“Landscape shapes culture.” - Terry Tempest Williams
There are many places I could
begin in a manual of this type but I thought the best place would be to
describe the area geographically so that we all understand the playground to
which we all want to play. This information was gathered from a number of
places such as the CIA fact book as well as many books I have bought over the
years on the Philippines as well as information gathered on the Internet.
Some of the information may be dated, but you’ll get a general idea of what we
are talking about.
The Philippines:
Spread over the blue waters
between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean lie 7,107 lush green
islands. It's the meeting place of two cultures. Over the past nearly five
centuries, the cultures of the East and the West have met and merged on these
islands. The radical diversity sealed within that blend is at the core of the
captivating beauty and charm of the Philippines, as well as the enchanting
music and the fascinating sense of hospitality of its people. From the crystal
clear waters studded with lush green islands of towering palms to the Baroque
churches, looming watchtowers and opulent grand homes of the Spanish colonial
period now converted into museums, the Philippines is a memorable experience
for visitors.
History:
Philippine history, many
argue, did not begin with the coming of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan in 1521. Rather, it began in the 13th century when 10 datus from
Borneo, each with a hundred of his kinsmen, landed in what is now known as
Panay Island in the Visayas. Yet it was Magellan and succeeding expeditions
from Spain who put the Philippine archipelago on the map of the world. The
intrepid Magellan was dubbed the discoverer of the Philippines after he landed
in Homonhon Islet, near Samar, on March 17, 1521. He was later killed in
Mactan Island of Cebu in clash with native warriors led by a chieftain named
Lapu-lapu.
The Philippines was a prize
catch for Spain which, at that time, was locked in a fierce struggle for world
colonization with Portugal. The archipelago, named Felipinas for Spain's
Philip II, was composed of 7,107 islands and islets spanning 1854 kilometers
from north to south. The Philippines, also a window to the New World,
stretched from China to the north and the Indonesian archipelago to the south.
The northernmost tip of the country, Y'ami of the Batanes Island group, is 241
kilometers south of Taiwan while the southernmost tip, Sibutu of the Tawi-tawi
group of islands, is just 14.4 kilometers north of Borneo.
The Philippines in fact is at
a most strategic location making it a natural hub for commerce. Manila and
Cebu are premiere centers of trade in the region. To the east is the vast
Pacific Ocean and beyond it, the new World. To the west are the kingdoms of
Indochina including Cambodia and Thailand while southwest is Malaysia.
There are three major
geographical groups in the country: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The northern
portion of the archipelago is composed of the largest island, Luzon. The
Visayan region is made up of about 6,000 islands including Panay, Leyte, Samar,
Cebu and Bohol. Mindanao is the second largest island and encompasses about
400 smaller islands.
Spanish colonizers succeeded
in introducing Christianity in Luzon and Visayas but were unsuccessful in
Mindanao, where Moslem staved off Spanish efforts. Spanish rule lasted from
the 16th century to the 19th century but was marked with a series of revolts.
When three Filipino priests were executed for nationalist activities, a group
of reformist formed the Propaganda Movement that would later pave the way for
the Philippine Revolution. A young doctor-writer named Jose Rizal was arrested
and later executed by Spanish officials for his scathing criticisms of Spanish
rule in the Philippines through two novels. Rizal, who was just 30 when he was
executed, would later be recognized by history as Asia's first nationalist.
His contemporaries include Gandhi and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen.
The Philippine Revolution was
launched after Rizal's death and was led first by Andres Bonifacio and then
later by Emilio Aguinaldo. Philippine independence was proclaimed on June 12,
1898 on the balcony of Aguinaldo's home in Cavite. But as Spanish rule ended,
so would American domination begin. Unknown to Aguinaldo and the Filipinos,
Spain ceded the archipelago to the US for $20 million. Thus, when American and
Filipino forces laid siege on Intramuros, little did the Filipinos know that
they would have new enemies. Intramuros surrendered by Filipinos were
prevented by Americans from entering. This sowed the seeds of distrust that
would eventually culminate in the Filipino-American War.
A new fight for independence
was waged and this would last six years. The war ended in 1905 and the period
of fighting was followed by decades of progress. In 1935, a Commonwealth
government was established complete with a Constitution.
