I was heading Central Luzon to meet one of my childhood friends, Jo, but I could not think of something special I would do. Until I found out the map from Travel Mart and read its content, then searched further details about some sites in Angeles City. Although 2 days was too short, I made this trip truly an exciting one and worthwhile.
Fortunately, the weather last Thursday was perfectly fine after some typhoons came for 2 consecutive weeks and I was able to accomplish my travel plan.
There are a number of ways how to reach the city from Manila. For people who will be coming from the northern part of Metro Manila like Quezon City, Pasig City, and Marikina, they can take the bus available in some bus companies mostly located in Cubao. While commuters from Pasay City, Las Pinas City, and Paranaque City, a few buses are available along EDSA, Pasay City. On the other hand, I chose to take the bus from Victory Liner, where the bus terminal is located in Monumento, Caloocan City.
How to reach Victory Liner Bus Terminal:
From Las Pinas, Paranaque City, and Pasay City
1. Take a bus going to Vito Cruz, Manila (P30-P45)
2. Get off at Vito Cruz, then take LRT train at Vito Cruz Station. (P15)
3. After 13 stations that takes 26-30 minutes, alight at Monumento Station.
4. On foot, you can see Victory Liner Bus Terminal right next to Victory Central Mall, a few meters away from LRT Station.
5. You must enter the mall to find the bus terminal.
From Quezon City, Pasig City, Marikina City and CaMaNaVa (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, & Valenzuela) areas
1. Take any buses bound for Monumento (P12-30)
2. Get off in front of MCU or McDonald's, Monumento.
3. From there, take any jeepney bound for Taft Ave, Recto, Divisoria, or Baclaran. Then get off at Victory Central Mall (P8)
4. You must enter the mall to find the bus terminal.
There is no specific bus going to Angeles City, however, you can take any buses going to Baguio and Dagupan which will drop you either in Marquee Mall or Dau Bus Terminal. The bus leaves every 30 minutes.
Bus Fare to Angeles City: Air-conditioned P133 (including a mandatory insurance for P5 per passenger)
Tip: Take Victory Liner bus in Monumento, where its terminal is the nearest to NLEX toll gate. You can avoid heavy traffic as well from other neighboring cities like Manila, Pasay, and Quezon. This bus will drop you off at Marquee Terminal, where a jeepney going to Angeles is available.
After an hour of commute, the bus had a quick stop at Marquee Mall's transportation hub
This terminal has a small portion for a few buses and jeepnys that bring people to different parts of Pampanga including San Fernando, Dau, Arayat, and Angeles.
Going to Sto Rosaria Street, where most attractions are located, you need to take a jeepney with Pandan, Pampanga route.
Each chip corresponds to a single journey worth P8-P9
Itinerary:
September 19, 2013 (Thur)
Marquee Mall
Holy Rosary Church
Museo Ning Angeles
Historic Camalig Restaurant
Angeles Fried Chicken
September 20, 2013 (Fri)
Starbucks
The Coffee Academy
Note: This itinerary is in order
Attractions:
1. Holy Rosary Church
It was Dona Rosalia and her husband, Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda who funded and decided to build a chapel in the northern part of San Fernando, Pampanga. The said chapel was made up of wood and nipa and run by Fr. Juan Sablan.
The population in the area has tremendously increased; the couple requested the church authorities to transfer it to another town. After almost a decade, the church became under the patron of the Most Holy Virgin of the Rosary.
Then the founders shared a piece of land to the church in Cububasa & Suclaban.
It was on October 18, 1877 when the church was re-built permanently using some sturdy materials. After a couple of decades, the twin bells were made.
Although many natural disasters had occurred, and World War II almost destroyed the church, it was preserved by the help of the locals.
Today, Holy Rosary Church serves not only a commemorative landmark of the city's rich history but a religious site for travelers who seek protection.
Sadly, we were not able to enter the church because it was close during that time.
Admission Fee: Free of charge
2. Museo Ning Angeles (Angeles Museum)
This edifice was built in 1922, and used to be the municipal hall. The structure was damaged by major fire including other houses and the church along Santo Rosario Street. The municipal hall was then transferred to Barangay Pulung Cacutud with a larger structure and converted to a museum. Currently, this site highlights the culture and the people of Angeles City.
On the first floor, you can see 'Balikdan', a gallery of photos that showcases the rich history of the city.
Munika and Culinarium galleries can be found on the second floor
exhibiting some memorabilia and illustrations of the local's dedication to culinary ingenuity and innate passion for food.
