The Half-Buried Church of Bacolor, Pampanga

Last month on a trip back to Manila from Subic, our group decided to skip SCTEX, for possible side trips along the old highway of Pampanga towns. I was hoping to see the Betis Church in Guagua, but fate brought us to the Bacolor Church instead.

Not far from a Razon branch where we've had quick halo-halo break, we turned right from Jose Abad Santos Avenue to a small road that leads to San Guillermo Parish Church of Bacolor, Pampanga. Despite being buried by about 6 m. from its original height, the church is still identifiable from the main road.

San Bartolome Church in Magalang, Pampanga

After our day climb of Mt. Arayat on a Black Saturday, I asked our tricycle driver to take us first at the old church of Magalang town in Pampanga. Officially known as San Bartolome Church, I was not disappointed with its facade, even if we were not able to see its interiors.

Originally built in 1605 by Augustinians, it is not on its original form. The first structure built on its current location was the site of the historic battle between Spaniards and revolutionary followers of Andres Malong (not Bonifacio) in year 1660. 

Climbing Mt. Arayat via Magalang Trail

It is the mountain that people see whenever they pass the Pampanga portion of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). I've been seeing this mountain as a kid, and heard many legends about it. One is that the mountain was plucked from the Candaba portion, thereby leaving a swampland. Another legend tells a story of a man named Sinukuan, who lives with his 3 daughters at the white rock, entertains hunters, and gives them gold upon departure.

Having climbed many mountains now, I realized that I should include it on my bucket list of mountains to climb this year. So last Black Saturday, I took my son and a nephew with me to finally climb it. Pinoy Mountaineer has this technical description of Mt. Arayat:

LLA: 15.2067N, 120.7441E, 1030 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 5 hours (North Peak)
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 5/9, Trail class 1-4 (10kms)

Hot Air Balloon at Clark Field

I just like to show some photos of the hot air balloons last 15 February 2009 at Clark Airfield Pampanga.

The crowd marvelling at the various hot air balloons from different participating countries and companies. See the hot air balloon of Coke soda below which unfortunately did not flew very high that day.