World War II broke out in
1941. Japan annexed the Philippines after heroic battle with Filipino-American
forces making a stand in Bataan and Corrigidor. With the surrender, Filipinos
took to the hills and waged a guerrilla war for four years. In 1945, US
forces liberated the Philippines. On July 4, 1946, the US flag was lowered for
the last time as the Philippines was finally granted independence.
The Philippines is an
archipelago blessed with a wealth of natural resources, a rich history and
unique culture. It's attractions are as many as they are diverse, with each
island offering something different, something special to the most discerning
visitor. White sand beaches, lush green forests, majestic mountain peaks,
age-old structures, modern cities, and rustic country sides - the list goes on
and on.
The country is most popular
for its beaches and deep waters teeming with a plethora of marine life. The
Philippine waters have attracted a growing number of scuba divers all eager to
discover the underwater treasures of the country. Most of the resorts are
well-equipped with modern diving equipment and have in their staff
professional diving instructors and guides. Facilities for water skiing, jet
skiing, windsurfing, hobie cat sailing, island hopping, and other water sports
are also available. Those who prefer to keep their feet dry can still view the
magical coral world through glass-bottomed boats.
The Philippines is not only
for sun, sea and sand lovers. The numerous attractions present a wide array of
activities to choose from whether you are in the north or the south.
For the nature lover, there is
a mountain climbing, bird watching, cave exploration, and even photo safaris.
History and culture buffs may learn more about the Philippines and its people
when visiting the museums, centuries-old structures, monuments, and churches
spread across the country. And for a taste of rural Philippine life, a tour of
the farms in the provinces is highly recommended.
Golfers have also found their
place in the sun here in the Philippines. The country boasts of challenging
golf courses, some of which were designed by world-class course architects in
the likes of Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Gary Player.
Whatever your interests are,
these islands have it.
Data from CIA Fact Book:
Background: The Philippines
were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They
attained their independence in 1946 after being occupied by the Japanese in
World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986 when a
widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed
down its last military bases on the islands. A quarter-century-old guerrilla
war with Muslim separatists on the island of Mindanao, which had claimed
120,000 lives, ended with a treaty in 1996.
Location: Southeastern Asia,
archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of
Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 13 00
N, 122 00 E
Area:
Total: 300,000 sq km
Land: 298,170 sq km
Water: 1,830 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly
larger than Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 36,289 km
Maritime claims: measured from
claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: irregular polygon extending
up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has
also claimed polygonal-shaped area in
South China Sea up to 285 nm
in breadth
Climate: tropical marine;
northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain: mostly mountains with
narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Philippine Sea 0
m
Highest point: Mount Apo 2,954
m
Natural resources: timber,
petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use: (estimated 1993)
Arable land: 19%
Permanent crops: 12%
Permanent pastures: 4%
Forests and woodland: 46%
Other: 19%
Irrigated land: 15,800 sq km
(estimated 1993)
Natural hazards: astride
typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms
per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water
pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps which are
important fish breeding grounds
Environment - international
agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification.
Population: 81,159,644
(estimated July 2000)
Age structure: (estimated
2000)
0-14 years: 37% (male
15,344,555; female 14,807,320)
15-64 years: 59% (male
23,777,245; female 24,285,565)
65 years and over: 4% (male
1,312,646; female 1,632,313)
Population growth rate: 2.07%
(estimated 2000)
Birth rate: 27.85-births/1,000
population (estimated 2000)
Death rate: 6.13-deaths/1,000
population (estimated 2000)
Net migration rate: -1.02
migrant(s)/1,000 population (estimated 2000)
Sex ratio: (estimated 2000)
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.99 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 29.52
deaths/1,000 live births (estimated 2000)
Life expectancy at birth:
(estimated 2000)
Total population: 67.48 years
Male: 64.65 years
Female: 70.46 years
Total fertility rate: 3.48
children born/woman (estimated 2000)
Nationality:
Noun: Filipino(s)
Adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups: Christian Malay
91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 83%,
Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%
Languages: Pilipino (official,
based on Tagalog), English (official)
Literacy: (estimated 1995)
Definition: age 15 and over
can read and write
Total population: 94.6%
Male: 95%
Female: 94.3%
Angeles City:
The Encyclopedia Britannica
describes Angeles City as follows:
"Angeles City: chartered city,
central Luzon, Philippines. The city lies on the principal north-south highway
and railway lines 50 miles (82 km) north of Manila. Angeles City is the site
of Angeles University (founded 1962), a Roman Catholic seminary, and several
other colleges. Once known as the "city of the dollar," Angeles had an economy
fueled by its proximity to the American-run Clark Air Base, which was
responsible for the rapid growth of the city by providing substantial
employment, housing, and business opportunities. With the eruption of Mount
Pinatubo in 1991 and the subsequent decision by the U.S. government to abandon
the ash-covered air base, the city's future became uncertain. Inc. city, 1963.
