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Porac is a town in southwestern Pampanga, Philippines. Situated at the foot of the Mount Pinatubo massif and the Central Luzon plains, it combines cultural heritage and natural wonders within its territory, despite challenges brought by the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 and encroaching urbanization from nearby Angeles.
Understand
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Porac has long been an agricultural town, established by the Spanish in the 1590s. 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, the town was devastated by ashfall caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, part of which lies within Porac. Pinatubo further inflicted misery on the town as it filled its main river, the Pasig-Potrero with lahar and buried villages under volcanic mud. Despite this, Porac recovered as displaced residents were resettled in planned communities, and the barangays north of the Pasig-Potrero have been virtually consumed by the urban conurbation of Angeles City, while those south of the river, including the town center, retain their rural vibes.
It is home to about 148,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]For private vehicles, the fastest way to enter Porac is through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which has an exit in Porac. Those using public transportation usually switch vehicles in Angeles and take jeepneys traversing the Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road. The terminal in Angeles leading to Porac is beside Catalina Street corner Rizal Street Extension, one block west of Nepo Mall. Fares from Angeles to downtown Porac cost P26.
There are also jeepneys running from Guagua to Porac via Santa Rita and from San Fernando via FVR Megadike and Bacolor. There is also a direct connection to Dinalupihan in Bataan. The main transport terminal is in Porac Public Market.
Capillary roads connect Porac with Bacolor and Guagua.
Since July 2026, First North Luzon Transit operates daily bus services to Porac via Dau and Angeles from Avenida in Metro Manila.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the main form of transportation in town. Roads in town tend to be on hilly terrain unlike in the rest of Pampanga.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church (Porac Church), Ortigas Street, Poblacion (Near the old town hall), ☏ +63 939 267 8786, apungtaliningporac@gmail.com. A Baroque church dating to 1872. It was damaged during World War II, but was restored in the 1980s. Its four-storey belfry was reduced to three storeys by an earthquake in 2019.
- 2 Mount Pinatubo. Inevitably associated with the town, the volcano is the biggest draw in the area, particularly its crater lake and the lunar landscapes created along its gullies following the 1991 eruptions.
- 3 Dara Falls (Darabulbul Falls), Jalung. A set of four cascades. Its name was shortened because its last syllables are also the Filipino word for pubic hair.
- 4 Pio Chapel (San Vicente Ferrer Chapel), Barangay Pio. The first known circular chapel in the Philippines, built in 1861. Damaged by the 1991 Pinatubo eruption and a 2019 earthquake, it was controversially repaired in a DIY manner by locals amid limited funds and lack of advice from conservationists.
- 5 Miyamit Falls, Sapang Uwak. A waterfall on the Mount Pinatubo massif. A permit from the municipal hall is needed before entering.
- 6 Tutulari Avatar Gorge, Inararo. A gorge named in part because it resembles the setting from the film Avatar (the one with blue aliens).
- 7 Hacienda Dolores Chapel (Virgen Dolores Chapel), Porac Access Road, Hacienda Dolores, ☏ +63 918 516 9553. A Spanish-era Roman Catholic barangay chapel, built in 1838 and repaired following damage caused by the 2019 earthquake.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Sandbox, Alviera (At the vicinity of SCTEX Porac Exit), info@alviera.ph. 9AM-5PM. Part of the Alviera private development, it has a giant swing and an obstacle course. Being in a relatively dry area near Mount Pinatubo, it can become hot during the months of March to May, so prepare to get sunburned.
- Inararo Trail. One of many trails leading to Mount Pinatubo and its crater lake, with a duration of 8-10 hours and length of 40 kilometres (25 mi) that is thankfully covered by 4x4 drives through gullies clogged with lahar. Although the trail's jump-off point is actually in Sapang Bato in Angeles City, the majority of the route passes through Porac and usually includes stops at other attractions along the Pinatubo massif such as Puning Hot Springs, Tutulari Gorge and Ana-an Falls. The route also passes through the ancestral domain of the indigenous Aeta communities and provides opportunities for those seeking to combine cultural experiences with the hike, especially as most guides are also resident Aetas.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Porac Public Market, General Luna St, Cangatba.
- 2 Puregold Porac, Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road, Cangatba.
- 3 Robinsons Easymart EPL, General Luna Street, Babo Sacan, ☏ +63 919 087 1868, re499sm@rsc.com.ph. 7AM-10PM.
- 4 Robinsons Easymart Pio, Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road, Pio, toll-free: 8777 4906Country code missing, re4001sm@rsc.com.ph. 7AM-10PM.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Nasi Ya, Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road, Jalung, ☏ +63 999 990 1299, nasiyaporac@yahoo.com. 11AM-9PM. Restaurant serving Kapampangan, FIlipino and Asian cuisine.
- 2 Wings City, Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road, Purok 1, Santa Cruz, ☏ +63 933 815 5985, wingscityporac@gmail.com. A chicken wings restaurant.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Blue Hotel, Manibaug Pasig, ☏ +63 961 173 0711, info.bluehotelporac@gmail.com.
- 2 Casa La Guerta, Angeles-Porac-Floridablanca-Dinalupihan Road, Jalung, ☏ +63 942 468 0311, bblaguertaporac@gmail.com.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Climbing Mount Pinatubo is not for the faint hearted. Permits are required to undertake the hike, and will only be given to those with climbing experience. It is best to arrange such trips with a reputable tour operator.
Parts of Porac bordering Zambales province are vulnerable to landslides and flashfloods.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Porac |
| Angeles ← | N   S | → Floridablanca → Olongapo |