Pampanga is so vast and there are a lot of place to visit, food to eat and try, and lots of things you can experience. But visiting them all in one day is impossible, you need to plan your travel and visit every week or month, just to explore all the great wonders of Pampanga. This is my 3rd tour here in Pampanga and I’m learning a lot already, but there’s still more places to visit and here’s a continuation of my adventure.
Here are some of the places we visited and food we tried when we attended a tour with NorthPine Land. You can check my blog post about NorthPine Land’s new residential project in San Fernando, Pampanga, visit the link below and have a virtual tour inside their model homes
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Blog: https://azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/2018/09/tour-in-northpine-lands-montana-strands.html
FIGARO
Our first assembly is at Figaro in Ortigas, we started to gather there at around 5am, I believe that there’s an office of NorthPine Land at the same building. They’ve prepared breakfast for us and I think they’ve invited 30 bloggers for the tour in Pampanga
Me and Lee Rosales arrived there first, we traveled both from the South and once we arrived, I requested to the staff to let us in hahahah. Because I think we are there at around 430am and it was raining.
Salted Egg Potato Chips by Figaro
Wow!! Why is it Im not informed ahhaha. Im so addicted with these snacks.
Btw, I also learned that Figaro makes sandwiches for Philippine Airlines, I’ve tried recently their Pesto Chicken Sandwich, and I noticed there’s a logo of Figaro printed on the wrapper.
Btw, the sandwich in PAL is good!
My kind of breakfast.. American coffee and some pizza pandesal. I super love the melted cheese. These breakfast gave me a lot of boost.. But Im still so sleepy and I only got 3 hours of sleep that night.
DRIVE THROUGH NLEX
NorthPine Land prepared a tourist bus for all bloggers and media, but I got invited by Ian Bacungan and Enzo Luna to join with them in a car pool, I was surprised to see that they’ve got a car review unit from Nissan and they are driving the new 2018 edition Nissan X-Trail, one of my fave SUV from Nissan.
I got the most comfy ride to Pampanga and also I love the convertible see through glass roof, that gave more relaxation, I slept the entire trip and I woke up almost near the first destination, in Montana Strands, the new residential project of NorthPine Land in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Watch out soon for my VLOG on Youtube about our adventure.
ROLREN’S PAROL MAKING
After a short tour at Montana Strands, the NorthPine Land team brought us to our 1st tour site and Im excited to visit this because the best of the best of Christmas Parol or Lantern are made here in Pampanga and our visit is at one of the parol making center -- Rolren's Lantern And General Merchandise in San Fernando, Pampanga
Rolren’s is one of the popular parol makers in Pampanga and this was operated by Roland Quiambao, Pampanga’s one and only Parol King!
Mr Rolando, the Parol King, was a janitor working abroad during the 80’s and then when he went back here in Pampanga after working for many years as a janitor, he decided to make his own parol making business and always join the lantern making contest every year at the Giant Lantern Festival, his parol always win and that’s why he was called the Parol King.
His business was affected when the Mt Pinatubo volcano erupted, but the town folks and municipal asked for his help to make more parols to decor the entire town that can help bring back the positivity after the volcano devastation.
His story is very inspiring, and that attracted ABS CBN’s Maalala Mo Kaya drama series to feature his life story.
Check out a video clip here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIkTEX9RdFI / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS-nJYwZSGg
As early in the month of August, Rolren’s is now busy making parols that are pre-ordered by their customers from local and abroad. Here we spotted some of his parol makers doing some finishing touches. We also got a chance to interact with them and watch them make the light's effect of the parol.
Some of the best selling parols are made up from capiz shells, and they can also make you a giant parol if ever you need it to hang it outside your house.
Rolren’s exhibit room is a bit dark and sad, but then when Mr Rolando pressed that electric switch, all of the parols hanging on their bamboo wall displayed a lot of colorful and dancing lights. As early as August, we felt the joy of Christmas.
It was a perfect back drop to do a selfie with the colorful parols. Here’s Aci and Oscar Bornea doing a couple selfie.
Mr Rolando Quimbao taught us on how to make and design our very own parol. He taught us how to do a cut out stencil using some Padel de Hapon, and then he did a demo on how to glue it and add some designs.
