CLARK FREEPORT—Clark Development Corporation (CDC) enhances cultural tourism with an immersive Visita Iglesia, deepening visitors’ connection to Pampanga’s spiritual and historical heritage.
The initiative, led by CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera and organized by the Tourism Promotions Division, takes visitors on a journey through Pampanga’s sacred landmarks, celebrating the province’s deep-rooted faith. The pilgrimage includes stops at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Mabalacat City, Sta. Monica Parish in Mexico, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, each reflecting Pampanga’s rich spiritual heritage.
Pilgrims also visit the Repository Chapel of Virgen De los Remedios, where the province’s patroness is venerated, before continuing to San Guillermo Parish in Bacolor, a testament to resilience following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
The pilgrimage culminates at the Clark Parade Grounds, where participants gather for the Stations of the Cross, offering a moment of reflection and solemnity in the vast open space.
After nourishing the soul, the journey continues with an immersion into Pampanga’s rich culinary heritage—a tradition deeply woven into the province’s cultural identity.
Participants explore heritage dining establishments that honor generations-old recipes, offering a true taste of Kapampangan cuisine. At Kusinang Matua ng Atching Lillian L. Borromeo in Mexico, they sample heirloom dishes such as delicately crafted San Nicolas cookies, Asadong Matua—a slow-simmered pork dish with a savory tomato-vinegar sauce—and Kapampangan bobotu, a steamed rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and infused with coconut milk, annatto, peanut butter, shredded chicken, salted egg, and peanuts.
Meanwhile, Everybody’s Cafe in San Fernando serves authentic Kapampangan specialties, including Betute (stuffed frog) and Camaru (crickets), reflecting the province’s diverse and time-honored culinary traditions. The experience concludes at Apag Marangle in Guagua, where guests fully immerse themselves in Pampanga’s distinct food culture, savoring flavors that have been passed down through generations.
Atty. Devanadera expresses her enthusiasm for the program, recognizing its role in deepening appreciation for Pampanga’s cultural identity, both spiritually and historically.
“Pampanga’s legacy is one of faith and flavor, seamlessly woven into its culture. As devotion fills its historic churches, the aroma of cherished Kapampangan recipes lingers in kitchens that have passed down culinary mastery through generations,” Atty. Devanadera said.
“Faith nourishes the soul, offering strength and devotion, while food nourishes the body, sustaining communities and bringing people together,” she added.