San Fernando, Pampanga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids San Fernando
Component city
City of San Fernando
From top, left to right: San Fernando City Hall; Pampanga Provincial Capitol; Santo Rosario (poblacion); San Fernando Metropolitan Cathedral; Public market; MacArthur Highway
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Christmas Capital of the Philippines Heart of Pampanga
Motto(s):  Fernandino Ka, Kayabe Ka!
Anthem: Himno Fernandino (Fernandino Hymn)
Map of Pampanga with San Fernando highlighted
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Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Province	Pampanga
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	August 16, 1754
Cityhood	February 4, 2001
Named for	Ferdinand III of Castile
Barangays	35 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	67.74 km2 (26.15 sq mi)
Elevation	33 m (108 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	354,666
• Density	5,235.7/km2 (13,560.4/sq mi)
• Households	86,217
Demonym(s)	Fernandino (male) Fernandina (female)
Economy
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	7.23% (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 2,139 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 4,841 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 1,637 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 1,391 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company (SFELAPCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2000
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)45
Native languages	Kapampangan Tagalog
Catholic diocese	Archdiocese of San Fernando
Patron saint	Saint Ferdinand III of Castile and León
Website	www.cityofsanfernando.gov.ph

San Fernando, officially the City of San Fernando, is an important city in the Philippines. It is the capital of the province of Pampanga. In 2020, about 354,666 people lived here.

San Fernando is the main center for the Central Luzon region. It is about 66 kilometers north of Manila. The city is part of a larger urban area called Metro Clark or Metro Angeles. This area is a key place for businesses and homes in Central Luzon.

The city is named after King Ferdinand VI of Spain. Its patron saint is Saint Ferdinand III, whose feast day is May 30. San Fernando is famous as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines". Every December, it hosts the Giant Lantern Festival. During this festival, huge, colorful lanterns called parol are shown in a competition. CNN has even called San Fernando 'Asia's Christmas capital.'

History of San Fernando

Houses along a road in San Fernando, around the late 1800s

The town of San Fernando was created in 1754. It was formed from parts of the towns of Bacolor and Mexico. The first church was built in 1755 using wood and nipa palm leaves. Don Vidal de Arrozal was the first leader, called a gobernadorcillo, that same year.

In 1796, Don Ángel Pantaleon de Miranda started his large farm in Barrio Culiat. This barrio later became the new town of Angeles on December 8, 1829.

In 1881, there was a plan to move the capital of Pampanga province to San Fernando. However, this move did not happen at that time.

The San Fernando railroad station opened on February 2, 1892. It was part of the Manila-Dagupan Railroad. This station was very important, earning the second-highest income after Manila. On June 27, José P. Rizal visited the town to find new members for his group, the La Liga Filipina.

During the Philippine Revolution, San Fernando was declared a state of war in September 1896. On June 26, 1898, leaders from most Pampanga towns met in San Fernando. They promised loyalty to General Maximino Hizon, a revolutionary leader. On October 9, Emilio Aguinaldo, the revolutionary president, visited the town. He was greeted with great excitement.

On May 4, 1899, Filipino revolutionary troops, led by General Antonio Luna, burned down the town hall and church. They did this to prevent American forces from using them. On June 16, Aguinaldo himself led Filipino forces in a battle for San Fernando, but they could not take the town back.

The Pampanga provincial government finally moved to San Fernando from Bacolor on August 15, 1904. This happened during the time of Governor Macario Arnedo.

In 1921, the Pampanga Sugar Development Company (PASUDECO) started its sugar factory. This company was created by local farmers in 1918.

In 1932, the Socialist Party of the Philippines was founded by Pedro Abad Santos. His home became a center for the peasant movement. On February 14, 1939, Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon spoke about his social justice plan in front of the Municipal Government building.

Aerial view of San Fernando, around the 1940s

In 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army took control of the town. The next year, thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war walked through San Fernando. This was part of the terrible Bataan Death March.

