ANGELES CITY LGRRC - city profile

Angeles is a landlocked highly urbanized city in the Central Luzon region. Although administratively independent due to its distinction as highly urbanized city, Angeles is commonly grouped with the coastal province of Pampanga.

The city has a land area of 63.37 square kilometers or 24.47 square miles. Its population as determined by the 2020 Census was 462,928. This represented 3.73% of the total population of the Central Luzon region. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 7,305 inhabitants per square kilometer or 18,918 inhabitants per square mile.

CULIAT

Scientific name: Gnetum indicum (Lour.) Merr. (Gnetaceae).

The barrio that became the town (now city of Angeles) was once named Culiat due to the abundance of the coarse and woody vine. The female plants bear red and oval clustered fruit, whose kernel, of highly nutritive value, is edible when cooked. The vine is also utilized as a source of drinking water in the forest.

Due to the destruction of its habitat, it was thought that the species was already extinct in Angeles City. In 1999, however, some plants were found by the indigenous Aetas in the remote and mountainous area of Barangay Sapang Bato. In 2000 the local government started planting culiat seedlings in public spaces and neighborhood parks. Nowadays, the culiat plant may not be as abundant as it used to be, but it has at least re-taken root in its former habitat.

NAMED AFTER THE ANGELS

San Miguel

Miguel means "Who is Like God?"-a rhetorical question, implying that no person is like God. The Archangel is referenced in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times In the "Book of Daniel" he is named as a protector of Israel. He is the patron saint of soldiers in Christianity because the "Book of Revelation' portrays him as the leader of heaven's armies in the war against Satan Thus, many images show him treading on a dragon or Satan.

San Gabriel

Gabriel means "God is My Strength. The Archangel serves specifically as God's messenger which is the actual meaning of angelos in Greek. In the Old Testament in response to the prophet Daniel's prayer, God sends his heavenly messenger to explain his vision. In the New Testament he is the angel who visits Mary to announce that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ. Images traditionally show Gabriel holding a lily, one of the flowers symbolizing Mary's virginity and purity.

San Rafael

Rafael means "God Heals " The Archangel is seen in the "Book of Tobit," one of the so-called Apocryphal books accepted by the Roman Catholic Church, but not by most Protestants. His images are often seen holding a fish, in reference to a story where the Archangel told the pious Tobit to catch a fish, whose gallbladder he then used to heal Tobit's eyes. The Archangel also told Tobit to burn the entrails of the fish to drive away a demon. The staff represents his role in assisting pilgrims on their journeys.

THE EXISTENCE OF ANGELS - A TRUTH OF FAITH

The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith.

As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and Immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.

Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan.

The Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels. In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to ador God. From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession.