Pampanga is Luzon’s first Spanish province. The Spaniards named it La Pampanga when they first encountered natives along the Pampanga River’s banks, or “pampang.” Pampanga is presently renowned as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines because it is home to the majority of the top Filipino cuisines. Pampangueños are also recognized to having a passion and ability at cooking. Aside from that, Pampanga is known for its arts and crafts, tourist attractions, as well as the Philippines’ Lantern Capital.
Let’s explore more of what Pampanga is known for through this article.
What are the other things Pampanga is known for?
1. Sisig
Sisig is at the top of the list of foods that are well acknowledged to be authentic Kapampangan dishes. The dish is made up of various pig parts (mainly from the head) combined with chicken or pork liver. The Kapampangans were able to produce an iconic cuisine that is well recognized throughout the country with these ingredients. There are a few restaurants that serve this dish, but two in Angeles City are well-known for their own spin on the sisig: “Aling Lucing’s” and “Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy.” “Aling Lucing’s” is regarded as the originator of the “modern-day sisig.” Angeles City was dubbed the “Sisig Capital of the Philippines” due of Lucia “Aling Lucing” Cunanan.
2. Tocino (Pindang)
Tocino is undoubtedly one of Pampanga’s most famous products, having been a mainstay of Filipino breakfast for many years. If you’ve never heard of tocino, it’s a processed pork meat that cooks up sweet and salty, ideal with rice and a sunny side up egg on the side. While this product is accessible countrywide, you should not pass up the opportunity to try the real Kapampangan tocino, “Pindang Damulag” – a thinly sliced carabao meat cured with vinegar and herbs. The taste of pindang is sour in comparison to the sweet tocino that we are all accustomed with, but couple it with a cup of rice and sliced tomatoes on the side for a truly Kapampangan experience.
3. Halo-halo
Aside from their main courses, Pampanga is known for their desserts. Don’t miss out on the chance to try two well-known halo-halo establishments in the region, Razon’s Halo-halo and Kabigting’s Halo-halo. In the local halo-halo scene, these two names are considered royalty. The fact that they employ only a few components for the dessert distinguishes their version of the halo-halo. Sun-ripened saging na saba (sweetened local banana), macapuno, and leche flan with dayap rind topped with finely shaved ice comprise Razon’s version of the halo-halo. Kabigting’s Halo-halo also features a few ingredients, including halaya-style sweet beans, cream corn, and their special ingredient, pastillas prepared from carabao’s milk.
3. Burarul (kite)
As mentioned above, Pampanga is known for it’s arts and crafts. One of their arts known as “burarul” in Pampanga, from the Spanish word “volador,” which means “flyer.” The most basic “karang-karang” is simply folded paper with thread. The more intricate kites, on the other hand, come in box (“tukong”) or diamond shapes (“sapin-sapin”). High-flyers (“gurion”) and competition fighter kites (“panyaklit”) are two types of kites. The most difficult are the figural kites perfected by Angeles City’s skilled kite-maker Eulogio Catalan. Mang Eloy, a former sepulturero, rose to prominence for his innovative, award-winning kite constructions. He used a wooden framework, paper, and paint to create kites in the shapes of birds, fishes, angels, saints, and figures of our national heroes.
His most intricate creation was a ferris wheel kite with sitting human figures that spun when flown on a string. He also popularized the idea of folding kites. Kite crafting died with him, and only a few people in Pampanga know how to make homemade kites out of “tingting” and papel de hapon.
4. Dukit (Betis)
Another art that Pampanga is known for is Dukit (Betis) art. Betis is known for its high-quality carved woodcrafts (“dukit” – to carve) ranging from church and household furnishings to beautiful architectural items, religious statuaries, and relief sculptures. One of its historic barrios is Sta. Ursula was well-known for being the prime source of such carved marvels. Maestro Apung Juan Flores, a well-known resident, began as a santo carving and later extended into “muebles” and carved wooden furnishings. During Marcos’ presidency, he created the beautiful wooden carvings for Malacañang Palace. During the 1950s and 1980s, Angeles, with its many Clark residents, was a major market for woodcarved items.The descendants of the Flores family, Willy Layug, Peter Garcia, Salvador Gatus, and the artists of Betis Crafts of Myrna Bituin, who export their renowned furniture worldwide, are examples of modern-day mandudukit.
