HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING TECHNOLOGY

ANGELES CITY
Holy Angel University Sto. Rosario St. Santo Rosario St, Angeles, Pampanga

KAPAMPANGAN ART AND CUTURE

CLUSTER 3:

SAN SIMON
APALIT
MACABEBE

SUBMITTED BY:
F438

DE JESUS, ANGELINA L.
GUEVARRA, ALYSSA JOY T.
MIRANDA, MA. BIANCA T.
MIRANDA, PATRICIA L.
OCBA, JASPER KRYSTAL A.
PUNZALAN, ADRIAN M.

SUBMITTED TO:

MS. SANTOS, MARCELINA A.

TOPONYM
SAN SIMON

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

PATRON NAMES

 Our Lady of the Pillar, the patron saint of the barrio

  St. Peter

PERSONAL NAMES

 Leonora Wong- Mayor of San Simon

 Honorato Almario
TOWN FOUNDED
SAN SIMON

HISTORY

Before it was founded, San Simon was divided in two parts: the southern part belongs to
the town of Apalit and the northern part to San Luis. In between these two towns was a vast
forest feared by travelers being the nest robbers. However, this did not hinder the families of
Macapagal, Pangan, Puyat, Santos and Simbulan from settling there. After deforesting a certain
portion, these families began planting different plants to supplement their food needs. When
migration began, the robbers disappeared. By majority consensus, a house of worship was
erected in the very center that divides Apalit and San Luis. It was named Sra. Del Pilar in honor
of Mariano del Pilar, the founder. SAN SIMON The town was founded by Mariano del Pilar de
los Reyes either in 1766 or 1771; thus, the town’s original name was Virgen del Pilar, after
OurLady of the Pillar, whose feastday is October 12.

After a century, this place became progressive. Businessmen, no longer afraid of robbers,
traded with the residents. Although the residents were united spiritually, socially, culturally, and
economically they were politically divided. Those residing in the northern part paid taxes to San
Luis and those in the southern part to Apalit. Both sides decided to petition the then Governor
General Simon de Anda Y Salazar to consider declaring it a town. In their petition, they
mentioned the rich natural resources, vast track of fertile land, and bodies of water full of marine
products. After careful study the Governor General approved their petition. As a token of
appreciation to the Governor General's kindness, they named the town San Simon, after the
Apostle Simon. In 1771, San Simon was included in the towns of Pampanga.

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
San Simon, officially the Municipality of San Simon, is a 3rd class municipality in
the PROVINCE of PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES. According to the 2015 census, it has a
population of 53,198 people, with a density of 930 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,400
inhabitants per square mile.

The population is primarily Roman Catholic with 80% of the population. The Members Church
of God International (Ang dating daan) with 10% of its population, Iglesia ni Cristo total 7% and
other religions with a total of 3%. San Simon is politically subdivided into 14 BARANGAYS,
the table below represents the breakdown of the population by barangay.

SAN SIMON 53,198

Barangays Population

Concepcion 6,174

De La Paz 2,842

San Juan (Pob.) 2,135

San Agustin 2,119

San Isidro 3,345

San Jose 5,876

San Miguel 4,722

San Nicolas 2,197

San Pablo Libutad 1,980

San Pablo Proper 5,132

San Pedro 7,060

Santa Cruz 1,352

Santa Monica 4,828

Santo Niño 3,436

MAPS
SAN SIMON

San Simon, officially the Municipality of San Simon, is a 3rd class municipality in the province
of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 53,198 people.
San Simon is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.

 Concepcion  San Jose  San Pedro

 De La Paz  San Miguel  Santa Cruz
 San Juan  San Nicolas  Santa Monica
 San Agustin  San Pablo Libutad  Santo Niño
 San Isidro  San Pablo Propio

LANDMARKS

 Nuestra Senora Del Pilar Parish

In 1979, through the effort and financial contributions of the

Ibanez, Guevarra, Santos, Punsalan, Pangan and other families,
the church was rebuilt and named as Nuestra Senora Del Pilar.

