Summer Place (Palakol)

Summer Place (Palakol)

                  Located in the northeastern part of Floridablanca, about 8 kms from the town proper and 31 kms from the City of San Fernando, Sitio Palakol along the Gumain River is simply known as the ’summer place’ to the local community. It is blessed with a continuous crystal clear water that does not drain even during summer months. Its source of water comes from Mount Abu atop the Zambales mountain which is believed to have a large natural water reservoir.

                 The road was a real adventure and could be best enjoyed in 4-wheel drives.  You can rent tricycles or jeepneys in Guagua to bring you to the place but it’s best to have own cars because it is not part of the routes of the public transportation vehicles. On the other side of the river are huts where people can rent for I think less than 50 pesos.

                The river itself is like a natural water park, upstream is like a pool that is free from rocks and gets deeper as you go up. Downstream is where the big rocks which creates the playground, you can recline on, climb on and other such things you can come up with. Since it is a river it even has its own current. It’s like an all-in-one water park. You can also map the Palakol River once you locate the SCTEX Bridge / Gumain Bridge, one of the tallest bridge in Pampanga. Since the river is directly below the SCTEX Bridge/Gumain Bridge, the bridge basically becomes a shade for people who swim in the river.

- Lorie Palad

Pradera Wake Park

Pradera Wake Park

       Pradera Wake Park, I think, is the newest wake park in Luzon. It is roughly 1.5 hours away from Quezon City. It has 2 beginner lakes, 1 big lake and 1 VIP lake. The place also has lots of rooms/cottages for rent which has its own shower room. Each room has 3 beds and can accommodate up to 6 persons.



      They have affordable rice meals, ala carte dishes and snacks in the menu so no worries. They don’t allow food inside so don’t bother bringing some.

1. The lake has its own regenerating pond which makes it clean and chemical-free.
2. they have three practice lakes that’s why “waiting in vain” is not an issue.
3. The operators are all accommodating and friendly. They make sure they teach you well and sometimes they even cheer to reach the end.

     They are still opening more villas to cater more customers who wants to overnight. They will also offer membership cards as they might open another attraction too such as a pools and golf course.


Going to Pradera is easy. It’s just a 2-hour drive from Manila. Take NLEX and exit to San Fernando. Go straight in Olongapo Gapan Road until you reach Lubao, the last town of Pampanga before entering Dinalupihan, Bataan. It’s on your right side and the colorful flags outside the property will be your trademark.

 - Ericka May G. Mallari

Dinosaurs Island

               Dinosaurs Island

         

Dinosaurs Island is an animatronic theme park and museum that is designed to offer visitors a unique interactive learning experience of the dinosaurs ere with life size creatures. It is located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. They offer 3 main attractions where guests will experience a one of a kind educational entertainment.

DINOSAURS ISLAND has been designed for us to understand better the dinosaurs and what transpired in the Mesozoic era. It’s time for us to go back in time and see the first inhabitants of our planet.

DINOSAURS ISLAND is the first ever animatronics theme park in the country that features life-sized dinosaurs and dinosaur exhibits.

Getting to DINOSAURS ISLAND

DINOSAURS ISLAND is located in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.  Clark is located 80 kilometers north of Manila and is reachable by land or air.  Driving by car from Manila takes an hour and a half.  Take the North Luzon Expressway and exit at Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga.  Make a left turn toward Angeles City and then a right turn toward Clark.

Clark may also be reached via the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). From the North Luzon Expressway, continue the drive leading to the SCTEX exit.  You may use either the Clark North Interchange (Panday Pira access road near Nayong Pilipino) or Clark South Interchange (near Yokohama and Clark Main Gate) to enter Clark. From Clark, via the newly-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, you can reach Subic within a 30-minute drive and the Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac in 15 minutes.

Public buses also ply the routes on a daily basis.  Ride a Victory Liner bound for Dagupan and alight at Dau common terminal.  Walk a bit toward the highway where jeepneys or tricycles are available.  These vehicles can take you right up the Clark gate.  Another bus line, Philippine Rabbit, also has trips to Angeles, Pampanga, via Dau, and other buses going north may also pass by the area.  Ask the driver or conductor beforehand to be sure.

- Ariana Danielle Nolasco

Sta. Rita Eco Park

Sta. Rita Eco Park

            The park named as Santa Rita Eco Park has been a place for the annual Duman Festival and serves as a picnic ground for several people who already became aware of the beauty of the place. Now, it is being planned by the Municipal Government to build more facilities in order to open it as a major tourism spot in Pampanga, where it will be a one-stop shop for culinary tours, heritage and pilgrimage.

                I’ve been there a lot of times already even before it has been fully developed by the Municipal Government. Joggers go there early in the morning because of the cool breeze of air and the view of the sun rise. As I look around, all I can see is green grass and blue sky. It is really a nice place when you want to experience nature and be away from the noisy environment.

- Elaine D. Montemayor

Sky Ranch Pampanga

Sky Ranch Pampanga

Sky Ranch, the newest amusement park in Pampanga opened its door to the media and selected guests on November 26, 2014 at the Events Center in SM City Pampanga.  On the same day, Sky Ranch was also featured in ABS-CBN’s morning show Umagang Kay Ganda.   The 10,000 square meter land park was developed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. in partnership with S & T Leisure Inc. and Westech Philippines. Sky Ranch Pampanga will be the first outdoor amusement park and the newest attraction in North Luzon.

