When I first
started traveling around Southeast Asia, I encountered travelers who had
explored tri-cities or even provinces. This was because countries such as
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and even Laos have
established tourism circuits that not only attract travelers to stay in one
place but also encourage them to explore nearby regions.
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| The rich culture of provinces in Region 3 were highlighted during the 3-day Philippine Experience Tour |
Here in the
Philippines, travelers also have many options for exploring a whole region
rather than limiting themselves to just a couple of cities or a single
province. In the Cordillera region, you can easily hop from one bus to another,
making your way to Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, and Kalinga, with the
adventure extending even further to Abra and Apayao.
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| The Philippine Experience tour included culture, gastronomy and adventure |
The Philippines, an
archipelago of thousands of islands and 18 administrative regions, offers an
abundant array of culture, traditions, history, and gastronomy. Every traveler,
whether from abroad or a local, is encouraged to probe into each region to truly
appreciate the lively variation that this remarkable country has to offer.
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| and unique wellness activities |
In line with this,
the Department of Tourism launched the Philippine Experience Program to create
a tourism circuit per region in hopes that travelers will begin using these
trails to explore not only the already popular destinations in the country but
also the different heritage, culture, cuisine, and arts that exists in
different corners of the Philippines.
What is the
#PhilippineExperience Program?
The Philippine
Experience program is a Department of Tourism (DOT) cultural tourism flagship project
aimed at expanding on current tour and domestic circuit by promoting the
establishment of a cultural tourism itinerary centered on heritage, culture,
and the arts. The route features food and gastronomy, pilgrimage and wellness,
living cultures and heritage, and an arts caravan.
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| The Philippine Experience Central Luzon opening ceremony held at Bataan Tourism Center |
After concluding
the Philippine Experience series in the regions of Calabarzon, Western Visayas,
Soccskargen, Caraga, Cordillera, Davao, Palawan, Region 10, Bicol Region, and
the Zamboanga Peninsula, the caravan traveled to Central Luzon covering the
provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac.
Together with
invited tourism shareholders, members of the media and social media
influencers, as well as diplomats from Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, the
Philippine Experience convoy sped through the five provinces of Central Luzon
to design a new route that domestic and international tourists can follow to
explore the region's diverse attractions, satisfying their sense of adventure,
hunger for new experiences, and need for visual and intellectual stimulation.
World War II
History and Ancestral Homes in Bataan
Our first stop is
in the province that has since become synonymous with World War II bravery,
Bataan. What better way to kickstart learning history than a visit to Mount Samat National Shrine. The participants were joined by Department of
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who graced a ceremonial laying of
flowers in honor of the memories of Filipino and American soldiers who died
fighting the Imperial Japanese Army, especially during their gallant stand in
the Battle of Bataan from January 7 to April 9, 1942.
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| Mount Samat National Shrine |
The Shrine features
a 312-foot cross, which serves as the centerpiece highlight. On its base is a
sculptured brass door created by National Artist Napoleon Abueva that once led
to an elevator used to transport visitors to a viewing gallery situated in the
arms of the cross.
Another set of
Abueva's creations can be seen on the base of the cross, up to its 36-foot
height, depicting images from Philippine history. A spacious mowed park based
on the original landscape design of Dolly Quimbo-Perez surrounds the cross
designed by Lorenzo del Castillo, and a stair leading to a museum and
marble-clad colonnade. In 1968, Cenon Rivera created a three-piece stained
glass artwork, Supreme Sacrifice, Call to Arms, and Peace, which now stands
behind an altar table inside the colonnade. One part of the walls carries an
engraved narrative of the Bataan Battle.
The rest of
Napoleon Abueva’s Mount Samat National Shrine creations covers the outer side
with 19 high-relief sculptures, while Talleres de Maximo Vicente, Leonides
Valdez, and Angel Sampra and Sons alternately depict the war with 18 bronze
insignia of USAFFE Division units.
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| Guests are welcomed with a cultural performance |
For lunch, we head
over to, or should I say, went back in time to 19th century Philippines by
visiting Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, where the
heritage resort’s dancers arrested our attention in between bites of the
sumptuous dishes by showcasing traditional Filipino dances such as tinikling,
singkil, an ethnic Maranao royal dance, and maglalatik, a folk dance where male
performers employ coconut half shells installed in their hands and bodies into
the choreography.
