Vibrant Pampanga: Shaped by the past, carving its future

Beyond its reputation as the gastronomic epicenter and capital of the Philippines, Pampanga is considered a multifaceted city.

Like the planes and curves of hand-carved wood — undergoing the meticulous molding of an artist's hand — Pampanga is best appreciated from various angles.

Certainly, Kapampangan food brought it to the fore, but this first taste opens avenues for people to discover more of this great province.

Located in Central Luzon, Pampanga's capital is the City of San Fernando. The province is bordered by Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast.

It is classified as a first-class and highly urbanized city with numerous tourist spots.

Pampanga was once regarded as the capital of the Philippines during a brief but violent bout with Britain from 1762 to 1764.

Long before the Spaniards came, Pampanga was already a thriving society. During the Spanish colonial period, the province was so economically adept that Manila and its surrounding regions largely depended on it as a steady source of food, agricultural products, fish, and forestry products to surrounding areas.

Pampanga was founded by the Spanish conquistador Martín de Goiti in 1571, and the name was derived from the native Kapampangan words "pangpang ilog" meaning "riverside" where the early Malayan settlements were concentrated along the Rio Grande de la Pampanga.

Spain named it a province on 11 December 1571.

Ancient Pampanga's territorial area used to include portions of the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales in the island of Luzon.

Today, the province continues to prosper, and its has produced two Philippine Presidents — Diosdado Macapagal, ninth president of the Philippines, and his daughter Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 14th president of the Philippines.

Pampanga has at least 17 festivals to date, which celebrate a wide range of themes, from religious or public statements, to culinary themes given the province's reputation.

Some of the more popular festivals are the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, held February of every year at the Clark Field; the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando during the holiday season; Sisig Festival at SM Clark; and the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites on Good Friday.

Today, the province is celebrating its 451st Aldo Ning Kapampangan or Pampanga Day, and one of the most anticipated events is the coronation night of Mutya Ning Kapampangan that honors the most beautiful ladies from the province's towns.

It will also honor the Most Outstanding Kapampangan as part of the provincial celebration.

Also part of the celebration is the first-ever Ligligang Pamandukit, a province-wide, on-the-spot sculpture making contest held on 8 December.

The event was organized by 2nd District Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, together with MOKA awardee and Eclessiastical Art icon WIlly Layug, and the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga Officer Randy del Rosario.

Ten local artists from Betis, Guagua, Apalit, and Bacolor participated the event which aims to keep the "dukit" tradition alive.

Taking endless pride in Pampanga's rich history and countless achievements, this is another valiant effort to keep Kapampangan culture alive.