 San Miguel Parish

Oldest chapel in San Simon

FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS
SAN SIMON

FESTIVALS
 Sun Sea Moon Festival

SUN-SEA-MOON “Aslag Naku Ning Balen”, came from the name of the municipality itself,
SAN SIMON, wherein folks believed that their town is blessed and guided by the sun, sea and
moon, making them productive whole-year round. A street dance festival was held joined by all
the 14 Barangays of San Simon. The street dance brought color to the event. The pre-
interpretation competition showcases the tradition, values and history of the people of San Simon
through the contingents dance number.
SONG OF THE TOWN
MEMORABLE KAPAMPANGAN
SAN SIMON

CONTRIBUTION TO PAMPANGA / PHILIPPINE HISTORY

San Simon, officially the Municipality of San Simon, is a 3rd class municipality in
the province of Pampanga, Philippines. San Simon, an emerging business haven in Central
Luzon particularly in the province of Pampanga had
its humble beginnings in 1770 as a farming village
when it was founded by Don Mariano del Pilar de los
Reyes and named it Barrio Del Pilar. Appraised of the
economic potential of a new town and confidence in
the management capability of the leaders, the Spanish
Governor General at the time during his second term
as chief administrator of the Philippines, Don Simon
de Anda y Salazar approved the official creation of the
town on November 15, 1771.

The town was named in honor of the Spanish Governor General who approved its
creation and of the Apostle Simon Peter, the Patron Saint of the illustrious town of Apalit. Like
any other typical Spanish town (pueblo) it was administered by a “Capitan del Pueblo” and had
a municipal policy making body called today as Municipal Council.

In 1898, the retreating military forces of General Antonio Luna on their way to Nueva
Ecija burned the parish church. In 1979, through the effort and financial contributions of the
Ibanez, Guevarra, Santos, Punsalan, Pangan and other families, the church was rebuilt and
named as Nuestra Senora Del Pilar. Among the early settlers of the town were the Macapagal,
Simbulan, Santos and Pangan families.
POLITICIANS

 Datu Patricio S. Cunanan – Governor in Davao, Municipal Judge in Mati, Davao

 Bonifacio Gomez – Governor in Mindoro, President of Mindoro Sugar Central
 Judge Florentino Mercado – Municipal Judge of Apalit, Pampanga
 Catalino G. Punsalan – Governor of Occidental Mindoro
 Atty. Cicero J. Punsalan – Lawyer, Provincial Board Member and Vice Governor of
Pampanga

 Leonardo Punsalan – Governor in Oriental Mindoro

 Dr. Narciso Punsalan – Mayor of San Jose, Mindoro
 Teodoro Punsalan – Mayor of San Luis, Pampanga
 Gen. Paulino Briones – Philippine Army – Recognized Guerrilla
 Col. Paulino Briones, Jr. – Assistant Chief, TRAFCON, Philippine Constabulary
 Capt. Cielo de Leon – Nursing Corps, Philippine Army
 Atty. Eligio Mallari - Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights 2001-2008 and
President, Philippine Trial Lawyers Association, Inc. 2003-2005

 Major Dante Simbulan – Philippine Army

  Major Isauro Simbulan – Armed Forces of the Philippines
 Lt. Ruperto Simbulan – US Navy
 Sergio Taruc – Division Superintendent of Antique
 Conrado S. Yabut – Division Superintendent of Abra

ENTERTAINERS

 Bentot was born in 1928 in San Simon, Pampanga, Philippines as

Ben Cosca. He was an actor and director, known for Kababalaghan
o kabulastugan? (1962), Tatlong mabilis (1965) and Tatlong mabilis
sa Hong Kong (1965). He died in 1986 in the Philippines

ARTISTS

 Rufino Almario – Poet and Author

 Agapito Calanoc – Poet and Novelist

 Candido P. Caluag – Poet, Writer and Orator
 Esteban P. Cunanan – Poet and Author
 Cirila Punsalan Macapagal – Versista and Woman Poetess
 Demetrio Macapagal – Catholic Music composer and grandfather of President Diosdado
P. Macapagal
 Felix B. Punsalan – Poet Laureate, Dramatist, Historian, Writer and Stage Director
  Atty. Silvestre M. Punsalan – Lawyer, Poet Laureate, Novelist and Philippine National
Bank Chairman

