Back to Central Luzon

From 1999 to 2004, my job area of responsibility was Central Luzon region where the provinces of Bataan and Zambales are a part of. When I handled the region, I went to these two provinces numerous times. Despite being a frequent visitor, the recent personal trip brought revelations and new learning. Last May 22 and 23, my immediate family, my mother and two godmothers went on an escapade to our neighboring provinces.

BATAAN MARCH
The original itinerary includes: 1- Abucay Church, 2- Mount Samat, 3- Las Casas Filipinas and 4- Friendship Bell Tower. Despite being 1 hour delayed in ETD, we covered everything set in our day's sked. We had to scrap Las Casas because of the cost and lack of time. Lunch was at Villa Amanda Resort and Resto, my second time in the area. By 5pm, we were all dead tired from the travel and the heat and dreamt of a cold shower and the confines of an airconditioned hotel room. By 6pm, the dream was realized courtesy of Buena Casa Hotel in Subic.

TWO BASES
So I've lost count how many times I've been to this former US Naval Base. Plotted for today are Camayan Beach, JEST, bat kingdom and monkey watching and duty free shopping. Only one was realized, the Camayan Beach. There was a major change in plan after lunch, we decided to check out Clark field, Pampanga. Two former US facilities in a day - not bad! These two zones were recently linked by the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). In clark, we checked out Clark Expo Center, Mimosa and Holiday Inn area and Fort Stotsenburg monument. Our two day trip was capped with a Holy Mass in the Divine Mercy chapel in Air Force City. We had dinner at Perfect Loaf in Angeles City just before going home to Tarlac City.