San Fernando, Component city in Pampanga, Philippines
San Fernando is a component city in Pampanga, Philippines, located roughly 66 kilometers north of Manila. The city sits at an elevation of 33 meters and serves as the provincial administrative and commercial center, with several main roads connecting residential neighborhoods, business districts, and agricultural areas.
The city was founded on August 16, 1754, from parts of Bacolor and Mexico, with its first church constructed a year later. During World War II in 1942, thousands of prisoners passed through the local train station during the Bataan Death March.
The handcrafted lanterns display intricate designs with thousands of glowing lights, traditionally made by family workshops in the barangays. During the festival months, streets transform into open workshops where artisans assemble the complex wire frames and colored paper sheets.
Markets open early in the morning and offer fresh produce and local goods, while the two large shopping centers provide air-conditioned stores and restaurants throughout the day. Jeepneys and taxis run regularly between different city districts, making it easy to move around within the city.
The train station still stands today as a quiet witness to that dark period and has become a place of remembrance for those who suffered on the march. Visitors can see the preserved structure, which now houses a small exhibit about the events of 1942.
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