Pampanga churches, dam impress pro-tourism group
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—A group with more than 71,000 members on Facebook promoted Pampanga for the third time this year by visiting old churches and other sites in the province on August 3, it was learned recently.
Officials of We Are Funtastic Philippines! (WAFP), led by President Joel A.L. Villanueva, visited several churches, including the Santa Monica Parish Church in Minalin town, which was recently declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; Santa Monica and Santo Domingo parish churches in Mexico town; San Luis Gonzaga Parish Church in San Luis town; and San Bartolome Parish Church in Magalang town.
The group, which has member and businesswoman Lilibeth Kwong acting as its host in the province during the tour, also visited the P3.4-billion Cong Dadong Dam in Arayat town, named after the late President Diosdado “Cong Dadong” Macapagal. It was a major project of his daughter, former president and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Second District of Pampanga.
The dam is beautiful and huge,” said Kwong, thanking Gov. Lilia Pineda of Pampanga and Mayor Bon Alejandrino of Arayat for helping ensure the success of the tour.
Villanueva said the WAFP “is primarily going around to support tourism in the country.” The group earlier visited the province to attend the Ibon-Ebon Festival in Candaba town and the Hot-air Balloon Festival at the Clark Freeport Zone.
He also said that at least 75 WAFP members, including an American and a Filipina based in Hong Kong, joined the group’s one-day visit to the eastern portion of the province.
According to the WAFP leader, members of the group, most of whom are photographers, have posted photos of the places and sights they visited on Facebook. Some of these places are Metro Manila and the provinces of Cebu, Iloilo, Laguna, Batangas and Batanes.
“What’s interesting is the exchange of conversation in the Facebook account. It contains comments about the places. It also answers questions about the places we have visited,” Villanueva said.
“Our group is active in showcasing the beauty of our country and inviting visitors to explore our beautiful islands,” he added.
The Hong Kong-based Filipina, WAFP official Jennifer Dungan, who is married to a Swiss diplomat, said Pampanga is interesting. She flew in to the Philippines just to attend the tour.
“Pampanga is about good food and beautiful places,” Dungan said.
Dungan also said her children used to admire and love to see Europe. “Now, it’s the Philippines they like to see most of the time when we are on vacation.”
“They fell in love with Cebu when we [went] there for the first time recently,” she added.
Another WAFP member, Scott Waddell, an American professional photographer who worked in Saipan, said it was his first time in Pampanga and it was great because the people were nice.
“I won’t hesitate to go back in Pampanga with a friend,” Waddell said.
Jude Roquero, a Roman Catholic priest based in General Santos City, said “the Pampanga churches are nice because they are old and their respective history is interesting.”
The WAFP is also promoting local businesses. They ate at Kabigting Restaurant—known for its halo-halo—in Arayat and the Marquee Mall in Angeles City during the tour.
“We also make sure we eat in restaurants owned by local businessmen,” Villanueva said.
The WAFP is preparing for activities that are lined up for their first anniversary celebration on September 22, the group president said, adding that one such activity is an outreach program.
With new golf courses springing up in and around Clark Philippines and an ever-increasing patronage by tourists from neighboring South Korea, Clark Freeport is short on hotel accommodation.
Even with the addition of 27 holes in 2009 and 2010, there is an acute shortage golf tee times for at least 5-6 months each year. Local players compete with frustrated (golf) tourists from Korea and China for tee times. Unfortunately Clark Philippines doesn’t have the luxury of vast tracts of land suitable for this type of development.
Mimosa offers 36 holes of championship golf, visitors can pay and play, busy during the weekends but not that difficult to get on or join up with a group to form a 4-ball. The new FAKCC offers 27 holes of world-class golf.
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion
You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.
What many tourists and residents of Manila, Subic, Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines found out over the holidays when they traveled out of town going north to Pampanga for a short getaway and a nice vacation was that there is a highly recommended hotel in Clark is also a very night out place.
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.
This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines. There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon, Subic, Tarlac, Pampanga, Clark Freeport Philippines.
Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?
Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga
Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.
One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
http://www.clearwaterphilippines.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Logo-Yats-sm.jpg
For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to <a http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
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