Pop. (1990 prelim.) 236,000."
Location:
Southeastern Asia,
Philippines, Northern Luzon Island, 90 km north of the countries capital
Manila
Area:
Total: 35 hectare (including
Clark Special Economic Zone)
Land: 33 hectare
Water: 2 hectare
Area comparative: slightly
larger than Sacramento
Climate:
Tropical marine; northeast
monsoon (dry & hot) (November to April); southwest monsoon (wet & warm) (May
to October)
People: (estimated August 2000)
Population: 300,000
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34 %
15-64 years: 63 %
65 years and over: 3%
Population growth rate: 2.07%
(estimate)
Birth Rate: 25.85 births/1,000
population
Death Rate: 6.13 deaths/1,000
population
Net migration rate:
3.51migrants/1,000 population
Ethnic Groups: Christian Malay
91.5 %, Residing Foreigners: 3.5 %,
Chinese: 2 %, Other: 3 %
Religions: Roman Catholic 86%,
Protestant 10%, Muslim, Buddhist and other 4%
Languages: Pilipino (official,
based on Tagalog), English (official)
Literacy:
Definition: age 15 and over
can read and write
Total population: 98.6%
Male: 99.1%
Female: 98%
Economy
Overview: In 2000 the Angeles
City economy - a mixture of high technology, light industry, and supporting
services - received a further boost as a result of continued support from the
City government and the Central Government in Manila into the Clark Special
Economic Zone. The government has promised to continue its economic reforms to
help the Philippines match the pace of development in the newly industrialized
countries of East Asia. The strategy includes improving infrastructure,
overhauling the tax system to bolster government revenues, and moving toward
further deregulation and privatization of the economy. A major part of the
Angeles City economy is its entertainment industry with endless Bars,
Karaoke's and Restaurants, plus three well established Casinos.
GDP - real growth rate: 4.9%
(1999 estimated)
GDP - per capita: purchasing
power parity - $4,600 (1999 estimated)
GDP - composition by sector:
Agriculture: 15%
Industry: 32%
Services: 53% (estimated 1999)
Population below poverty line:
17% (estimated 1999)
Inflation rate (consumer
prices): 6.8% (1999)
Industries: textiles,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, furniture products, electronics
assembly, services, entertainment services.
Communications
Telephone system: Three
Service providers all with International Direct Dial
Mobile Services: 6
International Digital
Services: Globe Telecom GSM900, Smart Telecom GSM900/1800 (Dualband), Piltel
Analog, Islacom GSM900 domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth
stations international: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong,
Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan all via Manila
Television broadcast stations: 34 (Cable connectivity)
Internet Service Providers
(ISPs): 5
Transportation
Railways: none
Highways: Direct connection to
Northern Luzon Expressway which connects to Metro Manila (toll)
Waterways: none
Airports: Clark International
Airport - over 3,047 m
Heliports: 1
The Role of Angeles in Philippine History:
By Mrs. Josie D. Henson,
B.F.A.
(Extracted from the Souvenir
Program, Fiestang Kuliat 1993)
In 1796, Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda together
with his wife, Dona Rosalia de Jesus, started the first clearing of Culiat,
then the remotest barrio of San Fernando, Pampanga.
In 1795 Don Angel was Capitan (a position
equivalent to Municipal Mayor) of San Fernando. After he had started the
clearing of Culiat, some prominent residents of other towns of Pampanga at
that time jestingly predicted, "Muti ne ing awak, tuling ne ing tagak, eya
maging balen ing Culiat" (The crow will turn white, the heron will turn black,
but Culiat will never be a town).
Don Angel refused to listen to all these dire
predictions and persisted in the great task which he began. His main reason
for developing Culiat was that it was situated on much higher ground than San
Fernando where his ricelands were periodically underwater during the rainy
season.
Culiat was named after the coarse woody vine [Gnetum
indicum (Lour.) Merri. (Gnetaceae)] that abounded in the place at that time.
