Lakbay Norte 8 Goes to Pamintuan Mansion in Angeles | Pampanga

 

The last several years has seen the city of Angeles in Pampanga shred its red-light reputation by showcasing its rich culinary culture and heritage. The result is a newfound interest by tourists to explore many of its nook and crannies to satisfy not only the appetite for food but also of historical curiosities. One of the popular places to visit in Angeles City’s heritage district is the Pamintuan Mansion.

Lakbay Norte participants poses in front of the Pamintuan Mansion

Built in the 1880’s by Mariano Pamintuan and Valentino Torres, the house became a setting to some of the country’s notable events. First, as a secret hideout of the Katipunan towards the end of the Spanish colonial period and a little later, a headquarters of General Antonio Luna. 

Stairway to the historic mansion

During the Philippine - American war, the mansion became the seat of the government of the First Philippine Republic following General Emilio Aguinaldo's decision to move the capital from Kawit, Cavite to Angeles City, Pampanga.

Channeling the Don owner of a pre-war Pamintuan Mansion

It was from the window of the Pamintuan Mansion where Aguinaldo watched a military parade on the eve of the first anniversary of the Philippine Independence on June 11, 1899. The next day, the anniversary was celebrated at the nearby Holy Rosary Church.

Wooden and olden furniture remans a sight to behold

On November 1899, the city fall under the hands of the Americans and the Pamintuan mansion was used as a residence of General Douglas MacArthur.

The Holy Rosary Church

During World War II, the mansion was used by the Japanese Imperial Army to house some officers and Kamikaze pilots. Following the war, it became a clubhouse of the United States Organization for a few years before it became a small bed and breakfast hotel. The mansion was sold by the Pamintuans in 1959 until the local government of Pampanga leased it.

This stair leads to the rooftop

In the early 1980s, it became a branch of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas until it was turned over to the National Historical Commission on June 17, 2010 and part of the house was transformed into a social science museum.

A Throwback to Magnificent Architecture

At first glance, the mansion's many curves and thin pillars will arrest your attention as it instantly reminds you of similar 19^th century homes built during the Spanish occupation. After follow-up research, I would learn that the house was inspired by the houses in Toledo, Spain heavily influenced by Moorish architecture.

Karla Ramos of @karlaroundtheworld

An outer stairwell leads visitors to the main door where another grand staircase will take you to the second floor. Inside, you will find nine galleries showcasing historic items such as traditional clothing, artworks and other artifacts depicting the social history of the Philippines—thus it being called as the Museum of Philippine Social History.

The rooftop dishes a view of the surrounding area

Around the vast interior of the house, you can still see several antiquated wooden furniture, art nouveau-framed old family photographs of the Pamintuans, carved figures, ivory stones and religious statues. A smaller spiral staircase opens to a rooftop tower that serves as a veranda where you can view the town scene.  

For an old house more than a hundred-year-old, the Pamintuan Mansion is very well-maintained considering the several times it changed ownerships and the colorful history it witnessed. If only the walls of the Pamintuan Mansion could talk, it’ll surely go on and on telling endless stories.

Lakbay Norte 8 Familiarization Tour was organized by North Philippines Visitors Bureau(NPVB) and NLEX Corporation.