CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—An estimated 400 delegates from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will tour the heritage spots and other tourist attractions of this province after their meeting on Oct. 21 to 24.
Aurora M. Agustin, owner of the Amega Travel and Tour Services and who is supervising the tour, said despite the delegates’ busy schedule. “they still find time to see our customs and traditions as people and as member of the Asean through the tourist spots of Pampanga.”
However, not all 400 delegates will join the tour, Agustin said.
The delegates will be attending the Asean Defense Ministerial Meeting inside the freeport, as the Philippines is the chairman of the regional body’s meetings this year.
The tour itinerary, Agustin said, includes visits to the heritage houses and heroes’ hall of Angeles City, a museum, and the Mt. Pinatubo crater.
In the City of San Fernando, the delegates will be treated to a “kalesa” (horse-drawn carriage) ride around the city proper, and then to Roland Quiambao, a pioneer of giant lantern making, for a demonstration.
The Asean delegates will also visit the century-old churches of Betis, Guagua; the sinking and leaning church of San Guillermo Bacolor because of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991; the church of St. Agustin of Lubao; and the relic items of the town of Sta. Rita and its singing artists.
In between, the delegates will have a taste of different local cuisines for their launch at the Bale Capampagan, a well-known restaurant that serves local cuisine, before returning to the former American air force base.