Skyranch is a great amusement park in Central Luzon,boasts the tallest, if not the largest ferris wheel in the country. Besides the stunning Pampanga Eye, there are also other rides you can enjoy ranging from P50 up to P250 . Sky Ranch Pampanga offers fun and exciting rides at affordable prices, and the best thing about this amusement park, it has no entrance fee, you pay only for the rides you want. And it's just located at the back of SM Pampanga, where you can do shopping once you're done with the rides.

For me Sky ranch is very good if you want some rides you can go there with your family friends and your love ones.It can be a great location and staff. The place is clean and well maintained. Perfect for adults and kids. The price is just right.

I went there with my friend and my groupmates we tried all the ride there, the ride that makes my heart jumped is the DROP TOWER my experience there was so unforgettable. So if you want to have a experience that makes your heart jumped just go to Sky Ranch Pampanga.

- Carolyn Mae G. Granillo

                

Hot Air Ballon Fiesta

                

Philippine International Hot Air Ballon Fiesta 2016

            Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is a gathering of aviators from the Philippines and the world. What began as a passion project has now evolved into the longest-running sports aviation event in Asia. The fiesta’s longtime objective is to instill discipline in participating young pilots so they can develop into safe aviators, as well as to impart a spirit volunteerism and cooperation to the whole community. The fiesta is an opportunity to share and exchange cultures and traditions with visiting pilots from all over the world. They are given a taste of Filipino hospitality and the fiesta spirit. We hope that their beautiful experience becomes the best advertising for Philippine tourism. We also encourage the visiting pilots to be contributors to chosen beneficiaries of the foundation. By creating aviation awareness, educating the young about flying machines and encouraging people to work from the heart and do things with passion, we will strive to bring back the Philippine aviation industry’s good standing in the international community.

Directions to the Venue Clark is approximately 80km north of Manila and may be reached by land or air. By Public Transport Public buses travel on a daily basis. Ride a Victory Liner bus bound for DAU PAMPANGA Walk a bit towards the highway where taxis, jeepneys, or tricycles are available. These public utility vehicles can take you to Clark. Then take another jeep inside Clark and tell the driver you’re going to the Balloon Fiesta. After the jeepney drops you off, you’ll be walking a bit more to the entrance gates, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes! Via Car Getting to the Clark Freeport Zone, otherwise known as the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. Simply take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat City, and Pampanga. After your exit, a left turn towards Angeles City, and a little Angeles City/Dau traffic, will bring you to within an easy right turn of the Clark Zone itself. The trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila without heavy traffic. Clark may also be reached via the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). From the North Luzon Expressway, continue the drive leading to the SCTEX exit. You may use either the Clark North Interchange (Panday Pira access road near Nayong Pilipino) or Clark South Interchange (near Yokohama and Clark Main Gate) to enter Clark. By Air You can hop on regular commercial flights to Clark International Airport. Carriers that land at Clark are Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia, and Tiger Airways.

Flying activities: Kite flying Hot Air Ballooning Chase Crew and Off Road driving Skydiving Gliding and so muc more that you can enjoy riding at the hot air balloon fiesta in clark.


-Lervin S. Bondoc

Zoocobia Fun Zoo

Zoocobia Fun Zoo

Zoocobia is much more than a place to view animals. It is a complete educational and fun experience.  Situated in the beautiful, lush, forested foothills of the extended Clark Freeport Zone, Zoocobia is an ecological experience of impressive proportions.

I went there with my friends and we've actually tried everything.
Tried to see all different animals including the exotic ones. This place has got it all, big snakes, eagles, etc. I've fed the birds on my hands, so lovely, I've fed the ostrich, I was afraid at first but it felt so good once you tried it.We went to the maze garden, tried the zipline, the zooc ride ( magnetic cart ride) and had a tour around the aviary and even fed the baby goats.

The management, I forgot the name of the tour manager who assisted us, said they are still adding more facilities such as the camp site, robotic dinosaur safari and a big swimming pool. The place is kid-friendly. everyone should plan to go there. It's going to be a great experience plus the view from the top, It's so rejuvenating. It's a good place to experience nature.

- Lindsay Layson 

Nabuclod Mountain Resort

                                                Nabuclod Mountain Resort

An uphill climb to the mountains of Floridablanca, Pampanga led us to the site of Nabuclod Upland Eco-Tourism Adventure, a tourism project by the local government of Pampanga.

It boasts of a zipline ride overlooking the scenic Zambales mountains, as well as a cable car ride at the landing area to bring back the rider to the starting point.

There are also viewing decks that have sweeping views of the nearby mountain ranges.

The operation of the Eco-Tourism Park is currently on hold, and further information on the site's reopening is to be announced. Still, it's best to be in the loop about this park, hence this article.

On the way to the park, a bevy of bahay kubos (traditional Filipino houses) serve as trail markers to the adventure park. The bahay kubo, traditionally made of nipa and bamboo, houses the indigenous Aeta people in the area.

For people to become aware of the Aetas' culture, the government employed tribesmen from Nabuclod to work at the park. Each person plays an important role.

Aeta women serve as tourist guides while the men work for the management and maintain the park's cleanliness. The site is a great opportunity for the tribe to welcome other Filipinos and enlighten them about their culture

The beauty of Nabuclod is continually nurtured by the Aetas. It's an important part of their livelihood, and by welcoming us in their land, it's also our responsibility to respect their homeland.

How to Get There:

From Manila, drive up north to NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), then to SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac) to Subic. Take the toll exit at Floridablanca. From the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, road signages will guide your way to the park.

- Jemeca Miranda