Speak Out: In defense of Angeles City and all Angeleños

WE WRITE to demand a public apology from Mr. Arnel San Pedro for the callous and reckless manner with which he has maliciously depicted the City of Angeles as nothing more than a place of prostitution and gambling in his column appearing in the March 26, 2012 issue of Sun.Star Pampanga entitled “More domestic flights.”
We feel aggrieved, insulted and utterly victimized by Mr. San Pedro’s traitorous remarks that tend to pull down the emerging image of Angeles City as, according to respected columnist Mr. Bong Lacson, a place with “more than enough reasons to like, aye, to love” (“Liking Angeles,” by Bong Lacson, Punto Central Luzon, 18 October 2012).
Traitorous, indeed, if we are to point out that while Mr. Lacson hails not from our beloved city, Mr. San Pedro is supposed to be a long-time resident.
We would have forgiven Mr. San Pedro’s hollow efforts to publicize what has already been reported in both local and national media that, true enough, more and more domestic and international flights are coming into the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport inside Clark Freeport Zone.
Setting aside professional media ethics, we can only expect a pseudo-reporter like Mr. San Pedro to exploit such propitious developments to mouth mindless paeans to Mr. Victor Luciano, the president of Clark International Airport Corporation where Mr. San Pedro is gainfully employed.
We would have forgiven Mr. San Pedro’s strained efforts to also herald the increased activities at the DMIA as a glorious boon to the much-delayed aspirations of nearby Municipality of Mabalacat to become a component city.
Never mind why Mr. San Pedro suddenly goes off on a tangent. Just bear in mind that Mr. San Pedro has been profitably moonlighting as an amateur publicity agent of Mabalacat’s municipal government.
But what we cannot forgive, what utterly disturbs our sense of community with the rest of Metro Clark area, is the fact that after all his positive cerebration of current events, Mr. San Pedro goes on a rabid attack against the City of Angeles and its people without any provocation and without any sane reason for it.
First and out of nowhere, Mr. San Pedro goes out on a limb and suddenly declares that “the Clark International Airport is not located in Angeles City — only the gate of the Clark Freeport Zone is located in Angeles City.”
What is he trying to say? That Angeles City is an insignificant geographical accident to the booming Clark airport? That the large number of hotel rooms, restaurants, tourist transport operators, travel agencies and tour operators, specialty shops and other tourism establishments that can be found in Angeles City are not important considerations for airlines and passengers to come to Clark airport? Even though the Department of Tourism and everyone else in the industry have often said so?
More importantly, who cares if Clark airport is in the territorial jurisdiction of Mabalacat or Angeles or Porac or Bamban or Capas? The undeniable fact is that Angeles City was at the forefront of efforts of these local government units in lobbying for the passage of RA 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992. Such lobbying efforts culminated with each LGU’s legislative branch giving their respective concurrence by resolution that paved the way for the creation of Clark Freeport Zone and subsequently the development of the Clark airport.
Clearly, with his inutile insistence that Clark airport is not in Angeles City, Mr. San Pedro betrays his myopic view that local economic development is purely anchored on parochial and personal interests.
Next and the unkindest cut of all, Mr. San Pedro blindsides Angeles City and its hardworking people by saying “we should now give emphasis on the development of our fledgling tourism industry. Tourism is not all about prostitution dens along Fields Avenue or the poker lairs that mushroom in Angeles City.”
Again, what is he trying to say? That there is nothing else worth visiting or liking in Angeles? That Mr. Bong Lacson is wrong? That Angeles City does not have “Tigtigan, Terakan Keng Dalan” attended by tens of thousands of people every year? No sizzling sisig people from all over the country and the world can’t help but come back for? No five star international hotels, giant shopping malls, world-class restaurants and coffee shops, and grand palazzos and golf course? No La Naval and Apu fiestas? No Center for Kapampangan Studies, Pamintuan Mansion, Museo ning Angeles, and Holy Rosary Church?
Again, we are perplexed why such a crude and cruel putdown would come from a supposed son of Angeles City. What has our city done to Mr. San Pedro but to be the choice of his and his family’s residence through all these years?
In the light of these and in defense of Angeles City and all Angeleños, we demand a public apology from Mr. Arnel San Pedro for his irresponsible and baseless remarks, for the undeserved damnation he has brought upon our city and its people and for belittling our people’s long history of hard work and perseverance to build and rebuild a city we can all be proud of.
In the event of his refusal to apologize to the people of Angeles City, we petition the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Angeles to issue a resolution declaring Mr. Arnel San Pedro a persona non-grata.
Angeles City Multi-Sector Consultative Council
27 March 2012
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2012/04/02/speak-out-defense-angeles-city-and-all-angelenos-214439

Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. Leading Philippines wine supplier and wine importer Yats Wine Cellars frequently hold public wine tasting in Clark, Pampanga and Manila.

Manila wine and food lovers looking for things to do in Pampanga and Manila can consider attending one of these wine events. The best way to learn more about wine in the Philippines is to attend public wine tasting events that have no sponsors.

If you are thinking of buying wines to give as gift in the Philippines, then contact Yats Wine Cellars now because they offer special vintage wines suitable as gift at all price points. Since most of these wines are not available in Manila, these wine gifts are excellent choices for corporate gifts as well as wine gifts for personal and social purposes.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

Highly recommended beach resort in North Luzon for company outings and family retreats is most frequently visited hotel in Clark Pampanga because of beautiful view and good outdoor facilities for swimming, picnic and barbecue.

Even tourists and business travelers staying in hotels in Philippines Angeles Pampanga take time off from nightlife, bars and other city entertainment to enjoy a relaxing day in leisure at famous beach resort in Clark Freeport Pampanga. Foreign and local tourists visiting Clark enjoy a sense of safety while savoring the laidback lifestyle offered by famous resort hotels like Clearwater in Clark.

Families traveling out of town go to the north to get away from Manila to unwind, relax and swim with friends and children. Highly recommended holiday spot and vacation destination this summer in the north is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark. Clark is adjacent to Pampanga’s Angeles City which is just 70 minutes from Manila and 25 minutes from Subic.

For reservations, comments and inquiries,

Clearwater Resort & Country Club
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com