1st Inter-Barangay Dance Competition which has turned into success!

2008 Angeles City Twin Fiesta

FIESTANG NING APU MAMACALULU

Now on its 111th year since its first celebration on October 29, 1897, by the then Augustinian parish priest, the Fiesta ning Apung Mamacalulu is held in the city of Angeles in honor of the Lord of the Holy Sepulchre. 

This is celebrated as a form of thanksgiving.  The belief of the people is that they would be protected against untoward incidents, calamities and disasters. A quinario, or a five-day novena in dedication to the Lord’s five wounds preceded this.  This was done after a series of locusts infestations coupled with hostilities between Cazadores and Pampango insurrectos. 

Two successive fires razed to the ground of the public market in the latter part of 1897.  The first fire was when an alguacil (peace officer) named Domingo, was taken for a looter and shot while crossing the street in front of the market at night.  And the second, a man driving a carabao cart was put to death with a three-edged bayonet of a sergeant in front of the house of Don Galicano Valdes (Judge of the Peace). 

The situation became so tense that nobody dared to go out of their houses after the incidents.  Because of this, prominent citizens gathered at the convent after the Naval Fiesta to ask from Fr. Rufino Santos, then the parish priest of Angeles, the celebration of the festivity of “Apung Mamacalulu”, our Lord of the Holy Sepulchre.

The parish priest granted the petition and collections began accordingly among the townspeople so as to cover the expenses of the Quinario. 

An incident also took place on October 25, when one Roman Payumu, a suspected Katipunero from Barrio Capaya, was being led beside the church to be shot at the nearby cane field by the Spanish Cazadores.  He knelt down and prayed to Apung Mamacalulu.

Payumu managed to loosen the rope and was able to escape from the canefield and a series of five gunshots. He suffered only a minor wound on his right heel.  Thus the devotion of the townsfolk to the “Apu” began, culminating in the First Annual Celebration of his festivity on this day, the last Friday of October and that is October 29, 1830.

THE FEAST OF LA NAVAL

The Feast of La Naval is commemorated yearly on the second Sunday of October.  This was first celebrated on October 10, 1830 in honor of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, patroness of Culiat (now Angeles City).  La Naval festivities will mark its 172nd year this coming October.

Based on historical accounts, it all started in 1796 when Don Angelo Pantaleon de Miranda (Capitan) and wife Doña Rosalia de Jesus, led the settlers and made the first clearing of a vast thickly forested area north of San Fernando.  When the clearing was completed, the couple founded a new barrio of San Fernando, Pampanga, which they named Culiat. Culiat was named after the course woody vine that abounded in the place at that time.

Doña Rosalia de Jesus used to bring the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary during the procession and whenever there was a new clearing.  It was believed that she would protect them from the non-Christian native Aetas who lurked in the forest’s deeper areas and safeguard the new settlement from evil spirits and natural calamities.  The couple then decided to adopt the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary as the patroness of Culiat.

On December 8, 1829, Culiat was given a beautiful name of “Pueblo de los Angeles” in honor of the Christian name of the founder and the “Los Santos Angeles Custodios” (Holy Guardian Angels), the titular patron of the town. 

Why do they call it Fields Avenue?

Do they think it was named in honor of W. C. Fields?

You hear people say, “Fields Avenue” or simply “Fields” when they are referring to Field Avenue. Look around the Internet and you will find this is a common error even in print. It seems many businesses located on Field Avenue have perpetuated the error by listing their address as being on Fields Avenue (with the “s”).

Field Avenue was not named in honor of W. C. Fields or any other person with the name Fields. It started out as a road next to an army airfield and as was common practice it was named Field Avenue. 

If you look at old maps or street signs you will find the spelling to be “Field” (without an “s”).  See street sign below:

PAST TO PRESENT CITY MAYORS / CAPITANES OF ANGELES CITY

The history of Angeles will not be complete, if we will not mention these individuals . Who enrich its past and responsible of where the city is now today. “The great object in trying to understand history is to get behind men and grasp ideas”, Lord Action

AMERICAN CIVIL GOVERNMENT

ANGELES CITY POPULATION GROWTH RATE

ANGELES CITY: POPULATION GROWTH RATE INCREASED BY 3.14 PERCENTAGE POINTS
(Results from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, NSO)

Population to double in 24 years

Angeles City registered a total population of 267,788 persons in the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000). This was up by 33,777 persons as compared to 234,011 persons in the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN).

