Pampanga, Philippines

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

The name "La Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who found the early natives living near the river banks. It also served as the capital of the archipelago for two years from 1762–1764 during the British invasion of Manila. The word pampang, from which the province's name originates, means river bank. Its creation in 1571 makes it the first Spanish province on Luzon Island in the Philippines (Cebu, being the first settlement founded in 1565). The Province of Pampanga is the culinary capital of the Philippines.

Pampanga is served by the Clark International Airport, which is located at Clark Freeport Zone, some 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north of the provincial capital.

The province is home to two Philippine Air Force air bases, Basa Air Base in Floridabalanca, and Clark Air Base in Angeles City.

The province is also honored as one of the 8 rays of the sun in the national flag because of its revolt against the domination of Spaniards.

Map of the Philippines with Pampanga highlighted

History

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

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

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

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

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

 

Pampanga, 1899

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

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

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

Religions
 

Our Lady of Grace Parish in Mabalacat City, Pampanga

The province of Pampanga is composed of many religious groups but it is predominantly Roman Catholic, followed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the largest minority religion in the province. Pampanga boasts the very first ecclesiastical district (formerly called division) in INC history. The ecclesiastical district of Pampanga was established in 1924 and the district's main office is located in San Fernando, Pampanga. The province is also the main seat of the Members Church of God International colloquially called Ang Dating Daan where its headquarters is located in Apalit, Pampanga. Other prominent religious groups includeUnited Methodist, Church of the Nazarene, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus,Jesus is Lord Church, Seventh-day Adventist, Evangelicals, Islam, Aglipayan, Jesus Miracle Crusade and many other religious groups are also found and established in the province.

Economy
 

Farming and fishing are the two main industries of the province. Major products include rice, corn, sugar cane, and tilapia. In addition to farming and fishing, the province also supports thriving cottage industries that specialize in wood carving, furniture-making, guitars, and handicrafts. Every year during the Christmas season, the province of Pampanga becomes the center of a thriving industry centered on handcrafted lighted lanterns called "parols" that display a kaleidoscope of light and color. Other industries include its casket industry and the manufacturing of all purpose vehicles present in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas.

The province is famous for its sophisticated culinary industry. Kapampangans are well known for their culinary creations. Well known food products range from the ordinary to the exotic. Pampanga's Best and Mekeni Food are among the better known meat brands of the country producing Kapampangan favorites such as pork and chicken tocinos, beef tapa, hot dogs, andlonganizas (Philippine-style sausages and cured meats).

Speciality foods such as the siopao, pandesal, tutong, lechon (roasted pig) and its sarsa (sauce), are popular speciality foods in the region. The more exotic betute tugak (stuffed frog),kamaru (mole crickets) cooked ala adobo, bulanglang (pork cooked in guava juice), lechon kawali, and bringhe (a green sticky rice dish like paella) are a mainstay in Kapampangan feasts. Native sweets and delicacies like pastillas, turonnes de casuy, buro, are the most sought after by Filipinos including a growing number of tourists who enjoy authentic Kapampangan cuisine. The famous cookie in Mexico, Pampanga, Sanikulas, which is known as the mother of all Philippine cookies are one of the best and the best are made in Mexico, Pampanga by Mrs. Lillian Borromeo.

Tourism is a growing industry in the province of Pampanga. Clark Freeport is home to Clark International Airport, designated as the Philippines' future premier gateway.^{[citation needed]}. Other developing industries include semiconductor manufacturing for electronics and computers mostly located within the freeport.

Within the Clark Special Economic Zone are well established hotels and resorts. Popular tourist destinations in the province include: St. Peter Shrine in Apalit, Mt. Arayat National Park in San Juan Bano, Arayat, the Paskuhan Village in the City of San Fernando, the Casino Filipino in Angeles City, and for Nature and Wildlife "Paradise Ranch and Zoocobia Fun Zoo" in Clark. Well known annual events include the Giant Lantern Festival in December, the annual hot air balloon festival in Clarkfield during the month of February, the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites celebrated two days before Easter and the Aguman Sanduk in Minalin celebrated on the afternoon of New Year's Day.

Schools

International Schools
 

• Westfields International School, Angeles City
• Noblesse International School, Angeles City
• Saint Paul American School - Clark
• St. John Integrated School, (De La Salle Supervised) Angeles City
• Royal International School, Angeles City
• Pax et Lumen International Academy, Angeles City
• American International Learning Academy
• Walen International School
• Diamond Montessori School Incorporated
• Springhill Montessori School
• Stedar International Montessori
• Brightwoods School
• L'Altra Montessori
• Mount Zion Sanctuary International School Foundation, Inc., Angeles City
• Living Stone International School, Angeles City
• Global Standard English Language School
• Clark Education City, Clark
• Ivoline Clark
  
   

Colleges or Universities

 

Elementary and/or Secondary Schools

 

