Mayor Malu Lacson and Vice Mayor Norman Lacson said they are actively promoting the town’s tourism potentials, not only as a Holy Week destination for pilgrims at “Banal na Bundok (Holy Mountain)” where the 14 Stations of the Cross are built, but also a year-round destination for tourists.
Most of its splendor yet undiscovered, this town is the northeastern municipality of Pampanga connecting it to the neighboring province of Nueva Ecija.
“Our town is a beautiful place and we want its attractions promoted,” said Mayor Lacson. She and the vice mayor met with the Capampangan in Media Inc. on Friday at Abe’s Farm, one of this town’s top destination.
The mayor said they are unravelling to tourists the only remaining heliograph towers in the country. These are old structures that send and relay signals via mirrors to warn soldiers of an impending attack by the advancing enemy.
Built by the Spanish forces in the 1800s, a tower in Barangay Sta. Cruz and another in San Isidro await official recognition as National Cultural Treasures by the national government, according to Mayor Lacson.
She stressed that Magalang is a place blessed with sites for heritage and cultural eco-tourism. The mayor said Abe’s Farm is now a popular dining and spa resort at the foot of Mount Arayat which is frequented by local as well as foreign tourists and food connoisseurs from all over the world.
She said this town is also known as the “Sweet Tamarind Capital” of the Philippines, thus, paving the way for it to be known as another culinary attraction as it also promotes home-made pastries and candies by Carreon and Pabalan, two homegrown stores.
Municipal Tourism chief, Ryan M. Miranda, said aside from the towers and the scenic hillside settings, Magalang has other attractions like its town hall which was built in the 19th century.
He also said the San Bartolome Church right across the town hall is another grand structure that was preserved through the Spanish and Japanese wars.
Meanwhile, pilgrims for the Holy Week are requested to register at the Tourism Registration Booth at the site of the Banal na Budok.
The Banal na Bundok is in Barangay Ayala here where life-size Stations of the Cross were built from its foot at the First Station until the 14th Station which is some 1.6 kilometers towards the summit.
