Tuesday, June 16, 2009

To do in Angeles

• Barhopping on Fields Ave. is arguably Angeles City's most famous attraction, offering male tourists a large selection of female companionship. Surrounding Fields Ave., Santos St., Real St. and Raymond St., there is perhaps the largest concentration of go-go bars in the world, numbering 60-70 within a few city blocks. Although some bars are opened 24 hours, most don't open until late afternoons and close during the wee hours of the morning. There is no cover charge to enter the bars (except for special events) and drinks will cost P50-200. Lady drinks are normally triple that amount. At any given moment, each bar can host between 20 to 100 dancers, most of whom are available for take-out in exchange for a "barfine", a payment to the bar for the priviledge. Barfines can range from P500 to P2000, depending on the bar and the duration in which the buyer wants companionship. Patrons are not obligated to pay a barfine and can simply sit, drink and watch the dancing.

• Tigtigan Terakan Keng Dalan (Music and Dancing in the Streets) which started in 1992, is an annual all-night party along MacArthur Highway, Balibago, held on the last friday & saturday of October. Restaurants & bars set-up tables & chairs along the streets, and serves over-flowing food and drinks. It features non-stop music from amateur and national bands and is attended by celebrities, out-of-towners and locals alike. This event is used to celebrate the Octoberfest. Phone: (63)(45) 625-8525 (Department of Tourism); E-mail: celtour@yahoo.com.

• Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta is held every year between January and February at Clark Special Economic Zone. It features multicolored hot-air balloons with more than a hundred balloon pilots from around the world and considered to be the biggest aviation sports event in the country. Phone: (63)(45) 599-5524.

• Sisig Festival is held annually in the month of December, celebrating the Kapampangan dish, sisig, which said to have been originated in this city. Phone: (63)(45) 625-8525 (Department of Tourism); E-mail: celtour@yahoo.com.

• Mount Pinatubo Trekking is highly recommended for trekking or hiking enthusiasts who like to have the most memorable trip to this once deadly volcano. One would have the experience to board a 4x4 which will head to lahar country passing some rough terrain, gray, barren mountains interspersed with green, lush mountains. Upon reaching the summit, you would definitely enjoy the spectacular clear blue, pristine waters surrounded by mountains. Phone: (63)(45) 892-7975 (Dream Treks), (63)(45) 781-12582 (R & J Pinatubo Trek) and (63)(45) 602-5133 (Swagman's Mount Pinatubo Adventure Treks). Current cost for the trip is PhP8,000 and it is good for 4 persons. This might be a problem if one is traveling alone, as it might be hard to find company for this trip as most of the tourists in Angeles are there for totally other reasons. This is for short 9 hours or one-day trip. Hiking part is being anything between 3 and 6 hours depending on the fitness of the group. There are also overnight trips available.

• Philippine Adventures provides an exciting day trip to Mt Pinatubo from Manila. The tour includes air-conditioned transfers. Use of 4x4 Jeep. Packed lunch. Private local guide leading a trek to the crater and lake. For further information email info@philippineadventures.com or view

• Mount Pinatubo Aerial Tours is for you if you want to have the best seat to view the volcano that once ravaged Central Luzon. Considered one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century, the eruption affected global weather patterns. Having been dormant for centuries, Mount Pinatubo erupted anew in 1991, spewing an ash plume that spread across the globe. Have a bird's-eye-view of the crater, surreal ash canyons and the remnants of the once-devastating lahar flows. Flights depart out of Omni Aviation Complex at Clark Field. Cost is $55 per person, flying time for 1 to 2 persons is 45 minutes while for 3 or more is one hour. The best time to fly is early in the morning (sunrise-10AM) and in the late afternoon (3PM-sunset). Phone: (63)(45) 599-5524.

• Parachuting/Skydiving has to be one of the very best ways to view the surrounding countryside. The Tropical Asia Parachute Center (TAPC) operates from Clark Freeport Zone. The center provides student training, including both tandem and static line parachuting, and advanced training. Costs are very reasonable and if you have considered trying this sport before, take advantage while visiting the Philippines. Phone: (63)(45) 599-6246; Fax: (63)(45) 599-6245; E-mail: ville@mozcom.com.

• Ultra-light Flying is one sport that is definitely growing. If you want your senses get heightened and your heart pound as the wind whistles through your hair, this is for you! This is organized by the Angeles City Flying Club. The area also offers many additional attractions, from diving to cycling to hiking to night clubbing. Phone: (63)(918) 231–5266; Fax: (63)(45) 332-3311; E-mail: acfc@mozcom.com.

• Drive Off-Road is an off-road challenge where you can take on a wild, bumpy, ride in old four-wheel-drive jeeps in a safari-like journey across the dusty expanse of the valley to a campsite. It is organized by the Angeles City Four Wheelers Club and is ideal for trekking and be able to see the lahar canyons, Gate of Heaven and other sites in Mount Pinatubo. Phone: (63)(45) 599-5000.

• Golf, world-class golf courses, such as Holiday Inn Golf and Resort, Fontana Resort, Angeles Sports and Country Club, and J&K Golf are the recommended golf courses for those so inclined. Phone: (63)(2) 845-1888 or USA toll-free: 1-888-465-4329 (Holiday Inn), (63)(45) 599-5000 (Fontana), (63)(45) 892-6358 (Angeles Sports and Country Club) and (63)(45) 599-7888 (J&K Golf).
• Lawn Bowling is the only one in the country and is offered at the Hidden Vale and Angeles Sports and Country Club, a mature 11.34 hectare site which includes a nine-hole golf course, luxurious penthouse suites and driving range. Phone: (63)(45) 625-8525 (Department of Tourism); E-mail: celtour@yahoo.com.

• Visit the Pool Resorts, though Angeles has no beaches, it has a number of resorts to choose from, including Clearwater Country Club, Angeles Beach Club (ABC), Fontana, Oasis, Holiday Inn Resort, Amando's, Villa Alfredo's, Villa Antonina, and Greenville, some just slightly outside the boundries of the city. Phone: 599-5949 (Clearwater), (63)(45) 892-2222 (ABC) and (63)(45) 599-5000 (Fontana).

• Drag and Go-Kart Racing is organized by the Angeles Hot Rod Association (AHRA), the oldest drag racing in the Philippines. You can find this attraction at the Omni Aviation inside the Clark Ecozone. AHRA is where you will find most of the big V8 muscle cars, as well as many "bangers." In addition to race meets, they also organize and run regular classic and custom car shows, swap meets, social events and more. Phone: (63)(45) 599-5524 or (63)(45) 599-6246; E-mail: ahra@nt1.ph.

• Gambling, being renowned as a city with high concentration of casinos, such as Casino Filipino-Angeles, Casino Filipino-Mimosa, Fontana Casino, and Casablanca Casino, Angeles offers a variety of activities that will keep leisure travelers definitely happy. Phone: (63)(45) 332-1196, (63)(45) 332-1198, (63)(45) 892-5073, (63)(45) 892-5074, or (63)(45) 892-4182 (Casino Filipino-Angeles) and (63)(45) 599-6020 (Casino Filipino-Mimosa); E-mail: cfangeles@comclark.com.

• Play Pool in a city of great champions like Efren Reyes and Rodolfo Luat. Angeles has an abundance of pool tables to play all along the Fields Avenue and hundreds of other places in the city.

• Mount Arayat Trek is available November through May. Prices range: day trips (minimum of 3 persons, P800 per person) and overnight trips (minimum of 3 persons, P2500 per person). Phone: (63)(45) 892-6239.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Google Search

Custom Search