#pampanga travel

[seannesruins]

11.05.23. Dinosaur Land. Clark, Pampanga. 0900H

Spent time with the fam at a kid's theme park and those little smiles are worth the long drive!

[jasfhercallejo]

Quick getaway!

Outside, the place looks like it was built in an old warehouse. The whole place is called the SOUQ Restaurant Compound. The first thing that you’ll notice is the vines and flowers slightly covering the massive wooden door. Made up of mostly old wood and metal, its rustic ambiance and antique-inspired interior design create a cozy atmosphere for diners. The high ceiling dining area in the middle also offers a delectable fusion of Filipino and Southeast Asian cuisine. 

The must-try dishes include the Crispy Pork Kare-Kare, Aligue Pasta (soooo good), Laksa, Bagnet Kare-Kare, and Rosemary Chicken. For drinks, Souq Pampanga serves classic cocktails like mojitos and a variety of soft drinks. The restaurant also offers a selection of wines to pair with their dishes.

We had a memorable stay here in Tropical Stay by SUOQ, truthfully an oasis in the middle of the town proper. Our room (Villa 2) is bigger than we thought it would be. Bathroom is commodious (it has two showers) and spotless. We also have your own mini pool, where we had our breakfast served fresh on a floating tray, and where we celebrated our monthsary over glasses of wine. Their staff are so accommodating that they helped my boyfriend set up his surprise for me.

Happy monthsary, B! Can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

[fedik]

Insectlandia Clark Pampanga

[kuyaquote]

@ Pampanga

hahahaha. overnight sa office 😆

[takeoffphilippines]

Ancestral Houses in the Philippines: Samia Family Ancestral House

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬: Constructed in 1895 this house stood out as one of the residences of its time. Remarkably it has endured the test of time. Unfortunately little is known about its background. The property was passed down to the seven children of Rodolfo Santos and Martina Samia Santos; Alejandrino Santos, Rudolfo Santos Jr., Maria Rita Santos, Eduardo Santos, Serafin Santos, Reynaldo Santos and Dorothy Santos. None of the siblings grew up or currently reside in this house; however it is presently being maintained by a caretaker.

Remarkably the house has managed to retain its furnishings throughout all these years. Both its exterior and interior still exhibit the design style from the colonial era it was built in and have been meticulously preserved. Today this house stands as an example of Arayats heritage, during that period, under Spanish rule.

–

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[joshleyson]

a deeper well.

On this exact day 5 years ago, I was in this same location ensconced by the towering mountains with an overlooking view of a calm, seemingly waveless ocean in the pre-summer blistering heat in San Antonio, Zambales. This time I get to come back with my OG friends slash Zamboanga childhood homies, my friend Karen Blaise who's now based in Clark, Pampanga, and my CPA Lawyer friend Abegail from Dumaguete. After countless discussions of reunions and "travel goals" with some of the important people that we know, and 99% of those plans that never came to fruition, we decided that we would make this outdoor camp happen, and thank God we finally made it happen.

I felt like that 2D1N camping trip was surprisingly one of the longest weekends I had this year. Having to disconnect from our phones for a while because the camping site had no service was the perfect setting for us to reminisce about our adolescent and high school classic moments and teenage angst and how those unforgettable stories from our past (and sometimes politically incorrect moments lol) shaped the people we are today professionally and personally. We had a great time recounting all the crazy stories we had more than a decade ago, planned future travels, played frisbee in the middle of the night, and went hiking after sunrise breathing the cold pre-summer wind overlooking the almost CGI-looking mountains in Zambales. My belief of having this type of "disconnecting" was further reinforced from this trip that, as much as I want so much social interaction with a lot of people, I also like to be alone with the few people I truly trust, and that being alone doesn't have to be lonely and solitude is actually a good thing.

☾

Being on the road while listening to Kacey Musgrave's Deeper Well album (shoutout to Track 6 Sway as my favorite track off the record) revealed so many truths about my current situation and the things I'm dealing with in my personal life, both good and bad, and how I strive to find peace in accepting the pain and the lessons it has taught me, and that I've already arrived in my final destination on some certain aspects of my relationships especially with the people that I love, and that I need to move on. 

My Saturn has returned. 

J

February, 2024 | Nagsasa, San Antonio, Zambales

(Photos were shot using Fujifilm Simpleace 35 mm camera + FUJIFILM X-T100)

Stream Kacey Musgrave’s Deeper Well on Spotify and Apple Music.

Instagram/TikTok/Twitter: joshleyson

[ask-emilz-de-philz]

TODAY IS APRIL 9 (ARAW NG KAGITINGAN) / DAY OF VALOR

......also known as Bataan Day or Bataan and Corregidor Day, is a national observance in the Philippines which commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II.

At dawn on 9 April 1942, against the orders of Generals Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the commander of the Luzon Force, Bataan, Major General Edward P. King, Jr., surrendered more than 76,000 starving and disease-ridden soldiers (67,000 Filipinos, 1,000 Chinese Filipinos, and 11,796 Americans) to Japanese troops.

The majority of these prisoners of war had their belongings confiscated before being forced to endure the infamous 140-kilometre (87 mi) Bataan Death March to Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. En route, thousands died from dehydration, heat prostration, untreated wounds, and wanton execution while walking in deep dust over vehicle-broken Macadam roads, and crammed into rail cars for transport to captivity.

The few who were lucky enough to travel by truck to San Fernando, Pampanga would still have to endure more than an additional 25 miles (40 km) of marching. Prisoners were beaten randomly and often denied promised food and water. Those who fell behind were usually executed or left to die, with the sides of the roads becoming littered with dead bodies and those moaning for help.

Only some 54,000 of the 76,000 prisoners reached their destination; the exact death toll is difficult to assess because thousands of captives were able to escape from their guards. Approximately 5,000-10,000 Filipino and 600-650 American prisoners-of-war died before they could reach Camp O'Donnell."

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Day

#planetputo #arawngkagitingan #bataandeathmarch #BataanDay

#planetputo

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[cullenakingirog]

Araw ng Kagitingan | Day of Valour

image source: britannica.com

At dawn on April 9, 1942, against the orders of Generals Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright, the commander of the Luzon Force, Bataan, Major General Edward P. King, Jr., surrendered more than 76,000 starving and disease-ridden soldiers (64,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Americans) to Japanese troops.

The majority of these prisoners of war had their belongings confiscated before being forced to endure the infamous 140-kilometre (87 mi) Bataan Death March to Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. En route, thousands died from dehydration, heat prostration, untreated wounds, and wanton execution while walking in deep dust over vehicle-broken Macadam roads, and crammed into rail cars for transport to captivity.

The few who were lucky enough to travel by truck to San Fernando, Pampanga would still have to endure more than 25 miles (40 km) of additional marching. Prisoners were beaten randomly and often denied promised food and water. Those who fell behind were usually executed or left to die, with the sides of the roads becoming littered with dead bodies and those moaning for help.

Source: Wikipedia

[sessayyys-corner]

MALLARI (2023) - MMFF REVIEW

“‘Di ba’t isang sumpa ang magmahal?”

Mallari does not only showcase the story of the infamous Fr. Severino Mallari, but also delves into the lives of men from succeeding generations of his clan. The first descendant, Johnrey, a documentary filmmaker in post World War II Philippines, and the second being Jonathan De Dios, a doctor and the lead protagonist of the film. The two descendants of Fr. Severino try to discover their family’s darkest secret, which most likely has contributed to the killings and disappearances in Magalang, Pampanga.

All three generations of the Mallari clan are played by Piolo Pascual, which is perceived to be difficult parts to play. However, Pascual was able to to help distinguish one generation from another and yet was able to establish the connection between all three characters.

What also is depicted in the movie is the presence of important female figures in each of the Mallari men’s lives: Dona Facunda, Fr. Severino’s mother played by Ms. Gloria Diaz, Felicity, Johnrey’s wife played by Elisse Joson, and Agnes, Jonathan’s fiancee played by Janella Salvador. All three actresses gave the three women their respective well-defined characters which was able to show how each Mallari’s love for these women had urged them to take greater lengths, even if it will cost them their own morals.

JC Santos does an excellent job in portraying Brother Lucas in the likeness of Brutus from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, as he showcases his character’s loyalty and later betrayal to Pascual’s Dr. Jonathan.

The film may remind one of Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All (2022) with its presence of common themes such as gore and manslaughter. It is also important to note how both Carido and Guadagnino have commonly used manslaughter as a dark metaphor for love as a motive of sacrifice and self-discovery, which the former has executed very well and evidently in Mallari (2023). It also bears similarities with Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho (2021) not just with the presence of gore and manslaughter, but also with the key theme of time travel, which the two Mallari descendants have used in order to learn about the dark secret of their family for this film.

The film had a well-organized flow of events, as well as a smooth transition in between time periods. It was able to give me and other viewers proper context and a good idea on how to let the story unfold and think about what could happen next. However, Jonathan’s arc was very anti-climactic towards the end yet it established his arc as an anti-hero.

Another thing to love about this film is that not only did it have Gothic themes and the use of the Catholic faith, which are associated as Western literary and cultural elements, but it also incorporated the use of Filipino folk medicine and faith healing, which are indigenous Filipino cultural elements, as important parts of the film.

In conclusion, Mallari (2023) was a great watch, and it definitely deserved the accolades. Not only did it bring justice to a dark love metaphor, but it also presented and promoted Filipino culture through folk medicine as key horror elements. It is a must watch for traditional Filipino horror movie buffs and those in need of a fresh face to Filipino horror films.

[Metro Manila Film Festival 2023]

RATING - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

(review is also available on letterboxd!)

[seannesruins]

Cafe Dia. Clark, Pampanga

Place - 9/10. Great ambiance, aesthetically pleasing interiors, and even the exterior. Located on a road side so it's very accessible. Minus point lang sa restroom because the location and signage is kinda confusing, a lot of guys almost went into the ladies' room. Wala din stores around the area so I ended up bumming a weird ass cigarette from a staff hahahaha salamat kuya.

Coffee - 5/10. I had coffee Americano. It was okay pero tbh mas gusto ko pa ang brewed coffee ng McDonald's. The packaging is also a little cheap, wala man lang logo on the cup or coffee sleeve at the very least. Ang init hawakan ng cup. 😅 My sibs tried their frappe and it was okay lang din.

Food - 4/10. We only tried Nachos so this is a subjective rating. Toppings were just at the top, not enough for the whole platter.

Service - 9/10. Coffee and food arrived within a few minutes after placing our orders. Staff were nice and attentive din. Minus point lang kasi kinuha nung staff yung number ng table namin kahit di pa dumadating yung order haha. Nalito ata si kuya.

Overall rating: 6.7/10

[yhenverdadero]

TRAVEL LIST

Pidigan, Abra

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Dingras, Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Sta. Ana, Cagayan

Baguio City, Benguet

La Trinidad, Benguet

Sagada

Pililia Windfarm, Rizal

Lucban, Quezon

San Pedro, Laguna

San Felipe, Zambales

Subic

Anao, Tarlac

Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Lemery, Batangas

Tingloy, Batangas

Urbiztondo Beach, La Union

Rosario, La Union

Intramuros

Luneta Park

Clark, Pampanga

Baler, Aurora

Quiapo Church

Barasoain Church

The Sunken Church, Bacolor, Pampanga

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

Star City

Mall of Asia

Hundred Islands, Alaminos Pangasinan

Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan

[ashiiesstuff]

CONTACT INFORMATION

Valerio, Ashley Joyce Mercado

Sta Lucia Phs2 Magalang Pampanga

Philippines

(+63)928 7241 758

valerioasleyjoyce@gmail.com

DRAMA/SCRIPT

CAST OF CHARACTER

• MOM - The caring mother who is always excited anywhere just to encourage her family’s enjoyment.