The solemn inauguration of Culiat into a town was accomplished by Don Angel
Pantaleon de Miranda. This was on December 8, 1829 and it was given the
beautiful name of "Pueblo de Los Angeles" in honor of the Christian name of
the founder and the Holy Guardian Angels, the titular patrons of the town.
In the early days, the real fiesta of Angeles
was on October 2, the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels (Los Santos Angeles
Custodios). The "Naval" was first celebrated in 1834 or 159 years ago, to
commemorate the devotion of the early settlers, who, with Dona Rosalia de
Jesus used to bring the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary in
procession whenever there was a new clearing. It was also because of this
belief that the founders of Angeles adopted the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary
as the Patroness of Angeles. This devotion of the founders was the reason why
the "La Naval" Fiesta has always been celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of October
to venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the last Friday of October, the Fiesta Nang
Apung Mamacalulu (Feast of the Lord of the Hoiy Sepulchre) is also celebrated
as a form of Thanksgiving. The belief of the people is that they would be
protected from untoward incidents, calamities and disasters. The first
celebration of the Feast of Apu was on October 29, 1897 by the then Agustinian
parish priest Father Rufino Santos Perez. This was preceded by a Quinario or
5-day Novena, in dedication to the Lord's five wounds. This was done after a
series of locust infestations coupled with hostilities between Spanish
Cazadores and Pampango Insurrectos and two successive fires that razed to the
ground the public market in the latter part of 1897.
Angeles has an area of 8,120 hectares and is 97
meters above sea level. By 1850, it had 742 houses and a population of 4,452.
It was then producing mainly agricultural products like sugar cane, rice,
bananas, ebus (buri) corn, cabo negr (sugar palm), tayum (indigo), langis
(sesame), gugu, and sasa (nipa). Angeles gradually evolved into a bustling
community and business center mainly from its proximity to Fort Stotsenburg
which was established in 1902 and later renamed Clark Air Base during World
War II. Being strategically located, Angeles also served as a distribution,
trading, and commercial center for the towns of Magalang, Mabalacat, and Porac,
all within a 20-kilometer radius.
The greatest role that Angeles played in
history was the celebration of the first and only anniversary of our true
Philippine Independence.
On January 23, 1899, news was received in the
town that General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the inauguration of the Republic
of the Philippines. But peace was short-lived. On February 4 of that year
Filpino-American hostilities began. The town folks started evacuating to the
barrios and other towns.
On May 8, 1899, Generalissimo Emilio Aguinaldo
moved his seat of Government from San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, to Angeles. He
transformed the Pamintuan Residence (now the Central Bank) into the
presidential palace and general headquarters. On that same fateful day in
Angeles, General Aguinaldo assumed command of all Filipino forces. During this
time the American Army invasion forces were poised at San Fernando, Pampanga.
They were being prevented from attacking Angeles by a strong defense line
estabished by General Antonio Luna two months before, starting from Guagua,
Bacolor, Angeles, Magalang, and Concepcion. This defense line was being held
by 15,000 soldiers of the first Filipino Army.
On June 12, 1899, the first anniversary of the
Philippine Independence was celebrated in Angeles. It started with a field
mass at 7:00 a.m. for thousands of troops then stationed here. The Holy Mass
was celebrated at the town square at barrio Talimunduc which is now the area
between the Railroad Station and the Apu Chapel at Lourdes Sur. The celebrant
was Fr. Vicente Lapuz of Candaba who was then the Filipino co-adjutor of the
Angeles Parish Church, the Spanish curate having been rescued by the Spanish
troops in 1898.
After the Mass, a big military and civic parade
was formed, participated in by many Angelenos. Several Filipino Regiments were
led by their officers like General Gregorio del Pilar, Gen. Manuel Tinio, Gen.
Urbano Lacuna, Gen. Urbano Morales, Gen. Servillano Aquino and his Tarlac
regmiment, Gen. Venancio Concepcion, Gen. Tomas Mascardo, Lt. Manuel Luis
Quezon, and a Captain Jose Dizon y San Pedro, who was my paternal grandfather.
According to my mother's Aunt Dona Carlota
Henson de Ganzon (who was then in her teens) she and several young ladies were
dressed in typical kimona and saya and were made to ride on top of the
beautifully decorated carosas (used during processions) and were part of the
grand parade.
