Category Archives: Pampanga

The City of "Angels" (Angeles City, Pampanga)

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Angeles City

After the culmination of Clark’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, Jandy and I drove on to Angeles City for a walking tour of the City of Angels.  Many know Angeles City only as a rest and recreation area frequently visited by the U.S. servicemen from nearby Clark Air Base.  Even with the base’s closure, Angeles is still home to a large colony of expatriates as many Americans chose to permanently settle in city, particularly in the Balibago District.  They were just about everywhere I looked in the city.  However,  not many people know that, on March 17, 1899, Angeles was briefly made the capital of the First Philippine Republic by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.  In fact, the first and only anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence (June 12, 1899) was celebrated here.  Upon its capture by the Americans on November 5, it was made the headquarters of Maj.-Gen. Arthur MacArthur (father of Douglas).  Angeles, once just a jungle clearing and a northernmost barrio of San Fernando called Kuliat (after an indigenous vine that grew abundantly in the area), soon grew rapidly around the former Clark Air Base and was made into a chartered city on June 22, 1963 by virtue of Republic Act No. 3700.

Holy Rosary Cathedral

Many relics of the city’s Spanish and American era past still exist, all within the Sto. Rosario Historic District and all within walking distance from each other. My walking tour started at the Holy Rosary Cathedral (where I parked my car), along Sto. Entierro corner Sto. Rosario St.

Check out Cathedral of the Holy Rosary

The Holy Family Bldg., the former convent, was used by the U.S. Army from August 1899 to December 1900 as a military hospital and by the Japanese Army as a troop barracks, officers’ quarters and arsenal in early 1942.

Angeles Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Center

Adjacent to the cathedral is the 2-storey Museo Ning Angeles, the former City Hall built in 1922.    This museum, opened on December 8, 1999, now showcases Kapampangan lifestyle and culture.

Check out Museo Ning Angeles

The Angeles Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Center, now a center for polio and stroke patients, was first built in 1899 as the deposito for religious statues and carriages used in religious processions.   From 1899 to 1901, it was utilized by the U.S. Army as a jail  for recalcitrant U.S. troops and, from 1946 to 1947, as headquarters of U.S. Army 11th Film Exchange.  From February 6, 1967 to 1986, it was  the City Post Office.

Bale Matua

The oldest building in the city is Bale Matua, also known as the Founder’s House.  It was built in 1824 by Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, the former gobernadorcillo of San Fernando, and his wife Doña Rosalia de Jesus.  Together, they founded Angeles in 1796.  On December 8, 1829, the barrio was separated from San Fernando and was renamed Angeles in honor of Don Angel and the town’s patron saints, the Holy Guardian Angels (Los Santos Angeles de los Custodios).  To build Bale Matua, Angel used materials salvaged from their older house built around 1811. The house was later inherited by their only daughter, Doña Juana de Miranda de Henson.  It has high stone walls and an ornate gate and was declared as a Historical Site by the National Historical Institute.

Nepomuceno Ancestral House

The Nepomuceno Ancestral House, along Sto. Rosario St., was the home of Don Ciriaco de Miranda, the first gobernadorcillo of Angeles. Built in 1840, it was inherited in 1868 by Don Ciriaco’s niece, Doña Agustina Henson de Nepomuceno.  A restored grain storehouse (kamalig), along Sto. Rosario St., between these two old houses, was also built in 1840 by Don Ciriaco. In 1980, it was restored by Armando L. Nepomuceno and is now home to Armando’s Pizza and the Camalig Restaurant.   Bale Herencia, at the corner of Lakandula and Sto. Rosario Sts., was built in 1860 by carpenters from Vigan (Ilocos Sur). Said to have been built for the mistress of a parish priest, the current owners now use it as a banquet hall.

Bale Herencia

Clark Museum (Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga)

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Clark Museum

Located near the old parade grounds, on the original site of the 217-bed base hospital (dating to September 1903), headquarters of the 3rd Combat Group in 1979 and the 3CSG Headquarters, this museum, also called the Kapampangan Museum, was inaugurated on July 5, 1997.

