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Food and nightlife are the two most famous attractions that Angeles City has to offer, but being tagged as the country’s culinary capital and entertainment hub doesn’t give enough justice to the city. Unknown to many is the richness and significance in history behind this urban façade. Take the time and visit the sites where Philippine history actually took place.
Founders’ Residence (Bale Matua)
The house is the oldest building in Angeles City. It was home to the founder of the city, Don Angel Pantaleón de Miranda, and his wife, Doña Rosalia de Jesus. Its heavy ornate gate and high stone walls epitomize the architecture and ancestry of the city.
Old Pamintuan Residence
It was the home of the first Philippine Republic headed by General Emilio Aguinaldo from May to July 1899. It also served as a residence of the famous World War II General Douglas MacArthur’s father, Major General Arthur MacArthur, Jr., when he surveyed the Philippine insurrection during the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. It is now the Central Bank of the Philippines in Central Luzon.
Holy Rosary Church
October 18, 1877 is marked as the date this historical landmark broke ground. Constructed as a permanent church structure, it was made with strong materials by Filipino peasants under an imposed forced labor system of the Spanish colonial government. It still stands today of basically the same structure.
Post Office Building (Deposito)
The building was constructed win 1899 as a venue to receive deposits of religious statues and carriages for the Catholic Church. During the American occupation, it served as the headquarter of the 11th Film Exchange Army, then as a jailhouse for US troops during the Philippine-American War. On February 6, 1967, the building became the Angeles City Post Office, and is presently the Angeles Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Center.
Camalig
It was built in 1840 as a grain storehouse by the Don Ciriaco de Miranda, the first town head of Angeles. In 1980, Armando Nepomuceno restored the facility as a restaurant while preserving its antique structure. It is now Armando’s Pizza and Camalig Restaurant, known for serving a local version of the Italian pizza.
Holy Family Academy Building
This former US Army military hospital of 1900 also later served as troop barracks, officers’ quarters and arsenal by the Japanese Imperial Military Forces in 1942.
Museo ning Angeles
This former municipal hall is presently a venue for exhibits and events on local history, culture, and tradition.
Bale Herencia
It is an ancient home built in 1960, made with wood panels and window pane shells (kapis). The purpose of its construction is controversial as it is stated in many chronicles that it was built for the mistress of a parish priest. It is now a banquet hall with the same façade as the original house.
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE (formerly Clark Air Base)
It used to the largest US military base and air field outside the United States mainland. Most of the American soldiers fled home as the base was shut down after 100 hundred years of occupation during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, but many have chosen to retire in what they have considered their new home.
Clark is now an economic haven. Through the international airport within its walls, you can have access to investment opportunities as well as leisure and entertainment. It houses hundreds of local and foreign investment companies, and several call centers. Also making your visit to Clark worthwhile are world-class hotels, resorts, golf courses, casinos, and restaurants.
Fort Stotsenburg
It was established by the US Cavalry as the American forces’ first permanent headquarters in Angeles City in 1903. It is a large grass open field that also became a venue for concerts, sports events, and celebrations by the Americans. The field now known as the Parade Grounds is well-maintained for visitors and is still surrounded by the old homes known as barn houses.
Salakot Arch
This landmark is a specially constructed structure along the gateway of Clark. The design of the salakot (native hat) is symbolic of the historical signing of Philippine and United States Military Bases Agreement in 1979 that strengthened Fil-Am government alliance and relations.
Clark Museum
With a visual historical tour of the US military occupation in the Philippines, the museum exhibits Clark from a US military base through its evolution and progression to an Asian economic hub. The transition is observed through photos, paintings, dioramas, artifacts, and other multimedia artworks.
Expo Pilipino
It is a 60-hectare entertainment park which held the commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence from the 300-year Spanish colonial rule. Now, it is a popular concert venue for local and international artists with its 35,000-seating capacity amphitheater. Ecumenical services and political rallies are also held here.
Nayong Pilipino
It is 3.5-hectare theme park extension of the Expo Pilipino, which offers a glimpse of Filipino history and culture. It features miniature replicas of famous historical landmarks all over the Philippines. It is also a venue for socio-cultural presentations through the performing arts as dances, musicals, and stage plays.
Angeles City
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