This massive parade passed through Sto. Rosario
St. then veered toward Sto. Entierro St. to pay tribute to and salute Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo who watched this historic event from the second floor window
of the old Pamintuan residence amid cheers from the towns-people.
After the parade, the citizens of Angeles
opened the doors of their residences to the officers and troops who partook of
the famous and delicious Pampango cuisine.
According to eyewitness accounts, Gen.
Servillano Aquino and some of his officers proceeded to the house of Don
Teofisto Ganzon and his spouse Dona Engracia Gonzales along Miranda Street on
what is now the former Narciso Nursery School. At that time, Gen. Aquino left
his two small children, Gonzalo and Benigno (the father of Ninoy) under the
care of the Ganzons in Angeles. The reason for this was that Gen. Aquino's
sister Brigida was the wife of Don Andres Ganzon, a son of Don Teofisto.
The first Philippine Independence Day
Anniversary celebration here in Angeles has no comparison in significance
because when Gen. Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence Day in Kawit,
Cavite on June 12, 1898, it was under the protection of the American Forces.
But when Gen. Aguinaldo celebrated the First Anniversary of our Independence
here in Angeles on June 12, 1899, it was purely and entirely defended by
Filipino blood, sweat, and tears. No other place in the entire Philippines
except Angeles can claim this singular and noble honor.
During the stay of Aguinaldo in Angeles a
member of his staff, Lt. Manuel L. Quezon, who became the first President of
the Commonwealth, stayed in the house of Don Lorenzo Sanchez (in front of the
Pamintuan residence).
One Sunday morning after mass he happened to
see from the window of his college-mate in Letran, Don Emilio V. Moreno (the
maternal grandfather of DILG Secretary Rafael Alunan III) to whom he called
out in Spanish, "Oye, Moreno, Moreno! Me gusta mucho el chocolate que hacen en
este pueblo. No le tienes en casa?" "Hey Moreno, Moreno! Ilove the hot
chocolate that they make in this town. Haven't you some at home?"
President Quezon might have loved the lanzones
fruits of this town too, if he had stayed here until October, because the
Angeles lanzones are sweet, luscious, and have a different appeal to the
discriminating taste. The original seedlings were brought here by Don Rafael
Nepomuceno from Lukban, Tayabas (Quezon).
Aguinaldo stayed in this town until July when
he transferred his government to Tarlac.
The Filipino Revolutionary Army and the United
States Infantry engaged in a three-day fiery and bloody battle and on August
16 the latter succeeded in penetrating the town. However, the brigades of
Generals Servillano Aquino, Maximino Hizon, Pio del Pilar, Venancio Concepcion,
Tomas Mascardo with Col. Alberto San Miguel and later reinforced by the
brigade of Gen. Macabulos, numbering about 15,000 troopers, were still
entrenched and defending the Mabalacat side of the Abacan River.
On November 5, after three months of bloody and
relentless fighting, the last and decisive flanking offensive movement of the
American forces began with the use of cavalry. The fierce battle where both
sides suffered heavy casualties, began from 9:00 o'clock in the evening until
dawn.
The American units were the 32nd Infantry U.S.V.
under Provost Marshall G.A. Densmore; Headquarters 41st Infantry U.S.V.
Colonel Richmond; 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 8th Army Corps under Major
General Arthur MacArthur, the latter using the Pamintuan residence as
headquarters.
The Angelenos suffered greatly after the war.
According to Father Vicente Lapuz, parish priest, there was irreparable loss
to the church in destroyed properties and unpaid rentals which were never
recovered and valued at $24,638. U.S. dollars.
On January 1, 1900, General Frederick D. Grant
organized the first United States Civil Government in the town by appointing
an Alcalde.
Although General Grant organized in 1900 the
first U.S. Civil Government in Angeles, by appointing an Alcade it was one
year later, July 4 that the Inauguration of the U.S. Civil Government was
held.
By October of 1902 the United States Army in
Angeles left the Church convent and moved to Talimunduc (now Lourdes Sur) near
the Angeles Railroad Station. On the latter part of the following year they
again moved further North to a place called Mangga and Sapangbato which was
later named Camp Stotsenburg.
