 1955. Another memorable role is that fo a closeted gay husband in the 1970 film “Tubog sa Ginto”, by Lino Brocka. The durable actor is the only artist inducted in three categories in the FAMAS Hall of Fame: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director. The prolific Garcia continues to act in TV shows and movies today, with over 400 appearances to his credit.

8. JESS LAPID SR., Guagua

(b. 5 Oct. 1933/d.13 Jul. 1968)

At the height of his career, ranked among the bigtime action stars of the 60s, led by Fernando Poe Jr. and Joseph Estrada. Born as Jesus Songco Lapid, he had started as an “extra”, then became a stuntman, where he had the good fortune of doubling for Fernando Poe, Jr. They became fast friends, and Poe would eventually give Lapid his break in the  1963 FPJ Productions’ “Sierra Madre”, where he gave a noteworthy performance. His next move, “Kardong Kidlat” (1964) would catapult him to stardom. Lapid had just wrapped up the movie “Simaron Brothers”with Jun Aristorenas, when, on the night of 13 July 1968, he was shot to death at the Lanai Nightclub after a row between two groups of movie personalities, which also involved his reputed girlfriend,  Nancy Roman, an actress. Lapid was just 35. As a belated tribute, nephew Lito Lapid appeared as Jess in the biopic “The Jess Lapid Story”, released in 1978.

9. RAMIL RODRIGUEZ, San Fernando

(b. 22 Aug. 1944/d. 29 Apr. 2014)

Ramil Rodriguez,  (Rene Rodriguez Jr., in real life) the elder son of Rene Hizon Rodriguez and Ma. Rosa Moreno. The Rodriguezes are from a prominent family with roots in Bacolor. They were friends of the Vera-Perezes, who owned Sampaguita Pictures. Ramil, unlike the younger Pepito, was the more reticent one when they were offered to make movies. In the end, family friendship prevailed and began his showbiz career via the 1960 movie, "Palanca". He was officially introduced in 1964's "Leron-Leron Sinta", a musical comedy starring Susan Roces and Eddie Gutierrez. As part of Stars '66, Ramil was  paired with Loretta Marquez, and Liberty Ilagan. He took on everything from comedies,  musicals, action and drama flicks in the '60s and evolved into a fine dramatic actor in the 80s. He starred in classics like "Blusang Itim", "Magdusa Ka", (1986), "Asawa Ko, Huwag Mong Agawin", "Ibulong Mo sa Diyos" (1988). Ramil found a new set of fans with his appearances in telenovelas like 1997's "Mula Sa Puso", "Love to Love" (2004) , "Magpakailanman" (2005) and the highly rated "Bakekang" (2006-07). He died of lung cancer.

10. PEPITO RODRIGUEZ, San Fernando

(b.1944)

Pepito Rodriguez was born Jose Rodriguez in 1944, younger brother of Ramil. The Rodriguezes were from a prominent family with roots in Bacolor. In 1963, Pepito joined the movie bandwagon as the boy-next-door type, in the film “Haliging Bato”. He was noticed in light musical romances like “Dance o’ Rama”, “Jukebox Jamboree” and of course, in the popular “Mga Bata..” series. He dabbled in drama like “Alaala ng Lumipas” (1965) , “Hinango Ka Sa Lusak” (1967), but fans seemed to like him better in lightweight romance films. When actor Ricky Belmonte entered the picture as Rosemarie’s other love interest, an alternative love team was formed. After appearing in “Life Everlasting” in 1971, Pepito  dropped out of circulation, only to come back almost a decade later in the made-for-TV movie, “The Children of An Lac” as the Vietnamese Capt. Nam. He was lured to return in the 1985 drama, “Palimos na Pag-ibig”, and in the 1990 action film “Alias Baby Face”. He would permanently retire from showbiz after that, and settle in the U.S. as a successful businessman.

SOURCES:

www.viewsfromthepampang.blogspot.com

Wikipedia.com

http://www.andropampanga.com/history_sanluis.htm
Salumbides, V.icente. Motion Pictures in the Philippines, 1952
Tiongson, Nicanor, The Cinema of Manuel Conde, UST Publishing House, 2008

Photo of Eddie Garcia:  https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Garcia

All others: Alex Castro Collection

78. 12 LONGTIME PAMPANGA BUSINESSES THAT ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE TODAY

Businesses come and go. But not for these Kapampangan enterprises founded by visionaries who poured in blood, sweat and tears to build these commercial establishments that have--with a dash of luck--become icons of economic success in the province's business landscape. Let's see some of these businesses that are still in existence and continue to endure to this very day.

