Pampanga

The province of Pampanga was established in 1571 by an expedition led by Martin de Goiti. The original province of Pampanga was much larger as it included territory from its present-day neighbouring provinces. The area was inhabited by the Kapampangans or the people by the river bank. The province was an important source of various resources during the period of Spanish rule. Pampanga was one of the first provinces to rise up against Spain in the revolution. During US rule, Clark Air Base was established. Pampanga was a hot spot of Huk activity starting in World War II against the Japanese until the 1950s against the government. The province was affected by the Mount Pinatubo eruption of 1991 and Clark Air Base was largely destroyed and subsequently rehabilitated into a special economic zone.

Angeles City

In 1796, the mayor of San Fernando established a new settlement known as Kuliat which comes from culiat after a woody vine native to the area. The residents put forward requests for Kuliat to be made a separate town in 1812 and 1822 but both requests were denied. Two more requests were made in 1828. Finally, on December 8, 1829, Kuliat was recognised as a separate town from San Fernando. It was eventually renamed Angeles from Los Santos Angeles Custodios or The Holy Guardian Angels. Angeles was the site of the first Independence Day celebrations in 1899 but later the same year, the town was under US control. Clark Air Base was constructed during US rule and in World War II it fell into Japanese hands. The US and Filipino soldiers that had surrendered to the Japanese passed by Angeles during their death march. Angeles became a city on January 1, 1964 as a result of Republic Act No. 3700. There was much activity in the area due to the presence of Clark Air Base but this was destroyed by the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991. Since then, the former Clark Air Base has become a special economic zone.

Air Force City Park

Air Force City Park is a reminder of the area's past as the US Clark Air Base. (April 2006)

The former Clark Air Base is now a special economic zone. (April 2006)