•DAD - The father who will always be the supportive and playful dad in their family just to make his family happy.

• SARAH- The energetic and curious little girl in the story, get scared easily and enjoys the adventure with her family.

• CHEF- The talented cooker who prepares delicious meal for the family.

• TOUR GUIDE- The helpful guide who always assists the family on their vacation.

TIME AND SETTINGS

TIME

•Sunny day

• Evening Falls

SETTINGS

• Beach

SYPNOSIS

•The story follows a family consisting of Mom, Dad, and their young daughter, Sarah, as they embark on a beach vacation. Excited for their adventure, they pack their essentials and head to the beach. Along the way, they encounter magical elements such as dancing and singing trees, which both amuse and surprise them. As they explore further, Sarah experiences a moment of panic when something tickles her feet, only to discover it's just a tiny shell. Throughout the day, they enjoy the delights of the beach, including the sweet aroma of coconuts and a delicious dinner prepared by a talented chef. As the evening approaches, they express their gratitude to their tour guide for a memorable vacation before heading home, cherishing the magical moments they shared together.

Magical Vacation

[Scene: A sunny day(THERMAL) in the beach. The family(SYNEDOCHE), consisting of Mom, Dad, and their little girl, Sarah, are packing their beach essentials.]

Mom: (excitedly) Alright everyone, are we ready for our beach adventure?

Dad: Absolutely! I can't wait to feel the sand between my toes.

Sarah: (jumping up and down) Yay! I want to build sandcastles and collect seashells!

[The family heads to the beach and they saw a mesmerizing sight of dancing and singing trees.](VISUAL, PERSONIFICATION)

Mom: (amazed) Look at those trees, they're dancing and singing!

Dad: (chuckling) It must be the tropical heat getting to us.

[They walk closer to the trees and are met with the sweet aroma of coconuts.]

Sarah: (sniffing) Mmm, I smell something delicious! (OLFACTORY)

[Without thinking, Sarah takes a bite of the coconut tree, surprising her parents.]

Mom: (laughing) Sarah, you can't eat the trees!

[As they explore further, Sarah feels something tickling her feet and screams loudly.] (TACTILE)

Sarah: (panicking) Ahh! Something touched me!

[Her parents rush over because of the loud screaming they heared(AUDITORY), only to find a tiny shell.]

Dad: (laughing) Sarah, it's just a little shell. You screamed like a monkey! (SIMILE)

Sarah: (embarrassed) Oops, sorry!

[As evening falls, they enjoy a delicious dinner of buttered bittersweet shrimp prepared by the chef.](OXYMORON, GUSTATORY)

Sarah: I love your cooking skills(UNDERSTATEMENT) i hope this is your last time. (EUPHEMISM)

Mom: (complimenting) The taste of the shrimp is heavenly!(GUSTATORY)You cook like Chef Gordon Ramsay, it's hypnotizing!( HYPERBOLE)

Chef: (grinning) Thank you! That's high praise indeed.

[As their vacation comes to an end, they thank their tour guide.]

Dad: (grateful) Thank you for showing us around. You've been our guiding star.(METONOMY,METAPHOR)

Tour Guide: (humbly) It was my pleasure. Safe travels home!

[The family leaves the beach, cherishing the memories of their magical vacation.]

[jyczrn]

i have been humbled since 2021...

i admit, i am a materialistic person. i measured my success with the things that i can buy now that i didn't have before, with the number of travels i can do in a year. i was arrogant, i thought i already have it all.

but it all changed in just one night. i saw my dad, who has the same spending habits as me, suddenly broke down. he had a stroke, my mom rushed to pampanga where he was working. i saw her panic, the once strong and able woman i know suddenly didn't know what to do. i felt her helplessness when she found out she can't stay with my dad in ICU, and that there's no available ward at that time.

and when we were told he can go home, i saw my mom slowly accepted the fact the reality that he may not recover and may be paralyzed the rest of his life.

but he died...

