Guides of Pampanga

19/10/2023

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

Always look for the DOT Quality Seal.

The DOT Region 3 Office strongly advises the public to transact ONLY with DOT-Accredited accommodation establishments, travel and tour agencies, tour guides, and other tourism enterprises. Entities with DOT-Accreditation ensure the quality of facilities and services for a hassle-free stay/transaction.

DOT-Accredited entities have informative websites and/or social media pages bearing the DOT’s Quality Seal and their corresponding Accreditation Number with validity.

Scan the QR Code below for a complete list of updated DOT-Accredited Enterprise in Central Luzon or you may refer to this link: https://tinyurl.com/DOT3Accredited

19/10/2023

12/10/2023

𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥

Last October 5, at around lunch, we received a request of a guided Pampanga Heritage tour for family relatives coming from Spain. As tour guides, we do not help in the itinerary alone, but also in ensuring that every destination is well coordinated.

The schedule of Atching Lillian, the reservation notice to the restaurant, ensuring the Churches are open and the availability of the Calesas.

By the next day, we are all ready to show the guests our best.

First Stop
𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗴 Atching Lillian - Atching Lillian is very generous to provide us a demonstration when she was already booked by GMA7 in the afternoon. The cooking of sanikulas is an experience to behold and we had a bonus of seeing their Santo Entierro believed to be brought by the Spaniards when they arrived in Pampanga in 1571.

Second Stop
Abe's Farm - the road to Abe's Farm will be graced by the majestic lone Mt. Arayat. The place is definitely relaxing and a no-brainer when it comes to "we should bring you here to eat." We ordered Bamboo rice and the best of Kapampangan cuisine. Pritong Pla-pla with buro and mustasa eaten like the Korean samgyupsal is a must-try.

Third Stop
𝗕𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 - known as the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines, Betis Church is the fusion of faith and artistry. It also includes a trip to the oldest recorded artesian well and a Santiago Matamoros statue.

Fourth Stop
𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 - for so many decades now, this church has been the unofficial symbol for Kapampangan's resiliency after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and lahar flow from 1991-1995. Located in Bacolor which was once the Cultural Capital of Pampanga, there are more stories to unravel here.

Fifth Stop
𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 - home of the Giant Lantern, the province's capital is definitely a must visit with a chance to do a Calesa Ride around Poblacion.

A simple itinerary but this actually is composed of 5 different City/Municipalities customized to provide a memorable visit. You can try it, too and see your province on a deeper perspective.

𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦? We got you! We provide you with packaged tours within and beyond our beautiful province. We also offer customized tour guiding services by our pool of Department of Tourism Accredited Tour Guides.

Calling all interested in tour guiding! Let's guide you with the standards and techniques in an effective tour guiding. Let us be your guide.

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮
Let me be your guide
📱Phone/Viber/Whatsapp: +63 949 994 1058
📧 Email: [email protected]
DOT-R03-TGD-01364-2023

11/10/2023

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝘂𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗪𝟮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Let us start this with a sad observation first, "Buti na lang avid followers kami ni Sir Robby Tantingco."

Wait. It is never the fandom that we are sad about, but by the harsh truth that if not for his post about Luis Taruc, we may have never known the fact that the first Luis Taruc and his WW2 resistance Movement Monument is to be unveiled this coming Saturday (October 14, 2023; 9am) at Garden of Peace Memorial Park, San Luis, Pampanga.

We could not believe how absurd it is that for a significant event like this, a quick search on facebook about "Luis Taruc Monument" will only produce around 3 posts. The first is the post of Sir Robby, 2nd is a simple invitation from GOP Memorial Park page, and another one showing the installation of the base platform by Engr. Clarin. This makes us actually the 4th.

Oh! Wait. There was the Philippine Daily Inquirer Column of Tonette Orejas in July detailing the history of Taruc, the Huks, and this monument. Below is the link to the article:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1808975/betis-artist-starts-huk-monument-in-pampanga?fbclid=IwAR0jKw1Z2wxnyqfeod4p2eq5TB0CZPeosdOO02RuNEy_TaCFj6Nl4kHLbRg

So that makes us the 5th post about this event. I wonder why? Isn't Luis Taruc a hero for 6 years already? (I hope you can hear the sarcasm and the rhetoric on this one). Anyways, here is the post of Sir Robby to provide you a push on why a share is with merit:

https://www.facebook.com/robby.tantingco/posts/pfbid02kVSbGaFVSKqprhi6XtQQzuyqjQJFbkfxhRvQWVbGr6aNNCNhRiqNkFQPUqAztwJ3l

Create a post from these and be the 6th brave soul.