Military Uniforms

Aeta Hunting Equipment

The museum showcases Clark’s rich history and transformation, from the time it was used as a U.S. military base (the largest outside mainland USA) in 1902 up to its dramatic development as a Special Economic Zone. It is also a tribute to the resilient Filipinos who strive to reshape their future despite ravages of war and the wrath of nature

Biography of Maj. Harold M. Clark

Pres. Manuel A. Roxas Exhibit

The museum is divided into different sections – “Aetas,” “US Early Years,” “Aviation Era,” “World War II,” “Reconstruction,” “US-Philippines Turnover,” “Alumni of Wurthsmith and Wagner High School,” “People Power Revolution,” “Mt. Pinatubo Eruption,” “Former Base Employees,” “The Transformation,” and the “Jack and Ariella Art Collection.”

Copy of Instrument of Surrender signed at USS Missouri

Model aircraft

A large mural depicting the vision of Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and five scenic dioramas portraying the transformation of Clark into its present state are among the exhibits at the museum. A special section, featuring vivid photographs, is dedicated to the Thomasites, the first American teachers in the Philippines. 

Terrain Model of Mt. Pinatubo

Topographical Model of Clark Field

Also on display are photos, models of U.S. aircraft, Philippine currency during the Japanese Occupation, weapons and a Mount Pinatubo exhibit.  In front of the museum is a Spanish-era cannon (cast in Peru in 1778, it made its way to the Philippines on board the Spanish warship Seville) and a Japanese World War II anti-aircraft gun. Spanish-era cannon..

The American Contribution to Philippine Education

Spanish-era cannon

Clark Museum: Building 2425, Tourism Promotions Office, Clark Development Corporation, E. Quirino St., Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.  Tel: (045) 599-2832, (045) 599-3221 and (045) 599-6235. Open Monday-Fridays, 8 AM to 5 PM.  Weekends by special arrangement. Admission: PhP30 per person.  Tour guide, teachers and children below 3 years of age are free of charge.

How to Get There: The Clark Special Economic Zone is located 80 kms. north of Manila.

Cathedral of the Holy Rosary (Angeles City, Pampanga)

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Cathedral of the Holy Rosary

The Cathedral of the Holy Rosary was first built of light materials (nipa) and of wood in 1855 by Fr. Guillermo Masnou.  The present stone and brick edifice was started in 1860 by Fr. Ramon Sarrionandia through the forced labor system (Pols y Servicios), continued by Fr. Juan Merino in 1880 and completed by Fr. Pedro Ibeas in 1891.

Historical plaque

It was restored by Fr. Rufino Santos from 1893 to 1897.  The backyard of the church was an execution ground for Filipino rebels from1896 to 1898.  Later, it was used by the U.S. Army as a military hospital from August 1899 to December 1900.

The cathedral’s Renaissance-style facade

The cathedral, measuring 70 m. long, 20 m. wide, and 12 m. high, has a beautiful transept and a Renaissance style of Corinthian pilasters and recessed arch and segmented windows topped by triangular canopies.

One of two bell towers

There is a projecting portico with elliptical arches at the main entrance.  Spandrel and pier dados are ornamented with relief carvings.  Flanking the facade are twin bell towers moving upward in a slow sweep and in uneven levels.  The window casements have Renaissance-influenced latticework.

The cathedral’s interior

The main altar and retablo

Cathedral of the Holy Rosary: Sto. Entierro cor. Sto. Rosario St., Angeles City, Pampanga. Feast of the Holy Rosary: Second Sunday of October.

How to Get There: Angeles City is located 82.8 kms. (a 2-hour drive) from Manila and 13 kms. (a 30-min. drive) west of the City of San Fernando.

Clark’s Hot Air Balloon Festival (Pampanga)

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Hot air balloons being inflated …..

Normally, Valentine’s Day is a day reserved just for lovers.  At the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) in Pampanga, it is also this, plus more, as the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), the most colorful event of the year (held last February 12 to 15), also fell on the day of the hearts. Dubbed as the “Weekend of Everything that Flies,” it is the Philippines largest aviation sports event. Until lately, this was also included in my “Must Attend” list of festivals or events.  I was again about to miss out on this until an invitation to cover the event, from Ms. Grace Aquino, Marketing Communication Manager of the Fuego Hotel-managed Hotel Vida, came along, an offer too good to refuse.  

Hotel Vida Clark
I brought along my son Jandy and left on the morning of the day of hearts itself, arriving at the hotel by 11 AM.  On hand to welcome us was Grace and Korean hotel owner Mr. Daesik Han.  The hotel was then fully booked, not just by Valentine couples, but also by about 35 balloonists from all over the world.  They seem to be everywhere around the hotel; waiting at the lobby, cruising the hallway, dining at Salt Coffee Shop, lounging by the swimming pool and, later at night, reminiscing about the day’s events at the hotel’s new Malt Bar.  