On photo is my design, I got a hard time to make this because, I used only a cutter and not a scissor. And I used a scrap cut out from Mr Rolando’s demo as add on to my parol design hahaha. We took this parol with us and I will display it this Christmas season.
Forgot to mention, they’ve added a small light bulb socket and wires if we plan to use the parol with lights.
Mr Rolando announced that he will select 3 of the best parol design. Hahaha. I didn’t win, but we are proud that we went home carrying a parol gift from the Parol King.
Feel free to contact them if you plan to visit and have a tour at Rolren’s and meet Mr Rolando Quiambao, the Parol King 98iiiiii
Rolren's Lantern And General Merchandise
As early in the month of August, Rolren’s is now busy making parols that are pre-ordered by their customers from local and abroad. Here we spotted some of his parol makers doing some finishing touches. We also got a chance to interact with them and watch them make the light's effect of the parol.
Some of the best selling parols are made up from capiz shells, and they can also make you a giant parol if ever you need it to hang it outside your house.
Rolren’s exhibit room is a bit dark and sad, but then when Mr Rolando pressed that electric switch, all of the parols hanging on their bamboo wall displayed a lot of colorful and dancing lights. As early as August, we felt the joy of Christmas.
It was a perfect back drop to do a selfie with the colorful parols. Here’s Aci and Oscar Bornea doing a couple selfie.
Mr Rolando Quimbao taught us on how to make and design our very own parol. He taught us how to do a cut out stencil using some Padel de Hapon, and then he did a demo on how to glue it and add some designs.
On photo is my design, I got a hard time to make this because, I used only a cutter and not a scissor. And I used a scrap cut out from Mr Rolando’s demo as add on to my parol design hahaha. We took this parol with us and I will display it this Christmas season.
Forgot to mention, they’ve added a small light bulb socket and wires if we plan to use the parol with lights.
Mr Rolando announced that he will select 3 of the best parol design. Hahaha. I didn’t win, but we are proud that we went home carrying a parol gift from the Parol King.
Feel free to contact them if you plan to visit and have a tour at Rolren’s and meet Mr Rolando Quiambao, the Parol King 98iiiiii
Rolren's Lantern And General Merchandise
11 Th Avenue, Unisite Subdivision, San Fernando, 2000 Pampanga
(045) 963 1710
Our next visit is to eat our lunch here in Apag Marangle restaurant. This is my 2nd time here and I super love the Kapampangan dishes and also featuring our fave pinoy food like the Crispy Pata, Kare Kare and many more.
We occupied the floating restaurant, the bamboo house that stand on top of the small pond, it rained so hard that day and we’re so glad that we arrived on time. We are so hungry and we still manage to take pics of our food on the table hahaha.
Here are some of the food we have for lunch --- incomplete pics,because my hand got some smudge and I can no longer grab my camera under a heavy rain.
Crispy Pata
Fried Chicken
Inihaw na Tilapia
Group photo and also the aftermath of our lunch in Apag Marangle.
I can still remember the funny encounters of Ian and Jeman here about the Crispy Pata hahahaha.
Apag Marangle
We occupied the floating restaurant, the bamboo house that stand on top of the small pond, it rained so hard that day and we’re so glad that we arrived on time. We are so hungry and we still manage to take pics of our food on the table hahaha.
Here are some of the food we have for lunch --- incomplete pics,because my hand got some smudge and I can no longer grab my camera under a heavy rain.
Crispy Pata
Fried Chicken
Inihaw na Tilapia
Group photo and also the aftermath of our lunch in Apag Marangle.
I can still remember the funny encounters of Ian and Jeman here about the Crispy Pata hahahaha.
Apag Marangle
Jose Abad Santos Avenue, formerly Olongapo-Gapan Road, Santa Barbara Bridge, Bacolor, 2001 Pampanga
(045) 436 1600
apagmarangle.com
SAN FERNANDO TRAIN STATION
The San Fernando Train Station have witness the many historical events here in Pampanga. The train station was well visited by our national hero Dr Jose Rizal, and the train station was also used by the Japanese army to transport Filipino and American soldiers that surrendered during the country’s lost in war with Japan. Many soldiers have died here because they were transported via a small train coach from another town, and they continued here the historical Death March.
Today, the train station is now a museum and tourism center in Pampanga.Tourist go here to learn about the history and also get a free tourism passport that let them be part of a game to visit all tourist spot in Pampanga, and come back here to surrender the passport with stamps and they can claim a special prize from the tourism center.
There are future plans that the government will revive this train station, because the railroad tracks are still here and it can be renovated and use it for transportation going around North Luzon.
The grassy area is the railroad tracks
Inside the San Fernando Train Station Museum, Im impressed that they converted the entire station into a museum, my last visit here in 2013, and It was only an empty space
Lots of World War artifacts are now displayed. I wonder who are the donors of these war memorabilias.
The walls and structure of the train station look so vintage, but the entire station is renovated and restored
Statues of Japanese, Americans and Filipino soldiers, lots of stories are left here because of the war.
A statue of Dr Jose Rizal, sitting on an old bench, waiting for the arrival of the next train.
Here’s an old photo of the San Fernando Train Station. This station connects up to Tutuban Center in Divisoria, Manila.
The Heritage Passport. If you are on tour here, I suggest you request for a copy of the heritage passport. The rule is, you complete all tourist site, get a stamp, and when you complete it, you submit the Heritage Passport to a tourism officer here at the station and get a prize.
The Death March marker
Behind me is a very nice wall mural..and thats the wall of the public rest room near the tran station
San Fernando Train Station
San Fernando, Pampanga
Cityofsanfernando.gov.ph
(045) 961 5684
CLARK MUSEUM AND 4D CINEMA
We are supposed to visit some old church here in Pampanga, but the typhoon is getting stronger here at the North and the tour organizers decided to skip the church tour because they received reports that the front of the church is flooded. Actually when we arrived at Rolren’s that lunch time, the road going to their place is flooded too.
Here we agreed to travel to Clark Freeport for the last tour spot. I’ve been to Clark Freeport many time and I didn;t know that there’s a Clark Museum and inside the museum there’s also a 4D cinema.
Entrance fee here is Php 200, it includes the museum and gallery entrance fee and also to watch a docu 4D film about the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Take note: Museum is closed every Monday. For info visit: http://www.visitclark.com/museum4d.html
What’s inside
You’ll find here a collection of modern art by Kapampangan artist, the artworks are for sale and the artwork exhibit changes every season. Inside the museum you’ll also see some war artifacts, historical items and some rocks.
Some of the rock collections, I think they’ve found this around after the volcano eruption.
Contemporary arts on display and also for sale.
An artist used a bonsai tree and some lahar dust to show you what happened during the ash fall after the eruption of Mt Pinatubo
This artwork is made by Bong de Luna, art title: Ash fall 1.
Here we agreed to travel to Clark Freeport for the last tour spot. I’ve been to Clark Freeport many time and I didn;t know that there’s a Clark Museum and inside the museum there’s also a 4D cinema.
Entrance fee here is Php 200, it includes the museum and gallery entrance fee and also to watch a docu 4D film about the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Take note: Museum is closed every Monday. For info visit: http://www.visitclark.com/museum4d.html
What’s inside
You’ll find here a collection of modern art by Kapampangan artist, the artworks are for sale and the artwork exhibit changes every season. Inside the museum you’ll also see some war artifacts, historical items and some rocks.
Some of the rock collections, I think they’ve found this around after the volcano eruption.
Contemporary arts on display and also for sale.
An artist used a bonsai tree and some lahar dust to show you what happened during the ash fall after the eruption of Mt Pinatubo
This artwork is made by Bong de Luna, art title: Ash fall 1.
He sell this at PHP30,000, there’s also a small version with a price of PHP20,000
if you are interested to buy it, just email him at Salangianorg@gmail.com
Of the best exhibit at the Clark Museum are the doll collection. Each doll set on display wears the Filipino traditional costumes. I super loved this concept. The dolls are sculpted from wood and the clothes are made from real fabric.
Kasalan and Tindera ng Bulaklak doll dioramas are one of my fave here at the museum.