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APUNG DIUNG BAKERY (1880)

The oldest-known bakery in Pampanga-- “Apung Diung”-- is still in existence in Plaza Burgos, Guagua, after over 120 years of operation. Founded by Aurelio Diyco , the panaderia still uses oldtime recipes and traditional baking methods to come up with special pastries and treats. Apung Diung is credited with popularizing ‘masa podrida” (Nancy Balls brand), the local  version of shortbread biscuits , perfect with coffee or tea. The circular cookie literally means “rotten dough”, but the taste is anything but that. Rich-tasting with a crisp, crumbly texture, masa podrida cookies are made from butter, flour and sugar. Known today as “Apung Diung Pan Plaza Bakery”, the business is now owned and operated by Diyco descendants, and continues to bring to treats like cheese rolls, sampaguitas, egg pies, pan de salitos and other breads to sweet-toothed Kapampangans.

LA MODERNA BAKERY (late 1800s)

La Moderna had its roots  in the late 1800’s when couple Ignacio and Maria Lansang Narciso opend a sweets shop in Sta. Rita. In 1947, son Pablo Narciso and his wife Narcisa Carlos relocated the candy company to  Guagua, which soon evolved into a bakery, La Moderna.   Its wood-fired ovens or pugon  churned out baked treats that were sold  as far north as Dagupan, and in Divisoria, Manila. All 10 Narciso kids all helped in managing La Moderna, which employed over 150 employees working in shifts daily, to meet the growing demands. The second and third children, Toto Narciso and Butchie N. Lagman took over La Moderna  in the early 80’s, and the bakery came to be known for both its traditional and new product innovations: gorgoryas, mamon tostado, sampaguitas, masa podrida and turrones. Not even the eruption of Pinatubo could bring the business down as La Moderna found a loyal Manila market via the Salcedo weekend market. After over 70 years,  La Moderna Bakery continues to operate in Guagua today, right in Plaza Burgos, proof that once a favorite, always a favorite!

R.T. PARAS HAUTE COUTURE (1902)

R. T. Paras Haute Couture is perhaps the most notable fashion house established by a Kapampangan--Roberta Tablante Paras, a woman of extraordinary talent and character. Roberta was one of the daughters of Modesto Paras, a former juez de paz (justice of the peace) of Angeles. Her dressmaking skills were recognized early. But a liaison with a married doctor caused her to be disowned; she fled to Manila and open a small dressmaking shop in Binondo in 1902 and in Quiapo in 1912. She single-handedly operated her  business, building a client list that would include the First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon. Roberta’s daughter, Josefina, acquired her mother’s skills and business acumen, and turned R. T. Paras as one of the country’s most popular couture shops in the 40s and 50s. Her son, former design head of Jean Patou,  Froilan “Roy” Gonzales would eventually return home to head R.T.Paras Haute Couture which has become a name synonymous with excellence in the domain of high quality wedding gowns, corporate attire, suits and formal wear.

PAMPANGA HOTEL & PANCITERIA (after 1912)

Along A. Consunji Street, on the side of the San Fernando Cathedral still stands the Pampanga Hotel and Panciteria, now operating under the name Pampanga Lodge and Restaurant. The famed hotel cum restaurant was put up in  the spacious Buison Building, which in 1908, started housing Pampanga High School. The building then came into the possession of the Eusebio family, and became the residence of Andres Eusebio, who married Asuncion Santos, daughter of Don Teodoro Santos, Sr. (Dorong Tola). The school vacated the premises when the new Pampanga High School was erected in 1912. Harvardian Colleges, founded in 1955, also used the building for its classes. Pampanga Hotel and Panciteria took over its use, providing affordable lodgings and meals to San Fernando visitors  through the 50s- 60s. The establishment still operates in the same town plaza location.

