Kapampangan For A Day

I remember my friend, Christine Nunag, telling me that she moved to Angeles City in Pampanga despite the travel opportunities that she's been blessed with. It made me wonder why (aside from the fact that she was raised in Pampanga). We don't get to see each other much because of that. I can't imagine moving to the province since I was born and raised as a city girl.

I was privileged enough to be invited to see their Fiestang Kuliat. After taking on that trip and seeing this video (which gave an LSS to a number of us), I understood why this is home and what makes her truly proud to be a Kapampangan.

It's my first time to go to Angeles, at least based on what I remember. When I was reading the email message on how to get there: "From NLEX, take Angeles Exit. Straight to Pandan-Magalang Road all the way to Sto. Entierro St (follow big church looming ahead and at the end of the long street, Museo ning Angeles is on your left),"  I thought I was bound to get lost.

Upon reaching the tollgate at the Angeles exit, I asked the toll person for directions on how to get to the Museo. "Just go straight," where's a Marauder's map when you need one? Go straight I did. And just as Christine's instructions said, there's this BIG church, that is the Holy Rosary Church, with its towers shining on a bright sunny day. I guess I won't be needing a search party after all. The church can be seen all over the city, thus, making it a good reference point of your current location in the city.

When we reached Museo ning Angeles, we were greeted in a way we hardly get to see anymore these days...with a marching band!

For city folks, welcoming someone with a marching band is part of a laugh trip. I was having the same thought at the back of my head that time when I read about the band. When I finally saw the marching band, I actually had this feeling of being sincerely greeted warmly by the people of Angeles. Who would've thought?

After the welcome troop, came the welcome food (of course).

I forgot what this is called, but it's Tortang Giniling on top of half a pan de sal. I would've devoured a lot of this, but I had to save space for the lunch ahead. We were also served hot chocolate that tastes like Chocnut. And my current addiction to its flavor is another story.

Finally got to see Christine!

Now comes the start of the Heritage Tour. The tour started in the museum with Kim as our designated tour guide.

Turns out, Kim's an attraction on his own. So, if you want to see Angeles, I highly recommend taking the tour with Kim.

I've enjoyed going to museums, and I haven't been in one in years! Having Kim around makes it enjoyable as history is presented in a more interesting way.

Museo ning Angeles is your typical museum with dioramas and other old things filled with history.

What's makes it unique is that it has a Culinarium. Then again, it makes sense since Kapampangans are known for their cooking. Part of the tour is exposing your palette to Kapampangan cuisine. Now who wouldn't look forward to that part?

Next on our itinirerary is a trip to the Pamintuan Mansion. Although it's just located near Museo ning Angeles, we were offered to take the kalesa.

What can I say? Despite riding alongside modern vehicles, I still enjoy taking kalesa rides and get nostalgic and all.

I even got to take the ride with an old acquaintance, Rochelle of Hearty's Haven:

When we've reached the Pamintuan Mansion, we were welcomed by this old structure currently on its way to being restored back to its hay days. The mansion belonged to the family of Patis Tesoro.

As the mansion itself is being brought back to life, it's very much alive with the lush bonsais found downstairs.

Over at the Holy Angels University, we got to appreciate the efforts of the community to reintroduce the Kapampangan culture to its new generation through education and literature.

Of course trying to take in all those information can make any person go hungry. And what better way to fully immerse in another person's culture than to eat their food. And this leads us back to Museo ning Angeles for lunch.

The museum has arranged for us a menu of different dishes from what is considered the best in the land.

As I try to enjoy the meal, the City Mayor's wife went to our table and talked about how she prepares food. She actually cooked some of the dishes we were eating and is known as a good cook. While I listen to her food preparation methods, it made me realize how much time, care, and effort she puts into each dish. Tidbits like these, knowing that the dish is really specially prepared by our host, makes me appreciate what I'm eating. I begin to understand why it tastes different as compared to the other versions of the same dish and why Kapampangan cuisine is very much favored by those who've eaten it.

I cannot say that spending half a day has made me fully immersed in the culture of Pampanga, but definitely I am one with them in saying...

If you would like to experience Angeles City, you may contact Museo ning Angeles at +63 45 887 4705. They offer both the culinary and heritage tour. For just a minimum of 10 persons, they could arrange a menu for you and your friends to try at the Culinarium.