The highest population growth rate recorded for Angeles City since 1970 was during the intercensal period 1975 to 1980 at an annual poulation growth rate of 4.56 percent, and the lowest growth rate was recorded during the intercensal period 1990 to 1995 (-0.21 percent). For the period 1995 to 2000, the annual population growth rate for Angeles City was 2.93 percent. If the current annual population growth rate of the city continues, the population of Angeles City was expected to double in 24 years.

The number of households increased to 56,575 as compared to 46,852 households in 1995. The average household size recorded in Census 2000 was 4.72 persons, lower than the 1995 figure of 4.98 persons and the 2000 national average of five persons.

Balibago was the most populous in Angeles City

Angeles City is composed of 33 barangays, of which Balibago contributed the biggest percentage (11.85 percent). Barangays Cutcut (8.39 percent), Malabanias (7.16 percent) and Pulung Cacutud (6.41 percent), followed. Barangay Virgen delos Remedios was the least populous with only 1,275 persons (0.48 percent).

Angeles City had a median age of 23 years

Angeles City had a median age of 23 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 23 years old. In 1995, the median age was 22 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 98.63

Females outnumbered their male counterparts with a sex ratio of 98.63 for every 100 females.

Overall dependency ratio was 60

The proportion of the total population belonging to the age group 0 to 14 years was 34.5 percent. The age group 65 years and over accounted for 3.2 percent of the city population while 62.3 percent were aged 15 to 64 years (economically active population).

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 60.43. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 60 dependents (55 persons aged 0 to 14 years ? young dependents; and 5 persons aged 65 years and over ? old dependents).

Slightly higher percentage of female voters recorded

Out of the total population, there were 159,599 persons or 59.60 percent belonging to the voting population. The proportion of females (51.06 percent) was slightly higher as compared to that of the males (48.94 percent).

More than half of females were in child bearing age

Out of 134,816 females, 73,826 or 54.76 percent belonged to childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years). The highest percentage of which, was reported by women aged 20 to 24 years (18.96 percent).

Females dominated higher levels of education

About 34 percent of the household population aged five years old and over in Angeles City attended or completed elementary education; 34.60 percent, high school; 5.2 percent with higher education. On the other hand, the proportion of children aged 5 to 6 years old who had completed pre-school and were likely to become Grade I students in the next school year was 3,795 (1.62 percent).

Males slightly outnumbered females in the pre-school, high school, and college levels with 50.37, 50.21 and 50.83 percent, respectively. On the other hand, females dominated the higher levels of education.

Three out of four were Kapampangan

Three out of four persons in Angeles City classified themselves as Kapampangan (74.7 percent). The rest were either Tagalog (16.4 percent), Bisaya/Binisaya (1.8 percent), Ilocano (1.4 percent) or belonged to other ethnic groups (5.39 percent).

More widows than widowers

Of the total population 10 years old and over in Angeles City, a higher proportion of married persons (46.68 percent) was reported as compared to single persons (42.47 percent). The remaining 10.86 percent were either widowed, divorced/separated, with other arrangements, or with unknown marital status.

Single persons were mostly men (52.23 percent) as compared to 47.77 percent for women. Among the widowed persons, the proportion of females was noticeably higher (80.42 percent) than the males (19.58 percent).

About 16 percent of the occupied housing units had floor area of 120 square meters and over

Out of 54,049 occupied housing units, 16.2 percent had floor area of 120 square meters and over. Housing units with floor area of 30 to 49 square meters accounted for 15.9 percent, while 15.2 percent had 10 to 19 square meters. The median floor area in 2000 was 41.4 square meters as compared to 29.73 percent square meters in 1990.

Three in five occupied housing units used strong materials

Majority of the households in Angeles City used galvanized iron/aluminum (89.1 percent) for the roof, while concrete/brick/stone (61.5 percent) for the outer walls.

Of the total occupied housing units, 60.34 percent had roof made up of galvanized iron/aluminum and concrete/brick/stone for walls.

Profile of Angeles City

TIME ZONE

GMT+8 Hours

ENTRY FORMALITIES

Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors with valid passport may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey. Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

Visitors coming from infected areas need yellow fever vaccination. Children under one year of age are subject to isolation when necessary.