But as I was able to read more about the man, whose honor is to be immortalized with a monument this Saturday, I don't think that any of these actually matter.

The man got principles and even without your approval, those will be unbothered.

To us, sincerest thanks is still in order for businessman Abel Manliclic who commissioned the monument which is sculpted by Totek Layug. For without them, any of these posts will not even exist. This monument is more than a recognition - that there was once a Luis Taruc, a nationalist and defender of the rights of farmers and workers, but also a way for us to think, to remember.

And most importantly as the plaque partly reads, ..."igniting a flame of patriotism in every heart and mind that beholds this monument."

---
Upon knowing this event, we could not wait but check on the ongoing, onsite preparation. Photo was blurred for you to appreciate the actual on Saturday. A copy of the program was commented by Mr. Allan C. Manliclic on Sir Robby's post.

𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦? We got you! We provide you with packaged tours within and beyond our beautiful province. We also offer customized tour guiding services by our pool of Department of Tourism Accredited Tour Guides.

Calling all interested in tour guiding! Let's guide you with the standards and techniques in an effective tour guiding. Let us be your guide.

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮
Let me be your guide
📱Phone/Viber/Whatsapp: +63 949 994 1058
📧 Email: [email protected]
DOT-R03-TGD-01364-2023

10/10/2023

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘀

Santiago Matamoros is directly translated from spanish meaning Saint James the Moor-slayer (mata - death, moros - muslims). It became an interesting story for me when I had a chance to tour Dra. Anna's Spanish relatives from Spain last October 6.

The moment I met Sir Mariano and his wife Madam Graciele, one of our icebreakers is of course Spaniard ancestry. It was early in the tour when I learned that Sir Mariano came from the Santiagos of Bulacan who traces their lineage to the once Datus in the town.

I was already fascinated with the name Santiago even before this tour due to the complexity of its translation - its equivalent in English is James. Later on I would learn that it was derived from Hebrew name Ya'akov (meaning Jacob) that would then be Sant Iago, Sant Yago, thus Santiago to refer to St. James. I used this little trivia as my leverage since I know that later in the tour, we are to visit St. James the Apostle Parish Church in the afternoon or known in Pampanga as the Betis Church.

Even before lunch, we already came across with the story of Santiago Matamoros in passing. The story goes that during the battle of Clavijo in 844AD, the Christian side of King Ramiro I is on the losing side until St. James miraculously appeared, riding a white horse, and helped their side. During the time of the story, St. James is long before dead in 44AD.

We did not dwell on the authenticity of the story but rather on the fact that the usual statue and painting would depict St. James on a white horse tramping on the Moros - muslim. We acknowledge that the name Matamoros is already politically incorrect (barely used) and there is fear of hurting the feelings within Islam. It is with this same reason why this particular representation is almost removed from Santiago Matamoros emblematic churches like the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

As a country promoting peace with our Muslim brothers, this is easily relatable.

Then the funny part came when we visited the Betis Church. Because, there, in its full glory, beside the oldest recorded artesian well, stands a Santiago Matamoros statue. St. James. On a white horse. With people beneath him.

This actually stunned me so I just played along by the fact that it is there. If during that exact time, I would be pressed why do we still have the statue, I would most likely say: "What one does not know will not hurt him, because to be honest, most of us would not know the significance of that statue. Even the idea that those are depictions of Muslims, we did not know.".

Looking back now, I think that Betis Church decision to have the statue is the same with that of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral's: one should not seek to demolish any historic masterpieces just because of an unfortunate event.

So that is Santiago Matamoros for me. It will no longer be just a statue in the middle of the Church ground but could be a trove of information.

This is definitely a special story for me whenever I visit the Betis Church from now on. That is the fun part of touring. We learn from each other.

𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦? We got you! We provide you with packaged tours within and beyond our beautiful province. We also offer customized tour guiding services by our pool of Department of Tourism Accredited Tour Guides.

Calling all interested in tour guiding! Let's guide you with the standards and techniques in an effective tour guiding. Let us be your guide.

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮
Let me be your guide
📱Phone/Viber/Whatsapp: +63 949 994 1058
📧 Email: [email protected]
DOT-R03-TGD-01364-2023

10/10/2023

𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸

Complete Guideline to the Travel Hack in Lakeshore Pampanga's Holiday Park.