ANGELES ELECTRIC CORPORATION, (1923)

Angeles City’s main power provider, the Angeles Electric Corp., began as Angeles Electric Light and Power Plant on July 10, 1923, a project of Don Juan Nepomuceno and wife, Nena Gomez. The couple—who already had an ice plant, and would go on to found other ventures like Holy Angel Academy, a softdrinks factory, a subdivicion and a commercial shopping complex---thought that bringing  power to a community, including light to the church—was a great idea. With a 2,000 pesos down payment on a Php 72,000 power plant machines—the Nepomucenos set forth to establish the electric company that would serve Angeles continuously, except during the dark days of the war. It was incorporated in 1959 as Angeles Electric Corp. and the institution continues to provide power service, efficiently and competently-- not only to the city but also to nearby areas, today.

FUNERARIA PUNZALAN, (1930)

One of Pampanga’s leading funeral services was founded way back in 1930 by Pedro Manalili Punzalan who first started Funeraria Punzalan in Arayat town. In the eary 1950s, he bought an old house in San Fernando along Tiomico St., and converted it into another funeral parlor that soon gained patronage in the capital and in nearby towns. In 1959, Funeraria Punzalan opened its Guagua branch, and soon, Punzalan descendants rode on the popularity of the successful memorial and mortuary business by putting up their own branches bearing the same name.  At its peak, Funeraria Punzalan had branches in Candaba, Calumpit and in Nueva Ecija (Jaen and Cabiao). Another Punzalan relative put up parlors in Bataan (Orani, Hermosa, Dinalupihan, Balanga, Limay, Samal, Abucay) which are still currently in operation, along with the San Fernando, Arayat and Porac branches.

ONG SIN SIU GROCERY (1939)

Ong Sin Siu or simply “Sencio” is the name of the oldest supermarket in Mabalacat. It was founded in 1939 by Chinese couple Ong Sin Siu and wife Apung Achi Ong. The small grocery store was put up along MacArthur Highway, Calumpang, and sold everything from canned goods, softdrinks, cosmetics, toys, school supplies, hardware and other day-to-day essentials. Apung Sencio, who was known for being generous to his patrons (he lent money freely), ran the grocery along with his children.  Through the years, the grocery expanded and continues to enjoy a loyal following from the city, this, despite the rise of hypermarts and similar superstores in the area.

HIZON’S BAKESHOP (1946)

Hizon’s Cakes & Pastries on Bocobo St. in Ermita, Manila was founded by Inocencia Hizon, a widowed single mother working as a department store clerk at Aguinaldo’s, Escolta. The Hizon roots are in Mexico. Family lore has it that the now-famous ensaymada recipe was given to her by an anonymous woman. Inocencia baked dozens of ensaymadas using the recipe, and engaged the help of her sister to peddle the pastries in offices, which, to her surprise, were all sold-out. This encouraged her to put up a bakeshop in 1946 on Raon St, which she named simply as “Hizon’s”. It transferred to its present location in Bocobo in 1963. Today, Hizon’s has branches in Pasay, Greenhills and Makati, run by daughter Milagros Ramos Roasa. The shop, regarded as an institution, (it was the late Dolphy's favorite hang-out place),  is also famous for its taisans, apple pies and ube cakes, but the ensaymada remains a sentimental favorite.

APUNG GARI BAKERY & KIOSK, (1955)

San Fernando’s favorite bakeshop at the Assumpta Building, along the busy Abad Santos St., barrio St. Rosario, was put up by an enterprising couple, Jesusa “Susing” Quiambao and husband Jose “Pitong” Valencia, in 1955. It was named after Susing’s mother, Margarita Quiambao.  As a manager of the post-war “La Satisfacion Bakery, “Apung Gari” earned a reputation as a good cook. Her daughter and son-in-law soon took over the business, renaming it as “Apung Gari Bakery and Kiosk”. For fifty centavos, one can enjoy Pancit Luglug (a best-seller), Arroz Caldo, Chicken Mami, Magnolia Ice Cream and Ice Cream Sundae. Halo-halo, Lumpiang Prito, Magnolia Milk. Assorted cakes and pies could be had for forty centavos. Students from Assumption and other schools, government employees frequented “Apung Gari” for over six decades. Descendants continued the business long after the death of the Valencias, until it was sold to the Santiago family around 2007.  The new owners retained the name owing to its pulling power which evokes simple, but tasty food and good times. Recently, the name was changed to LBS (for Leonila B. Santiago) Bakeshop and Kiosk, and time will tell if the same affinity for the one and only “Apung Gari” will rub off on the newly-rechristened bakeshop.