DRUG ABUSE

Possession or use of prohibited drugs carries a minimum of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of death for drug pushers

AIRPORT

Angeles is served by the Clark International Airport, approximately 12 kms. From the city center. It has adequate travel facilities; a duty free shopping center and souvenir shops; and a tourist information center, hotel and travel agency representatives, and car rental services

CUSTOMERS REGULATIONS

To facilitate customs examination, visitors are devised to fill in the Baggage and Currency Declaration Form before disembarking. Visitors are allowed to bring in the following articles duty-free: reasonable quantity of clothes; jewelry and toiletries; 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco; and two bottles of wine or spirits of not more than one liter each.

CURRENCY REGULATIONS

Visitors can bring in and take out any amount of foreign currency.

ARTS

Early exposure to the outside world, even before the Spanish colonial period, has contributed to the rich culture of Kapangpangan people. In Angeles itself, one can find a large concentration of carpenters, woodcarvers, metal craftsmen, tinsmiths and other artisans. In the visual arts one can see the degree of sophistication of the Kapampangan craftsmen working in jewelry, painting and scripture. A visitor can enjoy a night of Kapangpangan poetry or Teatrong Kapangpangan plays at Culture shack, a local hangouts for poets, writers and artists

CULTURE

One of these is the Baguis Fiestang Kuliat, which includes the Tigatigan at Terakan King Dalan . Added to these activities are the Feast of the Guardian Angels, the Celebration of the Foundation Day commemorating 1829, time when Angeles was inaugurated as a new town, the Malealdo (Holy Week), the Santacruzan and the Sinukwan Festival

TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Almost three percent of Angeles City is roads. In fact its network is longest compared to other cities in the region, like Olongapo, Tarlac and Cabanatuan. There are 53,814 registered vehicles in the city, which contributes to the emerging traffic problems. Angeles City has a number of buses, mini-buses, jeepneys, tricycles and horse-driven carriages called “calesas” plying the busy streets. Inside the city limit, jeepneys are colored coded according to their routes and they could accommodate 10-16 passengers. Mini-buses and jeepneys are also used to ferry passengers from the city to nearby towns and municipalities. Buses are available going to and from Manila. To address the needs of its people, the City Government is now under negotiations with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies regarding road networks. Part of the project that will lessen traffic problems is the construction of the East Circumferential Road and the Friendship Bridge.

WATER UTILITIES

Water in the city is supplied by eleven (11) waterwork systems. Seven (7) of these are privately owned and operating in residential subdivisions. Three (3) of the original five (5) barangay waterworks are still operational . The Angeles City Water District has taken over the areas and being served by two (2) barangay waterworks which has stopped operations. The eleventh is the Angeles Water District (ACWD) , a quasi-government corporation, which has the big coverage and the most subscriber .In 1999 alone, it was able to expand its services to four (4) more baragay. Of the thirty three (33) barangays, thirty one (31) barangays are reached by the various systems. 49.79% of the total population if these thirety one (31) barangay is served by ACWD, 51.65 % is served by private water systems and 8.82% by Barangay Waterworks. The barangay and households ,which has not yet been reached by these water systems rely either on their own jetmatics ,deep and open wells

ELECTRICITY

Electric power System in Angeles City is owned and operated by a private firm, the Angeles Electric Corporation (AEC). Its power system is one of the efficient electric corporations in the country. It has an operating capacity of 71.9 million volt amperes, thus able to supply even the maximum demand of the city which is 59.00 megawatts and the average demand of 57.00 megawatts. Power supply is enjoyed by ninety five percent (95%) of the populace. Household that have no electrical connections used kerosene lamps ,candles /gas for their lightning .Suc is their situation because they could not afford the electrical service although the power rates of AEC is already considered the cheapest compared to the electric companies and cooperatives in neighboring municipalities in Pampanga .As for cooking , residents resort to the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) , charcoal or kerosene.

TELECOMMUNICATION

Facilities – Several communication facilities have been established in Angeles City, one of which is telephone systems. The city now has two privately-owned landline telephone companies – DATELCOM and DIGITEL, Inc. – which serve 59.66% of combined 88,124 households and business firms. This percentage continues to rise as Smart Communications Inc. extends its services to a limited number of landline subscribers. In addition to the latter, cellular phone firms like Globe, Islacom, Piltel, Extelcom, Mobiline and Nextel also serve the city. The Philippine Graphic, identify Angeles City as one of the cities where there is an average of 178 available lines per 1,000 population. This will help for the growth of electronic commerce division.

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.