Paroquia del Santisimo Rosario (Holy Rosary Parish Church)
Dalan Sto. Rosario, Barangay Sto. Rosario. This majestic Central European Romanesque-designed church with 35-meter-high twin bell towers was labored by the town’s residents laying each stone block and using eggs as an ingredient to cement its edifice. The construction was completed on 12 February 1896 and at that time it was the tallest church building in the province of Pampanga. This iconic landmark witnessed numerous historic events; its belfries served as watch towers for the Filipino revolutionists in 1898-1899, it served as a military hospital in 1899-1904, and as a motor pool and horse stable of the Japanese army. The remains of the City’s founder Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda and his wife Dona Rosalia de Jesus are buried on each side of the altar. Declared as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum in 2015 by virtue of the powers vested by Republic Act 4846, as amended by Presidential Decree 374 and Republic Act 8492.
Museo ning Angeles
Dalan Sto. Rosario, Barangay Sto. Rosario. This former seat of power of Angeles City was constructed during the term of then mayor Don Juan D. Nepomuceno in 1922 and for almost eight decades, it witnessed various historical and political affairs which shaped the city. In 1999, after the local government moved its office to its present location, the building was turned over to the Kuliat Foundation, Inc. which initiated its renovation and transformation as a local museum. Declared as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum in 2015 by virtue of the powers vested by Republic Act 4846, as amended by Presidential Decree 374 and Republic Act 8492.
Mansion de Don Florentino Pamintuan
Dalan De Miranda corner Dalan Sto. Entierro, Barangay Sto. Rosario. Installed Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute in 2002 in the exercise of its authority vested by law and in compliance with its mandate to honor national heroes and perpetuate the glory of their deeds and to preserve historical sites This home of Florentino Pamintuan, said to be the first Kapampangan millionaire, was the site of the first anniversary celebration of the declaration of Philippine Independence in 1899; the waving of the Philippine flag from the second-floor window as well as the patriotic speech by President Emilio Aguinaldo is reenacted every year on June 12. In 2010, the ownership of the house was transferred to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines through a donation. Restoration work has been done in 2012 with a budget coming from the National Government. The building now stands as a museum – Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas (Philippine Social History Museum) which aims to present Filipino everyday life in the past and present, with special focus on clothing, music, food, and the life and culture of indigenous communities. The house of the Pamintuans was one of the biggest and most beautiful houses of the country during the time it was built. A huge and heavy front door made of hardwood is the main entrance to the house. The grand entresuelo features a massive staircase of Philippine iron-wood. Its balustrade is carved in the most elegant colonial style. The whole interior of the house is a display of magnificent artwork. The carved ceiling is made of metal sheets in floral designs and most of the woodwork is intricately carved. Even the arches and the wooden buttresses that support the ceiling are ornamentally designed. The windows, walls and partitions showcase the architectural style of the period. The house also features two spiral stairways leading to a rooftop tower serving as a veranda, from where the nearby towns of Pampanga could be seen on a clear day. At the rear side of the house is another tower, probably a water cistern, because it is directly above the kitchen and the bathroom. Another massive staircase of concrete with branches in two at right angle leads to the backyard. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA)
Sagrada Familia Convento
Dalan Sto. Rosario, Barangay Sto. Rosario. A structure that was originally intended to be a housing for parish priests, was converted into a colegio by the nuns, and was later on transformed into one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the city. The original structure was constructed around 1880 and was intended as the “CONVENTO” of the parish priest. It is connected to the base of the north belfry of the church, and the priest could enter the church through the doors in the first and second floors. On august 15, 1918, the native parish priest, Rev., Fr. Juan Almario moved out of the “CONVENTO” because native Augustinian nuns converted it into the “COLEGIO DE SAGRADA FAMILIA.” The move was due to a higher enrollment in a school built for them nearby. In the early 1920’s, the Bureau of Education mandated that English become the medium of instruction in all school levels nationwide. Since the Augustinian nuns knew no English, newly arrived Benedictine German nuns who spoke English fluently took over the school and renamed it HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY on 15 June 1922. Around 1934, the Benedictine nuns hired a local architect-builder and had the school renovated and had a new façade design. The Angeleño architect was Mr. Teofisto Ganzon y Aquino – a nephew of Gen. Servillano Aquino. In early January 1942, during the opening days of the Japanese land invasion, Imperial Japanese Army Troops briefly used the school as barracks. Again, in late January 1945, an Imperial Japanese Army Tank Battalion known as the “Yanagimoto Butai” made the school as Command Post, before attacking the American liberation forces invading Clark Field Today, the Holy Family Academy is regarded as one of the premier learning institutions in Angeles City, which continues to follow the Benedictine tradition of Ora Et Labora, which means “Prayer and Work.” Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA)
