History of Angeles City

REVOLUTION ERA

During the Philippine Revolution, Angeles became a byway for the revolutionary forces. During the Filipino-American War, General Emilio Aguinaldo made Angeles the seat of government from May to July, 1899. The first anniversary of the First Philippines Republic, the first republic in Asia, was celebrated at Angeles. Mrs. Hilaria Aguinaldo, wife of the revolutionary leader organized the Angeles chapter of the Philippine Red Cross in the home of Don Ricardo Nepomuceno y Paras. On May 7,1899, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo made Angeles the seat of the Phillipine Government. A field mass was held in his honor. The first anniversary celebration of rhe Philippine Independence proclaimed a year earlier in Kawit, Cavite was held in Angeles in June 12, 1899. It was highlighted with a parade led by the youngest ever Filipino Generals Gregorio del Pilar, and Manuel Tinio. It was viewed by Gen. Aguinaldo from the Pamintuan residence (restored recently to its original, now houses the Central Bank Clearing Office, the Presidential Palace that time).

After a bloody battle, the American forces led by General Arthur MacArthur penetrated the town on August 10, 1899. On January 1, 1900, a civil government was re-established by American forces.On August 10, 1899, U.S. forces began the attack on Angeles confident in capturing it in a few days. However, the Filipino Army defending the town refused to give in so easily and fiercely fought back and for threee months battled the Americans in and around Angeles. It was only after the battle on November 05, 1899 that the brave town finally fell into American hands. The battles for Angeles are considered to be the longest in the history of the Filipino-American War in Pampanga. In the photo, Gen. Arthur McArthur (in tall hat) with Gen. Wheaton on an inspection tour along a frontline in Angeles

During Aguinaldo’s stay in Angeles, Manuel L. Quezon then a member of the General’s Staff, stayed in the house of a certain Don Lorenzo Sanchez (then just acrros the Pamintuan residence), Aguinaldo’s sojoum was short however, for in July of this same year he transferred his government to Tarlac following its occupation by the American Forces. On January, 1900 Gen. Frederick D. Grant organized the first U.S. Civil Government by appointing an Alcalde.In August 1899, at the peak of the Filipino-American War, U.S. Army Forces finally captured Angeles after a week of heavy fighting. The Americans quickly commandeered the Holy Rosary Parish Church and converted it into an army hospital. In this 1899 photo, American wounded and sick soldiers with the medics are seen in the main isle. The choir loft served as the dental section. The convent (now Holy Family Academy wing) was the barracks for medical officers and enlisted men. The sacristy was the only portion where Angeleños could hear mass. When the Americans vacated the church in 1904 and moved to Fort Stotsenberg, Rev. Vicente Lapus, the parish priest listed of total U.S. ,638.00 for portions of the church destroyed, looted church items and treasures and arrears on rentals.