Magalang

Understand

First mentioned as part of Arayat in 1598, it became a separate town in 1605. It has long been an agricultural town that had its fair share of peasant revolts, major battles and insurgencies throughout Philippine history, along with having the unsavory distinction of hosting the first recorded serial killer in the Philippines, Father Juan Severino Mallari, who murdered 57 people when he was the town's parish priest in the early 19th century before he was caught and executed. In 1863, the town of Concepcion was separated from Magalang and became part of the newly-created province of Tarlac. Magalang is also the site of one of the oldest agricultural schools in the Philippines, the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), which traces its roots to 1885. During the 20th century, it became a commuter town of Angeles City following the expansion of the American military presence at Clark Field. In 1991, Magalang sustained relatively moderate damage from ashfall caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Since then, PSAU has hosted the main monitoring station for activity relating to the volcano. It is home to about 134,000 people (census, 1 July 2024)

Getting there

From Manila, take a right turn at the Angeles exit of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Capillary roads also connect Magalang with Mabalacat, Arayat, Santa Ana, San Fernando via Mexico, and Concepcion in Tarlac. Magalang is also served by regular jeepneys from Marquee Mall in Angeles, along with less frequent ones from Robinsons Starmills in San Fernando and morning-only routes from Arayat.

Getting around

Tricycles are the main form of transportation in town.

See

1 San Bartolome Apostol Parish Church, E. Baluyut Street, San Nicolas 1st (in front of Plaza Magalang). Magalang's main Roman Catholic church, built in its present style in 1866. (updated Jul 2026) 2 Heliograph Tower, Phase I, Santa Cruz. An obelisk-like structure built by the Spanish to serve as a "sun telegraph" that transmitted Morse code message using the sun's rays. It is one of a few remains of an extensive Spanish military communications and watchtower system in Central Luzon and was later used to store and manufacture sugar. (updated Jul 2026) 3 Magalang Municipal Hall, Magalang-Arayat Road, San Nicolas 1st (in front of Plaza Magalang). One of a few civic buildings in the Philippines that survive from the American occupation, dating back to the 1920s. (updated Jul 2026) 4 Banal A Bunduk Dalan Ning Krus, Orchard Village, Ayala. Meaning "Holy Mountain, Way of the Cross" in Kapampangan, it is a religious complex at the foot of Mount Arayat that attracts pilgrims during the Lenten season for its 14 Stations of the Cross laid out across a 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) trail that culminates in a 35 feet (11 m) statue of a risen Jesus Christ. (updated Jul 2026) 5 Plaza Magalang, San Nicolas 1st. One of the better-designed and maintained town squares in the Philippines, featuring a large gazebo, civic monuments to local heroes and other noteworthy achievements, and a statue of a carabao. (updated Jul 2026)

Heritage Houses Magalang contains a considerable number of colonial-era residences whose conditions range from decrepit to still inhabited and preserved by its original owners. These are mostly concentrated in downtown Magalang.

6 Feliciano Ancestral House, Angeles-Magalang Road, San Pedro I. A colonial-era residence converted into a clinic. (updated Jul 2026) 7 Don Cayetano Rivera House, Lacson Street, San Nicolas 1st (beside Magalang Central School). A colonial-era residence. (updated Jul 2026) 8 Don Antonio Luciano House, Magalang-Arayat Road, Santa Cruz. A colo

Do

Camaru Festival. Third week of August. Magalang's annual festival, coinciding with the feast of its patron saint, Bartholomew and dedicated to the local delicacy, crickets (camaru in Kapampangan) (updated Jul 2026) 1 Angeles City Flying Club, Woodland Airpark, Sitio Talimundok, Santa Maria, ☏ +63 918 920 3039, [email protected]. 8AM-5PM M-F, 8AM-5:30PM Sa-Su. The main recreational aviation club in Central Luzon, offering short flying, paragliding and related activities. The club's facilities also include a cafe and swimming pool. (updated Jul 2026)

Buy

1 Magalang Public Market, Angeles-Magalang Road, San Pedro I. (updated Jul 2026) 2 Puregold Magalang, Angeles-Magalang Road, San Pedro II. (updated Jul 2026) 3 FCC Supermarket, Morales Street, San Pedro I. (updated Jul 2026) 4 Robinsons Easymart Magalang, Don Andres Luciano Street, San Nicolas 2nd. (updated Jul 2026)

Drink & nightlife

1 Jensen's Cafe, Purok 4, San Vicente. 3-10PM. Cafe with cakes and snacks. PHP100-200. (updated Jul 2026)

Sleep

1 Paseo Uno Hotel, Don Luis Dizon Drive, San Pablo, [email protected]. (updated Jul 2026) 2 Altezza Cabins, Orchard Village, Ayala, [email protected]. Hotel with eponymous cafe and restaurant. (updated Jul 2026)