Mika Salamanca highlights must-visit spots of home province Pampanga

Mika Salamanca gave viewers a glimpse of her home province, Pampanga.

In "Sparkle Under the Sun," which aired on "24 Oras” Tuesday, the proud Kapampangan showcased budget-friendly destinations, unique attractions, and beloved Kapampangan food spots.

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

The first on the list is a man-made beach in San Fernando, a popular tourist spot in the province.

“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.

Mika also highlighted the city’s innovative Rainwater Park, a wellness park designed not only for recreation but also for flood mitigation.

“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.

“So maraming mga nagwo-walking at saka tumatakbo dito. Then, maraming na rin mga nag-yo-yoga. Different activities that can be enjoyed by families are done during weekends,” she added.

Per Pangilinan, the park can hold nearly four million gallons of rainwater to help reduce flooding in the city during heavy rains.

No visit to Pampanga would be complete without food, and Mika made sure to stop by one of the province’s iconic halo-halo spots.

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

According to Kabigting Halo Halo’s manager Roma Kibanoff, the popular Filipon dessert is made with just three main ingredients: mashed beans, carabao milk halaya, and cream corn.

From San Fernando, Mika took a one-hour drive to Floridablanca to explore the popular Palakol River, a favorite summer destination among locals because of its cold and clear waters flowing from the mountains of Zambales.

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

According to Patrick John David, a tourism personnel of Floridablanca, the river never dries up even during summer, making it a steady attraction 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 shared.

Mika's Pampanga tour ended with a sumptuous meal in restaurant in San Fernando which offers authentic Kapampangan cuisine, such as relyenong bangus, tidtad with puto, kilayin, pancit luglug, okoy, sisig, beef caldereta, beef kare-kare, tibok-tibok, and hot batirol.

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

Mika also introduced viewers to one of Pampanga’s well-loved culinary staples, buro, which she described as the Kapampangan version 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.

To cap off the tour, Mika shared what she loves most about living in Pampanga.

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

“Kasi lahat ng mga tao dito, lagi silang masaya, very welcoming, approachable, very warm. And, 'yun ang masasabi ko, manyaman (masarap) tumira sa Pampanga." —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News