 Roman P. Reyes – Poet Laureate, Dramatist, Stage Actor and Director

ADMINISTRATORS

 Felix Capulong – Vice President, Chinese Insurance Corporation

 Dr. Donato Simbulan Jr. – Director, St. Michael Hospital in Cotabato
 APALIT
PLANT NAMES

 Narra Tree- At the time Apalit was settled,

there was a big sturdy tree "Ptero-Carpus
Indicus" or Apalit (also known as Narra) in
Kapampangan at the present site of the
Catholic Parish Church of Saint Peter.
Apparently, the town got its name from
that big legendary tree which is now the
national tree of the Philippines.

PATRON NAMES

 St. Peter the Apostle- Apung Iru Fluvial Festival is an annual

celebration held in Apalit, Pampanga every June 28-30. It is also the
feast day of the town's Patron, St. Peter. The local term “Apung Iru”
refers to the image of St. Peter.
 APALIT

HISTORY

The town of Apalit is renowned for its weaving and metal industries. It is also the site of
the annual colorful traditional fluvial parade (since 1844) in honor of St. Peter, its patron saint.
The shrine of the ivory image of St. Peter, called "Apung Iru," is venerated by the townspeople
the whole year round. The parochial church, strikingly baroque, is also a source of pride among
the local folk.

Apalit was founded in the 1500s. It got its name from a species of tree growing
abundantly in the place - pterocarpus indicus - asana in Tagalog and apalit in Kapampangan.
Here the Spaniards located the native canon maker, Panday Pira, who established a small
blacksmith and foundry shop in Capalangan of this town. This started the flourishing of
blacksmiths and small scale metal enterprises in Apalit.

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Apalit, officially the Municipality of Apalit, is a 1st class MUNICIPALITY in

the PROVINCE of PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES. According to the 2015 census, it has a
population of 107,965 people with a density of 1,800 inhabitants per square kilometre or 4,700
inhabitants per square mile. It has 12 barangays and the table below represents the breakdown of
the population by barangay.

APALIT 107,965 Paligui 2,701

Barangay Population Sampaloc 11,891

Balucuc 10,104 San Juan (Pob.) 8,932

Calantipe 3,883 San Vicente 22,580

Cansinala 7,329 Sucad 7,246

Capalangan 7,121 Sulipan 9,269

Colgante 7,090 Tabuyuc (Santo Rosario) 9,819

 APALIT

Apalit, officially the Municipality of Apalit, is a 1st class municipality in the province of
Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 107,965 people.
Apalit is surrounded by Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin and San Simon in Pampanga,
and Calumpit, Pulilan, and Baliuag in Bulacan. Apalit is 55 kilometres (34 mi) from Manila, 11
km (6.8 mi) from the provincial capital, San Fernando, and 28 km (17 mi) from Angeles. Apalit
is politically subdivided into 12 barangays:

 Balucuc  Sampaloc
 Calantipe  San Juan
 Cansinala  San Vicente
 Capalangan  Sucad
 Colgante  Sulipan
 Paligui  Tabuyuc

LANDMARKS

 St. Peter Parish Church

It was not until 1597 when the Parish of Saint Peter was
created after its separation from the Parish of Calumpit. Fr.
Pedro de Vergara was appointed as the first Parish Priest to
attend to the spiritual needs of the Catholic community of
Apalit. In conjunction with the annual town fiesta, the
traditional fluvial parade of Saint Peter was initiated by Capitan del Pueblo Don Pedro Armayan
Espiritu on June 28, 1844.
 APALIT
FESTIVALS

 Makatapak Festival

Makatapak Festival is a merry dance event featuring competing groups that dance along major
thoroughfares here, barefooted. The ability to recover and adjust to any misfortune is a trait of
the people of Bacolor. In order to
commemorate how they overcame
the adversities during Mt. Pinatubo
Eruption, the town preserved it
through the Makatapak (on bare
foot) Festival.

