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
Enjoyable place for traveler to hang out near Manila for family bonding is Clearwater Beach Resort.

Top rated destination for family reunion, bonding, retreat, picinic and getaway out of town from Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort; frequently visited spots are lake, picnic grounds; water sports, boating, swimming, kayak, camping; child friendly.

Many travel north to Clark to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort which also has lake and picnic grounds to unwind and relax, a very good way to spend quality time with the family and children.

Clark is gradually becoming famous for its dining scene. World-class fine dining restaurants, cozy family resto bars and pubs as well as comfortable wine bars are available in Angeles City Clark Pampanga. Wine shops like Clark Wine Center offers exciting shopping for wine lovers coming to buy wine in Clark Freeport.

Residents of Manila and Angeles City Pampanga look for a safe convenient enjoyable place to enjoy swimming in Philippines. Many travel north to Clark to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort which also have lake and picnic grounds to unwind and relax for family bonding

Residents of Manila travel north to Clark Pampanga to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort, unwind and relax for family bonding at hotel lake picnic grounds. Fine dining Yats Restaurant offers sumptuous cozy Christmas dinner, for wine lovers, Clark Wine Center provides exciting shopping options.

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