Bacolor, Pampanga - Tourism

Tourism

A landmark in the town is the San Guillermo Parish Church known as the 'sunken church' and was one of the structures that was half-buried by the lahar flow. The church has since been renovated and is currently operational and may be accessed through what were once the second floor windows, now converted into doorways. The sunken church and town of Bacolor were used to shoot the 2009 television series May Bukas Pa. The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cabetican is also famous for its annual pilgrimage and barrio fiestas.

Bacolor also contains memorials to the Death March Kilometer Posts in Mac Arthur Highway, the oldest trade school in Far East, the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, the Simón de Anda y Salazar monument in the Town hall, the Juan Crisostomo Soto Monument and memorial, and Felix Galura Y Napao (December 30, 1924) Monument.

• Juan Crisostomo Soto - Kapampangan writer, revolutionary leader and veteran of the Philippine–American War. Father of Kapampangan poetic debate, Crissotan, and author of "Alang Dios" (There is no God), Perlas quing Burac, Anac ning Katipunan, Lydia and many others Zarzuelas and Playwrights.

A monument built in honor of Juan Crisostomo Soto, he was a distinguished Pampango poet, dramatist and newspaperman (1867-1918). Born in Sta. Ines, Bacolor, he is known as the Father of Pampango Literature. He learned his first letters from a town tutor Cirilio Fernandez; pursued higher education under a noted teacher Vicente Quirino; wrote numerous lyrical poems, historical dramas, humorous plays, fiery editorials and philosophical essays; translated into Pampango the Spanish version of Romeo and Juliet and old European plays like the Lovers of Turuel Faust and Nero and the Gladiators; translated Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo; joined the Philippine Revolution in 1896 and figured in several battles against the American forces in 1898. He wrote no less than fifty plays and sarsuwelas, the most common of which is Alang Dios or There Is No God (1901). The poetic joust crissotan was coined from his psuedonym Crissot (d. July 12, 1918).

Bacolor's festivities are the Feast of San Guillermo and Nuestra Senora del Santissimo Rosario (La Naval) which are celebrated every 10th day of February and 3rd Sunday of November, respectively.

• Welcome arch

• Covered court and gymnasium

• Bacolor Elementary School

• Campo Santo de Bacolor (Cemetery)

• Panorama of the graves