Choreographed kite flying

We were again assigned a lavish Junior Suite and, after a short rest, we decided to check out the event’s afternoon activities.  To enter, Grace supplied us with two PhP100 one-day passes. Now in its 14th year, the Hot Air Fiesta was first held in 1994 when then DOT Secretary Mina Gabor commissioned Korean businessman and hot air balloonist, Mr. Sung Kee Paik, and Mr. John Emery, British Airways General Manager, to initiate a major balloon event in the county in the hope of uplifting the spirits of the Kapampangan people, following the devastating eruption of Mt. Pinatubo three years ago. Since then, it has been officially recorded as one of the scheduled ballooning events in the world, competing in media exposure and attention with the World Hot Air Balloon Championship (Japan) and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (New Mexico, U.S.A.).

A paraglider in flight

Held at the 33,000-hectare Clark Civil Aviation Complex, this four-day ballooning and aero- sporting event, hosted by Clark Development Corp. (CDC), the Clark International Airport Corp., the Philippine Air Force, the Hot-Air Balloon Club of the Philippines and a host of private sponsors (including United Parcel Services, Cirrus and ABS-CBN, among others) drew more than 100,000 spectators, lining it up to be the greatest ever. More than 25 large multi-colored, hot-air balloons (topping the 19 balloons flown from 13 countries in 2008), manned by teams from Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, the Netherlands and Malaysia, colored the skies including at least seven especially shaped balloons (one had the likeness of the cartoon character Tigger).  Caltex, Yellow Cab and Kellogg’s also sponsored balloons.

Aermacchi S-211 Jet Trainer

Around the large hangar, we had a field day taking shots of the balloon inflation in the afternoon session (up to the Night Glow) and, the next day, at 6:30 in the morning where they actually lifted off. Balloon inflation is very much dependent on wind conditions with calm winds of less than 10 mph and the clouds at least 2,000 feet above the ground guaranteeing great flights.  Apart from the hot-air balloon competition, the event also featured diverse flying activities such as ultra-light aircraft formation flying, Thai, Malaysian and Filipino paragliding exhibition, AFP flag jump; and a hair-raising, dangerous and thoroughly exciting and world-class stunt flying demonstration performed by the team of Captain Meynard Halili (owner of a stunt pilot school) and Bill Wright.

F-5 Freedom Fighter

There were also light plane rally and balloon bursting competition; PHILSCA and Ateneo de Manila model rocketry demonstration; search and rescue flying exhibitions; helicopter exhibitions and fly-by; choreographed kite-flying exhibition (courtesy of the Kite Association of the Philippines); skydiving exhibition (AFP, PNP, Thai and Philippine Team); remote control aircraft and kite flying demo; flour bomb drop (Angeles City Flying Club and Land Rover); PAF mass parachute jump (from a C-130 aircraft); and swarm flights of elite aircraft such as Citation Mustang, a single-pilot operated light jet (built by Cessna Aircraft Co.) and Cirrus SR22, a single-engine, four-seat aircraft designed with a fixed landing gear. 

Balloons in flight

In addition, small private planes from Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia all flew in, participating in an air rally which has become a regular component of the festivities. In short, just about everything that flies in the skies in and about Clark Freeport. On-site ground activities included a mini-trade fair, food plaza, daily live concerts (including a Rivermaya concert which we watched), wall-climbing and other special events. Philippines Army personnel also allowed visitors to hold and pose with automatic weapons (without ammo of course).

The Philippine Air Force supplied an Italian-made Aermacchi S-211 jet trainer and a mothballed Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, allowing spectators to pose inside the cockpits complete with flight helmets. As the waiting line was long, Jandy and I satisfied ourselves by just sitting on the F-5 airframe with two PAF personnel. Also on display was a Robinson, the world’s smallest helicopter.  Other spectaculars prepared for tourists included a photo exhibit, giant lanterns from Pampanga, Higantes from Angono, mini-trade fair, car show and exhibits, and fireworks display. Visitors were also allowed to fly their personal kites on the grounds. The food plaza area served good home-cooked Filipino culinary delights as well as McDonalds and Jollibee fare.  

