All Around Philippines: Gastronomic overload at Angeles City Pamangan Fiestang Kapampangan 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Gastronomic overload at Angeles City Pamangan Fiestang Kapampangan 2012

Around Philippines, don't miss an emerging tourism destination in North Philippines. Situated in Pampanga, the gourmet capital of the Philippines, Angeles City is a melting pot of cultures, center of world class entertainment and home to a cosmopolitan mix of heritage, history and attractions for visitors of all ages. Enjoy the laid back country life in the convenience of the city, all year round. Discover many things to like about Angeles City!

Eat your way through the city's GASTRONOMIC FIESTANG KULIAT in October as Angeles City observes it's twin fiestas, the Feast of Our Lady of Our Most holy Rosary of La Naval and Piyesta ning Apung Mamacalulu or the Feast of Our Lord of Mercy. The month long calendar is divided into culture, culinary and community events. La Naval Fiesta is held every second Sunday of the month in commemoration of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary, whose intercession saw the victory of the Spanish fleet over the Dutch invaders. The city celebrates fiesta with traditional religious programs while homes display the finest traditions of hospitality by entertaining guests with their best cooking ang most extravagant food spread.

Mayor Ed Pamintuan sent a coaster for few friends last week October 7, 2012 to have a heritage tour at Angeles City. First stop was at Museo Ning Angeles which is located just across of the Holy Rosary Parish Church and was the old municipal building (town hall) built in 1920, a historical landmark and with aim now to provide a relevant and dynamic center for the rich culture and history of Angeles and its people. And today, “BALIKDAN”, presenting a short narrative of the chronological account of events through photos, illustrations and memorabilia can be seen by the public and details is well explained by the city friendly tour guide Kim.

Museo Ning Angeles

The Museo Ning Angeles is the home also of the Reynaldo Alejandro Library which is situated at the ground floor level to pay tribute to a leading exponent of Filipino arts and culture in America. Ronnie, as he was fondly called was a Manila born of a Kapampangan mother, brought attention to the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines with his more than 40 books focusing on Filipino dance, cuisine and history notably the award-winning Lamesa: The Filipino Table, The Adobo Book, Fiesta! Fiesta! Festival Foods of the Philippines to name a few. The library has an array of culinary books he donated.

At the second floor of the building is where The LIVING KITCHEN (or the DEMO ROOM) is located. This is the area for regular lectures on food, cooking and tasting sessions. Yes, tasting sessions and the kitchen exhibit.

Dining area at Museo Ning Angeles

The Kitchen exhibit in the turn of the century kitchen and dining for the Illustrado family, The Ilustrados constituted the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century.The Illustrado were the middle class who were educated in Spanish and exposed to Spanish liberal and European nationalist ideals. The Ilustrado class was composed of native-born intellectuals and cut across ethno linguistic and racial lines—Indios, Insulares, and mestizos, among others—and sought reform through “a more equitable arrangement of both political and economic power” under Spanish tutelage

The main event of the tour is Lunch time. Mrs. Miniang Pamintuan (wife of the Mayor) invited us to taste all the local authentic food at the buffet table that includes whole Lechon (Roast pork), Asadung dila, Kare kare, fried frogs, Cricket sisig (which I tried actually), Pork sisig pisngi at balugbug babi, Barbeque Chicken, Fried Hito, Ensayladang Paku with salted egg, Paksing Demonyo, Tiltilan, Tocinong Kabayo, Tosinong Baboy, Imbutido and different array of desserts like Maha blangka, lansones, rambutan, banana and some more.