Founded in 1594, Porac is a historic municipality located north-west of Manila. During World War II, it was home to a military base of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force in their bid to liberate the country from the Japanese.
Things to do in Porac
A short drive west of Porac is Miyamit Falls, which tumbles down a forested cliff face into a small pool below. This twin waterfall can be accessed along a challenging trail that includes several steep sections. You can refresh with a swim in the cool waters before making the return journey.
For a challenge of a different kind, head to SandBox Pampanga, an outdoor adventure facility with zip lines, ropes courses and climbing walls. Set across two hectares, it’s home to the first rollercoaster zip line in Asia and the tallest giant swing in the Philippines, as well as a go-kart racing track. You can climb the Adventure Tower or take on the Splash Tub, a 1,200-square-metre water obstacle course.
For a dose of local history, make a day trip to Angeles to visit the Museu ning Angeles, which occupies a 1920s-built courthouse. In addition to dioramas depicting traditional life in the region, it features exhibits dedicated to the Clark Air Base. Also on display are garments created by Angeles-native Patis Pamintuan-Tesoro, who has been nicknamed the “Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion”.
Getting around Porac
Porac is around 30 minutes’ drive from Angeles and 1.5 hours from Manila. Ninoy Aquino International Airport is just over two hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Porac and the town is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car or moped is the most convenient way of getting around the area.