Visit to Nayong Pilipino -Clark

Nayong Pilipino -Clark  occupies about 5 hectares of the southeastern portion of the Clark Expo (formerly Expo Filipino) within Pampanga province. This site is between 1 hour and half to 1 and 1/2 hour drive north from Quezon City in Metro Manila. The distance is approximately 91 kilometer to 92 kilometers .

Maria Sinukuan statue

Our first visit at the old- Centennial expo site was on the later part of 1998- The area is larger but the landscape is still not mature at that time .  This was built as part of the Philippine National Centennial Exposition event . Site was intended as a showpiece during the commemoration of centennial anniversary of declaration of the Philippine Independence. Nearby features an amphitheater-type tent that can seat 35,000 people.

Malakas at si Maganda

Then, we revisited the site during the time of Ms. Charito Plans around 2007 . The last one was about 3 years ago , with a group of American tourists attending a conference . This is the fourth time to visit the site. The place also had interesting pocket gardens with Philippine popular characters based on myths , legends and folklore .

Barasoain church replica – This church was erected around 1998 funded by Agencia Cooperacion Espanola Internacional 

Barasoain Church was inaugurated during the visit of then King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain on February 13, 1998 , in commemoration of Philippine centennial of declaration of independence.

The theme park is divided into 15 different places .

Replica house of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Calamba, Laguna and Gen. Emilio Aguinalo house 

Heroes Plaza – named after famous Philippine heroes and that plaza had several replica houses of Philippine heroes , Emilio Aguinaldo, Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Apolinario Mabini.

Obra Maestra of Mr. Rafael Maniago  ( theme Philippine kalesa painting) 

There is also a heroes gallery , stage area and administration office is located . There is an ongoing painting exhibit of Mr. Rafael Maniago at the second floor at the Administration office. The exhibited opened to the general public last December 7 and will run until the end of the Yuletide season.

Mr. Rafael Maniago was born in an impoverish Mexico , Pampanga. He is world reknown for his paintings

numismatic exhibition

There is also an ongoing numismatic and banknote exhibition at the Emilio Aguinaldo house – The exhibit showed the history timeline of Philippine coins, banknotes and pre-hispanic era. The collection is owned by a fellow stamp and coin collector Mr. Jorge H. Cuyugan

Kalinga Village 

Kalinga Village shows a typical village in Kalinga with several native huts , complete with rice terraces , stage area with wooden seats.

Orchidarium

The Nayong Pilipino Orchidarium had Philippine bred orchid hybrids named after Philippine presidents . There are also pocket gardens where one can appreciate native trees and plants.

Ifugao hut 

There are craftsmen and wood carvers from Ifugao which makes wonderful artistic wood crafts like statues , tissue holders, wooden mortal and pestle, chopping board and other items.

wood carvings

One can easily buy interesting wood carving from native tribes.

orchid hybrids mounted on drift woods

There are a couple of Philippine native orchid species like Dendrobium anosmum ( sanggumay ),  Cymbidium finlaysonianum , Vanda lamellata and Dendrobium crumenatum ( dove or pigeon orchid ) within the grounds .

Museo sa Nayon 

Museo sa Nayon houses different textiles made by different indigenous tribes of the country .

Salangi Restaurant 

Salangi Restaurant specializes on Kapampangan dishes like adobo , menudo among others . The restaurant had a second floor , ideal with rustic views of the place.

native cottage 

Those who wanted to experience a rustic bahay kubo with modern amenities , one can rent any of the bahay kubo within the Nayong Pilipino for a minimal fee – each bahay kubo had a capacity of between 4 to 6 people .

The place is also ideal for team building , debut , wedding and special event.

Cultural Shows

cultural performers

There are daily cultural performance held at the Nayong Pilipino – one is held around past 8:00am at the lagoon area and 11:15 am to 11:45am at the Centennial plaza fronting the Barasoain Church (except monday )

cultural performer inside the teatro

There is also a daily performance of rondalla , cultural shows at the Teatro every 2:00pm

A visit to Nayong Pilipino is worthwhile not only for balikbayans , tourists but for every Filipinos .

Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/NayongPilipinoOfficial/

Operational Hours : Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Contact Information :

(+63) 943-553-2414 , (+63) 906-117-9037 ,(+63) 927-287-0097 , (+63) 949-768-1893

Entrance Fees: 

General Public : Php 150 

Students and Senior Citizens :Php 120

Photography and Pre-Nuptial : Php 2,000 ( inclusive of 4 hours shoot with complimentary entrance for 5 PAX and use of holding area ) Php 300 per hour in excess – (Prices are subject to change without prior notice ) 

How to Commute 

Take any Bus to Baguio and Pangasinan with stop-over  at Dau, Mabalacat Pampanga. Victory Liner, Five Star, and Philtranco, on the other hand, have Manila-Dau route.

From Mabalacat Bus Terminal, walk towards McArthur Highway and wait for jeepneys to Main Gate Terminal. You can also take jeepneys to Angeles, get off at 1st street, and walk towards SM Clark. The Main gate terminal is just few meters before SM.

From the main gate, take route 1 jeepney and tell the driver to drop you off at Parkson Duty Free (Claro M Recto Highway cor. Centennial Road) then walk along Centennial Road to Clark Expo or Nayong Pilipino.

There are also occasional service shuttle from Clark Freeport Zone, Main Gate near SM City Clark- This was according to the staffs of the Nayong Pilipino .

Note : The author was invited by the new head of the Nayong Pilipino to visit the site , this is for some unsolicited advice and free consultation about the landscape, plants and orchids . I would like to thank Mr. JQ Quesada and Ms. Mich Aguilar -Ong , Sir Stephen from the Nayong Pilipino administration.

The author is not connected with the management of the theme park.

Advertisement