 Apung Iru Festival

Apung Iru Fluvial Festival is an annual celebration held in Apalit, Pampanga every June 28-30. It
is also the feast day of the town's Patron, St. Peter. The local term “Apung Iru” refers to the image
of St. Peter. Every year, devotees in the town of Apalit holds a colorful fluvial procession or
Apung Iru Fluvial Parade. It is the most awaited activity of the celebration. On its first day (June
28), the holy image was transferred through a fluvial procession from Capalangan to Apalit Parish
Church in a colorful and decorated float. While the float was traveling with other boats along the
Pampanga River, devotees were
praying and singing religious
hymns. The image had stayed in
Apalit Church until the last day
of the feast (June 30) and
returned to its original shrine at
Capalangan with same process
and river routes. During the
recurrence, thousands of people
gathered along the riverbanks
waiting the comeback of the
floats with the Holy image.
Dousing of water, waving of
flowers and dancing the traditional dance called “Kuraldal” as the pagoda carrying the image of
Apung Iru passes by are some of the traditional ways to welcome the town’s Patron. A colorfully
decorated mini pagoda made by the local people was used to carry the image of St. Peter going
back to the church. Devotees and locals celebrate the event as an offering of gratitude. It has been
a part of the town's culture and tradition. A variety of events and activities were held during the
celebration, such as trade fair, pageants, local competitions and cultural shows.
CULINARY SPECIALTIES

 Bobotu

Unsweetened tamales in Sulipan, Apalit or Sasmoan; so-named because its adoption was related
to elections
CONTRIBUTION TO PAMPANGA / PHILIPPINE
HISTORY

Apalit was formally established as an independent

municipality in 1582 during the term of office of Spanish
Governor General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa.

Apaliteños are also noted for their cottage industries such

as weaving of cloth, mats, hats, pottery and metal working in
gold, iron and silver.

POLITICIANS

 Macario Arnedo - four-term elected governor at the turn of the century, credited for the
rapid development of agriculture, sugar manufacturing and
commerce as a result of the construction of modern roads,
railroads and dikes to prevent flooding. The flood control dike
in Apalit, the Arnedo Dike, was named after him. The seat of
provincial government was transferred from Bacolor to San
Fernando during his term as governor

 Jose Escaler - Industrialist. Finished Law at the Escuela de

Derecho at the top of his class. Attended Yale
and Oxford. First president and general manager of the Pampanga Sugar
Development Co. (PASUDECO); first Filipino assistant director of
Education during the American regime after World War I; was
Undersecretary of Justice ln 1917; became U.P. acting president in 1918.
His business ventures included Phil. Oil Prod., Malayan Trading and
PASUDECO
 Col. Ricardo Galang - Author, graduate school dean and World
War II hero who fought the Japanese Imperial Forces. He established an
 Allied Forces Espionage network during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and
maintained a military liaison with General Douglas MacArthur in Australia.

 Adelina Santos Rodriguez - she is a former mayor of Quezon City (until 1986)

 Cecilia Gonzalez-Soriano - a daughter of chemist and businessman

Gerry Gonzalez (of the illustrious Gonzalez clan of Apalit) and former
PAL acounting and financial administration
executive Celia Gonzalez, is a career
government official and served as
Undersecretary of Finance during the Ramos administration
(Andro Camiling)

 Edgar Dula Torres - became a general and superintendent of the

Northern Police District of the Philippines and vice chairman of
the Philippine Police Commission

 Honorable Artemio Camaya Macalino - Championed the cause of the poor, served as
congressman of the second district of Pampanga and Executive Judge of the Court of
Agrarian Relations.
 Narciso M. Cabrera - became a general and Chief of Police of Manila
 Herminigildo Garcia - careeer diplomat, Philippine Consul General in Seattle,
Washington
 Brigadier General David Laquian - Deputy Chief of Staff of the Philippine National
Police.
ENTERTAINER
 Rodel Fernando - Entertainment Writer, Radio/TV host from Apalit, Pampanga
 ARTIST

 Bert Le Roy - One of the best character actors of his time both on stage and screen. His
patriotism led to his arrest, imprisonment and death at the hands of the Japanese Imperial
Forces during World War II

 Eduardo Mutuc - is a 2005 NCCA

GAMABA National Living Treasure
Awardee for upholding the traditional Kapampangan art
of pinukpuk or silver inlaying and embossing
on retablos, carosas and altar pieces.