The Holiday Park is located inside Lakeshore Pampanga. It is actually some 2.4km from Mexico Exit in NLEX.

From the south (City of San Fernando), there is actually a temporary access (more to the temporariness later) open in Petron Lakeshore. If you are like us, what we did was park in Petron Lakeshore, walk to that access as it happened to be where the new entrance is, and enjoy the food!

This is sort of important as last year, the entrance was on the other side. If you would use that memory and park there somewhere, you will be asked to walk the 500 meters to the new entrance.

The new entrance is welcomed by the Flavor Cartel on the left and the Carnival games and rides on the right.

See! You do not have to mind the parking if you will simply park in Petron Lakeshore.

We ate in Flavor Cartel, walked around a little bit and decided to go home. The exit is not as strict as the entrance so we simply went out near the new entrance and back to our car in Petron Lakeshore.

The guard told us that the gate closes at 12:00mn. We did not intend to stay that long and was able to come out on the same access.

Aside from twice the 2.4km our car saved, it also bought us plenty of time considering Mexico Exit may get heavy traffic during rush hours. Well, we encountered it when going home, but at least, it is already after all the fun.

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿

Please use this hack lightly. There is a sign that says temporary access as we feel that Petron Lakeshore could close this if they feel it will become a problem to them (e.g. no more parking to other vehicles using Lakeshore). But hoping that Lakeshore prioritizes customer comfort, you can also be diligent by checking first if the access is open. A little detour could save you more.

Coming from the south, we made sure first that the access is open and will be open during the time we are about to go back. If going there it is closed, you may simply consider this as a bump and go the initial supposed route.

Those coming from the north can consider exiting in the City of San Fernando to Park in Petron if they feel that the benefit will outweigh the cost.

There is no clear guideline on how long a car could stay inside NLEX, if you feel that you will take longer than usual, you may want to bring your car with you inside Lakeshore to be sure, but if you feel otherwise, you may consider the Petron Lakeshore route.

Anyways, the usual stay is like simply eating in one of the gasoline stations in Nlex.

We hope this helps you have a stress free travel to Pampanga! Enjoy Pampanga! ❤ Please like and subscribe to our page for more Pampanga Travel Tips.

𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
⏰8am-10pm Monday-Thursday
⏰8am-12mn Friday-Sunday
🎟 P50 Entrance Fee
🐶Pet Friendly (diapers and leash required)
🍕 No outside food after 4pm

𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦? We got you! We provide you with packaged tours within and beyond our beautiful province. We also offer customized tour guiding services by our pool of Department of Tourism Accredited Tour Guides.

Calling all interested in tour guiding! Let's guide you with the standards and techniques in an effective tour guiding. Let us be your guide.

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮
Let me be your guide
📱Phone/Viber/Whatsapp: +63 949 994 1058
📧 Email: [email protected]
DOT-R03-TGD-01364-2023

06/10/2023

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲

The magic of a Tour Guide was in full exhibit!

We had the honor of touring a lovely couple from Spain around Pampanga yesterday.

As we were casually strolling inside the San Guillermo Church Museum and looking at the photos on the exhibit, a young man suddenly approached us. Without any cue and even without calling our attention, he started telling the story about an artist rendition of how the Church looked like in the distant past.

Then, without us even noticing, we are already being guided to the photos from right to left of the exhibit, one by one, he told us each distinct stories.

What looked to be random displays of photos and frames made sense and came out to be specifically designed each telling a story.

The young man was just in his pambahay clothes - not even wearing an ID with seal that says DOT. Later, we learned that he is an altar boy, and altogether - just a volunteer. The love and pride on the story of his town abled him to stand up, speak fluently in english, and guide us through the museum.

Without a guide, photos will just be photos. Inscriptions will just be descriptions. It is the guide's magic that makes these walls come alive.

𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦? We got you! We provide you with packaged tours within and beyond our beautiful province. We also offer customized tour guiding services by our pool of Department of Tourism Accredited Tour Guides.

Calling all interested in tour guiding! Let's guide you with the standards and techniques in an effective tour guiding. Let us be your guide.

𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮
Let me be your guide
📱Phone/Viber/Whatsapp: +63 949 994 1058
📧 Email: [email protected]
DOT-R03-TGD-01364-2023