114. 9 TAMBAY SPOTS IN PAMPANGA

Pampanga has been on the tourist map staple for a long, long time. Known for the majestic cooking of its people and its astonishing mix of country and cityscapes, the province also offers casual hangout spots perfect for the chill days, may it be for tourists or even locals.

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1. PORAC BAYWALK PARK, Porac

The serene Porac river view plus the fresh breeze of air is the perfect equation of a “tambay” spot. Porac Baywalk Park, also known as Porac Babo Robot, turns into a lively night market by sunset that offers the local flavors of Pampanga. With both tourists and locals enjoying the delicate Porac riverscape, various activities by the local government of Porac are held in this place throughout the year.

Photo from: Porac Government Page

2. MINALIN SUNSET PARK, Minalin

Situated between Minalin’s proud vast fish ponds, Sunset Park is an up and coming destination in the north of Pampanga. If you’re looking to spend the afternoon lazing around, watching the sunset and mingling with people, Sunset Park is a must visit. With expansion plans from the government, Minalin is looking to expand this beautiful stretch into an entertainment hub for the locals and tourists to enjoy in the future.

                                  Photo from: Sunstar 

3. CAPITAL TOWN, City of San Fernando

Capital Town is the best hang out spot if you want to experience both tradition and modernity at once. Situated along Capitol Boulevard in the heart of San Fernando, Pampanga. One of the most famous places to visit in Capital Town is the largest McDonald's branch in the Philippines; more importantly, this branch accommodates parks with traditional carriage, food carts selling low-cost street foods, and more. This hangout spot is undoubtedly among the best options for those on a tight budget. All you need to do is bring your picnic blanket and enjoy the fun experience at Capital Town.

                                 Photo from: Mega World

4. THE ORCHID GARDEN RESORT, City of San Fernando

The Jewel of San Fernando is only a short drive away from Capital Town and is one of the must-visit destinations when the ber-months approach. The Christmas Village Pampanga, which is part of The Orchid Resort, brings holiday fantasies to life with displays including nativity scenes, Santa's workshop, lights illuminating every corner, and special activities that can create cherished memories with your family. During the regular days, The Christmas Village turns into a resort and a recreational park that offers scenic dining experiences with its wide range of restaurants and establishments inside.

                                  Photos from: The Orchids Gardens

5. CLARK PARADE GROUNDS, Mabalacat

A place full of historical upbringing and a symbolic reminder of Philippines-United States friendship over the years, now serves as a park with natural scenery for families to enjoy. Clark Parade Grounds has made significant strides and now provides ideal leisure activities like jogging, biking, strolling, and picnics. The greenery and abundance of open spaces at Clark Parade Grounds made it one of the greatest places to unwind and chill out with your loved ones.

                                 Photo from: Feliix Inc.

6. BAMBOO HUB ECO PARK, Lubao

The Bamboo Hub Eco Park in Lubao, Pampanga serves as a hub for bamboo cultivation with its unique and environmentally-focused design to promote sustainable practices. Visitors can learn about the different species of bamboo, its ecological benefits, and how it can be used for various purposes. The park plays a part in reforestation efforts, encouraging the use of bamboo as a sustainable alternative to deforestation practices. Bamboo's ability to quickly grow and stabilize the soil makes it ideal for preventing erosion and improving biodiversity.

                                 Photo from: Pelago

7. CLARK GLOBAL CITY / WEST AERO PARK, Clark Freeport Zone

This area looks like a normal gasoline station full of car dealerships, but at night, this is where the car enthusiasts or “tambay” near Clark hang out. Clark Global City was a go-to place for Gen z’s, millennials, and even boomers when they wanted to chill out with their Barkadas, flexing their cars while drinking beer on their open trunks and camp chairs.

                                 Photo from: Skyscraper City Forum

8. NORTHWALK CLARK / SF2, Clark Freeport Zone

If you want to witness planes take off and land while drinking beer with your friends this tambay spot is for you. Due to its spacious parking lots, it’s been a go-to chill spot for different generations. The illuminating lights at night give a serene and comforting place for barkadas to sit, drink, and have deep conversations.

