Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines

Angeles City, Pampanga is within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.

People of Angeles City

• As of the 2020 Census, Angeles City had a population of 462,928 residents.
• In 2015, the city recorded a population of 411,634, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 2.3% annually.
• Angeles City was originally inhabited by the Aeta people, who lived in the surrounding forests and foothills of Mount Pinatubo. Though urbanization has reshaped the landscape, Aeta communities still reside in upland barangays and preserve their cultural heritage.
• The dominant language spoken today is Kapampangan, with Tagalog and English widely used in commerce and education. As in all Philippine schools, English is the official medium of instruction, ensuring students are equipped for both national and global engagement.

Location of Angeles City

• Angeles City is a highly urbanized city in the province of Pampanga, located in Central Luzon. It lies approximately 80 kilometers north of Metro Manila and is part of the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone.
• Travel access:
  • Land: The city is accessible via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Buses and vans from Manila and nearby provinces regularly serve the city.
  • Air: Clark International Airport is located within the Clark Freeport Zone, just 15 minutes from the city center.
  • Sea: The nearest major seaport is in Subic Bay, approximately 1.5 hours away by land.

Tourist Attractions of Angeles City

• Museo ning Angeles: A heritage museum housed in a Spanish-era building showcasing Kapampangan culture and history.
• Holy Rosary Parish Church: A historic church built in 1877, known for its Neo-Gothic architecture.
• Clark Veterans Cemetery: A solemn memorial site honoring American and Filipino soldiers.
• Walking Street (Fields Avenue): A nightlife and entertainment district popular with tourists.
• Festivals:
  • Kuliat Festival: Held every October, this month-long celebration honors the city’s founding and cultural identity through parades, street dancing, and culinary showcases.
  • Cityhood Anniversary: Celebrated every January 1st, marking Angeles’ conversion to a chartered city in 1964.

Economy of Angeles City

• Angeles City’s economy is driven by tourism, business process outsourcing (BPO), retail, and aviation services. Its proximity to Clark Freeport Zone makes it a strategic hub for investment and employment.
• Key industries include:
  • Hospitality and entertainment
  • Real estate and commercial development
  • Education and healthcare
  • Logistics and aviation support
• While city-specific GDP figures are limited, Angeles contributes significantly to Pampanga’s economic output, which is part of Central Luzon’s regional GDP of over ₱1.2 trillion in 2024.

Educational Institutions of Angeles City

• Young residents pursue higher education at several institutions:
  • Angeles University Foundation (AUF): A top-ranked private university offering programs in medicine, law, engineering, and liberal arts.
  • Holy Angel University: One of the largest Catholic universities in the region, known for business, education, and IT programs.
  • Systems Plus College Foundation: Offers programs in computer science, hospitality, and business administration.
  • City College of Angeles: A local government-run institution providing affordable education in various disciplines.

History of Angeles City

From Jungle Clearing to Charter City: The Remarkable Rise of Angeles

The transformation of what is now Angeles City spanned some 168 years — from a forested clearing to barrio, then municipality, and finally city. During this long journey, the community endured locust invasions, fires, epidemics, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons, yet emerged resilient and is now among the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines.

Origins as Culiat

Originally known as Culiat, the settlement began as a barrio of San Fernando for 33 years before later seeking autonomy. Around 1796, Don Ángel Pantaleón de Miranda and his wife Doña Rosalía de Jesús led settlers north from San Fernando to clear the forest. The name Culiat was adopted from the vines that grew abundantly in the area.

In 1811, after returning from military service as a captain in the Manila Hussars, Don Ángel helped organize and develop the growing community. Over time, new barrios such as Sto. Cristo, Cutcut, Pampang, and Pulung Anunas were established — early signs of the area’s expansion and vitality.

Becoming a Town (1829)

On February 11, 1829, Don Ángel formally petitioned for Culiat’s separation from San Fernando. Later that same year, another petition was submitted jointly with Dr. Mariano Henson, his son-in-law. Official recognition came on December 8, 1829, when Culiat became an independent town despite a modest population of just 661 residents.

In honor of its founder and its patron saints, Los Santos Angeles Custodios (The Holy Guardian Angels), the town was renamed Angeles. Much of the credit for the successful petition is attributed to Dr. Mariano Henson, who handled most of the negotiations.

Key Moments in City Development

• May 7, 1899: General Emilio Aguinaldo made Angeles the temporary seat of the Philippine Revolutionary Government. A field mass and parade marked the first anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.

• 1902: The U.S. Army established a camp in Talimundoc, later moving north to an area that became Fort Stotsenberg — the foundation of the future Clark Air Base.

• 1941–1945: The outbreak of World War II brought devastation. Clark Air Base was bombed on December 8, 1941, in one of the most destructive air raids of the war. Japanese troops occupied Angeles by January 1942, remaining until early 1945.

• 1871–1982: The city suffered repeated natural and man-made disasters — a massive typhoon in 1871, several market fires (1885, 1897, and 1982), a locust infestation in 1939, and an influenza epidemic in 1918.

• June 15, 1991: After centuries of dormancy, Mount Pinatubo erupted violently, devastating Angeles and nearby areas. Millions of pesos worth of property were lost, and thousands of families were displaced. The eruption also hastened the closure and withdrawal of U.S. forces from Clark Air Base.

• January 1, 1964: Angeles was formally inaugurated as a chartered city under Republic Act No. 3700. The initiative was led by then Mayor Rafael del Rosario, with the charter bill sponsored in Congress by Representative Juanita L. Nepomuceno and approved by President Diosdado Macapagal. Mayor del Rosario thus became both the last municipal mayor and the first city mayor of Angeles.

Resilience Through Adversity

Throughout its history, Angeles has proven its strength through crisis after crisis. From its humble beginnings as a jungle clearing to becoming a key urban center in Central Luzon, the city’s story is one of endurance, faith, and progress.

Today, Angeles City stands as a thriving hub of industry, commerce, and culture — a living testament to the resilience and determination of its people.

Elected Officials of Angeles City

• As of the 2025 elections, Angeles City is led by:
  • Mayor: Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.
  • Vice Mayor: Vicky Vega-Cabigting
  • Representative (1st District of Pampanga): Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II
• For a full list of councilors and barangay officials, visit the official Halalan 2025 results page: Angeles City Election Results.

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