JOHNNY’S GROCERY STORE, (early 1950s)

The founder of Angeles’ early grocery/supermarket  was Amoy-born Johnny Uy whose family migrated to the Philippines and settled in Pampanga. He married Lilia So, who belongs to the well-known clan of Angeles. After their marriage, they put up a mall shop, Johnny’s Grocery Store along Miranda St, which would become the go-to place of Angeles families for their daily, domestic needs, including liquors. The Uys would put up a multi-storey building in Balibago in the early 1970s, which also proved to be very successful, carrying imported goods from American comic books, cigarettes, premiere liquor brands to the latest music records. The Miranda branch was lost in a blaze, but Johnny’s Supermarket in Balibago and at Sto. Rosario Street—housed in a newly-refurbished building, are still going strong. In 2014, “Papa Johnny”as known  by locals, was recognized by the province for his significant contributions to the community and its economy.

MAKABALI CLINIC (1957)

The modern V.L. Makabali Memorial Hospital, Inc along Mendoza St., in San Fernando, began as a modest 6-bedroom maternity clinic that Dr. Venancia L. Makabali opened in a house, on Aug. 11, 1957. Dra. Makabali was a 1946 graduate of medicine at the University of Santo Tomas, where she specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She later went to the U.S. to undergo advanced OB-GYNE training. Her reputation as a women’s health doctor soon spread and the single doctor’s career took off. Just a few months after the clinic opened, she added 4 more beds, one operating room, one delivery room, ten nursery bassinets, a laboratory, and an X-ray room. For years, Dra. Makabali ran her famed clinic, which continued to operate long after her death in 1972. The clinic was then made into a family corporation with all the surviving brothers and sisters as incorporators. This led to the construction of a modern hospital complex now known as  V.L. Makabali Memorial Hospital, Inc.

RURAL BANK OF MABALACAT (1964)

The little bank that could—that’s the Rural Bank of Mabalacat Inc, which after half a century, still operates in the city, an important partner in community progress. The rural bank, established by founding members Concepcion de Leon, Jaime Gomez, Lourdes Dycaico, Benedicto Tiglao  and Angelo Hizon opened  its doors in the Poblacion office on November 4, 1964 . An extension office was put up in Dau on December 8, 1972. However, lahar threats in 1991-1992 from Mount Pinatubo’s eruption prompted the bank to transfer its main office from Mabalacat to Dau, but this did not hamper the bank from expanding its network, opening branches in Magalang (1993), Sindalan, San Fernando (November 1997),  Bamban,Tarlac (November 2002) and another full service branch in Angeles City in 2009. The Rural Bank of Mabalacat Inc, has withstood many challenges like the Asian Economic Crisis, the political upheavals that affected our econmy and financial system in the 1980s, and enjoys continued grwth and stability today.

SOURCES: 

ANGELES ELECTRIC CORP.:  Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University

APUNG DIUNG: Photos, from Mr. Jorge Hizon FB page, https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=APUNG%20DIUNG%2C%20HIZON

LA MODERNA BAKERY:  Photos and info from La Modern bakery blog:  http://lamoderna1947.blogspot.com/

PAMPANGA HOTEL: 1960 yearbook, Pampanga High School

New photo: Dadi Yrec FB page: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1120256434678703&set=gm.1222390991151478&type=3&theater

FUNERARIA PUZALAN, all photos by Jerry Punzalan Sagmit

ONG SIN SIU: Photo from “Ing Mabalaqueño 2017 Year End issue.

HIZON’S BAKESHOP: Photo of Hizon’s Raon branch, Philippine History & Architecture FB page,

APUNG GARI: Alex Castro Collection

JOHNNY’S GROCERY STORE: Vintage Photo by J. Scott,

Photo of Johnny’s Supermaket-Balibago: https://www.facebook.com/JohnnysSupermarket/

MAKABALI CLINIC: 1959 Pampanga Medical Society Souvenir Program

V. L. Makabali Memorial Hospital FB page

RURAL BANK OF MABT.: http://rbmabalacat.com/about-us/

60. 16 IMPORTANT CULTURAL PROPERTIES IN PAMPANGA, AS DECLARED BY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

Important Cultural Properties or cultural properties having exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines are determined by the National Museum, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), and/or the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP). Pampanga is honored to have in its midst, important cultural properties that are now included in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP),  the repository of all information pertaining to properties in the Philippines deemed significant to our cultural heritage.

