REVOLUTION ERA

During the Philippine Revolution, Angeles became a byway for the revolutionary forces. During the Filipino-American War, General Emilio Aguinaldo made Angeles the seat of government from May to July, 1899. The first anniversary of the First Philippines Republic, the first republic in Asia, was celebrated at Angeles. Mrs. Hilaria Aguinaldo, wife of the revolutionary leader organized the Angeles chapter of the Philippine Red Cross in the home of Don Ricardo Nepomuceno y Paras. On May 7,1899, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo made Angeles the seat of the Phillipine Government. A field mass was held in his honor. The first anniversary celebration of rhe Philippine Independence proclaimed a year earlier in Kawit, Cavite was held in Angeles in June 12, 1899. It was highlighted with a parade led by the youngest ever Filipino Generals Gregorio del Pilar, and Manuel Tinio. It was viewed by Gen. Aguinaldo from the Pamintuan residence (restored recently to its original, now houses the Central Bank Clearing Office, the Presidential Palace that time).

After a bloody battle, the American forces led by General Arthur MacArthur penetrated the town on August 10, 1899. On January 1, 1900, a civil government was re-established by American forces.On August 10, 1899, U.S. forces began the attack on Angeles confident in capturing it in a few days. However, the Filipino Army defending the town refused to give in so easily and fiercely fought back and for threee months battled the Americans in and around Angeles. It was only after the battle on November 05, 1899 that the brave town finally fell into American hands. The battles for Angeles are considered to be the longest in the history of the Filipino-American War in Pampanga. In the photo, Gen. Arthur McArthur (in tall hat) with Gen. Wheaton on an inspection tour along a frontline in Angeles

During Aguinaldo’s stay in Angeles, Manuel L. Quezon then a member of the General’s Staff, stayed in the house of a certain Don Lorenzo Sanchez (then just acrros the Pamintuan residence), Aguinaldo’s sojoum was short however, for in July of this same year he transferred his government to Tarlac following its occupation by the American Forces. On January, 1900 Gen. Frederick D. Grant organized the first U.S. Civil Government by appointing an Alcalde.In August 1899, at the peak of the Filipino-American War, U.S. Army Forces finally captured Angeles after a week of heavy fighting. The Americans quickly commandeered the Holy Rosary Parish Church and converted it into an army hospital. In this 1899 photo, American wounded and sick soldiers with the medics are seen in the main isle. The choir loft served as the dental section. The convent (now Holy Family Academy wing) was the barracks for medical officers and enlisted men. The sacristy was the only portion where Angeleños could hear mass. When the Americans vacated the church in 1904 and moved to Fort Stotsenberg, Rev. Vicente Lapus, the parish priest listed of total U.S. ,638.00 for portions of the church destroyed, looted church items and treasures and arrears on rentals.

EARLY SETLERS

This northeastern outpost was originally settled by Negrito Tribesmen, and it was named Culiat, after a woody vine native to the area. It was in 1796, when the Captain (Municipal Mayor) of San Fernando, Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, together with his wife, Doña Rosalia de Jesus and followers moved on foot towards north. Doña Rosalia supervised the clearing until her husband, Don Angel returned from Military Service in 1811. He was a Captain of the Manila Hussers Squadrom. Don Angel built his house with light materials at the Northwest corner of the intersection of Sapangbalen and the road going towards the town of Porac which later was donated to the Roman Catholic Church as the first cemetery made known as the “Capong Santong Matua” now the site where the Nepomuceno Colisium is situated. The transition of Angeles from a jungle clearing to a barrio, to a town, and finally to a city took one hundred sixty eight (168) years; and in all that time, it has survived locusts infestations, confrigations, wars, epidemics, volcanic eruptions and typhoons to become one of the fast risting cities in the country. Culiat, as Angeles was known in the early times was a barrio of San Fernando for thirty three (33) years. It became a separate town one hundred thirty five (135) years later. It was just my other background town until the early fifties when it picked up to rise as a progressive municipality. He also built the first chapel and a primary school. The progressive barrio developed some new industries, like a sugar mill and a wine distillery. Barrio Culiat was already a town except in name in 1812 with the rise of new barrios like Sto. Cristo (as the poblacion or town proper), Cutcut, Pampang, and Pulung Anunas.On May 12, 1812, the new settlers tried to make it a self-governing town, but the friars resisted the move (with Fray Jose Pometa O.S.A.). Ten years later, in 1822, another request for Independent Township was denied.On February 11, 1828, Don Angel fields a petition for the political independence of Culiat from San Fernando, followed by another petition within the same year jointly signed by Don Angel, his son-in-law, Dr. Mariano Henson and the latter’s father Severino Henson. He donated 35 hectares for the construction of the first Catholic Church and convent, and Doña Agustina Henson de Miranda gave land for the new public market.On December 8, 1829, Don Angel paid the complete amount required by law for the political separation of Culiat from San Fernando (there were only 160 taxpayers then, and the law required that it should have atleast 500 taxpayers). Culiat was renamed “El Pueblos de los Angeles” (The Town of Los Angeles, official name in Spanish) in honor of its patron saint “Los Santos Angeles Custodios” (Holy Guardian Angels) and the name of its founder, Don Angel.

DURING WORLD WAR II

DEATH MARCH. APRIL 10, 1942, Approximately, 57,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war passes the town of Angeles. They were forced to join the death march going to camp concentration of O'Donell, Capas, Tarlac. Angeleño showed their sympathy by handing them foods, milks, boiled eggs, rice cakes (kalamay), cigarette and water. Angeleños followed them up to the train station in Dau to give moral and spirtual support, and helping the escapees.

War historians considered the bombing of Clark Air Base on December 8, 1941 as one of the most destructive air raids in World War II because almost all the American war planes were wrecked to the ground. On the early morning of the New Year’s Day of 1942, the first Japanese troops entered the town occupying it up to January 1945. During the Japanese invasion in World War II, another type of local government was set up on January 22, 1942. The town was liberated by Fil-American troops in 1945.

1941 JAPANESE AIR ATTACK ON CLARKFIELD, At 12:30 pm on December 8, 1941, a flight if 56 Imperial Japanese "Nell" Medium Bombers, a swarm of Zero Fighters and AICHI Dive Bombers bombed Clark Field and Fort Stotsenberg. In 30 minutes, the air might of America in the Far East was completely destroyed. War historians consider it as the most successful air raid in the history of World War II.

Through the years, although Fort Stotsenberg (later Clark Air Base) continued to expand Angeles despite its proximity to the American Camp, did not progress as fast, and was just like any ordinary town. It was finally inaugurated as a chartered city under Republic Act. No. 3700. It was Rafael del Rosario’s brainchild that Angeles became a city. He gained the distinctions of being the last Town Mayor of Angeles. He was assisted in the preparation of the City Chapter by Atty. Enrique Tayag, a prominent resident of the town. Then Congresswoman Juanita I. Nepomuceno of the first district of Pampanga sponsored the bill in Congress and approved by then President Diosdado Macapagal a province mate

Present day observers considered the effects of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the withdrawal of American Military personnel from Clark Air Base as telling blows to its company. Yet it cannot be denied that it is innate in the native of Angeleños to survive the tests of time such as conflagrations, typhoons, and volcanic eruption and political rebuffs. Today, the heavy flow of vehicles and people in the city proper is one clear indication of the calamity befallen city’s re directed efforts towards its physical and economic recovery.

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