 Gene Gonzales - nationally

renowned chef, restaurateur,
educator management consultant and author. He is the author
of Cocina Sulipeña: Culinary from Old Pampanga.

 Bert Simon Camiling - Popular socio-civic and labor leader;

local radio station musical director; member of national award-
winning musical group and dubbed as one of the best guitarists Pampanga has ever
produced. Nominated for the Governor's Award for Outstanding Kapampangan Guitarist
but died of cardiac failure in October, 1993.
INVENTORS
 Engineer Juanito Ayson Simon - Pride of Apalit and an international award-winning
inventor of an engine oil additive which is now in the market in the USA, the Philippines
and other countries.

ADMINISTRATORS

 Ernesto Escaler - prominent business magnate, chief

executive officer of Resource Finance Corporation,
secretary-treasurer of PASUDECO and CEO of Pepsi Cola,
Philippines, Inc.

 Don Augusto Gonzalez - Another son of Dr. Joaquin

Gonzalez - a successful industrial executive, lawyer, philanthropist
who donated the present site and the Apalit Municipal Government
building; co-founder of Pampanga Sugar Development Co. Inc.
(PASUDECO) and one of the most prominent and wealthy
Kapampangans during his lifetime. He was one of the PASUDECO
corporate officers assasinated by the Timbol brothers on July 12,
1939

 Don Fausto Gonzalez. Another son of Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez - a noted philanthropist and
a distinguished member of the Philippine Assembly
 Sixto V. Torres, Sr. - former regional director and deputy commisioner of the Land
Transportation Commision of the Philippines and founder of the Gonzales Memorial
College
 Amando Maglalang Tetangco Jr. (born November 14, 1952) was
the third Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).[1]
He was the first BSP governor to serve two terms,[2] having been
first appointed to the office by Philippine president Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo in July 2005, and reappointed in 2011 by
President Benigno Aquino III to serve another six-year term.

 Manuel V. Pangilinan - has his roots in Apalit, Pampanga.

He completed his elementary and high school education at San Beda
College and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics degree at
Ateneo de Manila University (Cum Laude). He received his MBA
from the University of Pennsylvania in the USA. A very successful
and wealthy businessman, he is the chairman of PLDT, ABC TV5,
Smart Telecommunications, Stradcom International Holdings Inc.
and Cure Inc., First Pacific Company Ltd, Cignal Digital TV,
Pilipino Telecommunication Corporation Piltel (Talk N' Text), First
Pacific Tollways Corporation and Metro Pacific Investment
Corporation, He is also the President and CEO of MERALCO as well as Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of San Beda College.

 Engineer Godofredo Gaddi Pangan - Administrator of the Rural Electrification Program

of the Philippines and Undersecretary and Acting Secretary of Public Works.
 MACABEBE

PATRON NAMES

 St. Nicholas- San Nicolas de Tolentino or Apung Kulas,

an Augustinian friar known for his tremendous love and
dedicated service to the poor and the suffering.

 St. Gabriel

 Nuestra Senora dela Paz- Queen and Patroness

PERSONAL NAMES

 Hon. Annette B. Flores- Balgan- Municipal Mayor

 Hon. Vince Edward F. Flores – Municipal Vice Mayor

 MACABEBE

HISTORY

Macabebe, an ancient town in the province of Pampanga is intimately linked to the

Pampanga River (Rio Grande de la Pampanga). The Macabebes were the first known
Kapampangans in the Spanish Colonial period of the Philippines. Macabebe was considered one
of the oldest and most important communities of Pampanga.

The ancient town of Macabebe owes its importance to its location along the Rio Grande
de la Pampanga (Pampanga River). The river's routes and its northern tributaries provided the
pathways to the early major settlements in Pampanga. The English translation of Macabebe,
meaning: 'BORDERING THE RIVER BANKS'describes the historical heritage of the ancient
town.

The Macabebe dialect is said to be harsher and louder than others due to how the town’s
people must have had to communicate across the river. The Pampanga River is of great
importance to Macabebe. Fishing is still a major source of sustenance and income for its
residents. A number of fisheries can be found along the river banks.

