Fun things to do in Angeles City

Mt. Pinatubo made history and world-wide news in June 1991 when it erupted after being dormant for hundreds of years. It has wipe out almost a quarter of Luzon island's habited area and has drastically affected weather and climate patterns globally.

This volcano, now back to its dormant state, is located centrally among mountain ranges bordering the provinces of Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac and Pangasinan. It has become a favorite adventure trip for 4-wheel vehicle trips that includes hiking and camping. For the physically challenged or those feeling lazy (me included), aerial trips are also available.

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One among the famous festivals of the Philippines usually happens on the month of February. Colorful balloons will start to invade the morning sky and after that numerous sky activities can be watched like para-gliding, sky diving, aircraft formation flying, aerobatic display, kite flying exhibition etc.
The Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta was first organized in 1994 in an effort to help spur the local economy of Central Luzon with the objective of making it a common aviation sport in the Philippines and promoting the country as a premier sport-aviation and tourist destination in Asia.

The Balloon flight are usually scheduled just before sunrise so better be early. There's an entrance fee of P150 pesos.

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Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta is held annually between January and February at Clark Field, Angeles City, Pampanga. Considered to be the biggest aviation sports event in the country, it features skydivers, kite flyers, rc plane enthusiasts and multicolored hot-air balloons with more than a hundred balloon pilots from around the world.

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Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, and was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991.

Following the departure of American forces in 1991, the base eventually became the site of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the Clark Freeport Zone.

i was just up mt pinatubo,, walk around hotel has a tour guide from hotel to mt and back, cost p 6000 for two if i recall, but dont take the lunch at the barangay as they will just bring you food you dnt even ask for ,,oh and bring the best sun screen money can buy as you will fry like sausages haha we did,,, taxi from airport watch out you may get ripped off! try to arrange a shuttle van from hotel , and if you plan on mt pinatubo next day trust me you have to get up at 5.30 am for the tour guide, and if you serious wana do mt pinatubo next day you have to arrange with tour company befor you arrive in philippines.. msg me if you have any Q

It is very difficult to decide on online reservations for hotels because they usually show only the nice pictures and comments from guests. Email VT'ers who posted their travel page and reviews for first hand comments & criticisms.

Especially at Balibago and other areas outside the CSEZ, it would be helpful to check the surroundings and ambience. The hotel might be nice, but they might be lax in allowing guests to bring along scanty-clad and flirty hospitality girls in the pools, restos or rooms, to the disorientatiom of your children. Or, they might have a clean look outside, but the CR and cabinets might be full of cockroaches. Check the menu for freebie breakfast that go with your accommodation, and check the prices/ variety of ala carte dishes.

We almost checked in at a new, clean Korean-owned Hotel. Luckily, we thought of checking their menu. They serve only rice, boiled egg & kimchi for breakfast and all Korean dishes the whole day, so we didn't book there.

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After Nayon Pilipino was closed at its original site near Philippine Village Hotel, a smaller one was set up at Clark Expo by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 37. Designed to make Nayong Pilipino a virtual showcase of Philippine history and culture, replicas of some villages and heritage sites were created.

Nice vision, nice plans... but I was disappointed to see that it wasn't as beautiful and well maintained as the original Nayong Pilipino. The manmade ponds have dried up, dried leaves of plants and trees are scattered around, dust was blown by the wind because the soil was so dry, the replica houses cum museum are dirty/dusty, the village people looked lonely, the merchandise at souvenir shops have seen better days, and the ambience just wasn't that envigorating. The only place I liked was the replica of the Barasoin Church and the promenade infront of it.

There is no entrance fee; donation of any amount is put in a drop box by tourists. To generate funds, they accept reservations for theme weddings, reception, parties, seminars and conferences. I just hope the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo is given more support by the local government so it can be well-maintained... Perhaps if we "bombard" them with constructive criticisms and suggestions, they will improve the place.

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On the 2nd floor of the Clark Museum, you'll find the Museong Kapampangan which showcases relics and indigenous materials, equipment & furniture used by people of Pampanga.

One corner of the museum is devoted to the relics, furniture & clothes used by Pampanga's most famous son, then President Diosdado Macapagal.