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| The old houses in Las Casas came from many places all over Luzon |
During my previous
visit, I experienced mixed emotions towards Las Casas due to their practice of
removing the original location's context by relocating old houses onto their
property. Recent developments, like the demolition of an old ancestral house in
Laguna to make room for a new McDonald's branch, seemed to gradually change
that. Commercial development, on top of other factors like the inability of
original owners to maintain such an old house, the lack of support from the
LGUs, and all that, contributes to the decay of ancestral homes everywhere.
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| One of my favorite houses |
I've come to
believe that instead of leaving these houses to the whims of time, decay, and
abandonment, we now have the choice to uproot them, wood by wood, stone by
stone, and rebuild them somewhere they would receive constant care.
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| Stepping back in time |
Following our
lunch, we were led to a walking tour around the property visiting a few of the more
than 60 old houses spread around. Our stops include tiptoeing inside the Casa
Ladrillo, whose brick outer walls reminds you of many old churches, but the
grand bathtubs inside will wow your mind. Next was Casa Lubao. Dr. Wenceslao
Vitug and Juanita Arrastria originally built this circa 1920 house in Lubao,
Pampanga. The couple is said to have helped in the schooling of a certain “poor
boy from Lubao” named Diosdado Macapagal.
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| The church that was modeled from Spanish-era churches |
A few strides led
us to the white-painted Casa Jaen, which was an old ancestral home of the
Esquivel family in Nueva Ecija before it was transferred to Las Casas, while
Casa San Miguel, one of the houses where guests can stay as it can accommodate
12 people, and Casa Byzantina completed our walking tour.
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| Estero Binondo recreated |
This was followed
by a balsa tour beginning at the mouth of Umagol River and passing through a
re-creation of Estero Binondo, a hub of economic activity in Manila's past.
Along the way, we stopped on a miniature dock by the banks of the river to
visit another house, the Casa San Juan, which is said to be one of the most
accurately reconstructed houses at Las Casas, having used around 80% of its
original materials that have been well preserved, such as door moldings, wooden
wall tassels, ceiling decor, and other carvings. This heritage house was
originally built by Don Eulogio Magtibay and Doña Rufina Mercado, who then
handed it to their daughter Soledad Sales-Magtibay before she married Liberal
Party stalwart Atty. Lorenzo Hernandez.
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| Cultural performance continues inside Hotel de Oriente, a recreation of the earliest luxury hotel in Binondo |
To date, there are
almost 20 heritage houses that can host guests, and these include Casa Bonita,
Casa Lemery, Casa Terraza, Casa Esquina, Casa Baliuag, and Casa Meycauyan, just
to name a few.
Sunset Cruise over
Subic Bay
With the beaches of
Zambales gaining popularity and surfing in Liwliwa in the town of San Felipe
becoming a sought-after experience next to the likes of Siargao, Baler, and La
Union, and other known spots in the province like Anawangin Cove, Magalawa Island,
Lake Mapanuepe just to state a few, it was a smart move to highlight the
experience of a sunset cruise on a yacht in Subic Bay instead. This
serene activity offered us participants a delightful way to conclude the first
day of the Philippine Experience Central Luzon leg.
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| The other participants aboard a smaller yacht |
As the sun sank
over Subic Bay, capping off a magnificent day filled with laughter and joy, the
guests enjoyed charcuterie and cocktail snacks while chatting casually and
getting to know each other over the course of the boat ride.
Next on our
itinerary involves an alfresco dining setup on the grounds of Adventure Cove,
which in itself is another Subic destination favorite since it offers plenty of
room for families and groups of friends to play in nature.
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| Kapampangan Biringhe is a local Paella made with glutinous rice, chicken, veggies, and coconut milk |
At this venue,
attendees were captivated by a cultural performance and LED light dance while
they enjoyed a buffet that catered to meat eaters and vegetarians alike,
featuring a variety of beloved Zambales delicacies.
Gastronomy, Art,
Wellness and Christmas Feels in Pampanga
The beginning of
our second day began with an exhilarating 4x4 ride to Puning Hot Spring.
The route wound its way through a breathtaking landscape formed by the lahar
that flowed from Mount Pinatubo during its eruption in 1991, providing a
picturesque backdrop to the incredible scenery. From sandy dunes to flowing
river streams, we were captivated by the stunning natural surroundings framed
by towering, jagged rock formations and the lush forests of the mountains,
making our journey to the hot spring truly unforgettable.
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| The thrilling ride to Puning Hot Springs |
For an hour, we soaked our weary legs in the knee-deep hot spring pools perched on the upper side of a hill. After that, we enjoyed a hot sand spa with a mud pack, where we found ourselves covered with sand up to our necks while laying down, allowing our bodies to absorb the hot temperature and the sand's energy, resulting in a soothing feeling.