It was 3pm when we entered the museum. The lady at the receiving area asked us to donate any amount of money instead of paying the regular admission fee.
The notice on the wall states that all guests or visitors are prohibited to take some photos while inside the museum. Luckily, because of charm (kidding), the staff allowed us and we were able to take many pictures. We had fun time reading the facts and figures in all galleries and realized that long time ago, Pampangenos (people of Pampanga) have been gifted to culinary skills. It's no surprise that most local cuisines and successful restaurant owners in
Tip: For people who plan to visit the museum, the whole place is not ventilated with air-condition so bear the humid temperature of the city and sometimes it may be hotter during the day. One must bring a hand-held fan.
Admission Fee:
Regular: P50
Private Schools: P10
Public Schools: P5
How to go there:
This 2-storey museum is nestled right across from the Holy Rosary Church.
Schedule:
Open daily
9:00 am to 5:00pm
Night and Sunday visits are available by appointment
Contact Information:
Museo Ning Angeles
Telephone #: (045) 887-4703
Cellphone #: 0926-987-6655
E-mail: angelesmuseo_kfi@yahoo.com
3. Historic Camalig Restaurant
The word 'camalig' means 'shed' in Kapampangan (dialect of Pampanga).
This structure was built in 1840 during the Spanish Era by Don Ciriaco de Miranda, the first mayor of the town. The place stored some of farm materials for so many years; however, it was re-developed in the 1900s by Mayor Capitan Juan Nepomuceno.
At present, this century-old landmark of the city is famous as the 'Historic Camalig Restaurant' being operated by Marc Nepomuceno, the son of the late Armado L. Nepomuceno who inherited this age-old property.
Since then, the restaurant has become known as 'The Home of Armado's Pizza: Ang Pambansang Pizza' (The National Pizza).
Locals and many tourists visit this first pizzeria in the country to witness the historical landmark ever built in Angeles and taste various flavors of pizza using its authentic recipe and local ingredients.
Tables and chair on both side of the restaurant
Ornament pots in different sizes & shapes under the mezzanine
antique appliances like these desk fans
Antique wine bottles on display by the entrance of the restaurant
If you are going to visit the restaurant, don't expect that they have an area with air-condition. The whole place is just ventilated by some fans.
How to go there:
The restaurant is right beside the entrance of Nepo Mall, a few feet away from Holy Rosary Church and Museo Ning Angeles.
Contact Information
Historic Camalig Restaurant
(The Home of Armado's Pizza: "Ang Pambansang Pizza")
Address: 292 Sto. Rosario Street, Angeles City, Philippines
Telephone #: (045) 888-1077 / 322-5641
E-mail: camalig@comclark.com
Website: http://www.camalig.com/
Restaurants and Cafes
1. Historic Camalig Restaurant
After an extensive research about the best-sellers of the restaurant, it was such an exciting experience to try flavors of pizza that I haven't imagined and tried ever.
In fact, my friend was very much surprised when I informed the waiter our orders without having the menu at all. I told her that I read so many blogs and write-ups about these two well-known authentic pizza flavors: Kapampangan Doy's and Marcos 3 Way.
I have never imagined that local delicacies such as sausages and smoked fish could be the main ingredients of a pizza. Besides, the thin crust and other uncommon toppings perfectly match those best-selling flavors.
I asked the waiter if Pacencia (the pasta) was flavorful and he said it was actually the best-selling flavor of their pasta. In the contrary, I never found it special and promising. It just tasted like the sweet spaghetti of Jollibee. The menu says that it has bread sticks but we never saw even one.
Lychee-Coconut Shake was very refreshing and flavorful.
Two orders of small-sized pizzas plus one order of pasta were enough for two starving persons like us.
Pizza
Doy's Kapampangan
- It has lungganisa (local sausage), ebun buru (salted duck egg), and pickle relish
Sizes & Prices:
Small (7")- P163
Medium ((10")- P283
Large (13")- P397
Marco's 3-Way
- It has 3 choices of local delicacies as toppings such as tuyu, tinapa, & classic chicken adobo with other ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and kesong puti (local white cheese)
Sizes & Prices:
Small (7")- P186
Medium ((10")- P336
Large (13")- P476
Pasta
Pacencia
- It's Kapampangan mom's recipe. It has sweet and thick tomato sauce.