i was there on his last breathe, saw his chest when it slowly stopped, saw his eyes turned glossy, and his hands limped in my hand...

i saw the fragility of life before my eyes, and it changed me...

my father was one of the most hardworking person i know, and he still lost to life despite the efforts he did to make his better.

suddenly, all the travels i had were meaningless...

all the things i bought were worthless...

all the food i ate were not appetizing...

all the things i did were not purposeful...

and even on his wake, he thought me the most important investment i have to have in this life...

family, friends

this man, who i thought was a recluse person, had people from his past and current work, visit him. relatives i didn't even know, came. they even helped us with the expenses of his funeral.

he wasn't the best father, but he was the best husband, relative, and friend.

and now, my mom's battling cancer...

guess, i'll have to experience life again...

[mysticalchaosperson]

Today was such a memorable day as I traveled back to my hometown in Pampanga. Alam n'yo yung feeling na you're stepping into a time machine, and it transports you back to your childhood. Ganun yung feels the moment I arrived. I was greeted by the familiar faces of my papa, lola, tita, tito, and even some childhood friends. Sobrang gaan at sarap sa puso.

Being back in Pampanga felt like coming home after a long journey. The sense of comfort and happiness enveloped me as I walked through the streets I used to roam as a kid. There's something about this place that makes me feel truly happy and at ease. The living and the people here are different from mine, and it's refreshing to experience the unique charm of Pampanga once again.

One person I missed the most was my "kinakapatid" Micka. We've been close since we were kids, and even now, at the age of 14, she hasn't changed a bit. She's still as clingy and fun-loving as ever. Micka took me on a thrilling motorbike ride to the plaza, and we stopped by the 7/11 to grab some snacks. It was a simple yet exciting adventure that brought back so many cherished memories. Although hindi na kami babalik sa 7/11 na kaming dalawa lang bcz it was the most embarrassing moment, lol.

I also had the chance to visit my other relatives, like Tita Den, Ate Kim, Kuya Ren, Kuya Josh, and Kuya Carlo. Lalo na ang Kuya Carlo, laging may baon na interesting conversations, especially about love life, life, acads and other topics. It's nice to have someone who genuinely cares and takes the time to connect with me. Antalino ni kuya and natutulala na lang ako pag nagsasalita s'ya kasi lahat puro may sense.

As the day came to an end, it was time to say goodbye to Pampanga and head back to Cav. Ang sakit at hirap to the point na halos tatlong oras ako naiyak sa bus knowing na naiwan ko si Papa at ibang mahal sa buhay dun at wala akong kasiguraduhan kung kailan ulit sila makikita. Pero yea, that's life we gotta be strong. After makababa sa pasay, sobrang hirap makasakay sa bus na dadaan saamin and wala akong ideya na pipila pa, kaya wag talagang sasabak sa byahe during rush hour bcz it's quite challenging. Pero with a little patience, we made it home safely. It took us six long hours, but the journey itself became a part of the adventure.💗✨🌟

Today was a day filled with love, laughter, and a flood of emotions. Being back in Pampanga reminded me of the importance of family, friendship, and the power of nostalgia. I'm grateful for the memories I made and the connections I rekindled. Until next time, Pampanga!

Yours truly,

Jo

[eduardtheschizophrenic]

December 2021: Magrerevenge travel ako this 2022. I'll go to places sa Pinas na sa movies ko lang nakikita.

December 2022: Rewatch ko na lang yung mga nasa travel bucket list ko. 😐

Mr. and Mrs. Cruz- Palawan

Camp Sawi- Cebu

Write About Love -Sagada

Alon - Pangasinan

Apocalypse Child - Aurora

Pauwi Na- Quezon, Bicol

Sakaling Hindi Makarating- Batanes, Ilocos, Marinduque, Siquijor, Zamboanga

My Perfect You -Zambales

Kung Paano hinihintay ang dapit hapon- Pampanga

Siargao- Siargao

Im Drunk, I love You- La Union

Sid and Aya - Japan

I love You, Thank You- Thailand