“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett
The Philippines is such a vibrant and diverse country that if you ever have the fortune of visiting it, you should never miss going to its many different cities and provinces. You will be pleasantly surprised as to how one place can significantly differ from another and considering that the country is a melting pot of many cultures, there would always be something unique about every place you visit. One particular and notable Philippine province you should visit is Pampanga.
Nationally considered as the country’s gastronomic capital, Pampanga has a lot more to offer than simply its epicurean delights—although that is part of the allure. Apart from the many activities you and your family can enjoy, such as the adventure activities in Alviera, the province is also known to be culturally diverse.
So, if you ever thought of visiting the Philippines, here is why you should include Pampanga in your itinerary:
1.) Hot air balloons and various aerial exhibitions
If you have a penchant for watching aerial activities, you would definitely enjoy the hot air balloon exhibit in Pampanga. Once every year, the sky gets painted with a multitude of colors as various hot air balloons coming in different shapes take off to the sky. If you wish to see this event, be sure to include Pampanga on your list of places to go around February as the event is held during that time of the year.
2.) Get a taste of the traditional Filipino dessert Halo-halo
While you can get Halo-halo virtually anywhere in the Philippines—from high-end restaurants to street food carts, none of them can rival the sweet taste of Kabigtig’s Halo-halo which can be found only in Pampanga. The dessert is said to match Razon’s rendition of the famous sweet and cold dessert, and for that reason alone, it is worth a try. Kabigting’s version teases your taste buds with a myriad of unexpected flavors, and you get a bit of a surprise too as not all Halo-halo desserts come with yema, a sticky toffee-like ingredient.
3.) To visit Alviera
If you have ever thought of booking a family vacation and are unsure of where to go, worry no more as Pampanga is the ideal spot for you and your family. Apart from the array of restaurants and food stalls for you to sample, Pampanga hosts a wide range of adventure parks, and one of them is Alviera which is located in Porac. Kids and kids at heart will love this adventure park as there are a lot of activities to choose from—those that test not only your physical strength but endurance as well. Be sure to bring extra shirts with you though as spending majority of the day in this adventure park is bound to get you sweaty.
4.) To get a slice of history and culture
Filipinos are known to be devout Catholics and seeing as religion plays an integral role in most Filipinos lives, it would be easy to see it so heavily ingrained in their culture and history. Pampanga’s annual practice during the Lenten season, in fact, is a testament to that. Apart from the string of old and gothic churches you can find in the province, religious rituals are still being practiced until today. One noteworthy ritual is when a local man would have himself crucified on a Good Friday as penance for his sins or as an offering to God. Either through morbid curiosity or genuine fascination, this has been the cause why tourists visit the province.
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