Stotsenberg Parade Grounds (Clark Field, Pampanga)

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When one mentions Clark Field in Pampanga, the first thing that comes in most peoples’ minds is duty-free shopping.  Having booked ourselves for an overnight stay at Hotel Vida, we also did that, doing some shopping at Puregold.  However, there’s more to Clark than just duty-free shopping.  For one, there’s history.

Stotsenberg Parade Grounds

Lots of history exists around the Stotsenberg Parade Grounds.  Large houses called “barns,” built with Oregon pine shipped from the U.S. and used as officers’ quarters, are arranged in a row along the grounds.  Built from 1910-1913 at a cost of US$1,309.9 each by Filipino, Chinese and Japanese laborers, they were the first permanent structures in Fort Stotsenberg (named after Col. John W. Stotsenberg, killed in the Battle of Quingua, Bulacan on April 23, 1899), the forerunner of Clark Field (renamed as such in 1919 after Army aviator Maj. Harold M. Clark who was killed in an air crash in the Panama Canal).  

CDC Exhibition of Kapampangan Crafts

Over the years, until 1922, hundreds of these barns were built but, by the mid 1980s, most of these barn houses were demolished.  Those along Cardinal Santos Ave., now called the Centennial Block, are all that remain.  The huge, shady and century-old acacia (monkey pod) trees in the area were planted in 1903.  

Centennial House: Lifestyle in Stotsenberg Museum

Many of theses barn houses have undergone adaptive reuse. One barn house, Bldg. 2081, houses the Mabalacat Municipal Tourism Office.  Another houses the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Exhibition of Kapampangan Crafts.  A number also house restaurants such as Cafe Mesa Coffee Shop and Bar (Bldg. 2078) and Red Crab Alimango House (Bldg. 2078).  Another houses a museum (Centennial House Lifestyle in Stotsenberg Museum).

Cafe Mesa Coffee Shop and Bar

The Death Place of  Roxas Marker, directly across the street from the CDC office, close to the Philippine flag, was built in memory of the Philippine president Manuel A. Roxas who, upon the invitation by the U.S. 13th Air Force commander, came to see for himself the massive reconstruction and rehabilitation work in war-damaged Clark on  April 15, 1948.  That same, while delivering a speech at Kelly Theater, he suffered a heart attack and died. 

Death Place of Roxas Marker

At the western edge of Stotsenberg Parade Grounds is the 26th Cavalry Memorial which commemorates the men of the 26th Cavalry Philippine Scounts, U.S. Army, who died during their heroic action at Lingayen (Pangasinan) in 1941.  Next to it is the U.S. Army Air Corps and Philippine Air Force Monument which details the joint participation of the Philippine and American military forces

26th Cavalry Monument
US and Philippine Air Corps Monument

Cafe Mesa Coffee Shop and Bar: Cardinal Santos Ave., Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga.  Tel: (045) 499-0694.

Red Crab Alimango House: Cardinal Santos Ave., Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga.  Tel: (045) 599-5345.

 

Livin’ La Vida at Hotel Vida Clark (Pampanga)

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The day after our 23rd wedding anniversary, Grace and I decided to further celebrate, this time with our kids and my in-laws, at Clark in Pampanga.  We arrived there after lunch and checked in at Hotel Vida.  This would be my second stay (the first was during the November 2007 Flavors of Spain) and the first for the rest.  We booked ourselves in 2 interconnected junior suites; Grace, the kids and I in one suite and my in-laws at the other.

The junior suite

Our junior suites were each equipped with state-of the-art amenities such as electronic entry lock; IDD/NDD phone; in-room safety box; a king size bed; a spacious living room area with trundle bed, a kitchen and bar with 6 cu. ft. refrigerator, coffee-making facility and a microwave oven; a balcony, toilet & bath with bathtub and 8” ceiling-mounted shower head; and a 32” LCD cable TV.

Salt Coffee Shop
Rooms here either offer a view of the adjacent golf course, the beautiful, free-form swimming pool and, much better, a verdant and well-manicured landscape crowned with palms and a plethora of majestic, century-old acacia trees. Water elements, in the form of artistically-designed fountains, compliment the existing landscape and soften, together with indoor plants, the hardness of stone and concrete within the lobby and coffee shop. 

