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Mika Salamanca gave viewers, fans, and supporters a sneak peek of her hometown, Pampanga, in a special summer feature for GMA Network's Sparkle Under the Sun.

In Tuesday's episode, which aired on the Kapuso news program 24 Oras, Mika took viewers on a tour of affordable and budget-friendly destinations in the area, as well as the celebrated dishes and delicacies of her hometown, dubbed the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines.”

According to The Secrets of Hotel 88 actress, the rich and flavorful cuisine is usually the first thing that comes to mind when Pampanga is mentioned, but she shared that her hometown has so much more to give and offer.

“Kapag sinabing Pampanga, tiyak pagkain agad ang una nating naiisip natin. Pampanga has so much more to offer,” Mika said.

Mika took her viewers to some of the beautiful destinations in the area, starting with one of the most frequently visited spots in San Fernando—a man-made beach located in the province.

According to her, this man-made beach is a highly budget-friendly spot, especially for those looking to beat the heat this summer.

“Ang main goal po talaga namin dito is ma-experience ng mga taga-norte kung ano 'yung beach life dito,” said assistant operations manager Ruth David.

The Kapampangan actress also featured the innovative Rainwater Park, showcasing how this wellness and recreation spot cleverly doubles as a defense against flooding.

“Ito ay isang wellness park kasi maraming mga open spaces that can be used for different activities na,” City of San Fernando, Pampanga Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan said.

She continued, “So, maraming mga nagwo-walking at saka tumatakbo dito. Then, maraming na rin mga nagyo-yoga. Different activities that can be enjoyed by families are done during the weekend.”

Since Pampanga takes great pride in its rich and delicious dishes and local delicacies, Mika made sure not to miss out on featuring some of them. She visited a famous local spot renowned for its celebrated halo-halo.

“So guys what's interesting this halo-halo is tatlo lang 'yung ingredients nila,” Mika shared.

Roma Kibanoff, the manager of Kabigting's Halo-Halo, stated that their specific recipe for the popular Filipino dessert relies on only three primary ingredients: mashed beans, carabao milk halaya, and creamed corn.

Leaving San Fernando behind, the Kapuso actress headed an hour away to Floridablanca to discover Palakol River. Fed by the Zambales mountain range, its crisp, crystal-clear waters make it a go-to summer escape for local residents.

“They have more than 400 cottages na pwede niyong rentahan for as low as 300 pesos,” Mika shared.

Local tourism personnel Patrick John David shared that the river never runs dry, even during the hottest months of the year, cementing its status as a permanent hotspot for tourists.

“Hindi po siya natutuyo, tuloy-tuloy lang po 'yung pag-agos ng tubig kaya po maraming mga turista, ibang mga mamamayan na talagang nagpupunta dito dahil sa tubig,” he said.

Mika wrapped up her Kapampangan food trip at a San Fernando dining spot, treating herself to a massive feast of homegrown classics.

The impressive spread included local staples like sisig, pancit luglug, okoy, and relyenong bangus, alongside comforting mains like beef caldereta and kare-kare.

She also sampled traditional favorites like kilayin and tidtad paired with puto, capping off the meal with sweet tibok-tibok and comforting hot batirol.

The actress further revealed that her favorite food from the province is its famous and iconic sisig, which remains the crown jewel of Kapampangan cuisine.

“Favorite Kapampangan food ko talaga hindi na ako lalayo, sisig talaga,” she said.

The Secrets of Hotel 88 star also featured buro, a popular local delicacy, which she colorfully described to her viewers as the Kapampangan style of samgyupsal.

“Kami dito sa Pampanga lagi naming sinasabi may sarili kaming version ng samgyupsal, which is itong buro so masarap siya sa gulay, isasawsaw mo 'yung gulay sa kanya tapos isda sarap,” she said.

Concluding her travel feature, the actress highlighted her favorite aspects of daily life in her beloved home province.

“Kapag nasa Pampanga ka, masarap 'yung pagkain, masarap mabuhay, masarap makisalamuha sa mga tao dito,” Mika shared.

She continued, “Kasi lahat ng mga tao dito, lagi silang masaya, very welcoming, approachable, very warm. And, 'yun ang masasabi ko, manyaman (masarap) tumira sa Pampanga.”

Continue to watch Mika in The Secrets of Hotel 88 on GMA Prime. They are joined by their fellow PBB housemates: Brent Manalo, Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, AZ Martinez, Ralph De Leon, River Joseph, Klarisse De Guzman, Josh Ford, Kira Balinger, Esnyr, Xyriel Manabat.

The Secrets of Hotel 88 airs Monday to Friday at 9:35 PM, with a replay on GTV at 11:25 PM.

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