5March 2015

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Contents

12 Historic Zambales

16 The Good Old Days

20 A Bit o’ the Irish in Subic Bay

22 Capas National Shrine or “Paggunita sa Capas.”

28 Trekking Mount Pinatubo (Korean)

30 Top Five Things to Do in Angeles City

31 HARP holds first meeting of 2015

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Welcome to our March issue! This month we are packed with features on tourist destinations in Region 3.We take a fond look back at Zambales with an article on the historical places and also some old photos.On the 22nd the Lubao International Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off. This is the largest such event in all of Southeast Asia. Be sure to go! Our Korean feature this month is a trip report from a Korean family that recently made the trip If you have any upcoming events for the months of April or later or have some interesting photos of the Region 3 area please email them to randy@questmagazines.com.

Please call Ryan at 0947-891-5494 or Randy at 0998-537-6585 for information on advertising in QUEST Magazine.

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March 2015Volume 2 Number 3

Travel and Leisure Magazine

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Visit our tour desk now in the Tune Hotel, Angeles City

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Historical ZambalesCamara Ancestral House, Iba

Vicente Camara was the first Filipino Governor of Zambales, appointed by Gen. Aguinaldo in 1898. His term ended upon his surrender to the Americans in 1901. The Camara house is one of a kind built from the strongest local hardwoods, such as molave, yakal and narra. Camara himself together with Ginzaburo Hanaki designed the house with materials personally chosen by the for-mer in 1912. Design was based on the need for ventilation, steep roof made of nipa for coolness. Floor-to-ceiling windows added more ventilation to the house. The main staircase and jambs are made of single, unjoined molave hardwood. During the war, it was used as headquarters by the Japanese. Gen. Yamashita visited the house during the war years. In its yard, the first Caimito, Java Mango, and Mangosteen trees in Zambales were planted.

Capones Island Lighthouse, San Antonio

The Faro (Lighthouse) de Punta Capones on the Is-land of Grand Capon is a significant lighthouse of the first order. Its light guides ships entering and leaving the port of Manila and Subic Bay. The lighthouse also warns navigators of the rocky shores surrounding the Island of Capones. As a warning beacon, it serves to-gether with the lights situated in the islets of Los Frail-es, and Los Jabones as a series of warnings due to the dangers of the surrounding seas as well as the islands close proximity to shore, thereby making the seas very treacherous to unseasoned navigators. As a navigation guide, this lighthouse serves the main artery for ships heading towards China, which therefore makes it a

very busy and important shipping route.Responding to the need for better navigation guides throughout the Philippines, the Spanish colonial government initiated a substantial building program of lighthouses and light stations throughout the Philippine archipelago. One of the initial projects to be approved in this signif-icant undertaking was the lighthouse on the Island of Grand Capon or Faro de Punta Capones.

Fort Paynauen, Botolan

This historic fortress whose moss-covered walls still stand on the bank of Bancal River in Barrio Pader in Botolan was once the most formidable Spanish garrison in Central Luzon during the first century of the Spanish regime in the Philippines. Also known as Playa Honda, the fort was constructed on the advice of Spanish Admiral Pedro Duran de Monforte to Governor General Diego de Salcedo whose administration of the islands from 1663 to 1668 had to face the serious problem of the continuous uprising of the inhabitants of the province, also known as the prov-ince of Playa Honda. Paynauen is the original name of Iba. In 1617, off the coast of Zambales, the Spaniards led by Juan Ronquillo, destroyed three of the six Dutch ships led by Admiral John Derickson Lamb in the two-day battle. This was part of a series of Dutch attacks on the Philip-pines in the early part of the 17th century. This is known in history as the second battle of Playa Honda. Fort Paynauen served as a prison not only for the recalcitrant natives of Zambales but also for Spanish officials who angered the Spanish Governor General or Archbishop of Manila.

Subic Naval Base (now Subic Bay Freeport), Olongapo City

Characterized by its natural deep-sea harbor, with narrow entrance guarded by Grande Island, for the defense of its colonial hold on the Philippines, Spain was the first to build a naval station

13March 2015 here in 1885 - only to lose it during the Spanish-American War 13 years later in 1898.It became a major shipyard and repair facility for the U.S. Navy after floating drydock “Dewey” was towed in Subic from Virginia in 1905. It was home to the U.S. 7th Fleet. The administration of Olon-gapo was later turned over to the Philippine government by the United States on December 7, 1959. The town was converted into a city on June 1, 1966 by virtue of RA No. 4645 sponsored by Congressman Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. The city mayor then was James L. Gordon. Today the former naval station has grown to become the first freeport zone in the country - a sprawling industrial, commercial and tourism estate attracting hundreds of investors and millions of local and foreign tourists.Landmarks

Magsaysay Ancestral House and Museum, Castillejos

This is the same house where the late President Ramon Magsaysay, popularly known as “The Guy”, grew up. At present, it is a a museum that contains his memorabili-aw. Born in 1907, Iba, Zambales, Magsaysay was the third president of the third Philippine Republic (December 31, 1953 - March 17, 1957). As secretary of national defense in 1950, he was instrumental in breaking the backbone of the Hukbalahap movement in Central Luzon. He died in a plane crash on March 17, 1957 at Mt. Manunggal in the province of Cebu after presiding over three graduation exercises as guest speaker the day before.