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SAN AGUSTIN PARISH CHURCH (Lubao)

The San Agustin Parish Church is considered one of the oldest in Pampanga, having been built in 1572, in Barrio Sta. Catalina. It moved to its present site 30 years later, due to floods. Fray Antonio Herrera undertook the construction using local materials, including sand mixed with egg albumen as binder. It was used as a hospital in 1899 by American forces. Destroyed in the last war, it was restored from 1949-1952, under Fr. Melencio Garcia. It celebrated its 440th founding anniversary in 5 May 2012 with the reception of the relics of St. Augustine and St. Monica. The church was declared by the National Historical Commission as Important Cultural Property on 28 August  2013.

THE CHURCH COMPLEX OF SANTO ROSARIO (Angeles City)

The Holy Rosary Church was built by residents of Culiat and was finished in 1896. Exhibiting a European Romanesque style,  its most distinctive feature are its twin bell towers, which served as watch towers for the revolucionarios from 1898-99. The remains of Angeles founder, Angel Pantaleon de Miranda and his wife, Rosalia de Jesus, are interred at the sides of the altar. During the Philippine-American War, the church served as a military hospital from1899-1904, and was also used by the Japanese army in the 1940s as a motor pool. The adjoining building was a convent that Augustinian nuns turned into the Colegio de la Sagrada Familia.  German Benedictine nuns took ver the school in 1922 and who renamed it Holy Family Academy.

ANGEL PANTALEON DE MIRANDA HOUSE (Angeles City)

The house of Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, considered the oldest house in the city, was built in 1824, with much of the wood coming from their original 1811 house in Barrio Cutcut reused in the construction. The stately 19^th century bahay-na–bato was bequeathed to daughter, Juana de Miranda, who was married to Dr. Mariano Henson, LL.D.  It then passed on to a series of heirs, including son, Don Mariano Vicente Henson, Jose Pedro Henson, and Vicente N. Henson. Vicente’s daughter, Rosalie, married to Mr. Sergio T. Naguiat, Jr., are the current owners of the old house known today as “bale matua”.

PATRICIA MERCADO-GOMEZ MASNOU HOUSE (Angeles City)

The house of Patricia Mercado was built in 1860, paid for by Fray Guillermo Gomez Masnou, then Angeles parish priest, with whom she had 6 children, Upon his death, Mercado took over the domain until her death in 1900. Daughter Maria Teodora “Mariquita” Gomez , who was married to Don Filomeno Santos, inherited the house and rented out the ground floor to American Thomasites John  W. Osborn and Marion Huff. Mariquita’s eldest—Francisco Santos—took possession of the house upon her death in 1954; in 1986 he sold it to Mr. Jose G. Paras who restored the crumbling home to its old glory.  It currently is being used as a function hall for social and community activities.

JUAN NEPOMUCENO CAMALIG (Angeles City)

The old camalig (shed or storehouse for grains) along Sto. Rosario St. was built in 1840 by Don Ciriaco de Miranda. A descendant, Capitan Juan Nepomuceno, the town’s first post-colonial mayor, improved on the original wooden structure. The 150-year-old wooden camalig was inherited by descendant  Armando L. Nepomuceno through five generations, who owned a small pizzeria established in 1973. In 1980, he transferred his pizzeria to the camalig Now known as the Historic Camalig Restaurant, it is also billed  as ‘The Home of Armando's Pizza: Ang Pambansang Pizza'." The camalig houses many old family photos and artifacts original to the granary. Armando’s son and his family, Marc Nepomuceno, are the current owners of the place, which stands as a fine example of successful adaptive re-use for business.

JOSE PEDRO HENSON’S “DEPOSITO” (Angeles City)

This structure—which was meant to be a used as a storage and parking house for carrozas and processional santos, was built in 1899 by Jose Pedro Henson, great grandson of the founder of Angeles. It served as a jail for errant American soldiers during the Philippine-American War. One such prisoner was Pvt. George A. Raymond who was put on trial,found guilty of murder, robbery and rape, and sentenced to death by a U.S. Military Commission. After the last war, it was rented to the U.S. Army 11th Film Exchange. Once again, it was used as a jail by the U.S. military police and 13th U.S. Air Force at various times, from 1947 to 1965. It was converted into the city’s post office building form 1967-1978 and today it houses a Physical Therapy Clinic.