In 1986, Paterno Guevarra became the temporary leader of the town. This happened after the People Power Revolution.

In 1990, Philippine president Corazon Aquino opened the Paskuhan Village. It was the first Christmas village in Asia. The next year, Mount Pinatubo erupted. It covered the town with ash and volcanic debris.

On October 1, 1995, Typhoon Sibyl (Mameng) caused floods and mudflows from Mount Pinatubo. Several areas were badly damaged. People in San Fernando worked together to raise money for the St. Ferdinand People's Dike. The Pampanga Megadike was built the next year to protect the town.

Becoming a City

Jose Abad Santos Avenue

On January 6, 1997, Mayor Rey Aquino and Senator Gloria Macapagal Arroyo started a campaign for San Fernando to become a city. A bill was filed in Congress to make this happen.

In 2000, the city charter for San Fernando was approved. The town officially became a city on February 4, 2001. This happened after people voted for it. San Fernando became the 99th city in the Philippines. Rey Aquino was the city's first mayor.

Geography

Aerial view of San Fernando, Pampanga in 2023

Barangays

San Fernando is divided into 35 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has its own smaller parts called puroks and sometimes sitios.

Climate

Population and Religion

Nuestro Señor de la Paciencia Chapel

Most people in San Fernando are Roman Catholic, making up 80% of the population. The city is home to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando. Other religions include Protestantism and Independent Christianity. The Iglesia Ni Cristo is the largest minority group. There are also people who follow Islam in the city. The main church is the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando.

Economy

Robinsons Starmills Pampanga in San Fernando City

San Fernando is a busy city and the heart of Pampanga province. It has many businesses, including two public markets, many banks, and lending places. There are also gasoline stations, cinemas, schools, hospitals, and hotels. Many government offices for the Philippines also have regional branches here.

Large shopping malls like SM City Pampanga and Robinsons Starmills Pampanga are located in the city. SM also has two other malls: SM City San Fernando Downtown and SM City Telabastagan. Near these malls is the Azure North Residences, a big residential area.

Industries

PASUDECO Sugar Central

San Fernando is a major center for processing farm products in Central Luzon. It produces a lot of rice and is important for sugar. The Pampanga Sugar Development Company (PASUDECO) used to be the biggest private employer. It is a main sugar-processing factory in the area.

Many other companies have offices or factories here. These include Universal Robina, Zuellig Pharma, Nestlé Philippines, and Asia Brewery. Big food and drink companies like San Miguel Corporation and Coca-Cola also have factories in San Fernando.

Every Christmas, the city is known for making beautiful, handmade parols (lanterns). These lanterns are special because of their detailed designs and "dancing lights." The city holds the annual Giant Parol Festival, where different barangays compete to show off their best lanterns. This festival, called Liligan Parul in the Kapampangan language, has become a symbol of the city's unity and hard work.

Tourism

Festivals and Local Events

Places to Visit

Monumento Fernandino

Monumento Fernandino

This monument tells the story of San Fernando. It shows a girl with a lantern, a lady with a torch, a lady making an offering, and a boatman. The Monumento Fernandino was dedicated in 2004. It celebrates the city's rich history and culture.

WOW Philippines Hilaga

Paskuhan Giant Lantern Tourist Information Center

This place used to be called Paskuhan Village. It is now a cultural and tourism center. It shows the history and culture of the North Philippines. You can also find local products and crafts here. The star-shaped buildings honor the skilled lantern makers of San Fernando. The complex has a large hall for events, an outdoor theater, exhibit halls, and restaurants.

Pampanga Eye

This is a giant Ferris wheel located at Sky Ranch Pampanga, next to SM City Pampanga. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines, standing 65 meters high.

Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center

Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center

This is a large complex with places for concerts, conventions, and sports. The convention center can hold 3,000 people and is air-conditioned.

