© Caryl Joan Estrosas on Flickr · CC BYTue
15
Dec
Tue, Dec 15 – Dec 24
Lubenas Pascu, Mexico
Lantern parades and decorated carrozas through Mexico, Pampanga, during the Simbang Gabi nights, December 15 to 24.
Mexico
Town
Mexico
Old river town founded around 1581, known for its Holy Week traditions, Sanikulas cookies and heritage chapels.
Mexico is a municipality between the Abacan and Pampanga rivers, with 43 barangays and about 173,000 residents at the 2020 census. Augustinian records put its founding as a river trading port around 1581, under the name Novo México.
Of the old Santa Monica Parish Church, only the belfry survives after an 1880 earthquake. The town also has the San Jose Matulid Chapel, believed to be the oldest chapel in Pampanga, and the Lazatin-Henson-Katigbak Mansion in Barangay Parián.
Mexico keeps a full calendar of religious traditions: Holy Week rites, the burning of Judas' effigy on Easter Sunday, the town fiesta for Saint Monica on May 4, the Sanikulas Festival on September 10 with arrowroot cookies, and the Lubenas Pascu lantern parades in December.
Good to know about Mexico
Why is the town called Mexico?
It was founded around 1581 as a river trading port under the name Novo México, the old Spanish form of Nuevo México.
What is the Sanikulas Festival?
Held on September 10 in honor of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, it features cookies made mainly from arrowroot.
What is the oldest chapel in Pampanga?
The San Jose Matulid Chapel in Mexico is believed to be the oldest chapel in Pampanga.
Upcoming events in Mexico
© Caryl Joan Estrosas on Flickr · CC BY