Candaba is a town in northeastern Pampanga, Philippines. It is named after the eponymous swamp that separates it from Bulacan.
Understand
[edit]Candaba is known to have existed before the Spanish era. It was conquered by the Spanish in 1572. A predominantly agrarian town along the banks of the Pampanga River, its main draw is Candaba Swamp, a 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres) wetland that provides sanctuary for migratory birds and fish stocks and stores waters from tributaries of the Pampanga River that would have otherwise inundated much of the Central Luzon plains. However, this has not prevented the severe degradation of the site due to land conversion and poaching since the late 20th century, which in turn has led to severe annual flooding across the region.
Get in
[edit]
From Manila, take the San Fernando exit along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) leading to the Gapan-Olongapo Road, also known as Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA), then turn right towards Santa Ana, passing through Mexico. From a junction in front of Santa Ana Church, turn right towards Candaba. An alternate route is through NLEX San Simon exit, where a road leads to a merger with JASA at Santo Domingo Circle in Mexico and onwards to Candaba.
An alternate route is through secluded two-lane roads from Baliwag and San Miguel in Bulacan. A secondary road also connects the swampland barangays of Candaba with the town of San Luis to the west.
From San Fernando, there are jeepneys servicing Candaba.
Get around
[edit]Tricycles are the main form of transportation between barangays.
See
[edit]- 1 San Andres Apostol Parish Church (Candaba Church), Candaba-San Miguel Road, San Agustin. Candaba's main Roman Catholic church, built in a Baroque style during the Spanish era in the 17th century.
- 2 Nuestra Señora dela Merced Parish Church, Candaba-Baliwag Road, Bahay Pare. A Roman Catholic church serving the swampland barangays of Candaba. It houses the venerated Marian image of Our Lady of Mercy of Pampanga, known locally as "Apung de la Merced".
- 3 Nuestra sa Pinac, Candaba-Baliwag Road, Paligui. A roadside shrine with a massive statue of the Virgin Mary.
- 4 Holy Family Child Formation Center, Candaba-Santa Ana Road, Buas. A school with a massive Spanish-era colonial era residence inside. If you are barred from entering, the house is visible from the road given the school's low fences.
Do
[edit]- 1 The Great GIGATT Resort and Leisure Park, Candaba-Santa Ana Road, Pasig. A resort with swimming pools, gardens and an aviary.
- Bird watching. The best time to go bird watching is on the early morning, around five to seven in the morning when bird activity is at its peak and the heat is not intense. Late afternoons are also a good time for this. Must brings are hiking footwear and clothes, and a good pair of binoculars or telescope. The avid birdwatcher might also want to bring his or her field notebook, pencil and camera. Expect to pay a fee at the bird sanctuary of at least ₱150. Migratory birds are best seen in the marsh from November-February. The marshland is flooded during the rainy season, usually September-October, when the bird sanctuary becomes submerged and inaccessible.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Candaba Public Market, Candaba-Baliwag Road, San Agustin.
- 2 Puregold Candaba, Candaba-San Miguel Road, Buas.
Eat
[edit]Cultivated freshwater fish are a major product of Candaba. There are no restaurants in Candaba that serve them, although you can buy them at the public market and cook at home. Tilapia, mudfish or bulig, native and African catfish, kanduli, carp, and gourami can be bought fresh in the public market.
Don't forget the local buro (fermented rice and fish mixture) which goes well with the fish. A typical buro platter consists of buro sautéed with garlic and onion, roasted bulig, and fresh mustard leaves. Must-buys too are the freshwater prawns, and occasional lotus stalks which can be sautéed in garlic, onion, and tamarind sauce.
Ducks are also a big industry in the area, and their ebun buru, or salted eggs, have a delicate taste and are less salty. Eat with rice and tomatoes.
There is also an afternoon stall at the public market where you can buy ready-to-eat fried quail, which goes well with beer or wine.
Foodies looking for game bird dishes will be disappointed to know that the municipal government has banned the hunting of wild birds in the municipality. In any case, do not consume such dishes at all, as outbreaks of bird flu have sometimes occurred in town and other parts of Pampanga.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Lola Corazon Leisure Farm, Talang. An agritourism resort.
Stay safe
[edit]A low-lying town, Candaba is highly susceptible to flooding during the rainy season, particularly when the Candaba Swamp overflows.