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| Buried bodies |
For the first time, I found myself semi-buried in sand, and
the warm temperature caused my muscles to soften, allowing me to relax during
the hour-long process.
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| All muddied up |
DOT Secretary
Frasco once again joined us for lunch at Museo Ning Angeles, where we
feasted over some Kapampangan favorite dishes such as Asadong Matwa, Chicken
Galantina, Tamales, and Ligang Pasku, a soup dish composed of various meat cuts
and vegetables flavored with Chinese ham bones and Spanish chorizo. After
lunch, Tatang Lucio Sison, the museum's curator, gave us a ready-to-frame paper
with our names written on it in Kulitan, the indigenous Kapampangan script.
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| Our names written in the Kapampangan scripts of Kulitan |
The Kuliat
Foundation-managed Museo ning Angeles, whose current structure dates back to
the early 1920s, is located in front of the Holy Rosary Parish Church, which
in itself was declared an important cultural property by the National Museum of
the Philippines and a National Historical Site by the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts. The Museum houses artifacts, photographs, and other
documents pertaining to World War II events in Pampanga, as well as the former
Clark Air Base, and a gallery showcasing the works of fashion designer Patis
Pamintuan-Tesoro, an Angeles native known as the "Grand Dame of Philippine
Fashion."
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| Holy Rosary Parish Church |
Located within the
flourishing heritage district of Angeles, the museum is just a short walk from
the Pamintuan Mansion, another historic site once served as a hideout
for the Katipuneros during the waning days of the Spanish era and as
headquarters of General Antonio Luna. The Mansion also held significance as the
seat of the First Philippine Republic when General Emilio Aguinaldo relocated
the nation's capital from Kawit, Cavite to Pampanga.
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| Inside the Pamintuan Mansion |
The Holy Angel
University, which houses the Center for Kapampangan Studies, is also
located in the same neighborhood. This arts center features four galleries
showcasing Kapampangan history, culture, and archaeology with interactive
digital kiosks. Historians should not overlook the library, which houses a vast
collection of works by Ambeth Ocampo, and film enthusiasts should check out the
theater for screenings of Kapampangan films and videos. Other exhibits found
inside are the Mount Pinatubo gallery and my favorite, the Vicente Manansala
Gallery, which features a lifelong exhibit on the sketches and personal
memorabilia of National Artist Vicente Manansala (1910-1981), who hails from
Macabebe, Pampanga.
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| Yuna Lachica marveling at some of Manansala's works |
We made a quick
dash to Clark Parade Grounds in the afternoon, where we witnessed DOT
Secretary Franco recognizing the efforts of DOT-certified regional guides from
Central Luzon by handing them tour guide kits that include a lapel microphone
with speaker, bamboo-made sunglasses, a tumbler, and a few other items useful
in their daily tour-guiding duties.
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| DOT Sec. Frasco poses with Region 3 Tour guides after the handing out of tour guide kits |
At a time when all
the pop culture fads were all about the musical film Wicked, we were treated to
an even better spectacle at Alviz Farm when, over a buffet feast of some
of the best Kapampangan fares such as Biringhe, Asadong Matua, Swam Mais, Sisig
Babi, Chili Sugpo, Kapampangan Kare-Kare, Pako, Sans Rival, and Lechon, we were
entertained by a rousing musical set performed by the homegrown theater group
ArtiSta Rita, which was founded by the farm's owner Andy Alviz, who himself is
an esteemed musician and choreographer for many musicals, including Miss
Saigon.
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| Kapampangan culinary demo at Alviz Farm |
Apart from belting
out a very catchy original composition entitled "Love the
Philippines," the musical group, as an ode to their hometown, performed a
series of song and dance ensembles, including Kapampangan song classics Atin Cu
Pung Singsing and Mekeni Tuki Ka, Malaus Ka Pampanga.
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| The super talented ArtiSta Rita Theater Group in the middle of one of their performance |
After a quick side
trip to neighboring Tarlac province where we made a quick stop to check out the
Diwa ng Tarlac Art Gallery and Museo ng Kanlahi, both located
near the Tarlac Provincial Capitol, we went back to Pampanga in the town of
Magalang, where I witnessed a Christmas spectacle new to me. At first sight of
bright lights lining up the streets, I was quickly transported to my childhood
years, where I was once astonished by colorful lanterns in the old neighborhood
where I was born.
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| Colorful lanterns on parade |
Here in Magalang
meanwhile, there's no need to wax nostalgia, as each barangay participates in a
Lubenas Procession every year at the start of Christmastime's evening
masses on December 16.
