By Mark Anthony G. Pangan
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga (PIA) – The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) is breathing new life into its rich cultural heritage with the revival of the historic “Happening on the Green” (The HOG) festival, set to return this November after more than three decades.
Originally held during the American era inside Clark Air Base, The HOG was a community celebration launched in the late 1960s to uplift the morale of American service members and their families.
Today, the CDC aims to reinvent this tradition as a cornerstone of heritage tourism, blending American fair nostalgia with Filipino culture and creativity.
“The revival of The HOG is more than a festival—it’s a tribute to the stories and people that shaped Clark’s past,” CDC President and CEO Lawyer Agnes VST Devanadera said.
To reflect its new identity, The HOG will feature an expanded lineup of attractions that bridge cultures and generations, including a Gastronomic Lane showcasing regional flavors, a Veterans’ Memory Wall, a Cultural Courtyard, picnic parks, car shows, and competitions like hotdog eating contests and battle of the bands. The festival will culminate in a grand fireworks display.
CDC said the festival will begin following the annual lighting of Christmas displays on October 23 and will serve as one of the flagship events in Clark’s growing tourism calendar.
“The renewed HOG is part of our effort to position Clark not just as an investment hub, but also as a center for culture, leisure, and inclusive tourism,”, CDC’ Arts, Culture, and Heritage Tourism Program Consultant Chris Millado said.
This cultural comeback also aligns with CDC’s broader strategy of developing Clark as a destination that embraces both historical memory and forward-looking celebration, inviting Filipinos and tourists alike to rediscover its identity. (MJSC/MAGP, PIA Region 3-Pampanga GIP)
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