The province of Pampanga is also the traditional homeland of the Kapampangan people.
The Kapampangan of Macabebe have played a dynamic and at times conflicting role in the
history of the Philippines. They fought against the Spanish in 1571, but they also defended the
last Spanish garrison against revolutionaries in 1898.

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Macabebe, officially the Municipality of Macabebe, is a 1st class MUNICIPALITY in

the PROVINCE of PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES. According to the 2015 census, it has a
population of 75,850 people with a density of 720 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,900
inhabitants per square mile.

In religion, the town has Roman CATHOLICS with 87% of the population, MEMBERS
CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL ( Ang dating daan) 5%, IGLESIA NI
CRISTO 3%, EVANGELICALS 2%, and other religion with a total of 3%. Macabebe has 25
barangays and the table below represents the population in each barangay.
 MACABEBE 75,850 San Juan 2,504

Barangay Population San Rafael 3,411

Batasan 4,494 San Roque 4,304

Caduang Tete 6,561 San Vicente 2,808

Candelaria 2,905 Santa Cruz (Pob.) 1,208

Castuli 1,219 Santa Lutgarda 991

Consuelo 2,720 Santa Maria 5,756

Dalayap 2,574 Santa Rita (Pob.) 3,470

Mataguiti 819 Santo Niño 2,720

San Esteban 5,002 Santo Rosario (Pob.) 3,114

San Francisco 1,820 Saplad David 1,516

San Gabriel (Pob.) 3,948 Tacasan 2,416

San Isidro 2,001 Telacsan 3,818

San Jose 3,751

 MACABEBE

Macabebe is a first class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines with a

population of 70,332 people (2007 census). It has a total land area of 44.05 square kilometers
and is 17.0 kilometers away from the capital City of San Fernando. Macabebe is composed of 25
barangays, namely:

 Batasan  San Gabriel  Sta Lutgarda

 Caduang Tete  San Isidro  Sta Maria
 Candelaria  San Jose  Sta Rita
 Castuli  San Juan  Sto Niño
 Consuelo  San Rafael  Sto Rosario
 Dalayap  San Roque  Tacasan
 Mataguiti  San Vicente  Telacsan.
 San Esteban  Saplad David
 San Francisco  Sta Cruz

LANDMARKS

 Pampanga River River

Formerly known as Rio Grande de Pampanga -- Great River of Pampanga is the second largest
river in the island of Luzon, next to Cagayan River and the third largest but most important river
in the Philippines. It is located in the Central Luzon region and traverses the provinces of
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac and Quezon
  San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando has

jurisdiction over the 1575 San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish
Church. It was founded in 1575 under the advocation of San
Nicolas de Tolentino. The heritage church measures 70
metres (230 ft) long, 17 metres (56 ft) wide and 11 metres
(36 ft) high. The facade of the church has scantly
ornamentation and its architectural symmetry is lost amid and
the various forms assumed the windows and the main
entrance. Simple neo-classic lines of the facade.

 San Rafael de Archangel Parish Church

Located at San Rafael, Macabebe, Pampanga

 Eugenio Blanco Residence

The oldest house (1898) which is located at Sta. Rita,

Poblacion, Macabebe, Pampanga.

 Lagman Ancestral House

White House of Macabebe- San Rafael, Macabebe,

Pampanga

 Reyes Ancestral House

San Rafael, Macabebe, Pampanga

 MACABEBE
FESTIVALS

 Kulas Festival

The “Higantes” or “Giants of Macabebe” perform in

front of the municipal hall and parish church. The last
day of the month ushers in the start of preparations for
the town fiesta on September 10. At the center of all
the activity is Macabebe’s patron saint – San Nicolas
de Tolentino or “Apung Kulas,” an Augustinian friar
known for his tremendous love and dedicated service
to the poor and the suffering.

 Santero Festival

The first Santero Festival was held to celebrate

the 443rd founding anniversary of this town on
January 17. Macabebe, one of the oldest towns in
Pampanga, is home to the Santeros. They are
craftsmen who uses wood, ivory, cement, or
fiber glass to produce an ecclesiastical art piece
known as “Santo,” usually an image of Jesus
Christ, The Blessed Virgin Mary or patron saints.