Zambales Provincial Capitol Building, Iba

This building was constructed by the Spanish civil government in the years 1875-1878. The molave and yacal posts were cut in the forest near Dirita. Used as a provincial prison during the Spanish regime, it became the general headquarters of the revolutionary government of Zambales in 1899.

Olongapo City Museum, Olongapo City

The museum showcases the rich historical and cultural heritage of Olongapo City, chronicling its various stages of transformation over the years, from the city’s humble beginnings as a small fishing village inhabited by native Aetas, to a Navy town, to a suc-cessful military base conversion and economic independence after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, and its subsequent growth and development from an ordinary municipality into a vi-brant city and a progressive community. The museum also features 2 exhibit halls, a conference/multi-purpose room, a patio and parking space.

St. Agustine Parish Church, Iba

The faith first came to the territory of the diocese in 1607 through the efforts of the missionaries of the Order of the Recollects of St. Augustine. They settled in Subic, Masinloc, Sta. Cruz, Iba, and Cabangan where they established the first centers of the faith. The administration of the faith in the province changed hands when the territory was transferred to the care of the Columban Fathers in 1951.

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Main Street in Olongapo during a high tide, 1930s.

The “Good Old Days”

Submarines at Alava Pier, Olongapo Navy Yard, 1926.

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The “Good Old Days”

Angeles City. A gas pump downtown Angeles City shortly after World War 2.

Angeles City. Holy Rosary Cathedral, 1945. This picture shows where an American B-25 bomber aircraft crashed through the roof of the church. The B-25 was hit by Japanese flak as it was bombing nearby Clark Air Field.

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19March 2015

Texas Joe’s House of Ribs RestaurantDo you want to eat in a restaurant that has the most favorable ratings on Trip Advisor for our area? Look no further than Texas Joe’s at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Texas Joe’s has become one of the most popular restau-rants around, both with the local folks in the Subic/Olongapo area, but also with tourists from all over Lu-zon. It has become the “in” place for visiting celebrities and dignitaries as well, and for good reason.

Delicious, down-home, Southern USA BBQ. Texas Joe’s smokes their pork ribs, beef brisket, pork shoulder and chickens in professional smoke ovens using real hickory wood from Texas.

All of their meat, including high quality char-broiled steaks, is from the USA. Their scrumptious food is cooked from scratch using original recipes.

The home-made BBQ sauces are to die for. Oh and did I mention the great service with well-trained staff and a full bar pouring professional cocktails? Check them out along Waterfront Rd. across from Scuba Shack at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. They are open every day.

Call 047-252-3189 for more information

Celebrate this St Patrick’s Day with Guiness at Paddy’s Cafe!This dark ruby-colored elixir is enjoyed by millions through-out the world. In fact, more than 5.5 million pints of Guinness are consumed each day. And on St. Patrick’s Day? That number goes up to a staggering 13 million pints.

A common Guinness misconception is that the beer is heavy. In fact, a 12-ounce glass of Guinness has only 125 calories.

What about that creamy head? It’s the result of a blend of 60% nitrogen to 40% carbon dioxide. A specially designed widget in each Guinness bottle disperses the nitrogen blend upon pouring, creating the famous Guinness head. The deep ruby color of the beer is a result of the roasted barley that goes into it.

The only place in the Philippines that serves Guinness Draft Beer is Paddy’s Cafe on the second level of Harbor Point Mall in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

But Guiness is not the only offering at Paddy’s. In fact you can enjoy a wide selection of beers including some newly added ones - Stella Artois, Old Speckled Hen, Boddingtons,Wychwood Hobgoblin, New Castle, Pau-laner, Pilsner Urquell, and Sol.

Paddy’s New Creation is the Perfect Beer Cocktail especially good for the ladies but would be enjoyed by anyone.

To go with this fine selection of beer, Paddy’s features a classic pub menu with tantalizing Irish selections. You can celebrate your special occasion at Paddy’s, just contact them and they’ll help you to organize your party.

I’ve never been lucky enough to travel to Ireland myself, but I have a friend who lived there for a year. While enjoying a few pints at Paddy’s Cafe the other night, I asked her whether the bar really had the atmosphere of an authentic Irish drinking establishment.

With the delightful exception of the cocktail waitresses sporting very short skirts, she said that Paddy’s comes pretty close to the real deal.