In 1904 the nearby U.S. Military Reservation
started putting up at will its boundaries around "by order of the President of
the United States in 1903". Annexed to said reservation of Camp Stotsenburg
was one among some private lands over which a Spanish title was granted (Composicion
onerosa con el estado) on June 12, 1888 owned by the late Don Jose P. Henson
for which he had been paying yearly taxes to the Government, namely, Lot No.
727 at Barrio Palusapis, Angeles, Pampanga, containing 628 hectares more or
less.
The title referred to constituted a title of
exclusive ownership, but the U.S. Government never returned the 628 hectares
nor paid the corresponding rentals to this day.
An American historian related a story as to why
the Americans moved to the place which later became known as Fort Stotsenburg.
According to the American, the horses of the cavalry could not feed on the
grass on the surrounding fields near their bivouac as they got sick, so they
had to import hay from the United States which was sent by ship. One day one
of the horses was discovered missing and a search was conducted until finally
the horse was found grazing on the pastures in Mangga. The horse did not get
sick after eating the grass at that place so they tried grazing the other
horses there and they too did not get sick. From that time on they brought
their horses there to graze until they decided to move their bivouac there.
Because the cavalry was there, a building for the blacksmith was constructed
and this was followed by other buildings until it became a permanent camp and
was expanded to become the second largest American air base in the world --
Clark Air Base. So, probably, if it were not for the horse Angeles could have
been a part of Clark Air Base.
Although Fort Stotsenburg (Clark Air base)
continued to expand, Angeles, even despite its proximity to the American camp,
did not progress very much and was just like any other town in Pampanga.
From 1900 to 1941, the main bulk of the
livelihood in Angeles was agriculture, mostly palay and sugarcane farming.
Livelihood did not depend on the presence of the Base.
Some of the earliest small-scale industries in
Angeles were a woodworking and wood carving industry which was started ty the
late Don Teodoro Tinio (originally from Nueva Ecija who migrated to Angeles in
1919). In the early 30's Don Juan Nepomuceno established "Reyna" a soft drinks
plant which produced several flavors like sarsaparilla, orange, strawberry,
lemon and soda. At around this time, "La Providora" a rattan furniture factory
wa also established by the late Mayor Emiliano Valdes. The first hacendero to
sell his lands in order to pioneer in industry was the late Don Jose Ma.
Fermin Ganzon. In the mid-20's he self-studied auto mechanics from books which
he ordered from Spain. He personally trained people from Angeles and brought
them to Manila and established one of the first auto repair shops there. One
of those he trained and who profited from that venture was Francisco Mallari
owner of "Kiko Bateria" later situated at Rizal Avenue. Don Jose Ganzon also
pioneered the first modern poultry farm in Angeles in the early 30,'s. It was
equipped with electronic incubators and electric hatcheries. He was the first
to supply fresh eggs to the Base. The first movie production in Angeles was
also pioneered by Don Jose Ganzon and it was a silent film entitled "Prinsesa
sa Bundok" produced by Joaquin de Guzman and directed by Mr. Ganzon. The
Lazatin Vinegar Plant was also established in the 30's and is still existing
up to the present.
During the war, a few cottage industries
mushroomed in Angeles like carved wooden shoes made of white laniti wood.
These were sold in Central Luzon including Manila. This wooden shoe industry
was owned by Mr. & Mrs. Armando Nepomuceno. Another small industry was
cigarette-making where homemade contraptions were used to hand-roll each
cigarette. At this time most of the backyards of the houses including those of
the rich hacenderos were planted to all sorts of vegetables and these were
sold in the market. One might say that the Americans depended on Angeles for
their fresh produce.
Angeles was liberated on January 27, 1945 by the
U.S. Army's 145th Infantry. Thousands of American troops poured into Angeles
and resided on rented big residences and school buildings. The rest of them
pitched tents around town. The American detachment deliberately overstocked
their rations to give away or to barter with the townspeople. Angelenos
exchanged fruits, chickens, vegetables and locally brewed liquor to the GI's.
From this time on the economy of Angeles quadrupled a thousand fold. Hundreds
of Angelenos and people from other provinces flocked to Angeles and struck it
rich. This was the beginning of the PX goods business in Angeles and a lot of
restaurants and entertainment places mushroomed. This was the start of
Angelenos' dependence on Clark.
In 1947 an American construction company arrived
from the USA. The Drake-Utah -Grove Co. or DUG undertook the rebuilding of
Clark into a modern military air base. The majority of the male population of
Angeles, its barrios, and the surrounding towns and provinces found lucrative
employment during this reconstruction period of Clark (around 10,000 strong).