                                  Photo from: Foursquare

9. TABNUAN CULTURAL CENTER, Mabalacat, Xevera

Just February of last year, another hangout or chill spot in the outskirts of Pampanga emerged. Tabnuan Cultural Center is not only a heritage spot to visit but also a tambay must-see as it houses a magnificent view of Mabalacat City and offers a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city scene. Tabnuan is quite literally tambay-material with wide space and the fact that the name literally means “meeting place.” Various food stalls, local merchandise and affordable coffee hosted by Cafe Municipio will surely make your tambay more worthwhile. While you’re there, Balacat Tea is a must try!

                                            Photo from: Mabalacat City News Facebook

They introduce a new concept of these places may not be your usual tourist spots but they introduce a new concept of relaxation, not only for the locals but tourists as well.

P.S: This was made by Center for Kapampangan Studies interns who love to tambay.

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

82. 20 TOWN BOOTHS AT THE 1933 PAMPANGA CARNIVAL

Pampanga’s peacetime years were a period of plenty for the province, making it the richest market outside of Manila. To celebrate the advancements made by the province, the Pampanga Carnival Fair and Exposition was held from April 22-May 6, 1933 at the San Fernando Capitol grounds. “The greatest concourse of people on the island of Luzon”—was more than a display of prosperity; it was also meant to be a concrete expression of local autonomy in keeping with the principles of a truly democratic government. Almost all  21 towns of Pampanga came to participate. With the exception of Lubao, each town had an art deco-inspired booth, in the grand tradition of the national Manila Carnival of the Commonwealth years. Prizes were given to the best and most creatively-decorated booths, shown on this spread.

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SOURCE:

Pampanga Social Directory, 1933. 

80. 15 KAPAMPANGAN PLACES, THEIR MONICKERS AND MOTTOS

The use of short descriptive phrases--sobriquets, nicknames, monickers-- to describe places goes a long way back in history. "Pearl of the Orient" (Perla del Oriente) was first used in 1571 for Manila, now used as a sobriquet for the whole country. Central Luzon, which includes Pampanga, was dubbed as the "Rice Granary of the Philippines". Pampanga, of course, lays claim to the title of "Culinary Capital of the Philippines". Not all place nicknames, however, are positive in nature-- some are insulting, some amusing, many hilarious --but this naming tradition lives on today. Recently, town mottos, too, are being appended to rally people to support their municipality's vision/mission. 

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ANGELES CITY

Angeles earned its reputation as a center of entertainment with the rise of its barangay, Balibago as a recreation and leisure hub for serving both American and local patrons. The city’s proximity to Clark Air Base jumpstarted the establishments of night clubs, pubs, bars and gambling dens which lined the main avenue of Balibago, as well as the nearby perimeter roads known as Fields and Friendship Avenue. The entertainment strip was lit with neon marquees with Las Vegas inspired names such as Copa Cabana, Nina’s Papagayo, Little brown Jug, and Tropicana. Like Los Angeles, it was dubbed as the “City of Angels”, as it was named for both the founder (Angel Pantaleon de Miranda) and titular patrons  (Los Angeles Custodios).  The Casino Filipino, run by PAGCOR, is also located in Balibago.

“Abe-abe…Saup-saup…Agyu Tamu!” (Together...Helping Each Other...We Can!)

APALIT 

Apalit is the last town of Pampanga as one goes south to Manila, hence its nickname. The town is also famous for its long tradition in blacksmithing, and  the best bolos are said to come from Apalit. Today, th town doe not only produce bladed weapons like machetes and knives, but also domestic steel tools like rakes, hoes, anvils, picks, shovels and garden implements.

“Aplit…Apalit!” (Quicken the Pace...Apalit!)