5. Pukpuk (Betis and Apalit)
Metalsmithing was known to pre-Hispanic inhabitants in our archipelago, and it flourished from the late 16th to the 19th centuries, when Spanish missionaries arrived to promote the concept of sacred art, which the Chinese excelled at. Mexican silver coin was melted and fashioned into tabernacles, altar frontals and containers, ramilletes (silver flower standees), carrozas, and other altar decorations. Betis artisans mastered the art, known locally as ‘pukpuk’ (to hammer) because designs were made by chasing and utilizing the repoussé process, which involves raising designs on a metal sheet by pounding a pattern from the back with a sinsil (blunt chisel). This is accomplished by working on the metal against a wooden block with carved designs. Artists carried the art to Apalit, which previously had the most ‘pukpuk’ shops. To this day, names like the Ramirez Family, Edgardo Yutuc, and Jeric Canlas perpetuate this legacy.
6. Mt. Pinatubo
What is Pampanga known for when it comes to tourist destinations? Mt. Pinatubo is one of the must-see tourist attractions in Pampanga. What was once one of the most heinous and horrifying natural tragedies in human history is now a breathtaking natural tourism destination. This simply goes to show how unpredictable Mother Nature can be.
Despite the fact that Mt. Pinatubo is still active after its deadly eruption in 1991, it has been unusually calm for the past many years. This allowed people to freely explore the spectacular volcano and its ruins.
Summer is the best time to visit Mt. Pinatubo since everyone can see how beautiful the peak truly is.
Read Also: 17 Best Things to do in Pampanga
7. Hot Air Balloon Festival
There are many tourist attractions in Pampanga that you should visit. Hot air balloon festival is one of those. This festival is held at Clark Freeport Zone in January and February, and in Lubao, Pampanga, in March. You can take a hot air balloon ride. Apart from riding, it offers a variety of activities such as kite flying, gliding, skydiving, powered paragliding, and search and rescue flight displays. It also hosts aviation exercises and aircraft displays. This spectacular celebration is already one of Pampanga’s most well-known tourist attractions.
8. Sky Ranch Pampanga
Sky Ranch Pampanga, located in the city of San Fernand, Pampanga, is also one of the top tourist destinations and one of the best theme parks in Central Luzon, and is unquestionably a must-see for family leisure and amusement. This amazing outdoor amusement park, conveniently located in SM City San Fernando, features a wide array of exciting rides such as the loop roller coaster, drop tower, double decker, carousel, super viking, space shuttle, express train, dream log, and bumper boat, among many other exciting and fun rides.
The Pampanga Eye (ferris wheel), one of the primary attractions at “Sky Ranch Pampanga,” is hailed as one of the tallest and largest Ferries wheels in the Philippines, standing tall at 65 meters. Riding the Pampanga Eye will provide you with an excellent perspective of Mt. Arayat and the stunning horizon of the province of Pampanga.
9. Zoocobia Fun Zoo
Zoocobia Fun Zoo, one of the most prominent Pampanga tourist attractions, is located on top of Sacobia Valley in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. An engaging and educational venue, it is great for children, families, friends, students, and thrill seekers. However, it is much more than just a location to observe and engage with animals; it is also a place to enjoy nature, learn about animals, and participate in thrilling activities that will bring out the adventurous in you.
10. Giant Lantern Festival
Aside from the hot Air Balloon Festival, there is another famous festival in Pampanga and it’s the Giant Lantern Festival. Pampanga is known for its Giant Lantern Festival, a yearly event held in December on the Saturday preceding Christmas Eve in the wonderful city of San Fernando. The festival includes a gigantic parol lantern competition. Because of the festival’s popularity, the city has been dubbed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.”
Read Also: Perks of Living in an Affordable House and Lot In San Fernando, Pampanga
Living in Pampanga
Living in Pampanga truly is fun due to its rich culture and heritage. If you’re thinking of acquiring your own home in Pampanga, Bria Homes might just be your top choice. Bria Homes provides affordable and quality housing in Pampanga for aspiring homeowners like you. Visit Bria Homes website today and learn more how you can reach your dream of owning a home at an affordable price.
