Angeles City Sights and POI

Each year, people come in droves to Angeles for the Giant Lantern Festival and the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta – these are two of the city's major events held every December and January. If you ever find yourself in this entertainment hub outside of those busy months however, we've come up with a few recommendations to ensure you won't be spending your time cooped up inside your hotel room.

Nayong Pilipino Theme Park

First off, a visit to the cultural theme park Nayong Pilipino in Clarkfield is a must (Clark Expo, Clark Field, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City).

You will see plenty of students visiting there as a part of educational tours but it's never crowded. We actually recommend going on a weekend especially on Sunday if you wish to attend mass in the Barasoain church replica. Admission fee is only 150PHP which is not bad since the park is a good representation of the country's culture and heritage.

We really liked the replica houses of Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, and Emilio Aguinaldo. We also had a great time during the cultural show which lasted for about an hour. They hold two shows every day except Monday at 11 am and 2 pm.

Tip If you don't have the time to explore the entire Philippine archipelago, then make sure to stop by this cultural site. One tip before you go. There are lots of open areas so do wear hats and sunnies if you're going on a hot day.

K-9 Cementery

About one kilometre away from Nayong Pilipino is the K-9 Cemetery (M.A. Roxas Hwy and Centennial St, Centennial St Clark Air Base, Clark Freeport Zone) where the remains of the brave military working dogs which served in the former US airbase were laid to rest. The markers are well maintained and we were quite moved to see common pet names like Prince and Storm on the tombstones. If you're an animal lover, it's well worth a visit.

Clark Veterans Cementery

Just before you exit the Freeport Zone main gate, make sure to also stop by the Clark Veterans Cemetery (Manuel A Roxas Highway). It is the final resting place for the hundreds of American and Filipino soldiers who perished during the war. It is a peaceful but significant place to those who are into World War 2 history. If you know about the notorious Bataan Death March, it will make it even more poignant.

Puning Hot Spring tours

After getting acquainted with a bit of the city's history and culture, it's time for some relaxation at Puning Hot Springs (Sitio Target, Barangay Sapang Bato, Angeles City). This is a packaged tour which costs 3,500PHP/pax for a minimum of 3 people. It is definitely pricey for a day tour but the inclusions are awesome. You get to ride a 4 x 4 jeep for some off-road adventure as you ride through scenic canyons on your way to the resort. It also includes a buffet lunch, access to 11 hot spring pools and two warm baths, sand sauna, and a mud bath.

Holy Rosary Parish Church

Even if you're not religious, you would still appreciate the Holy Rosary Parish Church (Sto. Rosario St., Angeles) for its lovely Spanish baroque architecture. It was constructed from 1877 to 1896 but the huge church is really well maintained. The interior is beautiful with the stained glass windows and nicely designed arches and pillars. You can spend some quiet time there away from the hustle bustle of the city. If you have more time, you can go and explore the area for some ancestral houses. There are also lots of places to eat and a local mall is not too far way.