BACOLOR

Like the ancient capital of Greece—Athens—Bacolor was the undisputed seat of arts and culture of the province, with the highest concentration of poets, artists, zarzuela performers, musicians, singers and writers. Bacolor is the proud home of such literary greats  as Juan Crisostomo Soto, Felix Galura, Luisa Gonzaga de Leon, Jose Gutierrez David, Mariano Proceso Pabalan Byron, Anselmo Fajardo, Zoilo Hilario, among others. Bacolor was also the country’s capital for two years during the Spanish colonial times when Manila was invaded by the British.

“Pluribus Unum, Non Plus Ultra" (Out of Many, No Further and Beyond)”

CAPAS

Capas is one of the richest, most historic towns of Tarlac,  the final site of the infamous Bataan Death March. It is a trekkers’ and mountaineers’ paradise as the challenging Mount Pinatubo treks were first offered by this town, which today continues to  attract thousands of tourists every year, unprecedented in number. This accounts for its latest nicknames as Tarlac’s tourism capital.

"Paspas..Capas!" (Make Haste, Capas!)

DAU

Camp Stotsenburg established its  Post Exchange in Dau, which presaged its rise from a barrio of Mabalacat to  the country's PX capital in the 70s. With the relaxation of Clark rules, PX goods flowed out of the base in abundance, to be resold later in stores  that quickly sprouted like mushrooms along MacArthur Highway of Dau. The completion of the North Expressway that linked Dau to Manila facilitated the great American experience as visitors trooped to Dau to buy Pringles, Oreos, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Hershey’s Chocolates, Almond Rocha, Hanes and Fruit of the Loom shirts, imported rubber shoes, branded cosmetics, apples and grapes, among others. The reversal of fortune began with the departure of American servicemen facilitated by the Pinatubo eruption of 1991. Business took a turn for the worse when PX Clubs opened at Clark-which extended PX shopping privileges to Filipinos.  Today, Dau shops continue to flourish, with toilet fixtures, military uniforms, various tools, and used surplus items replacing the once in-demand PX goods.

FLORIDABLANCA

The third largest municipality in the province has so much potential waiting to be untapped that the municipal government came up with a kilometric monicker for the province that reads more like a vision.

“Abe-abe king Panyulung!” (Together in Advancement)

LUBAO

The ancient town of Lubao (old name: Baba) has the sole distinction of producing two presidents: Diosdado Pangan Macapagal (b. Sep. 28, 1910/d. Apr. 21, 1997), who served from 1961-1965 as our ninth President, and daughter Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ( b.Apr. 5, 1947 ), who was our 14th President,  from 2001 until 2010.

MABALACAT

Over 97% of Clark Economic Zone is on Mabalacat land, hence the claim as Clarks economic breadbasket. ‘Makati of the North’ is a monicker coined by the long-running Morales Administration, which came across as too pretentious. The only similarity is, like the Binays of Makati, Morales’ term was a long one, stepping down only 2017, after 22 years in power. The Kamikaze monicker is in reference to the Divine Wind suicide attacks of Japan that was planned in the home of local Mabalacat resident,  Marcos Santos, during the last years of World War II.

“Misanmetung, Mabalacat! (United for once, Mabalacat!)

MACABEBE

In the art of peddling, perhaps no one can compare to the selling skills of the Macabebe cloth vendors. In fact, Macabebe takes pride in being called “Home of the Peddlers”, a reputation built by these native vendors who roamed across the Archipelago, travelling on foot and in groups of two or more, selling the famous ‘Macabebe cloth’—actually, Manila-bought fabrics. These humble, hardworking cloth vendors infused a lot of money into their town and in the 1930s, were largely responsible for pumping up Macabebe’s economy.

"Memalen Macabebe, tapat makiabe!" (Macabebe townfolks are loyal friends)

MAGALANG

Magalang aspires to become the sweet tamarind capital of the Philippines through a locally-propagated tamarind variety known as Aglibut. The late Professor Andres Aglibut, a consultant of Pampanga Agricultural College, successfully developed a  sampaluk type noted for it sour-sweet taste and juicy dark brown flesh. This is in consonance with the town’s “farm tourism” program which aims to revitalize the farm industry of this scenic, agricultural town.