Juan D. Nepomuceno Building of Holy Angel University
Dalan Sto. Rosario, Barangay Sto. Rosario. In 1933, when he was just 14 years old, Javier Jesus Gomez Nepomuceno dreamt of establishing a Catholic school that suited his standards. Jave belonged to the prominent Nepomuceno family who’s businesses including an ice plant, an electric plant, a soft drinks factory, a subdivision, and a grocery store, helped transformed Angeles into the first chartered city in Central Luzon. That same year, on June 5, Jave’s father Juan turned his dream into a reality when he built the academic institution that would later evolve into what is now known as the Holy Angel University. HAU is credited to be the first Catholic school in the Philippines to be founded and managed by lay persons. Jave named this particular building, built in 1940 by Marino Valdes (the same architect who built Ateneo de Naga), after this father Juan. Today, the building was transformed into the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies. Envisioned to preserve and promote the Kapampangan cultural heritage. It houses a research center, library and archives, museum and gallery, and a theatre. The center has an audio-visual presentation of Kapampangan history and culture; a Kapampangan timeline, which gives a sweep of history from the Stone Age to the 21st century; from their library, a Kapampangan can trace his or her family tree up to the 1600’s and a computer program that can transform Arabic writing to the Kulitan or Kapampangan alpha syllabary script. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA)
Residencia de Patricia Mercado / Gomez Masnou (Bale Herencia)
Another historical landmark in the city that became a residence, Catechism school, office of town-councilor, and a mini-casino. This building has stood the test of time, and to this day, continues to be of service to Angeleños. Spanish Augustinian Friar Padre Guillermo Gomez Masnou, O.S.A., who was then the parish priest of Angeles City, had this house constructed using carpenters from Vigan, Ilocos Sur in 1860. The house was eventually inherited by one of his children – Maria Teodora Gomez (more popularly known as Mariquita), who was married to Filomeno Santos. Before the Philippine Revolution of 1896, she opened up a catechism school at the ground floor. In 1901, the same ground floor was rented briefly as the first public school of American “Thomasite” teachers – Mr. John W. Osborn and Miss Marion Huff. It was used as headquarters of the Japanese officers during World War II. When Mariquita died in 1954, the house was inherited by her eldest son – Mr. Francisco G. Santos who later used a room at the second floor as his office for his insurance and first automobile dealership in town. He also leased out the ground floor as office space for the Bureau of Land Transportation. Declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum in 2015, Bale Harencia now serves as a venue for formal events and art exhibits. Photo courtesy of CCA – Institute for Cultural Heritage Education.
Jose Yap House
Dalan Rizal, Barangay San Nicolas. A home built with determination, passion, and above all love, this historical landmark bears witness to the lives of the founding couple, and the many generations that followed. Jose Yap and wife Lidia commissioned Engr. Marino Valdes to build this house from 1958 to 1959. The patriarch Jose was a consultant to many significant political personalities during and after World War II while the matriarch Lidia was a “friend of the poor” giving indefatigable support to varied services. Through the years, the house has been maintained to its original structure and composition by the couples’ heirs who, to this day, still live in the same house. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA).
Jose Narciso House
Built in 1932, this historical landmark was built as a residence of Atty. Jose Amarante Narciso and Josefa Dizon Mendiola. Atty. Jose A. Narciso was known as one of the most prominent lawyers of the province at that time – being given the title “Abogado de Campanilla.” He also became the acting Governor of Pampanga, when Don Honorio Ventura was abroad. Often referred to as “Don Pepe” Atty. Narciso held many positions in business and society and was an advisor to many politicians including President Diosdado Macapagal and big names in businesses. This property was declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum in 2015 by virtue of the powers vested by Republic Act 4846, as amended by Presidential Decree 374 and Republic Act 8492. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA).
Camalig
Camalig (the Kapampangan word for granary shed) is a 100-year-old ancestral storehouse that was used to store rice grain and muscovado sugar in heavy pilones (large, wide-mouthed clay jars). The property was originally owned by the town founder’s son and the first town Mayor of Angeles – Ciriaco de Miranda y de Jesus. In July 12, 1869, the property was inherited by Don Juan Alberto Nepomuceno. The Camalig property was eventually passed on to Armando Nepomuceno, who restored it and turned it into a restaurant in 1980, while making sure to preserve the old granary’s antique structure. At present, Camalig is home to one of Angeles City’s pride – the Armando’s Pizza also known fondly called by locals as “Ang Pambansang Pizza.” Armando’s Pizza uses the same classic home-grown recipe pioneered through the decades (since its establishment in 1973) – handcrafted dough made with artisan care and baked to crispy-crust perfection. The pizza is topped with generous portions of cheese, pepperoni, ground beef, green pepper, mushroom, and Canadian bacon, and a special blend of thick sauce that’s slowly-cooked for six hours. Other best-sellers on the menu include Marco’s 3-Way pizza (topped with tomatoes, kesong puti, with either tuyu, tinapa, or classic chicken adobo), Doy’s Pizza (topped with longganisa, ebun buru, onion and pickle relish), Deep Fried Chicken Wings, and their version of Sisig. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA).
