What To Do When You Visit The Town Of San Fernando, Pampanga
San Fernando, Pampanga is the Capital Town of the Province of Pampanga. When in town, you can enjoy a visit to the local public market or 'palengke' and buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meat products, fish and other aquatic products which you can cook at home, or at the place where you are staying.
If you are staying in a local hotel or want to go on a food trip, you can sample local cuisine by visiting some of the local restaurants which serve local recipes indigenous to Pampanga. Some of these local restaurants are located on the MacArthur Hi-way. Some notable Kapampangan restaurants that serve local recipes include Bale Capampangan, Pipanganan, Capampangan Island, Holidayland, Partyland (inside the SM Pampanga), Susie's Cuisine, and Cabalen. If you are looking for cheaper meals, you also go to the public market stalls like Apung Jung and other small shops by and inside the 'palengke'. There are more restaurants along the Dolores area along the MacArthur hi-way that you can try like City Grill, the bakeshop and restaurant Ala Creme, Mr. Park's, Jun-Jun's, and several others.
If you are going to the Lazatin boulevard, you can also dine it at Laza Seafood Market and Grill, Souq, Bubusuk, Barney's Burger, Cafe Rustico, and others. These restaurants serve various kinds of meals that are either inspired by foreign cuisine (like American cuisine and Chinese Cuisine). If you are looking for something that is not local, then you can try going to these food shops. The prices of the food here can also be affordable compared to fine dining in an expensive hotel or buffet restaurant.
If you are in a rush and need a quick meal, there are several fast-food chains along the Jose Abad-Santos avenue or OG-road and other areas all over town. There are several Jollibee's, MacDonald's, and KFC that offer drive-thru service for their customers. If you want to go shopping and dine, there are also malls like SM and Robinson's Starmills. These malls have various goods from food to clothes to hardware, electronic equipment and more products. Other popular grocery and shopping destinations include Garbes-Dizon, Essel, Jenra, Puregold, All Day and Vista Mall.
If you want to see the sights of San Fernando, you can choose to walk by the Pampanga Capitol Boulevard to see the old architecture of the Provincial Capitol of Pampanga. This is one of the oldest structure in Pampanga which was built in 1904 when the provincial government was transferred to San Fernando from Bacolor, Pampanga. You can also visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, which is in front of the Municipal Hall. The cathedral was built in the year 1948. This cathedral is a catholic church where masses and gatherings for Catholics in the town are usually held. You can also pass by the Iglesia ni Cristo Church along the B. Mendoza street if you are headed to downtown San Fernando.
If you want to have a little bit of nature walk or have a bit of a walk without the bustling noise of cars and jeeps along the main roads, you can walk inside the Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex behind the Pampanga High School or along the Pampanga High School Boulevard. The sports complex is a place where you can do some stair exercise as well because it has its own grandstand for spectators that has stairs. When there are no sporting events, it is always vacant or has few visitors. Therefore, you can do your morning walks in this area. It also has a basketball court where you can play the game.
If you want to go for a swim, you can go to swimming resorts of Villa Antonina Resort, Armando's Wellness Resort, Villa Alfredo's, The Orchid's Garden, Water Splash Resort and Ahgcor Farm and Resort. These resorts have rooms where you can also stay overnight or as long as you want. Some allow you to cook your food in barbeque areas and others allow you to bring food for your consumption. Some also have their own mini food shops where you can buy snacks and drinks.
If you don't have your own car or a private vehicle to tour the town, you can either take public transport like the tricycle or jeepneys. You can also have sightseeing in a tri-wheeler, a pedicab, kalesa or, choose to walk around town with your buddies. If you feel tired of walking, you can always sit inside some local beverage shops, coffee shops and have a drink of fresh water, juices, coffee or other beverages available for that day. Sometimes there are some juice or drink vendors along the streets where you can have a sip of buko juice, pineapple juice or mixed beverages like buko-pandan and chocolate drinks with jello. Some of the local shops that sell various kinds of drinks include Heritage Cafe, The Coffee Academy, Sweet Little Things Cafe, 'Il Padrino, Cafe Noelle, Cafe Jungle and some international coffee shops like Starbucks
If you are on a tight budget but want to shop for cheap food and cheap items, then the best spot to go to is the public market or 'palengke'. The 'palengke' usually sell all kind of items from food, clothes, bags, cooking utensils, hardware and other things. However, the big malls have items that the 'palengke' does not have like imported equipment and other kinds of items. The 'palengke' also have watchmakers, cellphone repair technicians, some shops sell cellphone or mobile phone accessories to various fabric (also known a 'tela' in the local language), electronic equipment and CDs. Sometimes these services and items are cheaper here. There are also shoe repairmen scattered all over the market if you want your shoes fixed.
If you are looking to stay in a posh hotel that has amenities like restaurants close by or easy access to public transport, you can also do so. You can stay in Bestwestern Bendix Hotel, Bliss Hotel, Hotel Gracelane, and MicrotelInn & Suites. If you are looking for cheaper places to stay, there are also several other smaller hotels. lodges, inns and motels all over town. These include Ephatha, Redd Manor Condotel, Otel, and several others. Some of these hotels and inns have meal packages that you can avail of if you want to dine in there and there is also room service where you can order food, drinks and other beverages. Some have nearby spas as well and other grooming services.
When in San Fernando, you will be able to find and eat some local recipes indigenous to Pampanga, especially this Christmas season which start during the 'ber' months. There are some shops along the OG-Road and MacArthur Hi-way which already serve puto, bibingka and other kinds of local recipes indigenous to the province already this season. Actually, they sell them all throughout the year.
Since the province of Pampanga is the Christmas Capital, you will be able to view the sparkling lanterns all over town being sold at various prices, depending on their size and make. The giant lantern festival also happens during the Christmas season, particularly in December. If you are in town when this happens, then you can try to view the festival with your family, friends or associates. The winning lanterns in the competition are also displayed at the Metropolitan Cathedral after the night mass before Christmas day or Christmas eve. So, if you have missed the festival, simply attend the 'midnight' mass on Christmas eve at the Metropolitan Cathedral and you will be able to view some of the winning lanterns there.
Visit San Fernando if you want to have a bit of a taste of the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.
Have a wonderful day.
posted by Elline/Eine at 9:17 PM
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