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| The parade lit up the streets of Magalang, Pampanga |
Participants carry
handheld lanterns the size of a "palangana" or a water basin
in a formation of two rows of six, representing the 12 disciples of Jesus
Christ, led by a cross-shaped lantern symbolizing Christ.
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| The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, nuff said. |
This is my first
time witnessing this procession, and I was amazed at how bright, colorful, and
solemn it unfolded. It perfectly set the tone for the public to enjoy a free
concert featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, who played a couple of
sets of six pieces each.
Of Balagtasan,
National Artists, Heritage Crafts and the Philippine Revolution in Bulacan
If we were still
hungry for knowledge, our next stop in Malolos, Bulacan's capital, would
provide us with an entire plate of art, culture, and history. We walked through
the so-called "Kamestisuhan District," where rows of charming
ancestral houses dating back a century or more surround the Neoclassical old Malolos
City Hall. We passed by the Malolos Cathedral, which served as the Office
of the President or the Palacio Presidencia from September 1898 until March
1899, and the Barasoain Church, a historic and popular national landmark. The
church was once featured on the back of a 10-peso bill and is remembered as the
"dungeon of the defiant" for being the secret meeting place of the
heroes of Philippine Revolution.
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| The Malolos Convention re-enacted inside Barasoain Church's museum |
More than 20
establishments have been cataloged by the National Historical Institute,
featuring at least 15 ancestral houses alongside several centuries-old
landmarks, including the notable Barasoain Church and the Malolos
Cathedral. Together, these heritage structures embody the heart of the
Kamestisuhan District.
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| Dr. Luis Santos Mansion |
My favorite part of
the tour was finally being able to enter the Dr. Luis Santos Mansion,
something I had missed on my previous two visits, and seeing the ceiling
painting, a masterpiece by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. It's important to
note that the garden area in front of the house features another work of a
National Artist, a sculpture by Guillermo Tolentino.
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| Amorsolo's masterpiece adorns the ceiling of Dr. Luis Santos House |
The tour
participants also learned about three of Malolos' most well-known heritage
handicrafts, Singkaban, Puni, and Pabalat, are still in practice
today.
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| Emiliano Amante Elijio demonstrates some of the Singkaban creation process |
Inside the grounds
of Dr. Luis Santos Mansion, I met Emiliano Amante Elijio. I learned that he
once detested his family heirloom craft when he dabbled in construction work.
Not long after, he tried his hand at the art of "Singkaban" and
realized he possessed the same skill as his father. Today, he and his son
continue to create this form of bamboo art designed with wood shavings, where
he crafts lanterns, decorations, and even elaborately designs festival floats.
At the nearby Bautista
Ancestral House, we met up with Nati Ocampo-Castro, who was busy making
wrappings for a beloved snack dessert of pastillas. Even though the Malolos
pastillas are already sweet and savory, Ocampo-Castro's artistic wrapping of
them in "Pabalat," a Japanese paper with various patterns and
creative cuts, adds an extra special touch that makes peeling one more
special.
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| Nati Ocampo-Castro and her Pabalat craft |
"Puni" is
another Malolos craft that involves hand shaping leaves, particularly coconut
leaf, and sometimes paper, and glossy pages of a magazine to create tabletop
decorations like bouquets, and even palaspas. Once considered a dying art, it has
since seen a renaissance as interest in it grew.
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| A lady showing off her Puni creations |
Barasoain Church
and Malolos Cathedral have long been staple topics in our elementary history
subjects, yet this compact part of Malolos still continues to unveil a wealth
of fresh insights. Not too far away, near the 1930s Art Deco Bulacan
Provincial Capitol, I recall witnessing a Balagtasan performance from the
story "Bulaklak ng Lahing Kalinis-linisan" at the Nicanor
Abellardo Auditorium, housed inside the Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum,
during a previous trip.
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| A Balagtasan performance |
Balagtasan is a
Filipino form of poetry-based debate. It was derived from the name of Francisco
Balagtas, a Bulacan native and poet known for "Florante at Laura.".
This performance showcases the art form of literature through poetic speeches.
Despite a busy
three-day itinerary filled with fantastic outdoor, cultural, culinary,
wellness, and historical destinations, I can confidently assume that we only
touched the tip of what Central Luzon has to offer. We barely covered the
beaches of Zambales, the farms of Tarlac, and the many other fascinating places
in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan.
I guess as a
resident of Bulacan, I better dedicate more time to exploring and experiencing
my own region in my travel plans in the coming months of 2025.
This article first appeared on Esquire PH.
