MACABEBE, Pampanga – Thousands of Catholic devotees, led by Mayor Annette Flores-Balgan, joined the religious procession here on Good Friday highlighted by the contest of “living statues.”

Balgan, who waited for about an hour in front of the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish before she could join the end-line of the procession, said “there are so many people and their number doubled compared to last year’s.”

“This is a great time to profess our faith in God,” said Balgan, who was joined by village officials led by Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Edgar Flores and Councilor Taburong Yabut in the parade which started at 6:30 p.m.

At least 13 groups joined the traditional contest won by the Wakasian Club of Barangay San Isidro. The Debonairs Club got the top prize for the modern contest.

Councilor Arnol Henson said the “living statues” – human beings in make-up and colorful costumes – displayed on Good Friday had started in their village of San Isidro “more than 20 years ago.”

“I grew up seeing the living statues. We are trying to track the exact year when it started but it was definitely before the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991,” said Henson. The people act like mannequins and do not move for at least two hours during the duration of the procession.

Balgan was responsible for making the “Ligligan Kareng Estatwang Mabye”– or the contest of living statues — a town-wide competition, which focuses on the 14 stations of the cross.

The mayor said: “It was just the second time we had a bigger contest but the following is already huge and the number of participants increased.”
Balgan said the other four parishes of Macabebe have expressed their intention to join the procession and contest next year.

“Only one parish is here today. What more if we will be joined by some of the other parishes next year?” added the first-term mayor.

“The long trip is worth it. It’s pleasant and reflective to witness the procession and the living statues. The statues played by humans is a nice concept,” said Gelson Santos of Mabalacat City, who travelled for an hour from his place before reaching Poblacion, Macabebe, where the procession, joined by at least 18 floats, started.

Fr. Joseph Theodore Valencia, parish priest, said he had reminded the people during the Mass that “what’s important is that we reflect on the real meaning of Holy Week.”

“The love of Jesus Christ ended injustice and our hardships,” said Valencia, who joined the procession with the Parish Pastoral Council official led by its president, Rodolfo San Agustin.

The judges of the contests were Councilors Carlito Tragora and Andrian Aniciete, bank manager Jona Bernarte and teacher Brand Balingit.

The other winners for the “traditional” category were: Holy Family Club, 1st runner-up; and Everybody’s Club and Coronel Club, tied for 2nd runner-up.
In the “modern” contest, Everybody’s Club got the 1st runner-up, while Mrs. Rita Tagle was named 2nd runner-up.

Balgan and Macabebe tourism officer Catherine Flores gave the cash awards and trophies at the municipal hall on Monday. ● Joey Pavia

http://www.headlinegl.com/thousands-join-macabebe-good-friday-procession/

Generally regarded as the best hotel in the North near Manila as well as the top beach resort in Clark, Clearwater maintains a consistent standard with respect to products and services.  This hotel in Pampanga may not be a 5-star resort but visitors from Manila going to Angeles City and Clark Freeport regard Clearwater as the number one location for family outings as well as the best event venue for company outings, weddings and other events.

Comparison of crime rates between Philippines Angeles City and Clark Pampanga sheds light on the difference between the twin cities of Pampanga. Regular guests of Angeles City Hotels begin to migrate on base into hotels inside Clark Philippines not only for peace and quiet but peace of mind and a sense of safety and security.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

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Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines  for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

The beach resorts, leisure parks and vacation hotels in Clark Pampanga offer a unique ambience that supports a laidback relaxing lifestyle.  Many visitors travel north to Clark Pampanga from Manila to unwind and relax in these resorts. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

To many visitors from Manila, a good hotel in Pampanga must be located in a city that is safe, clean and not so noisy.  This hotel in Clark Philippines really fits those criteria.  The location is convenient for visitors to go out of town from Manila in a short getaway with family and friends traveling north to Angeles City Clark Pampanga.  Traffic along the North Expressway NLEX is always light and the new Subic Tarlac Clark Expressway ScTex takes visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any towns and cities along the way.

Guests enjoy spending time relaxing at Frolic Garden of this hotel in Clark Pampanga.  There is a special feeling in this hotel in Clark Philippines makes you slow down and enjoy the ambience.  Children like playing in the Family Cove of this Clark resort hotel.  Hotel guests prefer Clark over Angeles City, Subic or hotel in Manila.  This hotel in Clark Philippines has style and character.  Guests often come back again to relax and enjoy the beautiful ambience of this hotel in Clark Pampanga.

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit <a href=”http://www.clearwaterphilippines.com/”>http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com</a>

Hotel Clark Philippines

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

<a href=”http://www.hotelclarkphilippines.com/”>http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

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Email:   Info@ClarkPhilippines.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.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets  <a href=”http://www.yatsleisure.com/”>http://www.YatsLeisure.com</a>

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit <a href=”http://www.clearwaterphilippines.com/”>http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

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Looking for a party venue in town?

Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.