Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Jose B. Lingad Museum, Lubao Pampanga

Just a few meters away from the Museum of President Diosdado Macapagal is the Jose B. Lingad Museum. We made our way on foot under the scorching sun. 

Entrance is FREE.

Jose B. Lingad, a lawyer served in the cabinet of former President Diosdado Macapagal. A former governor of Pampanga, he was the representative of Pampanga's first district when former President Ferdinand Marcos abolished Congress upon the declaration of Martial Law. A member of the opposition, Liberal Party he was jailed for 4 months.









In 1941, when Japan invaded the Philippines, JBL as he was fondly called, joined
the armed resistance in Bataan. He survived the Bataan Death March and 
was a part of the guerrilla movement against the Japanese army.



During the administration of his good friend, President Diosdado Macapagal, Lingad served
as the Commissioner of  Internal Revenue, then as Commissioner of Customs and ultimately
as Secretary of Labor.




In the January 1980 local elections, he was coaxed out of retirement by opposition leader Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. to run as governor of Pampanga. JBL was defeated by staunch Marcos associate Estelito Mendoza. Lingad filed a protest with the Commission of Elections, claiming incidents of electoral fraud and cheating, calling for new election to be held in their district.


On December 16, 1980 while his electoral case was still pending, Jose Lingad was shot dead by a gunman as he stopped by a roadside gas station to buy cigarettes in San Fernando, Pampanga. His assassin, a Philippine Constabulary sergeant died in a vehicular accident before he could be tried for the murder of Lingad. Until now, the case is still unresolved and the mastermind was never identified.


I found it very interesting that several of the visitors to the museum were elementary and secondary
students from nearby schools. They had just finised their exams and decided to drop by during their
free time. It warms my heart to know that the youth are socially aware and make a conscious effort 
to learn about the past. 

Friday, March 15, 2024

Museo (Museum) at Aklatan (Library) ni Diosdado Macapagal in Lubao, Pampanga

We left Subic Olongapo in Zambales at around 9:35 A.M. heading for the province of Pampanga. My late mother (even though she grew up in Manila) was from the town of Bacolor while D's father was born in San Luis. So we are both, half Kapampangans. Our route was through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), exited at Dinalupihan then on national roads with rice fields on both sides until we reached the town of Lubao. 


My hubby was named after the 9th President of the Republic of the Philippines, Diosdado P. Macapagal. Both of them were born on the 28th of September, albeit several years apart. Cong Dadong served from December 30, 1961 - December 30, 1965.  He was a lawyer, writer and prolific poet in the Spanish language and the father of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

He was also affectionately called "the poor boy from Lubao" due to his roots in poverty. He had 4 children, Cielo M. Salgado and Arturo Macapagal from his first wife Purita de la Rosa (the sister of movie star Rogelio de la Rosa) who died in 1943. And Gloria M. Arroyo and Diosdado Macapagal, Jr. with his second wife, Eva Macaraeg.

A replica of the nipa hut where he was born to farmer parents stands prominently in front of a two storey museum dedicated to the narrative of his rise from Lubao to Malacanan Palace, his writings and several photographs.

Entrance is FREE.























Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Overnight: By the Sea Resort Hotel, Olongapo Zambales

I plotted our entire itinerary from searching on google maps the distance between our destinations, to finding the appropriate hotels, restaurants where we could dine, notable attractions to visit. Even though it was just an overnight trip. :D

For the hotels, I had two criteria: (1) beach front property and (2) it had to be on the main road. You see, we have an old car so I didn't want to pass on dirt, unpaved roads, tiny alleys. I, painstakingly searched on google maps, zoomed in on the street directions to see the road conditions. I also noted its distance to our next museum visit, how far it was from dining places. Most importantly the parking slots: if it was a wide area or if someone had to knock on our door for us to move the car. LOL It took me hours and days before I could decide on the most suitable accommodation.

I picked By the Sea Resort Hotel because it met all my requirements. It was cheaper to book it at their website than on Agoda. The deluxe room came with plated breakfast. It has access to a clean beach and the facilities although old were neat and tidy. Check in time: 3 P.M.  Check out: 11 A.M.


We checked in at 3:30 P.M, rested in the room because the sun
was blazing then went out at around 5:15 P.M. to the beach to catch the sunset.



Early dinner at their restaurant. Grilled blue marlin with rice and veggies
and camaron rebosado.


The next day: early morning walk along the beach before breakfast








Checking out!


Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Subic Bay, Olongapo in Zambales

When we were planning the location of the museums we would visit, D suggested we spend one night in Zambales because Pampanga would be our next stop. After a quick lunch at a fast food chain, we had time before we could officially check into our room. So I searched on google maps any areas we could explore that was FREE. Subic Bay Waterfront was the nearest spot. It was scorching hot but there was also a light breeze.







The Hellships Memorial pays tribute to the World War 2 prisoners of
various nationalities who were captured by the Japanese Imperial Army. 
They endured horrific conditions on these Japanese hell ships and were
transported to different areas to serve as slave labor.




The Memorial is located about 500 meters from the site of the
sunken hellship, the Oryoku Maru which lies at the bottom of Subic Bay.

Inang Laya Monument or the Motherland.
Beneath her at the hand prints of the 12 senators who voted
NO to military bases treaty hence ending the US presence in
the Philippines on September 16, 1991.




The hands that freed the nation monument.
Senator Ernesto Maceda was one of the 12 Senators
who voted for the end of the military bases treaty.








San Roque Chapel


San Roque Chapel Altar