CIRIACO DE MIRANDA HOUSE (Angeles City)

The Nepomuceno Ancestral House  was built in 1840 by Don Ciriaco de Miranda, the first gobernadorcillo of Angeles town, and the younger of two surviving sons of the founders of Angeles, Angel Pantaleon de Miranda and Rosalia de Jesus. He was married to Carlota de Leon. As they were childless, they raised Agustina Henson, the daughter of Mariano Henson and Juan Ildefonso de Miranda, daughter of the founder of Angeles, Angel Pantaleon de Miranda with Rosalia de Jesus. On 25 July 1868, Carlota willed their house of wood, stone and capiz to their foster daughter Agustina, who married Pio Rafael Nepomuceno of Lucban, Quezon. Upon her death on 27 July 1905, her property was passed on to her heirs, children Ysabelo, Juan, Ramona, Nemesia, Maria, and her Dayrit grandchildren, from late daughter Carmen.

MARIANO LACSON HOUSE (Angeles City)

Mariano Lacson was a rich haciendero who owned most of Sapang Maisac. He had this house built around late 1930’s, it was said to be the first "architected" house in Angeles. It was commissioned to Arch’t Fernando Hizon Ocampo. During WWII, the Japanese took over the house and made it their garrison. It was occupied by the USO, an agency of the American military in the 1950s. Dr. Amelia Guiao & Dr. Luz Ayson made this house the Mother of Perpetual Help Hospital. It was then used as the site of the first OB Montessori Pre-School in Angeles—whose most famous alumni is international Broadway star, Lea Salonga.Today, this house is owned by a Cebu-based company; it is building a tall structure at the back though they promised to keep the house intact.

RAFAEL YUTUC SR. HOUSE (Angeles City) 

Along Sto. Entierro St  stands the old Yutuc House, which once belonged to Rafael Yutuc  Sr., a pharmacist , and his wife Felixberta Dela Cruz. The house, which sits on a spacious 1,647 sq. m. lot, bears traces of its 19^th century beginnings. The senior Yutuc died at an early age and a son, Rafael Jr., with wife Carolina Dela Cruz, inherited the house.   Family lore has it that the residence was so beautiful that Juan Luna was moved to make a painting of it. The house has undergone many restorations, including one in 1923. A neighbor put up a funeral parlor business just across the house;  but  as the Yutuc children apparently could not stand having a front view to funeral wakes every day, they sold the house to the Lagunilla family. The new owners solved this problem by putting up a  high wall which unfortunately hides the house—now known as Casa Lagunilla-- from public appreciation.

MUNICIPAL HALL OF GUAGUA

The heritage town hall of Guagua where the mayor and other elected officials hold office, was built in 1937. It has kept most of its original features, which is remarkable for an 80 year old edifice built in the Commonwealth years. It stands on the grounds fronting Brgy. Plaza Burgos. The old statue of the patriotic writer, Aurelio Tolentino has been moved to the front of the municipal hall.

THE CHURCH COMPLEX OF INMACULADA CONCECPION (Guagua)

The first church edifice was constructed in 1587 but was unfortunately razed by fire. The current Church structure was constructed in 1772 under the administration of the Augustinians. The Church was greatly improved in 1862 until 1870. The interiors are simple and the centerpiece attraction is the main altar, a creation of noted local artist Willy Layug. While still simple, the exteriors on the other hand, are marked by massive strength. The Cathedral-type church is located immediately adjacent to the Guagua Municipal Building and houses the Cardinal Santos Catholic Center and the Immaculate Conception Parochial School.

THE CHURCH COMPLEX OF SAN BARTOLOME (Magalang)

The 19th-century baroque church of Magalang, dedicated to San Bartolome, is located at Brgy. San Nicolas I, Magalang. Around 1725,  the Magalang convent was exempted from paying its dues to the Augustinian province, thus allowing it to save up financial resources for the erection of a more permanent church structure.  The church, as we know it, was built by Fray Ramon Sarrionandia in 1866, with the finishing touches undertaken by Fray Fernando Vasquez, who had 2 bells installed.  In 1891,  Fray Toribio Fanjul renovated the church flooring and sacristy.