RITUALS

 “Bloodless” Lenten Tradition

It was 59 years ago when a group called Everybody’s Club started a “bloodless” Lenten tradition
in Barangay San Isidro. Everybody’s Club has been creating replicas of Jesus Christ’s stations of
the cross since 1956. Every year, the club chooses what to replicate among the 14 stations of
Jesus. Then it will imitate the scenario of the station chosen and create the costumes for club
members representing Mama Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Roman soldiers, and the apostles, to name a
few. The 14 stations of the cross were all represented and each displayed at vacant lots and
façade of houses along major roads in San Isidro and villages near the municipal hall.
The 3rd station when Jesus falls
for the first time presented by
Palengke Luma Club
- Leo Villacarlos

The 5th Station

The Holy Friday procession

- Leo Villacarlos
CULINARY SPECIALTIES

 Adobung Kamaru (mole crickets sauted in vinegar and garlic)

 Calderetang Barag (spicy monitor lizard stew)

 Kubang Asu (sweet and spicy dog stew).
 MACABEBE

CONTRIBUTION TO PAMPANGA / PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Macabebe, an ancient town in the province of Pampanga is intimately linked to

the Pampanga River (Rio Grande de la Pampanga), the Kapampangan word "Makabébé"
means 'Nakabaybay' in Tagalog or 'bordering the river banks' where the town's name was
derived.

The Macabebes were the first known

Kapampangans. In the Spanish Colonial period of the
Philippines, Macabebe was considered one of the oldest
and most important communities of Pampanga it is also
the traditional homeland of the Kapampangan people.
The Kapampangan of Macabebe had played a dynamic
and at times conflicting role in the history of the
Philippines. They fought against the Spanish in 1571,
such as the case when the youthful Tarik Soliman
(Bambalito) became the first Kapampangan and Filipino
martyr who fought against Spanish rule. They also
defended the last Spanish garrison against
revolutionaries in 1898.

American General
Frederick Funston and his
troops captured Philippine
President Emilio
Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela,
with the help of some
Kapampangans (called
the Macabebe Scouts after their
home locale) who had joined
the Americans' side. The
Americans pretended to be
captives of the Macabebes, who were dressed in Philippine Army uniforms. Once Funston and
his "captors" entered Aguinaldo's camp, they immediately apprehended Aguinaldo and his men.
POLITICIANS

 Nemesio Yabut - Originally from Macabebe, he was a former mayor of Makati (until
1986)

 Felix B. Bautista - Born May l, l890 in Macabebe. Married to Florencia Hernandez (l896-
l933), another Kapampangan writer like him. He wrote a novel in Kapampangan entitled
"Estela". He finished Law at the Escuela de Derecho and doctorate of Laws from the
Univ. of Wash. in Seattle. He was elected representative to the Philippine Legislature and
a delegate to the l935 Constitutional Convention
 Juan M. Cancio - lawyer, university professor, career government official who became
Assistant Executive Secretary and acting Executive Secretary during the presidency of
Diosdado Macapagal in the '60s
 Ismael Quiambao - he was Foreign Affairs Officer for the Philippine Mission at the
United Nations

ATHLETES

 Mark P. Macapagal (born September 20, 1979 in Pampanga) is a Filipino professional

basketball player. He last played with the Meralco Bolts. He plays the shooting guard and
small forward positions. After playing in Ginebra
where he impressed many with his good outside
shooting, Macapagal was involved in a four-team
trade that sent him to Coca-Cola. In the 2009-10
season, he stepped up as the primary scorer for
the Coca-Cola Tigers as he averaged 11 points,
1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists in 25.5 minutes.
However, his performance was not enough for
Coca-Cola to advance to the playoffs.
  Jaime "Jimmy" Manansala - NCAA - University of the East; member of 1978 PBA
Tanduay team. All Time Assist 846 - 13 season PBA; 5,000 career points - Dec. 2, 1986

ARTIST
 Vicente Silva Manansala (January 22, 1910 – August 22, 1981) was a Filipino cubist
painter and illustrator.

ADMINISTRATORS
 Ben Pangilinan - he is a former President of the Philippine Daily Inquirer