Swimming pool area

The hotel was planned and laid out in such a way that natural ventilation, access to visually-stunning and picture-perfect views and use of space is optimized, thus providing a light and airy environment that exudes total relaxation and comfort, qualities which every guest will always look forward to.

Posing at the hotel lobby

The lobby is naturally lit by a skylight and huge fixed glass windows.  Similar windows provide an open and light feeling to the 110-pax restaurant and the 45-pax, open-air veranda pool view area, with its expansive views of the hotel pool and the lush, green surroundings.

Hotel Vida facade

The hotel’s modern but Southeast Asian-inspired façade, conveying both comfort and luxury, is a contrast of structure and nature.  Contrast is achieved through the combination of smooth walls against rough wood slate cladding. Aside from its abundant water features and lush vegetation, the unique, modern tropical theme is further emphasized by the exterior’s use of earth tone colors such as beige, brown and gray. Indigenous materials are used to enhance the tropical theme, through modern and innovative means. The interiors also mirror the same tropical and Asian influences of the façade, with its contrast of wall texture (smooth walls complimented by the roughness and hardness of natural stone).  

Hotel Vida Clark: 5414 M.A. Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023.  Tel: (045) 499-1000.  Fax: (045) 499-0979.  Manila Office: UG-9 Cityland Herrera Tower, 98 V.A. Rufino corner Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Tel: (632) 840-1430.  Fax: (632) 840-3589.  Website: www.hotelvidaclark.com.

Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo (Pampanga)

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Nayong Pilipino sa Clark

During a lull in the Flavors of Spain Foodfest held at Hotel Vida, Grace, Norma, Ethel, Mitch and I boarded a van and visited the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo at Clark.  Formally opened on November 30, 2007 after a PhP40 million rehabilitation, Nayong Pilipino sits on a 3.5-hectare portion of the Clark Expo, formerly Expo Pilipino.  This historical and cultural theme park, transferred here from its original site in Pasay City, is divided into two areas: the pre-colonial division and the colonial division. The pre-colonial division proudly shows the culture of the ethnic tribes of the northern Philippines long before the Spanish occupation through exhibits, native cottages and demonstrations that are accurately designed.  

Kalinga Village

Its outdoor museum features the Ifugao Village (features typical Ifugao houses called ulog, under which is an Ifugao woodcarver carving various wooden artifacts for souvenirs), the Kalinga Village, the Aeta Village and the Muslim Village (features the Torrogan House). Adjacent to the Torrogan House is a replica of Tabon Caves.  The Labuad Village is where ethnic Kapampangan handicraft and artwork are on sale. There are also replicas of the Banaue Rice Terraces and Mayon Volcano. 

Replica of Barasoain Church

The colonial division, on the other hand, displays the Spanish regime on the archipelago through replicas of Spanish-style houses and other edifices. It includes the far from faithful replicas of Malolos’ Barasoain Church (a mass is held here every Sunday, 10 AM)  as well as the ancestral houses of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini (a museum for Kapampangan artifacts).  The Colonial Plaza, fronting the church, has a 3-tiered fountain. The Hero’s Plaza has a statue of a bolo and KKK flag-wielding Andres Bonifacio.  

The Jose Rizal House

Interspersed between the two areas are clean open spaces.  Guests can go boating and fishing at the Lagoon.  The Spanish Culture & Religion Museum and the Philippine Museum are 2 separate structures that look like fortresses.  Also within the grounds are a 1,000 seat outdoor amphitheater used for social gatherings, theater plays and cultural presentations. 

Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo: Clark Expo, ClarkField, Pampanga.  Tel: (045) 436-1718 and (045) 599-2813. E-mail: nayon_saclark@yahoo.com.  Website: www.nayonsaclark.com. Admission: PhP30 (adults) and PhP20 (children). Open 8 AM-6 PM.

Stopover: Church of the Immaculate Conception (Guagua, Pampanga)

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The town’s brick and stone church was started in 1641 and supervised by Fr. Jose Duque.  It was artistically painted by Fr. Antonio Bravo in 1862 and the beautiful dome above the transept was built by Fr. Paulino Fernandez in 1886.

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Church of the Immaculate Conception

Its Classic facade has slender, superimposed and paired Doric columns and a scarcity of decorative elements.  The undulating pediment has a raking cornice in the form of a large scroll.  It also has an oval window at the retablo and geometric motifs within a stilted semicircular arch molding.

The church's interior

The church’s interior

The present stone convent was built by Fr. Manuel Carillo but was recently razed with only the walls remaining.