Sizes & Prices:
Single (with 2 breadsticks) - P84
Bulk (good for 4-6 persons with 8 breadsticks)- P288
Beverage
Lychee-Coconut Shake
- With choco stick
Sizes & Prices:
P 60 per order
How to go there:
The restaurant is right beside the entrance of Nepo Mall, a few feet away from Holy Rosary Church and Museo Ning Angeles.
2. Angeles Fried Chicken
Staying in Angeles for two days paved the way for meeting my high school friend, Crezaline and her husband. After chatting for a couple of hours, they invited us for a dinner nearby and brought us to the city's pride- Angeles Fried Chicken (AFC). She told me that this restaurant is owned by some of Antoinette Taus's (former actress) relatives. I asked her if they have other branches in other cities, but this one is the only restaurant they have.
The restaurant's facade that attracts the locals
Air-conditioned (non-smoking) area
Menu
Angeles Fried Chicken Family Size
(9-pc crispy chicken with thich gravy)
The gravy
Liver & gizzard
Sotanghon (noodles)
Java rice
Ice Tea (pitcher)
Price List:
Angeles Fried Chicken (P425)
- Family Size (9-pc crispy chicken with gravy)
Liver & gizzard (P195)
- With fries and oyster sauce
Sotanghon (noodles)
- I forgot the price
Java Rice (P120)
- Good for 5 servings
Ice Tea (99)
- In a pitcher
How to go there:
From Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC), you can ride a jeepney for only P8. After a few minutes, get off at Mini Stop located along McArthur Highway. From there, you go straight along Martin Avenue, then you will find this restaurant just right across from The Coffee Academy.
Contact Information:
Angeles Fried Chicken, Inc.
Address: #1992 Martin Avenue,
Diamond Subdivision, Balibago, Angeles City C-2009
Telephone#: (045) 322-4448
Fax #: (045) 625-7644
For the complete menu, you can visit its webpage
3. The Coffee Academy
For a change, I asked my friends what other cafes (except of course Starbucks) I could hang out while I'm in Angeles. Jo recommended Coffee Acad near AFC.
Space on the first floor is nice and huge. They have comfy seats and the tables are wide. The proximity among seats and tables are not congested, so you could move around freely without getting bumped with other customers.
Well, initially I liked the place because the furnishings were contemporary and the space was huge. Also, the coffee they served was invigorating and strong. I love the choco mint shake flavor- it was creamy and smooth. I never tasted the crushed ice on it.
Usually pop and rnb songs were being played that time, but as time got late, the music was disturbing. They even played hip hop songs and made it loud during the entire stay in the cafe.
The 2-storey cafe is huge and clean which can accommodate group gatherings. In the contrary, I had few things that the cafe gave me bad rating.
First, I thought they only serve coffee and other beverages. Until I realized that they also sell liquors like beer. No wonder, some of the customers near us were drunk.
Then the place was annoying because of those nasty drunk customers. They didn't even care how awfully noisy they were.
I somewhat like pop or rnb songs as the cafe's music. It's one-of-a-kind and relaxing somehow, but hip hop songs (I'm sorry, but they were too loud). They had been playing this music until dawn.
The cafe allowed people to smoke on the first floor even if they were just passing by.
The waiters were not so welcoming.
Smoking area on the 2nd floor
Air-conditioned room for a group gathering (2nd floor)
Beverage
Cafe Mocha by Gabriel
Choco Mint Creamy Shake
Branches:
Marlim
AUFMC
Sindalan (2f) at T&M2 Building
Marlim (Annex)
MTCMC
King's Royale
Manuela
Venue
Contact Information:
(Main) Address: Ground Floor, Marlim Mansion Hotel, Mc Arthur Highway, 2009
Angeles City, Philippines
Telephone #: (045) 892-8088
4. Starbucks
We dropped by Starbucks to buy a tumbler as a souvenir in Pampanga.
Price: P450 per piece
Shopping Mall
1. Marquee Mall
I would like to acknowledge Jo, Crezaline and Adonis for helping and giving me the opportunity to explore Angeles City even just for a short time. I managed to know more deeply the roots on how remarkable Pampageno's skills in culinary are. Sadly, I gained more weight because of your unstoppable invites in some of the best places to eat in town.
For Jo, keep on accommodating me in your dorm every time I visit Angeles. I saved a lot of money for free accommodation.
See you soon guys!
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Blogger's Note
Please be informed that details are subject to change at any time, particularly the price, location, and contact numbers. I, therefore advise that you visit their website or email ahead for confirmation when making your itinerary. The blogger cannot be held responsible for the experiences of the readers while travelling.