Manuel Henson House (Bale Cuayan)
A historical structure that was initially intended to be a rest house for a sick boy, but was transformed into a residence, American barracks, band rehearsal area, and headquarters for Japanese invasion forces. Originally built in 1892 from materials such bamboo, sawali, and nipa, this structure was constructed by the grandson of the founder of Angeles, Mariano Vicente Henson y de Miranda, as a rest house for his sick son, Manuel. In August 1899, at the height of Philippine American War, the house was used as a barracks by the American invaders who ripped-off all its sawali windows, attached wooden legs on them and used as sleeping cots. In 1902, a son of Mariano – Jose P. Henson organized the first brass band of Angeles which was put under the batin of Prof. Regino Herrera who practiced in the house regularly. In 1909, the “Banda de Angeles” won the first prize in a competition at the Manila Carnival. The winning piece was “creame de la creme” by Tobani. During the Japanese occupation, the house served as quarters for Japanese invasion forces in January 1942 and again as officers’ quarters of the Imperial Japanese Army from October 1944 to January 1945. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA).
Salakot
Salakot, located at the Dalan Manuel A. Roxas, Barangay Balibago, is a symbol of freedom from the clutches of the American dominion in Angeles City. Salakot was declared also as one of the important historical structures of the city by virtue of Ordinance No. 383, series of 2015 (PO-879-10-15). The US Military Bases Agreement was forged between the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines in 1947, a 99-year period treaty which was cut short during the time of President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1979. For the first time the flag of the United States of America was hailed down and the Philippine flag, the symbol of our jurisdiction and authority was raised, concomitant to that was the establishment of the Salakot. Originally, it was located at the entrance of the Clark Air Base. It is also considered as a silent witness of the resiliency of the Kapampangans and Angeleños during the withdrawal of the Americans from Clark Air Base and still standing even after the onslaught of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the early nineties. Moreover, Salakot has been an “iconic edifice” in the City of Angeles, being a symbol of pride by the Angeleños, with its figurative existence. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA)
Estacion de Angeles
A historical landmark, this 128-year-old rail tracks stand as a true testament to the Filipino’s compassion. The estacion has four sections encompassing four barangays — Agapito Del Rosario, Claro M. Recto, Lourdes Sur East, and Lourdes Sur. On July 1887, the Manila Railroad Company, or MRR Co., started the construction of the Manila-Dagupan railroad including this station in Angeles. The first President of the Republic, Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo, was said to have gotten off in this train station from San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Gen. Antonio Luna, editor, publisher and distributor of La Independencia used the Estacion to transport equipment and staff. According to historian Daniel Dizon, residents around the station were recognized as “food throwers,” having hurled food and drinks into train wagons packed with US and Filpino soldiers transported by the Japanese Imperial Army to Camp O’Donnell, Tarlac, from the Death March in Bataan April 1942. The tracks were damaged by a typhoon in 1973 and the route was stopped temporarily. Due to the rise of expressways in 1988, the company officially ended its operations. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA)
Rufina Dayrit-Dycaico House
Originally built as a home for the Dayrit-Dycaico’s, this structure withstood time, and was used throughout history as a Japanese headquarters during the War, a clinic, a bank, an educational enterprise, and a restaurant. According to Regina Roxanne Dycaico, the original owner of the house was Rufina Dayrit-Dycaico (mother of Dr. Julian Dayrit Dycaico, Sr and Filipina wife of Chinese immigrant Jose Dycaico). During the Japanese Occupation while the family evacuated to their plantation in Jalung in Porac, the Japanese stayed in their house throwing the furniture from the windows of the second floor. After the war, the structure was renovated just in time for the Dycaico’s youngest daughter’s debutant ball. The house was also used as a clinic by Dr. Julian Dycaico which explains the medical emblem in front of the house. Dr. Julian and Lourdes Gomez Dycaico raised 9 children in this house. Armin became a medical doctor; Adalisa, a pharmacist; Violeta, a dentist; Yolanda, a successful businesswoman; Jose, a pilot; Julian Jr., an engineering board top notcher; Lazaro, an agriculturist; and Perla, a pharmacist. When Dr. Dycaico passed away, the ever-entrepreneurial wife rented out the former clinic to families. And one of those who rented the downstairs area was the mother of actress Liza Lorena. This is where the baby Liza Lorena lived during her infancy. In recent years, the house has been leased to various commercial establishments such a bank an educational enterprise, and a restaurant. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA)
Lazatin Vinegar Plant
Located along Dalan Sto. Rosario, Barangay San Jose, this historical plant holds the story of the homemade vinegar that would eventually become a sought-after brand in the country. In 1931, the late Mrs. Loreto Lazatin, started making vinegar from sugarcane juice which was intended for home consumption only. But because of her friendly and generous nature, Mrs. Lazatin started sharing her homemade vinegar to her neighbors and relatives. Soon enough, the demand for Mrs. Lazatin’s naturally fermented vinegar spread throughout the city. In the same year, Lazatin Vinegar Plant came into being. As soon as the machineries arrived, manufacturing started with a small fermenter and soon it has grown into a sizeable manufacturing business. The Lazatin Vinegar Plant has grown and progressed through the years not in its size but in the production of high-quality vinegar which is sought in the Philippines. Locally, the end users then were served by peddlers of the vinegar thus creating jobs for people in the community. Some of which are even students who work in the plant during the day and studied in the evening and later became professionals. Photo courtesy of Culture and the Arts Council of Angeles (CACA).