Pampanga celebrates 454th 'Aldo Ning Kapampangan'

The Provincial Government is celebrating the 454th Aldo Ning Kapampangan, which commemorates the founding of Pampanga as a province, at the Governor Macario Arnedo Park in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, on 1 December 2025.

The celebration opened with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, together with other priests from the Archdiocese of San Fernando. In his homily, Archbishop Lavarias highlighted the development of the province in recent years, emphasizing the importance of doing good as taught by Jesus Christ.

Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Provincial Board Members, department heads, and government employees attended the event, followed by the flag ceremony together with mayors and barangay captains across the province.

The week-long celebration honors the love, pride, and cultural heritage of Kapampangans. It features a lineup of attractions and competitions, including this year’s Christmas Pavilions crafted by various local governments of Pampanga.

These include a replica of the Minalin Church, Masantol’s seafood-themed pavilion, Porac’s hand-crafted installation made by Aeta artisans, the Bamboo Belen of Lubao, and the woodcarving-inspired Guagua Pavilion.

Also showcased is the Majigangga of Sta. Ana — giant puppets featured in the annual Majigangga Festival in Santa Ana, Pampanga. Originating from a Spanish theatrical tradition later brought to Mexico and then to the Philippines, the towering puppets symbolize evil spirits during the town’s Christmas lantern procession known as lubenas.

Governor Macario Arnedo Park is also filled with food bazaars offering the province’s well-known cuisine at affordable prices. Produce from Aetas and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) are also available. The Kadiwa ng Pangulo’s P20-per-kilo rice is being sold at the venue along with affordable groceries, bibingka and puto bumbong — adding to the festive Christmas ambience throughout the capitol grounds.

The celebration will culminate on 11 December 2025, which is designated as a special non-working holiday in Pampanga to mark its founding on 11 December 1571. The holiday was declared by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. through Proclamation No. 2226 issued on 27 July 1982. The annual celebration honors the province’s rich history, cultural legacy, and significant contributions to national development.