Officially named as City of San Fernando
Overview
A first class component city located in the province of Pampanga, of which it is the provincial capital.
The city is named after King Ferdinand VI of Spain and placed under the patronage of Saint Ferdinand / Fernando III of Castile and León, whose feast is celebrated every 30 May. Widely regarded as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines," in which Giant Lantern Festival take place every December.
San Fernando is the regional centre of Central Luzon (Region III).
I have been to different Cities of the Philippines but this would be probably my first Official City Travel. Surprisingly, the City name and my first name is the same; so this is really it.
How to get San Fernando City
It's Maundy Thursday (March 24, 2016) when I Visited the City. It is expected to be trapped in a traffic though. It took me 2 hours instead of an hour trip. I rode a bus at Five Star terminal bound to Dau, there's a direct bus going to San Fernando but due to lots of passengers I decided to hopped a bus going to Dau-Mabalacat for 132.00 airconditioned bus. It was exactly 2 PM when the bus departed and at 4:05 PM we're at the Dau-Mabalacat Terminal already.
I bought some food to eat while walking and finding the jeepney terminal bound to San Fernando City and fortunately, it didn't take me too long as terminal is just a 5 minutes away from Dau Bus terminal, just in front of Mang Inasal, Fare is 32.00. An almost 30-minute travel to the City.
It was 5 in the afternoon already when I alighted. The city is big, the wide road of Jose Abad Santos Avenue is like one of the major roads in Metro Manila. I roamed around downtown SF and was mesmerized by the fact the this is the place where tourists from all over the world coming in for the Good Friday event known as the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites.
The night is almost over and time for me to go to the hotel where I can stay overnight. I asked an assistance from the police group located inside the San Fernando Church Premise and gave me some information of where I can stay, I went to the nearest hotel that other police told me to go but unfortunately, that Hotel is not for travelers, you know what I mean, the yellow and red building where partners go, yeah that's it.
I hired a tricycle and the good manong driver was so nice, he brought me to City Hotel located in Villa Victoria Subd. Brgy Dolores, 650.00 for 12-hour of stay Checked in at 7:00 PM, a reasonable price for an airconditioned room and I had recharged myself by having a very good sleep.
I cheked out at around 7:00 AM and headed back to downtown, visited the church first before I ate breakfast inside the Palengke, saw numbers of Kalesa, 'twas like you're in Intramuros or in Vigan. As time passes by, time for me to hire a tricycle to take me to San Pedro Cutud to witness devout Catholics doing some extreme penitence. It was 9 in the morning when I reached the place, site is not too far from downtown SF perhaps it's the nearest jump-off to get there. I decided to alight half way from my distination for me to see devotees whipping themselves on the street and you'll see their back full of blood that is slightly flowing down.
So much intense happenings especially those who have been crucified. To witnesss those acts is really a unique experience where you can't see it anywhere in the world.
I left the place almost 3 in the afternoon already and hired again a tricycle for 150.00 going to Bataan Transit Terminal, Bus departed at 4 PM and we took it for an hour only, arrived in Kamuning MRT Station Quezon City at exactly 5 PM and headed back to my apartment.
See you next Time!
The Rotonda, Downtown Symbol
The City hall of San Fernando with kalesa passing by in front, a very stunning place as they still have that Spanish-era routine.
Church located just in front of the City Hall.
A note from the statue.
FERNANDO III
King Of Castille and Leon, Spain
To San Fernando:
A King who served his people as his Master.
A Royalty who lived the spirit of poverty
A Man who used his time, talent and treasure having in mind truths devine.
We honor your name.
We admire your life.
We emulate your virtues.
We invoke your patronage.
We dedicate to you this patio to be known as
Patio De San Fernando
Good Friday San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites
May 30 San Fernando City Fiesta
Around October to November San Fernando Frog Festival
Around November to December Sinukwan Festival
December to First Week of January Giant Lantern Festival (Kapampangan: Liligan Parul)