After DUG finished the reconstruction of the base facilities, Clark absorbed
more than 50 percent of the DUG employees. Livelihood dependency of Angeles to
Clark started at this time and Angeles also became the melting pot of
Pampanga.
On January 1, 1964, Angeles was formally
inaugurated a city with the youthful Mayor Rafael del Rosario at the helm. It
was also at this time that the housing boom commenced because of the Vietnam
conflict. A lot of houses were needed for the U.S. fighting men and they could
not be accommodated at the limited housing facilities in Clark. The various
subdivisions were established like Villasol, Josefaville, Plaridel
Subdivision, Villa Angela, Villa Gloria, Villa Angelina, L & S, Villa Teresa,
Hensonville, Carmenville, Timog Park and others.
In 1978, the former employees at Clark started
applying for jobs in the Middle East and Europe and also to Hong Kong and
Singapore.
It could be said that the turning point of
Angeles City's economy was the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on June 12, 1991, and
the subsequent withdrawal of the American forces from Clark Air Base,
reputedly the biggest single employer throughout the country after the
Government.
Last year, the former "Sin City" image of
Angeles was drastically erased and together with it, the city administration
and its people were given ample opportunity to trek a new economic order and
along with it, the city's new image as the culinary capital of the
Philippines. During last year's month-long Fiesta celebrations the emphasis
was on the Food Fest which proved to be very successful. This year the thrust
of the Fiesta Committee was geared towards the reawakening of the city's
historical and cultural heritage, which for a while went in slumber while the
Americans were here.
This Historical Photo Exhibit was held at "Bale
Herencia" (the old Santos residence at the corner of Sto. Rosario and
Lakandula Sts.). It was opened by no less than Senator Heherson Alvarez and
Congressman Carmelo Lazatin. Vintage photos of Angeles and Angelenos circa
1890's to the 1950's were displayed.
Prominently displayed were pictures of General
Arthur MacArthur, President Manuel Quezon, President Osmena, Claro Recto, and
others. Photos of native Angelenos like the Hensons, Nepomucenos, Pamintuans,
Lazatins, Suarezes, Tayags, Dayrits, Paras, Lacsons, Narcisos, Quiasons,
Timbols, Naguiats, Sicangos, Tinios, Santos, Gomez, Aysons, Dizons, Angeles,
Davids, Sandicos, etc., were also featured..
This month-long Photo exhibit was a brainchild
of three Youth Groups: Aksyon headed by Editha Estrada, 501 headed by Roden
Biag and Ramsee D. Henson, and Rotaract Club headed by Eder Mutuc. There was a
minimal entrance fee of 5 pesos for adults.
A 3-day Culinary Workshop was also a part of the
Fiesta activities and there were more than thirty participants. It was partly
sponsored by PRAGMA, the Private Sector Development Training Program of USAID
(PRAGMA CORP) STMS, ACCII, CFC and Magnolia Corporation.
This year's Tigtigan at Terakan Ken Dalan was
held for 2 days and was bigger and better than last year. There were 2 name
bands: The Dawn and Advent Call. This culminating activity of Fiestang Kuliat
has become so successful that it is now included in the DOT's National Tourism
Calendar.
More links on Clark AB and
Angeles City:
Clark Air Base – A ton of history and photos.
Clark Airbase Scrapbook – One man’s remembrance of CAB.
Maps of Clark and Surrounding Area – A large collection of maps around
this area.
The Ville:
While the above are the facts
and figures for Angeles City proper and a lot of what is said directly impacts
the tourist, the area where most who visit this small area and what this guide
is all about is located right outside of what once was Clark Air Field up
along Fields Ave. I will of course speak of other areas such as Real Street
and Santos street, but for the most part we can define the playground from the
Oasis Hotel on upper Fields Ave down through the Perimeter Bars all the way
down Fields to where it intersects with McArthur Blvd. I will go into a
little on Savers Mall in Angeles City itself and about Swagman Hotel, which is
not on the main strip as well as other areas, but for the most part this is
the area we will concentrate on.
Of course much of what is written
applies outside this small strip, it is here where we will learn to
play. To write a book on the entire Philippines would be well beyond
the scope of my intentions. So let’s just concentrate on this small
dusty area and see what makes it tick and what you need to know to
help you have a great time here.