• Christian Charismatic Ecumenical Ministries International (CCEMI) Academy, Angeles City
• Pampanga Central High School and Elementary School, San Agustin, San Simon, Pampanga
• Don Bosco Academy Pampanga, Mabiga, Mabalacat City
• Holy Family Academy, Angeles City
• O.B. Montessori Center Inc., Angeles City, Angeles City
• Holy Family Child Formation Center, Inc.,Candaba, Pampanga
• Chevalier School, Angeles City
• Andres Luciano M. High School, San Pablo, Magalang, Pampanga
• Hillcrest Heights Institute, San Francisco, Magalang, Pampanga
• St. Nicholas Academy:CCEI Macabebe, Pampanga
• Dominican School Pampanga, San Matias Santa Rita, Pampanga
• St. Scholastica's Academy, City of San Fernando
• Justino Sevilla High School, Arayat, Pampanga
• Maccim Royal Academy, Lubao, Pampanga
• Narciso School Inc., Angeles City
• Pampanga High School, City of San Fernando
• San Fernando Elementary School
• Mabalacat National High School
• Heath's Montessori Elementary School
• Humphrey Foundation Learning Center, Plaridel II Subdivision, Angeles City
• Claro M. Recto Information Communication and Technology High School
• Infant Jesus Academy - Pilar Village, City of San Fernando
• Philippine Science High School Central Luzon Campus, Clark Freeport Zone
• Don Teodoro V. Santos Institute, Mabalacat City
• Lubao Institute (LI - Established 1929)
• Jesus is Lord Christian School - San Agustin, San Fernando, Pampanga
• St. Anthony Academy - Guagua,Pampanga (Located at the boundary of Sta Monica Lubao and San Antonio Guagua - since 1971
• St. Mary's Academy - Guagua, Pampanga (also known as Sacred Heart Academy) - since 1908
• Sta Cruz Academy - Sta Cruz Lubao, Pampanga
• Sta Cruz National Highschool - Sta Cruz Lubao, Pampanga
• Holy Cross Institute - Sta Cruz Lubao, Pampanga
• Planas Elementary School
• Assumpta Technical High School-Assumption Pampanga, Religious of the Assumption, San Simon
• Pampanga Institute - Masantol, Pampanga
• St. Augustine Academy of Pampanga, Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial High School, Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Gutad High School, Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Don Antonio Lee Chi Uan Integrated School(Xevera Pampanga)-Bacolor, Pampanga
• Montessori de Xevera - Mabalacat City, Pampanga
• Montessori School of Saint Nicholas - Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga
• Angeles City Sped Center - Angeles City, Pampanga
• Floridablanca Elementary School, Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Cabetican Elementary School, Bacolor, Pampanga
• San Vicente Pilot School for Philippine Craftsmen [NVSAA], Bulaon Resettlement, City of San Fernando http://bradpetehoops.blogspot.com/2013/11/san-vicente-pilot-school-for-philippine.html
• BAGTECH [NVSAA], San Juan, Apalit
• FNAS [NVSAA], Floridablanca
• Potrero High School, Bulaon Resettlement, City of San Fernando
• Malino High School, San Jose Malino, Mexico, Pampanga 
• Information and Communication Technology High School, Sindalan, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
• Santa Rita Catholic School, Santa Rita
• EZEE Center for the Arts & School Inc.
• Santa Rita College Integrated School, Santa Rita
• Lourdes School of Pampanga, San Roque Dau 2nd Lubao, Pampanga
• Pampanga Agricultural College - High School, Magalang
• Sto. Rosario High School - Minalin
• Angeles City Science High School
• Achievers Special Education
• Minalin Central Elementary School - Minalin
• Porac Model Community High School - Porac
• Holy Rosary Academy - Lubao, Pampanga(Established 1950)
• Republic Central Colleges, Angeles City
• Sta Monica de Minalin Montessori School, Minalin Pampanga
• Magalang Christian Ecumenical School, Magalang
• Planas High School - Planas, Porac, Pampanga
• Arayat Holy Child Educational Foundation Inc. Arayat, Pampanga
• St. Augustine Academy of Pampanga, Floridablanca, Pampanga
• Mabiga Elementary School, Mabiga, Mabalacat City
• Basic Thoughts Learning Center, Mexico, Pampanga
• Claro M Recto Information and Communication Technology High School, Angeles City
• Colegio de San Lorenzo Pampanga Campus - Macabebe
• Psalms Academy of Pampanga, Inc. - Guagua
• School of St. Brother Benilde- De La Salle Supervised,Mexico, Pampanga
• Don Jesus Gonzales Highschool, Mexico, Pampanga
• Magalang Institute, Magalang, Pampanga
• Little Saint's School, Magalang, Pampanga
• St. Bernice School, Magalang, Pampanga
• Golden Vine Center For Child Care and Development, Magalang, Pampanga
• Bucanan Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga
• San Miguel Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga
• San Francisco Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga
• San Pablo Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga
• Hillcrest Baptist Academy, Angeles City, Pampanga
• Nazarene Academy, Angeles City, Pampanga
• Apalit Christian Ecumenical School, Apalit, Pampanga
• City College of Angeles, Angeles City
• Pandan Elementary School, Pandan Angeles City.
• San Ignacio Elementary School, San Ignacio Pandan, Angeles City.
• Francisco G. Nepomuceno Memorial High School, Pandan Angeles City.
• Duquit High School, Brgy. Duquit, Mabalacat City
• Madapdap Resettlement National High School, Mabalacat City
• Guillermo D. Mendoza High School, Guagua
• Holy Cross, sta ana
• Sta Ana Elementary School, Sta Ana
• Diosdado Macapagal High School, Mexico
• Saint Mary's Angels College of Pampanga, Sta Ana
• Mexico National High School, Mexico
• Magalang Central School, Magalang
• Balitucan National High School, San Ildefonso, Magalang
• Turu Elementary School, Turu, Magalang
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Natural parks
 

Pinatubo Crater Lake

• Mt. Arayat National Park (Arayat)
• Scenic Candaba Swamps and Wild Duck & Birds Sanctuary (Candaba)
• Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake (Pampanga/Tarlac/Zambales)
• Dara Falls (Porac) - Pampanga's version of the Pagsanjan Falls of Laguna
• Miyamit Falls & Porac Peak (Porac)
• Hot Spring of Sitio Puning (Porac via Sapang Bato, Angeles City)
• Cong Dadong Dam (Arayat)
• Maruring Falls (Mabalacat)
• Lahar Canyon (Porac & Bacolor)
• Muñoz Park - (Minalin)
  
  
  
  
  
  SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampanga