Brace yourselves for storm of events in Angeles City

THE much awaited and anticipated major internationally acclaimed event in Angeles City is coming really soon!

The culminating activity of the month-long celebration of the Angeles City Twin Fiesta ’09, dubbed as the Angeles City Street Jam & Party 2009, will be observed for two days, October 30 and 31, this Friday and Saturday, each from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., at Mac Arthur High Way, Balibago, Angeles City.


This is a project of the Angeles City government, headed by Mayor Blueboy Nepomuceno, with the Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO), headed by Pie Angeles-Flores as lead organizer. This is in cooperation with the different government agencies, non-government organizations, and the private sector and has been funded by this year’s major sponsors: San Miguel Brewery Inc., San Miguel Beverages, Globe Telecom, Globe Asiatique, Andok’s, and Zest Air.

Compared to five stages from last year, Angeles City Street Jam & Party ’09 boasts of seven entertainment stages this year: two stages from San Miguel Brewery Incorporated, with local and national bands, one stage from Ginebra which has a videoke center that gives out free CDs after recording your own song, one stage from Globe Telecom which has a dance contest and Manila DJs, one stage from Globe Asiatique with musical talents and showbiz personalities, and one stage in front of Pagcor/Angeles with musical artists delighting the crowd.


On Friday, October 30, national bands provided for by San Miguel Brewery Inc. are Rock Steady, Mayonnaise, Hale, Shamrock, and Sanijnilif.

On Saturday, the next day, people will be entertained by Brown Man Revival, Sugar Free, Delara (formerly Mojofly), Silent Sanctuary, and Soap Dish.

Reasonably priced at P100 per ticket, entrance fee is inclusive of a plastic cup of San Miguel Daft Beer or a can of Cali Shandy, Globe sim card, Friendship bracelet & necklace/dog tag, and a raffle ticket entitling participant a chance to win a prize from Globe Asiatique. On top of this, more promos await spectators within the event area from the different concessionaires in their own booths. Moreover, each day is even more spiced-up with a fireworks display.

To secure all stakeholders in the event area, security has been heightened by tapping Angeles City Police Office, Philippine Air Force: 710th SPOW & 600th ABW, and force multipliers such as Cobra D Founder, Citizen’s Crime Watch, Tropang Crime Watch, Phi Beta Rho, and Tanods from Baragays Cutcut & Sto. Rosario. Moreover, CCTV camera units will be spread along the entire stretch of the festival area as Angeles City Mayor, Francis L. Nepomuceno will launch the city-wide CCTV Surveillance Project this Saturday, October 31.

To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, ACTMEU-PNP & Actetmo have come up with a re-routing scheme. Aside from road signages, traffic enforcers will be present to guide motorists. The organizers would like to remind the public that starting today, Wednesday, at 12:01 a.m., the “Truck Ban” will be enforced on the Balibago Mac Arthur High Way Stretch (venue of the A.C. Street Jam & Party ’09).

On Friday, at 12:01 a.m., Partial closure of Balibago Stretch’s Mac Arthur Hi-way North bound lane, at 1 p.m. is total closure of Balibago Stretch’s Mac Arthur Hi-way North & South bound lanes.

On Sunday, November 1, at 8 a.m. - Partial opening of Balibago Stretch’s Mac Arthur Hi-way South bound lane, and at 10 a.m. - Total opening of Balibago Stretch’s Mac Arthur Hi-way North & South bound lanes.

The energy is high as everyone looks forward to this year’s electrifying Angeles City Street Jam & Party 2009! So be part of the fun, celebrate with the Angeleños this Friday and Saturday, October 30 & 31, 2009.

What Angeles is celebrating

LET'S give a toast to Angeles City which celebrates its fiesta this second Sunday of October.

This city of illustrious families, visionary entrepreneurs and resilient, deeply religious citizens is the first town in the entire Kapampangan Region to become a city, back in 1964, or 37 years before another town achieved the same feat (San Fernando in 2001).


The difference between the two is that Angeles is a chartered city, which gives it autonomy from Pampanga (which is why Angeleños don’t vote for governor), while San Fernando is a component city, which still makes it administratively part of the province.

How this former barrio of San Fernando rose to prominence and eclipsed its own mother-town is a success story that should serve as a model to other progressive barrios dreaming of independence from their respective matrixes, like Sta. Cruz from Lubao, Dau from Mabalacat, Betis from Guagua, San Matias from Sto. Tomas, Manibaug from Porac and Balibago from Angeles.

San Fernando itself used to be part of two towns, Mexico and Bacolor, which were two very large towns right next to each other, until 1754 when the Spaniards carved out a new town right between them.

This is the reason old families from Bacolor and Mexico like the Lazatins, the Panlilios, the Ocampos, the Singians, the Dayrits and the Hensons can also be found in San Fernando.

Later, when it was the turn of Angeles to secede from San Fernando, the same families moved to the new town as well—which is why you see families here carrying these surnames.
They also own some of the big subdivisions in this city: L & S (which stands for Lazatin and Singian), Essel (or SL, Singian Lazatin), Hensonville, Josefaville (after Josefa Henson), Carmenville (after Carmen Dayrit) and Villa Gloria, Villa Angela and Villa Angelina (all Lazatin ladies).

The founder of Angeles town, Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, was the mayor of San Fernando in 1795. As soon as he stepped down, he moved north to retire in a barrio called Saguin, from where he and wife Rosalia conducted daily clearing operations in a forested area called Kuliat. There he built his new hacienda, his house (“on the northwest corner of the intersection of Sapang Balen creek and the road to Porac,” or the present Robin Theatre) and a chapel (the present Chowking Restaurant). (The house owned by the Naguiats is Don Angel’s second.)

He also invited friends in his old town to resettle, which irked the parish priest of San Fernando, Fray Jose Pometa, OSA, who probably feared a reduction in Sunday Mass collections. Fray Pometa and his coadjutor used the pulpit to convince Kuliat residents to return to San Fernando, sometimes publicly humiliating them. The priests reportedly even put a curse on Kuliat, which would never become a town “tuling la man ding tagac, muti la ding sablang auac!”

After Don Angel formally applied for secession, two developments worked in his favor: (a) the marriage of his only daughter to a brilliant Kuliat-born lawyer, Mariano Paras Henson, the first Filipino layman to become a Doctor of Laws, and (b) the appointment of a Kuliat-born secular priest, Padre Macario Paras, who was Dr. Henson’s relative.

On December 8, 1829, after Don Angel complied with the final requirement (he personally paid the colonial government the equivalent amount of taxes collectible from the 160 pioneer settlers), barrio Kuliat officially became a town.

The court decision, signed October 16, 1829 (a copy of which was given to the Center for Kapampangan Studies by historian Dr. Luciano Santiago), stated, among others, the petitioner’s assurance of the parish priest’s income, his principal reason for the separation (the great distance between Kuliat and San Fernando “which makes it difficult and almost impossible to administer the sacraments during the rainy days”), and the warning that it was “illegal for the parish priest of San Fernando to prevent (the new parish priest of Kuliat) from freely exercising his pastoral ministry.”

The new town’s first barrios were Sto. Rosario, San Jose, Cutcut, Pampang, Amsic and Santol. (Balibago and Malabanias still belonged to Mabalacat, Cutud to Mexico and Pandan, Pulungbulo, Mining, and Capaya to San Fernando.)

Kuliat was renamed Angeles in honor of its founder, Don Angel. It was dedicated to the Los Santos Angeles Custodios (The Holy Guardian Angels), whose feast day is Oct. 2. (The US city of Los Angeles, on the other hand, got its name from the Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, or Our Lady of the Angels).

Eventually the town adopted Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary as patron saint (whose iconic image is venerated as the Virgen de La Naval because it was the same image used by the victorious Spanish fleet in a naval battle against the Protestant Dutch invaders in 1646). This makes Angeles one of only three places in the country celebrating the La Naval (the other two are Manila and Bacolor). It is said that the founder’s wife, Rosalia, was also personally devoted to this Marian icon.

On Sunday, the feast that Angeles will celebrate is that of La Naval (Manila and Bacolor celebrate their versions in November). Later, on the last Friday of this month, Angeles will celebrate another fiesta, the Fiestang Apu, in honor of the Apung Mamacalulu (Lord of Mercy, whose icon is the Interred Christ, or Santo Entierro).

Devotion to this icon started in 1897 when the town was spared from Revolution-related skirmishes, which residents credited to the quinario (five-day novena) they held right after the La Naval fiesta in honor of the five wounds of the Interred Christ. Local legend has it that a local Katipunero named Roman Payumo miraculously escaped execution during the quinario. Devotion has since reached cult proportions.

As the city celebrates its fiesta, let’s appreciate the role it played in the nation’s history: This is where Aguinaldo moved his revolutionary government’s capital (before Tarlac) and celebrated the first anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1899. This is also the town that hosted the largest American military base outside the United States, which spun off a PX industry that redefined Kapampangan tastes.

After being dealt two near-fatal blows in 1991 (the Pinatubo eruption and the Clark Air Base pullout), it defied all odds and rose back to its feet. You should have seen how this town looked like the day after the eruption to really appreciate the heights it has reached since then.

Cheers to the City of Angels!


Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on October 6, 2009.
Robby Tantingco

Ayala’s Marquee Mall opens, redefines shopping in Angeles City

ANGELES CITY—Ayala Malls’ first foray in Central Luzon, the Marquee Mall, opened its doors here last week September 23, 2009. A move Ayala executives said is set to redefine shopping, dining and entertainment in Pampanga and the region, and provide patrons an experience that goes beyond shopping.

The mall is conveniently situated near the city’s business district and adjacent to the Angeles exit of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex). This new 9.3-hectare lifestyle hub is a vital component of Marquee, a 53-hectare integrated mixed-use community recently developed by Ayala Land Inc. (Ali)

The new Pampanga destination also brings the other side of the globe with Aldo, Nautica, Iora, Lacoste Footwear, Sanuk, Bossini, Naturalizer, Samsonite, Aerosoles, Nine West, Lacoste, Marks & Spencer, Swatch, Res Toe Run, Geox and Travel Club as representatives. Urban Manila doesn’t get left behind with Bench, Penshoppe, Folded & Hung, Kamiseta and Bayo.

International dining chains such as TGIFridays, Italianni’s, Flapjacks and Cyma are also in the mall.

So come on in. Take a good look around. You’re sure to have “fun at the mall” and at the same time find some super bargains.

Facade not yet finished.

Interior

Cinema

Deluxe Hotels in Angeles

* HOLIDAY INN HOTEL
* OASIS HOTEL
* ORANGE LION HOTEL
* PACIFIC BREEZE HOTEL
* ROYAL AMSTERDAM HOTEL
* WILD ORCHID RESORT HOTEL

HOLIDAY INN HOTEL

Holiday Inn Clark is just 5 minutes drive from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark International Airport which offers flights to Korea via Asiana Airlines, Singapore via Tiger Airways, to Malaysia via Air Asia and to Hong Kong via CR Airways.

The hotel offers 303 superior and deluxe rooms and one-bedroom suites and 34 two-bedroom garden villas, tennis court, children’s day care center with baby sitting, swimming pool, full spa and a gymnasium and features two restaurants, a bar lounge and 24-hour room service. Just two minutes drive is the Mimosa Golf and Country Club- a 36-holes championship golf course. Five minutes away are the duty free shops and the Casino Filipino Mimosa and just 10 minutes drive to the SM City Clark Mall. Holiday Inn Clark is positioned just 1 ½ hours drive from Manila via the new North Luzon Expressway. The hotel also has extensive convention and banquet facilities which can accommodate up to 1,000 persons plus four breakout rooms for small meetings and seminars. Clients can also enjoy the exciting sightseeing tours and nearby local historical points of significance.


Location : Mimosa drive, Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark Field, Pampanga 2009 Philippines
Website : www.ichotelsgroup.com

 OASIS HOTEL

Oasis Hotel consist of 124 rooms ideal for individual travelers, businessman, group booking and for couple, too. Each of the well-appointed guestrooms is equipped with individual air-conditioning unit, IDD and NDD connections, cable TV with premium channels and adequately stocked mini bars. Furnished with your choice of a king-size bed or two single beds. Oasis Hotel, a sprawling property, situated with a unique gated community that gives you a feeling of belongingness and security at the heart of Angeles City. When traveling on business or leisure, attending a conference or a special event, there’s still no place like home.


Location :Perimeter of the Clark Special Economic Zone, Angeles City, Philippines
Website : http://www.oasishotel.com.ph
Email : reserve@oasishotel.com.ph

ORANGE LION HOTEL

Established in April 2005, our hotel was built in the renowned Dutch baroque style of the 18th century and pays tribute to all the splendor of this era. From our rooms, which are all individually dedicated to a specific Dutch Master painter, to our classical Amsterdam frontage, to our café with its warm fine wooden furniture, antique decorations and extensive music collection at conversation level, all will give you a warm feeling of unwinding like they used to do in the Golden Age. Combine this with the luxury facilities that the 21st century has to offer, and a pleasant stay is guaranteed.


Location :132-A Fields Avenue, Balibago, Angeles City, Philippines
Website : http://www.orangelionhotel.com
Email : info@orangelionhotel.com

PACIFIC BREEZE HOTEL

Pacific Breeze offer seven types of attractively decorated rooms and suites situated throughout our main building and our Oahu Wing annex. All rooms are equipped with the following features:






* DVD Player with remote
* Remote Control Color TV
* Cable TV with CNN/FOX/HBO/Cinemax and many other international channels
* Free High-Speed Internet Access
* In Room Direct Dial Phones
* Air Conditioning with Overhead Fans
* Large Wardrobe/Closet
* Large In Room Programmable Safety Boxes (Laptop friendly)
* Stocked Mini bar
* Breakfast Table with Chairs
  

Location : 1888 Vian Street, Balibago, Angeles City, Philippines 2009
Website :http://www.pacificbreezehotel.com
Email :info@pacificbreezehotel.com
Telephone: +(63)-45-625-6494/6495, 322-1265
Fax: +(63)-45-892-5293


 ROYAL AMSTERDAM HOTEL

With the extraordinary way of pampering at the Hotel Royal Amsterdam Angeles City, you'll hardly feel away from home. With every stay at the Hotel Royal Amsterdam Angeles City, experience a distinctly indulgent and comforting atmosphere where your every need is personally met. With our efficient and friendly staff, professional housekeeping services and other special courtesies, we make you feel the extra attention that touches you from the start to the end of the day...the Royal Amsterdam way.


The Hotel Royal Amsterdam features 7 different room and suite types. All guest rooms are tastefully designed and appointed with luxurious furnishings and first class amenities. Fine wooden finishes, classic designs, soothing hues, and mellow lighting foster an inviting aura of coziness and comfort.

Location : 648 Fields Avenue, Balibago, Angeles City, 2009, Pampanga, Philippines
Website : http://www.hotelroyalamsterdam.com
Email : info@hotelroyalamsterdam.com
Telephone No. : +63-45-892 3392-3
Fax No. : +63-45-892 3391

WILD ORCHID RESORT HOTEL

The Wild Orchid Resort Hotel Angeles City features 55 rooms offering some of Angeles City�s best accommodations at competitive rates. You may choose from five room types:




    * Deluxe Room
    * Balcony Room
    * Veranda Room
    * Jacuzzi Room
    * Garden Room

All rooms are equipped with American King size mattress and box spring beds, air conditioning, bath tubs (except Jacuzzi rooms), fully stocked refrigerators, remote controlled televisions with cable (including HBO, ESPN and Cinemax, and much more), DVD players, writing desk, toiletries, in-room safes, international and domestic direct dial and internet access (laptop required). Non-smoking rooms are available.

Website : http://www.wildorchidresort.com
Email : info@wildorchidresort.com
Telephone:
+63(045)892-0134 / 892-0138 / 892-0316 / 892-0349
+63(045)625-6335 to 6339 / 625-6445
Fax +63(045)625-6267

Why do they call it Fields Avenue?

Do they think it was named in honor of W. C. Fields?

You hear people say, "Fields Avenue" or simply "Fields" when they are referring to Field Avenue. Look around the Internet and you will find this is a common error even in print. It seems many businesses located on Field Avenue have perpetuated the error by listing their address as being on Fields Avenue (with the "s").

Field Avenue was not named in honor of W. C. Fields or any other person with the name Fields. It started out as a road next to an army airfield and as was common practice it was named Field Avenue.


If you look at old maps or street signs you will find the spelling to be "Field" (without an "s").  See street sign below:

You may also view the spelling of Field Avenue on the Balibago map on the WHOA web site: 

Newer maps may show the spelling as Fields Avenue (with the "s"), but there is no evidence that the official street name was changed.

Luxury Hotels in Angeles City

ANGELES BEACH CLUB HOTEL





Other than superior comfort and service, a passion for art and craftsmanship, and a tropical beach, at the ABC it's all about life as wonderful as can be. Adding a new dimension to the 'Angeles Holiday'. We offer fresh suggestions that might help you achieve the best time in the entertainment area of Angeles City, Philippines. 

At ABC hotel, a room is not just a place to sleep. The 53 rooms are the hotel's main feature. They want the guest to fall asleep with a smile. Outstanding choices of furniture, decor and general design give the rooms the exceptionally warm and picturesque visual result. Though, other than a visually pleasing setting, more important, is creating a structured environment of optimal well-being. They believe that comfort and luxury is in the details. In between the two buildings lies a little 'untouched' oasis.

Location :
Don Juico Avenue Malabanias, Angeles City, Philippines

Website : http://www.angelesbeachclubhotel.com

Email : info@angelesbeachclubhotel.com

Phone Number: 00(63) (45) 892-2222
Fax Number: 00(63) (45) 892-5375


DOLLHOUSE HOTEL AND CAFE

Experience the ultimate in lifestyle and convenience during your trip to one of Asia’s most exciting cities with a stay at the Dollhouse Hotel & Café. Located in the heart of Angeles City’s entertainment district, the famous Field Avenue, means that the city’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment venues are conveniently close at hand.

Guest rooms are well appointed and tastefully designed  combined with the comforts of home with the services and facilities of a superior hotel. The perfect location, unsurpassed comfort, and unrivaled facilities and services make Dollhouse Hotel & Café the preferred choice in exclusive accommodations.

Location :
1035 Fields Avenue, Balibago, Angeles City, 2009 Philippines
Website :     http://www.dollhousehotel.com
Email :         info@dollhousehotel.com  
Telephone No: +63 (45) 892-2720 
Fax: +63 (45) 892-3267


LEWIS GRAND HOTEL

 Where entertainment is magnified, cultures meet, and Angeles City style is redefined. Nestled between the world famous upper and lower Field Avenue, the hotel offers its customers absolutely the finest Hotel accommodations Angeles City currently has to offer. The Hotel is tourist friendly and offers an atmosphere that is exciting and at the same time soothing and comfortable. It is driven by the qualities of its international and local guests, serving as a get away oasis for those in search of the purest comforts.

The Hotel is tourist friendly and offers an atmosphere that is exciting and at the same time soothing and comfortable. It is driven by the qualities of its international and local guests, serving as a get away oasis for those in search of the purest comforts.

Location :   
Don Juico Avenue Malabanias, Angeles City, Philippines

Website :   

http://www.lewisgrand.com

Email :
info@lewisgrand.com

Phone Number:
+(6345) 625.3947

Angeles City

Angeles City is in Pampanga province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. The city is rich in history and heritage, with old and historical significant buildings dotting its landscape, but these days it is perhaps best known for its vibrant adult nightlife.

Angeles is a thriving city comparable to the Philippine capital and largest city, Manila. In 1899, it became the seat of the Philippine government under General Emilio Aguinaldo and the site of the first anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence.

The city has a booming nightlife and is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, particularly from South Korea. Its center, Balibago, is especially known for its fine restaurants, hotels and shopping malls. Within Balibago is neon-lit Fields Avenue, known for its bars, nightclubs and what may be one of the world's largest concentrations of go-go bars. Adjoining Clark Freeport Zone is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty-free shops and beautifully landscaped golf courses. The city, and the rest of the Pampanga region, is known as the "Culinary Center of the Philippines."

Get in

By plane

Angeles is served by the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Freeport Zone, approximately 5 kilometers from the city proper. It has adequate travel facilities, a duty free shopping center, souvenir shops, free wireless internet, a tourist information center, hotel and travel agency representatives, and car rental services.

The airport is where budget airlines like Air Asia (from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu), Tiger Airways (from Singapore and Macau) and Cebu Pacific (from Singapore and Bangkok) fly to. Also, it receives direct flights from Hong Kong and Korea from current carriers like Asian Spirit, Asiana Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Cebu Pacific, South East Asian Airlines and Tiger Airways. Domestic flights are offered by Cebu Pacific and South East Asian Airlines.

Because DMIA is a small airport, containing only one terminal, it is often considered a more efficient gateway into the Philippines than through heavily-congested Manila. The roadways around the airport is fairly rural, making transport between the airport and the city quick and hassle-free. Don't worry about finding transport as taxi drivers will heavily solicit you for patronage as you exit the airport.

By bus

This is the most common and economical way to get to Angeles from Metro Manila. Several air-conditioned bus lines ply from Manila to Angeles route with terminals scattered across the metropolitan area. It normally takes one-and-a-half hours to get to Angeles by bus. However, travellers are well advised to consider the unpredictable effect heavy traffic and downpours will have on the commute. In short, give yourself plenty of time to travel by bus. Provincial bus companies have scheduled trips from Manila to provinces to northern provinces and key cities.

By car

The best way from Manila to Angeles via car is taking the North Luzon Expressway which extends until Sta. Ines in Mabalacat, Pampanga. You may take either the Angeles Exit or Dau exit to get there. Another motorway, though narrow, is the McArthur Highway and visitors need to pass through the province of Bulacan to get to Angeles on both routes. It usually takes about 45 minutes to travel but it is twice the travel time if you plan to take the McArthur route due to heavy traffic along its stretch. Rental car companies can be found all over Manila and Angeles. If you don't know the routes, you can hire drivers by asking the attendant of the rent-a-car shop.

Get around

By jeepney
To hop on a colorful jeepney (small bus) is certainly the most affordable way to get around downtown. It is available 24 hours a day and it is the most famous mode of transportation in the country, which connects towns and cities together. Since jeepneys tend to be overcrowded with passengers, tourists carrying bulky luggage should consider traveling by taxi.

By taxi
Though more convenient for tourists, taxis are less common in Angeles and not normally used for travel outside the city. Rather, they are primarily used to tour around the Clark Freeport Zone and for transport to and from the airport. Simson's taxicab terminal can be found particularly next to Clark's main gate (opposite Jollybee's) and SM City-Clark mall in Balibago.

By trike
Trikes (or tricycles) are motocycles with a small attached passenger cabin. They are restricted to low-speed roads and not permitted to enter the area surrounding the airport. Passengers of larger physical stature may find riding in them uncomfortable. Nevertheless, because of their slower speeds, trikes are generally a safe mode of transport.