21 September 2003 Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon opens Hilaga: The Northern Tourism Village
The Department of Tourism opened a new theme park dubbed as Hilaga: Northern Philippines Historical, Cultural and Tourism Village located in the former Paskuhan Village, San Fernando Pampanga.
The opening rites was graced by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon who said that while the new theme park will showcase the best of North Philippines it will significantly be the wellspring of social and economic opportunities for the less privileged such as small entrepreneurs in the rural areas, marginal farmers and backyard peddlers from far-flung communities.
The village was put up with the combined efforts of all tourism regional directors, local government units, local tourism councils and industry stakeholders of northern Philippines.
Each region showcased their own brand of tourism-related activities such as festivals, street performances, cultural and historical masterpieces and trade expositions with emphasis on their indiginous personality as a viable regional destination.
Four exhibit halls have been allocated for each region's display of their regional heritage, history and culture traditions including demonstrations of their native arts and crafts.
The new tourism village is located at a crossroad fronting two big shopping malls in San Fernando Pampanga.