MUNICIPAL HALL OF MAGALANG

The Magalang Municipal Hall is a town landmark located across the Plaza de la Libertad. Its predecessor was the old Spanish era (ca. 1866) Casa Tribunal building built after the transfer of the town from San Bartolome. Made of light materials like nipa and bamboo, it was refurbished in 1875 during the tenure of gobernadorcillo Tereso Manalo, who had military barracks (cuartel) added. More improvements were initiated by Capitan Paulino Gueco in 1896, before the revolucionarios took over who used the municipio to detain  Fr. Pedro Diez Ubierna (the last Spanish priest of Magalang) and two Spaniards. The new edifice was built in 1922 , during the presidency of Antonio Y. Luciano, and was inaugurated 2 years later. The municipal building, which survived the war and other natural calamities, was declared an Important Cultural property in 2015.

MUNICIPAL HALL OF LUBAO

The Municipal Hall of Lubao, constructed around 1937 is one of the early concrete structures erected during the Commonwealth years. It was originally a 2-storey building with stairs at the sides that was expanded over the years, eventually acquiring a neo-classic look distinctively characterized by its massive frontal columns and clean, elegant lines. Much of its original features are intact—from its wooden flooring, balustrades to its offices. In march 2016, a new municipal hall costing Php14.7 million is envisioned to rise in an eight-hectare property along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Brgy. Santa Catalina in an area where the town traces its beginnings.

HELIOGRAPH TOWERS OF SAN ISIDRO AND STA. CRUZ (Magalang)

In Magalang, the remnants of two 20 meter high torre heliografico (heliographic towers)—one in Brgy. San Isidro, the other in Sta. Cruz--were declared as Important Cultural Properties in 2017. Of the two, the Sta. Cruz tower is better preserved—part of a series of more than 10 heliograph towers that were strategically located in Magalang, Mabalacat and Concepcio in Tarlac as stations of communications. Messages are transmitted through flashes of light generated in rapid succession by mirrors that are turned on an axis. Transmission of messages via mirror signaling was known and practiced by North American Indians.

MUNICIPIO DEL PUEBLO ANGELES

The town hall was constructed during the American regime, in 1922, under mayor Juan D. Nepomuceno, and was built from the original 1840 Casa Tribunal. A detachment of the Spanish Army occupied the Tribunal in 1897, and the Philippine Revolutionary Government took it after the Spaniards fled in 1898. It was in this building that the Americans installed Florentino Pamintuan as the town alcalde. During WWII, the Japanese used the town hall as a jail for American escapees from the Death March prior to their execution. Beginning 1999, the town hall has been converted into a museum, Museo ning Angeles, by the Kuliat Foundation. In June 2012, the Museo ning Angeles was declared an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines, the first  such structure to be given such a distinction.

SOURCES:

http://museoningangeles.blogspot.com/2008/01/heritage-sites.html

Mercado-Masnou House: The Officoial Website of Angeles City.

www.angelescity.gov.ph

Yutuc House/ Mariano Lacson House/ Yutuc House: Information and pictures c/o Joy L. Cruz

Heliograph Towers: Joel Pabustan Mallari / Louie Bartolo Lacson

Ciriaco de Miranda House: Nepomuceno, Marc: The Nepomucenos of Angeles City

Camalig: http://www.camalig.com/profile.html

Guagua Municipal Hall: Official website of Guagua, Pampanga, https://www.guagua.gov.ph/

Magalang Municipal Hall: http://iorbitnews.com/torre%E2%80%8B-%E2%80%8Bheliografico-san-bartolome-parish-church-magalang-municipal-hall-preserving-magalangs-cultural-treasures/

Magalang Church: Galende, Pedro G. (1996). Angels in Stone: Architecture of Augustinian Churches in the Philippines (2nd ed.). Manila, Philippines: San Agustin Museum. pp. 143–144

Lubao Municipal Hall: 1939 Lubao Town Fiesta souvenir program

Magalang Municipal Hall: Photo: iorbitnews

Municipio del Pueblo Angeles: http://mekeniman.blogspot.com/2013/05/20-heritage-district-of-angeles.html