Porac is a town in southwestern Pampanga. Situated at the foot of the Mount Pinatubo massif and the Central Luzon plains, it combines cultural heritage and natural wonders within its territory, despite challenges brought by the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 and encroaching urbanization from nearby Angeles.
Understand
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Porac has long been an agricultural town, established by the Spanish in the 1590s. In 1991, the town was devastated by ashfall caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, part of which lies within Porac. Pinatubo further inflicted misery on the town as it filled its main river, the Pasig-Potrero with lahar and buried villages under volcanic mud. Despite this, Porac recovered as displaced residents were resettled in planned communities, and the barangays north of the Pasig-Potrero have been virtually consumed by the urban conurbation of neighboring Angeles City, while those south of the river, including the town center, retain their rural vibes.
Get in
[edit]For private vehicles, the fastest way to enter Porac is through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which has an exit in Porac. Those using public transportation usually switch vehicles in Angeles and take jeepneys traversing the Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road.
Capillary roads connect Porac with Bacolor and Guagua.
Get around
[edit]Tricycles are the main form of transportation in town.
See
[edit]- 1 Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church (Porac Church), Ortigas Street, Poblacion (Near the town hall). A Baroque church dating to 1872. It was damaged during World War II, but was restored in the 1980s.
- 2 Mount Pinatubo. Inevitably associated with the town, the volcano is the biggest draw in the area, particularly its crater lake and the lunar landscapes created along its gullies following the 1991 eruptions.
- 3 Dara Falls (Darabulbul Falls), Jalung. A set of four cascades. Its name was shortened because its last syllables are also the Filipino word for pubic hair.
- 4 Pio Chapel (San Vicente Ferrer Chapel), Barangay Pio. The first known circular chapel in the Philippines, built in 1861. Damaged by the 1991 Pinatubo eruption and a 2019 earthquake, it was controversially repaired in a DIY manner by locals amid limited funds and lack of advice from conservationists.
- 5 Miyamit Falls, Sapang Uwak. A waterfall on the Mount Pinatubo massif. A permit from the municipal hall is needed before entering.
- 6 Tutulari Avatar Gorge, Inararo. A gorge named in part because it resembles the setting from the film Avatar (the one with blue aliens).
- 7 Hacienda Dolores Chapel, Porac Access Road, Hacienda Dolores. A Spanish-era Roman Catholic barangay chapel, built in 1838 and repaired following damage caused by the 2019 earthquake.
Do
[edit]- 1 Sandbox, Sapang Uwak, Porac (At the vicinity of SCTEX Porac Exit). 9AM-5PM. Part of the Alviera private development, it has a giant swing and an obstacle course. Being in a relatively dry area near Mount Pinatubo, it can become hot during the months of March to May, so prepare to get sunburned.
- Inararo Trail. One of many trails leading to Mount Pinatubo and its crater lake, with a duration of 8-10 hours and length of 40 kilometres (25 mi) that is thankfully covered by 4x4 drives through gullies clogged with lahar. Although the trail's jump-off point is actually in Sapang Bato in Angeles City, the majority of the route passes through Porac and usually includes stops at other attractions along the Pinatubo massif such as Puning Hot Springs, Tutulari Gorge and Ana-an Falls. The route also passes through the ancestral domain of the indigenous Aeta communities and provides opportunities for those seeking to combine cultural experiences with the hike, especially as most guides are also resident Aetas.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Porac Public Market, General Luna Street, Poblacion.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Stay safe
[edit]Climbing Mount Pinatubo is not for the faint hearted. Permits are required to undertake the hike, and will only be given to those with climbing experience. It is best to arrange such trips with a reputable tour operator.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Porac |
| Angeles ← | N   S
|
→ Floridablanca → Olongapo |
