ANGELES CITY – "I am saddened and shocked to learn that our young students, including their teachers, are not aware nor informed on our local history and the lives of our local heroes. What make this situation even more alarming is that even if they pass by in front of the Museo ning Angeles and see the statue of Jose Abad Santos everyday when they go to school, they do not even bother to stop and read the marker to learn about the contribution of this great Kapampangan to our nation’s history."
Thus lamented City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, as he recalls his many encounters and speaking engagements with Angeleño students, where he asks them about their knowledge and familiarity with Angeles’ history.
“We often become indifferent about the history of our place - but it is these stories, traditions, and artifacts from the past that define us as a people. That’s why it is of utmost importance to me that we make our students well-versed on the topic of Angeles’ rich local history,” he said.
Pamintuan noted that schools, both public and private, spend so much money for educational trips to Metro Manila and totally disregard the various historical and cultural treasures of Angeles City which are being visited by people from all over the country.
As such, in an effort to promote local culture, history and awareness, the mayor recently passed Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2016, which directs all private and public, primary and secondary schools to patronize the Angeles City’s museums, namely the Museum of Social History of the Philippines and the Museo ning Angeles.
“With this executive order, we enjoin all our schools and their respective administrators and faculty to organize study trips to our museums which feature the cultural wealth of Angeles City and also the rest of the Philippines.
The Museum of Social History, formerly and most commonly known as the Pamintuan Mansion, is the only one of its kind in the country which houses several exhibits featuring the history of the Filipino society, including native textiles and fashion, accessories, weaving tools, architectural and furniture designs, Filipino traditional games, mythological creatures and culinary traditions.
The 125-year-old structure served as the headquarters of General Antonio Luna and the first anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1899. It also served as headquarters for General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. in November 1899.
On the other hand, the Museo ning Angeles, which has been declared one of the country’s Important Cultural Properties by the National Museum of the Philippines, showcases the evolving history of Angeles, featuring its birth as Culiat in 1796, as well its devastation, caused by Mount Pinatubo in 1991.
It also has a “Culinarium” at the second floor, which is dedicated to the Kapampangan culinary arts, owing to the concept that the preparation of food is a legacy worth preserving.
The Angeles City Tourism Office has prepared a Heritage Tour package that caters to all visitors, especially to students of Angeles’ local schools. The tour includes a visit to the Museum of Social History, Museo ning Angeles, Holy Angel University’s Center for Kapampangan Studies and other heritage buildings and structures.
It could also include a taste of Angeles City and Kapampangan cuisine at the Museo. For inquiries, contact the Angeles City Tourism Office at (+63) 923 474 3302 / (+63) 977 377 1585.