Seventy-two foreign retirees from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, China, Canada, South Korea, and France recently visited Pampanga as part of a heritage tour that included a stop in the historic town of Lubao. The provincial government organized the event to showcase the region's rich cultural heritage, local cuisine, and historical landmarks.
Warm Welcome and Cultural Immersion
The retirees were warmly welcomed by Lubao Mayor Esmie Pineda, who led them on a tour of the town's key attractions. Their first stop was the Lubao Bamboo Hub, where they had the opportunity to sample an array of traditional Kapampangan delicacies, including suman ibus, sapin-sapin, tamales, pichi-pichi, and tsokolateng batirol. A live demonstration of tamales preparation was also conducted, giving the visitors a firsthand look at local culinary traditions.
Historical and Heritage Sites
The group then visited the St. Augustine Parish Church, built in 1572 and recognized as one of the oldest churches in Luzon. The retirees also toured heritage sites associated with former Philippine Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Diosdado Macapagal, both natives of Pampanga. At Pradera Verde, they were treated to a feast of Kapampangan dishes, including sisig, adobong balut, kare-kare, and hito with buro.
Healthcare Facility Visit
The tour also included a visit to the Pampanga Provincial Hospital - Clark, where Governor Lilia Pineda personally escorted the retirees around the facility. The visitors expressed their appreciation for the province's healthcare services and the overall cultural offerings of the region. The event highlighted Pampanga's commitment to promoting tourism and cultural exchange, leaving a lasting impression on the foreign retirees.