The altar retablo

The altar retablo

How to Get There: Guagua is located 77 kms. from Manila and 10 kms. south of the City of San Fernando.

Church of St. Augustine (Lubao, Pampanga)

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This church was first built by Fr. Juan Gallegos using light materials.  The present brick and adobe church was started by Fr. Francisco Coronel, continued by Fr. Geronimo de Venasque in 1635 and completed by Fr. Francisco Figueroa in 1638.  It was damaged during the 1645 earthquake and was enlarged in 1829 using masonry materials.  Fr. Antonio Bravo did some repair work in 1877 while Fr. Antonio Moradillo worked on the interior decoration in 1893 (the murals depicting scenes from the life of St. Augustine were probably done during this time).

Church of St. Augustine

Church of St. Augustine

The church was occupied by revolutionaries in 1898, used as a hospital for American soldiers in 1899 and in 1942, during World War II, the dome, transept and roof collapsed during the heavy Japanese bombardment.  The main retablo was undamaged but sunken panels and other liturgical ornamentations done by Italian artist Alberoni were lost.  It was restored from 1949 to 1954 by Fr. Melanio Garcia but was again damaged by a strong typhoon in 1962.

The church's facade

The church’s Neo-Classical-style facade

The church is 82.45 m. long, 21.12 m. wide, 10.50 m. high and has 2.46-m. thick walls.  The simple, plastered stone Neo-Classic-style facade has a semicircular arched main entrance flanked by engaged, fluted pilasters spanned by a lintel frame above which is a rectangular window with the same pilaster and lintel arrangement and flanked by small niches.  Above the window is a statued niche with a small segmental pediment above it and elegant curvilinear lines flowing from the mid-section.  An imaginary triangular pediment masks the roof.

The 5-storey, octagonal bell tower

The 5-storey, stone and brick bell tower

Its only nave was originally painted by Dibella and Alberoni, both Italian artists.  The central retablo is flanked by rectangular openings with triangular segments as well as coupled pilasters on the first level and single columns on the second level.   The 5-storey, 31-m. high stone and brick bell tower, still unrestored, has two square stories and three octagonal.  The convent, at the opposite end of the church, is profusely ornamented.

The church's retablo

The church’s retablo

How to Get There; Lubao is located 83 kms. from Manila and 16 kms. south of the City of San Fernando.

Fontana Waterpark (Clark Special Economic Zone, Pampanga)

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The next day, we all donned our bathing attire and visited the adjoining Fontana Water Park, the ultimate cool spot in Pampanga and the finest of its kind in the area. I brought along my 2 kids Jandy and Cheska.  Joining us were my balikbayan aunt Tita Cita, my brother Frank and his wife Ate Cherry.  This tropical jungle-themed park features a world-class wave pool that can electronically produce 6 types of simulated waves (ranging from mild to strong) up to 3 ft. high.

Tita Cita and Ate Cherry at the Wave Pool

We waited patiently for the waves which came every 30 mins.. When they did arrive, we kept on jumping about so that the waves, which last for 15 mins., won’t lash our faces.  This,  plus three giant aqua thrill slides, provided all the spills and thrills we wanted in a water amusement park. They also have kid-friendly pools with water level from 1 to 2 ft..  A replica of a pirate ship (the “Admiral”), with 4 mini water slides, continuously spouts streams of water into the shallow pool.  Lifeguards were everywhere, providing for a safe environment for adults and children alike.

Jandy tries out one of the Aqua Thrill water slides

A meandering  Lazy River swirls around the water park and one can ride around it in huge, animal-shaped (crocodile, snake, dinosaur, etc.) yellow life savers.  At the Mad Scientist Water Factory, so called because of the contraptions found in a horror movie, a wrong turn here will cause water to splash all over our face.  Adorning the water park are huge statues of elephants said to have been imported from Malaysia.  There are also statues of monkeys, an octopus, frog, dolphin and a swan.

L-R: Cheska, Kuya Frank, Tita Cita and Jandy

Fontana Water Park: Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino, C.M. Recto Highway, Clark Special Economic Zone, 2023 Pampanga.  Open Mondays to Thursdays, 8 AM-6 PM (entrance fee: PhP375) and Fridays to Sundays, 8 AM-6 PM (entrance fee:  PhP475). Tel: (045) 499-1179.