A Bit o’ the Irish in Subic Bay

Paddy’s CafeLevel 2, RiverwalkHarbor Point Mall

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Capas National Shrine In memory of all American and Filipino soldiers in the Philippine history, a landmark now stands in the province of Tarlac. It is a sym-bol of all soldiers who endured the 97-kilometer march. It is known as the Capas National Shrine or “Paggunita sa Capas.”The Death March of Filipino and American Prisoners of War started in the two towns of Mariveles and Bagac in April 1942.The American and Filipino group marched day and night, under the sweltering sun and the cold night sky. They were given a brief rest and some water from the city of Balanga. When reaching the National Development Company Compound, the prisoners were given little food and permission to rest.The soldiers were already suffering from battle fatigue. They were afraid, exhausted, and sick. The townspeople on the roadside risked their lives by slipping food and drink to the Death Marchers as they stumbled by.Upon arriving in the city of San Fernando, the Death March became a death ride on a cargo train. Some of the prisoners were bundle so strongly into boxcars and die from suffocation. Those who arrived alive in Capas still had to walk the last and most suffering miles of the Death March which is 6 kilometers to Camp O’Donnell, one of the most hellish concentration camps of World War II.This shrine has an obelisk inside it that marks the final resting place of all the Filipino and Amer-ican Prisoners killed at the end of the famous Bataan Death March of the Second World War. Surrounding the obelisk is a ‘Wall of Heroes’, a three-segment black marble wall, where names of each of the perished soldiers are engraved. Approximately 90 hectares, the shrine also has thou-sands of trees that represent the dead. Located in Barangay Navy Capas, Tarlac. About 45 minutes from Angeles City.

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MAD DOG MOTORCYCLE CLUB PHILIPPINES

Visit our tour desk now in the Tune Hotel, Angeles City

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Top Five Things to Do in Angeles CityPuning Hot Spring and Restaurant Sitio Puning, Porac, Pampanga

Geothermal exploration following the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo erup-tion indicated that the volcano hosted a hydrothermal system which today manifests varying degrees of temperature (some even reach close to boiling point!). This spectacular spa experi-ence includes a 4x4 adventure ride through a magnificent valley, a mud bath in volcanic sand and a sulfur-rich hot spring bath.

Museo Ning AngelesSanto Rosario Historical District, Angeles City

This is the official museum of Angeles City. Museo ning Ange-les is housed in a historical building which should be a muse-um piece itself. There are not too many artifacts there as it only opened in 1999, but it is free to enter (although there is a do-nation box) and the museum staff will show you around. The building was constructed in 1921 and served as the municipal hall until it was converted to the museum.

Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Clark Freeport Zone, Clark

Welcome to Nayong Pilipino sa Clark. Take a glimpse of the Fil-ipino culture. The Philippines is a country of varied and colorful cultures. Each of the 17 regions is unique with its own food, lan-guage, customs and traditions. This is actually a theme park that has been moved from its old site near NAIA in Metro Manila. Its main attraction are the scale-replicas of various famous and historical places in the country.

Deca Water ParkMargot, Angeles City

Once referred as skurfing or ski-boarding due to its similarity to surfing, wakeboarding is now an emerging sport in the Philippines attracting thrill seekers and adrenaline rush-junkies. Though clas-sified as an “extreme” sport, wakeboarding is not limited only to sports enthusiasts, but to everyone who wants to try something new.

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GOHARP.ORGMarlim Mansions, Diamond

Subdivison, Balibago, Angeles City Pampanga 2009 (045) 624-0517 / (0917) 947-

7478 / (045) 892-1655info@goharp.org

Officers of HARP at the General Membership Meeting with Guest Speaker Hon. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao”.

DOT Region III Director, Ronaldo Tiotuico.

HARP members enjoy a delicious lunch at the Fortune Seafood Restaurant in Angeles City.

The Hotels and Restaurants of Pampanga, or HARP, held their first General Membership Meeting of 2015 recently at the Fortune Sea-food Restaurant in Angeles City.

Guest Speaker Congressman Joseller “Yeng” Guiao discussed two future developments in Clark. First was the 1.2 B New Terminal in Clark. Currently 4-5 million passengers per year. After the terminal has been completed we will be expecting 18-20 million passengers per year. Then Congressman Guiao discussed the transfer of the Rizal Memorial Sports Com-plex will be transferred to Clark or Subic in the next 3 to 4 years.

HARP Holds First General Membership Meeting of 2015

Upcoming HARP Events/Projects

March - Leadership Train-ing; Hot Air Balloon in Lubao, Pampanga

April - Feeding program

May - Risk Reduction Pre-paredness (Red Cross); HARP Trade Fair with Business Matching (tie-up with DTI)

June - Tourism Night/ Launching of HARP Brochure

July - Familiarization Tour (with DOT)

Region III Department of Tourism Director Ronaldo Tiotuico briefed the group on the new Tourist Police Unit -trained policemen now as-sisting tourist at Station 4 in Fields area.

HARP’s media partners CLTV 36, QUEST Magazine and Punto Central Luzon Newspaper gave presentations on their activities in support of HARP.

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