February 25, 2013 Monday
Before we left Clark, we decided to take a look at the Expo Pilipino. This was a project of then president Fidel V. Ramos in commemoration of the 100th year of the declaration of Philippine Independence in June 1898.
(Photo from Travel Philippines Now)
The project was handled by the National Centennial Commission and the Philippine Centennial Exposition Corporation.
It cost P3.5 billion and was funded by Land Bank, Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance system (GSIS).
This was a very ambitious project intended to be a showcase of Filipino culture, history, traditions, and our country’s achievements in the past 100 years. However, the area remained under-utilized so President Joseph Estrada had it closed down in 1999.
It re-opened in 2005 upon the instruction of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Clark Development Corporation tried to revive the public’s interest by sponsoring concerts, trade exhibits etc. to utilize the humongous facility.
They also renovated the replica of the Barasoin Church located in the complex.
(photo from Phil. Information Agency)
We’ve actually been here before when it was newly opened. Oyen always wondered what happened to Clark Expo so we went to check it out.
The security guard provided me with some information. The place was split in two. The government maintains and operates the Nayong Pilipino.
(photo taken from Google images/facebook- Nayong Pilipino)
while the Expo Pilipino and Freedom rings including the 35,000 capacity Ampitheatre are leased out to an Australian group.
What used to be the complex’s grand entrance is now a school or skills training center operated by the Australian International Training and Management Group.
The guard told me that no one is maintaining the place. The 3 billion peso project is beginning to look decrepit.
Sayang naman.
