A visit to Nayong Pilipino in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga gave us the opportunity to go back in time and embrace our heritage, values, and culture. This cultural theme park which was once located in Pasay City features replicas of historical sites, tourist spots, native villages, and cultural presentations. Among the prime attractions are the houses of our national heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, and the first president of the country, Emilio Aguinaldo.
The Ifugao dancers and the native Ulog house as a backdrop
After the excitement and disappointment of watching the 21st hot air balloon, we headed to Nayong Pilipino which is few kilometers away from the fiesta ground. Since I haven’t been to this cultural park when I was a kid (except my mother), I was excited to step inside together with my family, niece, and nephews.
taking a rest in Kalinga Village
Parking was full when we arrived in the vicinity. We waited for several minutes and later we were given a better space under the shade of the trees. I paid the entrance fee of Php150.00 per head which applies both to children and adults. The senior citizen is Php120.
Since it was nearing 10:00 am, everyone was famished. We ate our brunch in an open space with tables and stools near the souvenir store. Later, the kids went to the store and were amazed to see the small bow and arrow. I bought each one of them and my souvenir items as well.
After an appetizing meal, we now started exploring the whole theme park.
Kalinga Village
We first visited the Kalinga Village which features the traditional elevated houses, the octagonal Giletob, and the rectangular Piletong. Inside these houses were native bags hanged on walls, kitchen utensils, cooking areas, and hanging woods that served as a closet. Outside the giletob, was the Usong and Pambayo (wooden mortar and pestle) which attracted visitors before getting inside the traditional house.
The Giletob native house with the wooden mortar and pestle
Yours truly and the rectangular house called Piletong in Kalinga Village
Ifugao Village
Next is Ifugao Village which features their native elevated house called Ulog. Kids went upstairs to look around. Under the hut was a woodcarver busy carving wood which will later be transformed into a magnificent artwork, a souvenir for sale.
visitors while watching the busy woodcarver doing his art masterpiece
Later a group of Ifugao male dancers showcased their native dance, much to the delight of the visitors.
Aeta Village. Aetas or Negritos are said to be the earliest habitats of the Philippines. With their accuracy and speed in using bow and arrow, they were said to be fearless warriors. Inside the village, there are no elevated houses like the two villages we visited a while ago. Their shelter was made of bamboo sticks and cogon grass.
the Aeta in his simple shelter which was made of bamboo stick and cogon grass
Torogan House
Having a unique design of class and royalty, Torogan House was the ancestral house of Datu and Sultan, the village chiefs in Maranao, Southern Philippines.
the butterfly-like design on the edges of Torogan House
The Lagoon
This small body of water offers water adventures like boating and fishing with certain fees.
Barasoain Church
In front of the Colonial Plaza, a well-manicured garden and fountain are the impressive replica of the historical Barasoain Church, the site of the First Philippine Republic.
Heroes Houses
We first visited the two-story replica house of Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna where the lower portion was made of adobe stone and brick while the upper portion was made entirely of wood. The windows are made of capiz shells.
Veering to the left is the replica house of Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite, the first and youngest president of the Republic of the Philippines. It was also a two-story house where it was originally built with limestone and hardwood.
Apolinario Mabini’s replica house in Tanauan, Batangas was rather simple, small, with no paint, and with a cogon grass roof.
Museo Ng Nayon
The museum showcases wonderful fabric creations that came entirely from Mindanao.
Orchidarium
The Tabon Cave
Tired of exploring around, we went back to Kalinga Village and took some rest in the Giletob house. But the kids were still alive, they found glory playing with their new warrior toys.
According to my mother, the old Nayong Pilipino was far better and much wider than the present one. And since this park was not so wide, we were able to explore the whole theme park and certainly, everyone had learned a lot from this tour and appreciated what was seen and experienced.
And before we bid goodbye to the gentler times of Philippine History, the kids frolicked on the playground located near the parking space.
The theme park also houses a festival amphitheater, a restaurant, a greenhouse, and some cottages for rent.
Nayong Pilipino Clark Pampanga
- Address: Centennial Road, Clark Freeport Zone, Mabalacat, Pampanga 2010
- Contact Numbers: +63943 553 2414 / +63906 117 9037
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