24 Hours in Metro Clark: Food, Fashion, and Culture Take Center Stage
In the latest episode of City Guide, VMAN SEA goes to Pampanga to check out how the next generation is bringing tradition to the present
Tradition reimagined
Just a two-hour drive north of Metro Manila is the province of Pampanga, a culinary hotspot and center of creativity that’s steeped in heritage yet rapidly evolving as one of the Philippines’ major urban destinations.
Here, the next generation is reimagining tradition through cool concept cafés, speakeasies, cultural hubs, and fashion brands that blend time-tested craftsmanship with contemporary tastes.
Check out a few quick facts on the places that the VMANSEA team visited in the latest episode of City Guide:
Porch Coffee
Facing the idyllic Clark Parade Grounds is a café that combines American-style barn house vibes with the chill atmosphere of contemporary coffee shops. If you’ve ever wanted to sip your morning coffee on your very own porch while taking in the slow pace of provincial mornings, Porch Coffee is where it’s at.
Their namesake latté and intriguing selection of sandwiches—a kimchi grilled cheese and a mean patty melt, to name a few—are not to be missed.
The Riverhouse, Prizmic & Brill
Artisans have long ruled the culture scene in Pampanga, and central to the world-renowned furniture pieces produced in the locale is Prizmic & Brill. Masters in craftsmanship since 1986, their wares are best viewed in The Riverhouse, an ancestral home-turned-showroom that feels like a movie set, a time capsule, and the epitome of Kapampangan creativity in one.
Renata
A Latin word meaning ‘reborn’ is a fitting name for a brand that revives the Japanese Americana and workwear aesthetic and fit to suit contemporary tastes. At the helm of this proudly Filipino brand are Zeno Cruz and Lee Angelo Dizon, who also happen to be the gracious hosts of the VMANSEA team for this City Guide episode.
‘Sewn to wear, made to tell’ is their mantra, and their stories have reached shores beyond Southeast Asia—Renata spreads the gospel of selvedge denim as far as the United States and Europe.
Islas & Bale Dutung
There’s a family connection with these two concepts: Bale Dutung is a culinary and cultural institution helmed by legendary Filipino chef, restaurateur, and artist Claude Tayag; Islas is a contemporary restaurant under his stepson, Nico Bailon. Both showcase the rich gastronomic tradition of Pampanga while also showcasing how it can evolve with the times.
‘Bale Dutung’ translates to ‘house of wood’ in English, and for good reason—the structure is made from fallen trees and repurposed wood, and the place also showcases a variety of wood sculptures, works of art, and collections by Chef Claude.
Feasts in Bale are mostly course dining setups via a reservation basis, while Islas is open to walk-ins—but the place always gets packed by those looking for elevated Filipino fare mixed with other Southeast Asian flavors.
Sala Pampanga
This speakeasy, bar, and lounge takes cues from traditional Filipino homes—specifically, the maximalist living rooms of a bygone time, where family portraits, doilies, calendars, knick-knacks, and memorabilia breathe life into the space.
This also informs their curated selection of cocktails, inspired by Filipino flavors like ube (purple yam), desserts like turon (fried banana rolls), and even classic dishes like sinigang (sour broth).
Photography Geoff Gonzalez
Special thanks Zeno and Anton Cruz, Lee Angelo Dizon, Icos Acosta of Porch Coffee, Prizmic & Brill, Renata, Islas, Bale Dutung, and Sala Pampanga