Archdiocesan Museum and Archives

This museum is at the University of the Assumption. It has old items and beautiful artworks that show Pampanga's cultural past. You can see church bells, paintings, statues, and special items used by priests. Some of these items are from the 17th century.

Everybody's Cafe

Pampanga is known as the "Culinary Capital of the Philippines." San Fernando is home to one of its oldest restaurants, Everybody's Cafe. It opened in 1946 and is famous for unique Kapampangan dishes. These include betute (stuffed frogs) and kamaru (crickets). This restaurant has been featured on international TV shows.

San Fernando Heritage District

The San Fernando Heritage District includes the old parts of the city. This area has many historic buildings and sites.

Churches and other religious places:

• Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando
• Church of San Vicente Ferrer
• Virgen de los Remedios Church
• Jeosay Shinhongkong Temple

Heritage houses:

Hizon-Singian House

Lazatin House

San Fernando, Pampanga Elementary School

• Hizon-Singian House
• Henson-Hizon House
• Lazatin House
• Dayrit-Cuyugan House
• Consunji House
• Tabacalera House
• Hizon-Ocampo House
• Santos-Hizon House
• Angel Y. Datu-Jovita Y. Bundalian House
• Pampanga Hotel
• Archdiocesan Chancery

Historic government buildings, schools, and hospitals:

• City Hall of San Fernando
• Pampanga Provincial Capitol
• Presidio
• Provincial High School Building
• Pampanga High School Building
• San Fernando Elementary School
• Old St. Scholastica's Academy
• Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital
• Virgen de los Remedios Hospital

Industrial heritage:

• San Fernando Train Station
• PASUDECO Sugar Central
• PASUDECO Staff Houses and Commissary
• San Fernando Water Reservoir
• The Sugar Pugons
• Calulut Train Station
• Baluyut Bridge
• The Arcaded Shop Buildings of Consunji Street
• Lantern Factories - You can visit several lantern factories in Unisite Subdivision, and in Barangays Santa Lucia, San Jose and Dolores.

Education

Colleges and Universities

Vocational / Technical Schools

• TESDA PEO Training Center
• La Plata Science and Technology, Inc.
• Lorraine Computer & Technical School
• NorthPoint Academy for Culinary Arts
• Emmanual John Institute Of Science and Technology
• Gateways Institute of Science and Technology

Secondary Schools

Media

San Fernando has four TV stations: UBC Channel 12, Infomax Channel 44, Central Luzon Television Channel 36 (CLTV36), and ABS-CBN's TV-46 Pampanga (DWIN-TV). There are also three radio stations: RW 95.1 FM, 91.9 Bright FM, and 92.7 Brigada News FM Central Luzon.

Newspapers

Several local newspapers are published in the city. These include SunStar Pampanga, The Probe, Coffee Punch, Pampanga Times, and the Observer.

Notable People

• José Abad Santos, a former Chief Justice (seen on the PHP1000 bill)
• Nicolasa Dayrit, a hero from the revolution
• Pedro Abad Santos, a former assemblyman and founder of the Aguman ding Talapagobra ning Pilipinas
• Amando G. Dayrit, a famous newspaper writer before World War II
• Vivencio Cuyugan, the first Socialist mayor in the Philippines
• Conrado Dayrit, a heart doctor and former President of the National Academy of Science and Technology
• Fernando H. Ocampo, a founder of the UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts
• Zoilo Hilario, a poet, playwright, lawmaker, and linguist
• Vicente Abad Santos, a former Secretary of Justice and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
• Sotero Baluyut, a former senator and cabinet secretary
• Honesto Ongtioco, a bishop
• Ruben Enaje, known for crucifying himself every year
• Oscar Albayalde, a former chief of the Philippine National Police
• Brillante Mendoza, an award-winning film director

Sister Cities

• Angeles City
• Mabalacat

See also

In Spanish: San Fernando (Pampanga) para niños