At the 2nd level you will also see this old car train. At the 2nd level of Clark Museum are the war memorabilias.
An artist carve these figures on a bark of a tree .
So creepy…
Clark Museum / 4D Theater
Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga
(045) 599 2832
Visitclark.com
KAPAMPANGAN CUISINE
At the end of our Pampanga tour organized by NorthPine Land, our last stop is here at the Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine. We ate our dinner here and I got excited beause they served the Kapampangan exotic dishes.
Ginisang Camaro ( crickets)
I was expecting a deep fried version, but I just didn't like the after taste of this exotic dish
Crispy fried crocodile meat.
OMG!!! At first I thought that I was eating a chicken hahahaha. I just realized when the malansa after taste took effect on my taste buds.
Siguro mas ok ito kung saw saw sa vinegar or ketchup
Betute ( stuffed frog)
Super good!!!! Frog meat doesn’t always made me cry for disappointment hahah.
Yun lang para wala na kumain nung malaki frog.
Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine
M. A, Manuel A. Roxas Hwy, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, 2009 Pampanga
(045) 499 2382
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/fZvHdT6FSfH2
During our dinner, a young Aeta came in to entertain us by singing some songs, Jeman Villanueva of Orange Magazine recorded his live act and posted it on Facebook. The video went viral, and we learned that the young Aeta named: Jayson Narciso joined a singing contest: Tawag ng Tanghalan, but he didnt win the contest. Many FB commenters are not convinced that the Aeta guy is not pure Filipino, some say that he is an Amerasian, her mom is Kapampangan and his dad might be an American. But Jeman invited his film docu team to visit Jayson Narciso to interview him and there we learned that he is pure Kapampangan and a member of an Aeta tribe living a simple life in the mountains.
Watch his live act here
And watch the docu here at
You can meet Jayson Narciso in Matam-Ih, I think he is a regular singer there for the dining tourist inside the resto.
During our dinner, a young Aeta came in to entertain us by singing some songs, Jeman Villanueva of Orange Magazine recorded his live act and posted it on Facebook. The video went viral, and we learned that the young Aeta named: Jayson Narciso joined a singing contest: Tawag ng Tanghalan, but he didnt win the contest. Many FB commenters are not convinced that the Aeta guy is not pure Filipino, some say that he is an Amerasian, her mom is Kapampangan and his dad might be an American. But Jeman invited his film docu team to visit Jayson Narciso to interview him and there we learned that he is pure Kapampangan and a member of an Aeta tribe living a simple life in the mountains.
Watch his live act here
And watch the docu here at
You can meet Jayson Narciso in Matam-Ih, I think he is a regular singer there for the dining tourist inside the resto.
LA BAKESHOP
Our stop was supposed to be here at LA Bakeshop, but the heavy rain is non stop, so the NorthPine Land team decided to buy us a box of LA Bakeshop Cheesebread and delivered here at Matam-Ih. They gave this to us before we parted ways and travel back to Manila.
I didn’t expected that this cheesebread is so popular. I tasted it at home the next day and I got blown away by its flavor, Now I know why it is so popular. The next time I visit Pampanga, I make sure I will buy a box of cheesebread from LA Bakeshop
LA Bakeshop
Our stop was supposed to be here at LA Bakeshop, but the heavy rain is non stop, so the NorthPine Land team decided to buy us a box of LA Bakeshop Cheesebread and delivered here at Matam-Ih. They gave this to us before we parted ways and travel back to Manila.
I didn’t expected that this cheesebread is so popular. I tasted it at home the next day and I got blown away by its flavor, Now I know why it is so popular. The next time I visit Pampanga, I make sure I will buy a box of cheesebread from LA Bakeshop
LA Bakeshop
Santo Rosario St, Angeles, Pampanga
Tour is finally over… For me this is the best trip ever because we still made it under a heavy downpour haaha. Good job to the NorthPine Land Team
Congrats to Myla Cammayo and Richard Burgos for the collab effort to make this tour a one of a kind of awesomeness!!! It bring back great memories when we collab for an event in Enchanted Kingdom years ago! Let’s collab again and lets do more tours too!