“One Magalang! Metung King Panyulung!” (One Magalang, One in our Stride to Progress)

MINALIN

The town is known as the "Egg Basket of Central Luzon" because of its large scale production of eggs and chickens. According to the municipal government, Minalin earns P30 million per month or P1 million per day from the sales of eggs. There are 22 poultry raisers who own around 280,000 chickens. These chickens produce 479,100 eggs per day. So important is this egg industry that a laying chicken is even included in its town seal.

SAN FERNANDO

The capital city of San Fernando is popularly known as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines" because of its traditional giant Christmas lantern industry. The establishment of the Paskuhan Village in 1990 served to reinforce its image, but the lantern-shaped complex folded up after the Pinatubo eruption and fell into disarray. Its Giant Lantern Festival held every December remains the city’s biggest attraction, in which the city’s barangays field their biggest and brightest lantern in a friendly competition attended by thousands of local and international tourists.

SAN LUIS

San Luis’ most famous son is the Huk Supremo, Luis Mangalus Taruc, who was born in the barrio of sta. Monica, of peasant parents on June 21, 1913. Following the Japanese invasion, Taruc formed the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon), along with Casto Alejandrino and other guerillas, in central Luzon in 1942.  San Luis became one of the hotbeds of Huk activities in the 50s and 60s. in 2017, Taruc was recognizedas a hero by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) for his role the struggle for  agrarian reforms.

SANTA RITA

Sugarcane was the cash crop that made Pampanga so rich, Sta. Rita included. The town is famous for its sweet delicacies-- turrones de casuy (wafer paper-wrapped cashew nougats) and sans rival (rich pastry made with layers of buttercream, meringue, and chopped cashew nuts). Ocampo-Lansang made these treats famous, and which in turn, gave the town’s nickname.

 “Sesen taya ing Santa Rita” (Let's care for Sta. Rita)

SANTO TOMAS

Santo Tomas is the smallest town of Pampanga but it has many unique homegrown industries like red clay pottery and funeral casket-making. The latter products are known for their beauty and fine quality,  made by craftsmen from about 100 registered enterprises, not to mention 200 backyard producers.  Its nickname as the casket capital of the country was given by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the 1980s, and its reputation shows no sign of waning. It is estimated currently, that 40% of the town depends on the coffin-making industry. It has been the tradition of Sto. Tomas town to donate coffins to affected provinces during times of calamities.

SOURCES:

List of city and municipality nicknames in the Philippines, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_city_and_municipality_nicknames_in_the_Philippines#Central_Luzon

Angeles: https://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=File:Welcome_to_Angeles_City,_Pampanga.jpg

Apalit: https://www.zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=File:Goodbye_Arc_of_San_Juan,_Apalit,_Pampanga.jpg

Bacolor: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jf7717San_Fernando,_Pampanga_Welcome_Arch_Bacolorfvf_26.JPG

Capas: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CapasNationalShrinejf4224_13.JPG

Dau: Photo by Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon

Floridablanca: www.pampangatalents.com

Lubao: http://www.wikiwand.com/tl/Lubao,_Pampanga

Mabalacat: https://pam.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabalacat_Lakanbalen#/media/File:Mabalacat_1.JPG

Macabebe: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FvfMacabebe9799_08.JPG

Magalang: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:7217jfSan_Jose_Welcome_Arch_Magalang_Pampangafvf_14.JPG

Minalin: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:09844jfRiverside_Districts_Santa_Rita_Santo_Tomas_Minalin_Welcome_Pampanga_villagesfvf_05.JPG

San Fernando: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jf7717San_Fernando,_Pampanga_Welcome_Arch_Bacolorfvf_12.JPG

Photo: by Chris Navarro,

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/images/2016/11/03/christmas-capital-507377

Sta.Rita: https://www.facebook.com/malauscasantaritapampanga/photos/a.807974675886366.1073741829.749594908391010/2051567958193692/?type=3&theater

 Sto. Tomas: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:09929jfExterior_Diosdado_Macapagal_Santo_Tomas_Pampanga_Municipal_Hallfvf_14.jpg