BEST IN PAMPANGA 

Sisig is a popular Filipino dish, originally from Pampanga, made from boiled and chopped pig's head, liver, and onions, seasoned with chili, calamansi (a sour citrus), and served on a sizzling plate, often topped with a raw egg or mayonnaise for extra richness. Its name comes from "sisigan," meaning "to make sour," and while it evolved from a sour salad, the modern version is a savory, spicy, and tangy meat dish.   

In Arayat, Pampanga, prime tourist spots include Mount Arayat for hiking and scenic views, the Mt. Arayat National Park offering nature trails, and Palm Cabanas Resort for relaxation and local cuisine. Other attractions are the General Jose Alejandrino Monument, the historic Bahay Antigo, and local eateries like Kape Sinukuan, which provide a taste of Kapampangan culture and history.   

Caragan refers to both an Aeta chieftain who founded Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines, and the Caragan Festival, a cultural event held in his honor, though the festival was rebranded as the Balacat Festival in 2023. The festival celebrates the Aeta indigenous culture and Mabalacat's history through traditional music, dances, and street parades, featuring Baluga costumes and face paint.  

The Candaba Wetlands, also known as the Candaba Swamp, is a 32,000-hectare freshwater ecosystem in the Philippines' Central Luzon region, known for its seasonal flooding, importance for agriculture, and role as a bird sanctuary and wintering ground for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. While crucial for flood control, it faces threats from land conversion and drainage, affecting its avian habitats and overall function as a natural flood sponge.