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Inside you can see things that could fire your imagination and touch your senses.
This site will serve as boat that will take you to the many intersections
of facts and riverbank of tales about this town.

Every page is an experience.
Malaus ko pu kening lugar a awsan ming
"Modern-Day Athens of the World"!
Welcome to the fascinating world of BETIS!



Betis as a town traces its roots way before the period of Spanish colonization which began in the 16th century. The town already had a unique culture and way of life prior to Spanish occupation. People here were well-known carvers and expert in trade. This talent and expertise would then be used by the colonizers to infuse western influences to the natives of Betis.

The word Betis was derived from Hispania Baetica-an ancient place during the Roman Period which was located at the Iberian Peninsula. This Iberian Peninsula is now the present–day Spain. It was in the geographical resemblance from this certain place that the early Spanish conquistador in Pampanga named the place as Betis. Pampanga then was ruled by a Muslim ruler named Malangsic.

At present, Betis still retains the old traditions such as celebrating the fiestas, commemorating the departed loved ones thru a 9-day novena every month of November, attending the ritual dance during Kuraldal and parading through a mile-long Limbun Nang San Jose during the month of May. These are just a few of the many traditions that are still being celebrated in Betis.

On the other hand, the carving tradition or what the natives call as dukit still remains an art and industry and serves as a source of livelihood for most Betis families. Other profitable businesses are emerging within the community such as the making of pastillas and tarts, fish culturing and the making of chicharon (crackers made out of fried pork skin).

With the advent of technology and age of cyberspace, like any other town in the Philippines, Betis is not divorced from inevitable changes happening in the current world. But these changes will never impede its people to continuously mark their way and retain their hybrid and unique cultural identity.


Bale MatwaTatang Kitong's Jeepney
The fence of the Jose'sReliquary of Santiago
SantacruzanKuraldal
Betis Elementary SchoolFiestang Balen

( Note: All photographs and write-ups except articles from Sunstar Pampanga and Philippine Daily Inquirer are copyright of Ruston Ocampo Banal Jr.Using any part of this website corresponds to a punishment under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines or the Republic Act No. 8293.
























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Latest page update: made by ruston , Jul 21 2008, 12:54 PM EDT (about this update About This Update ruston Edited by ruston

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Anonymous woodcarving 0 Jan 14 2013, 7:59 PM EST by Anonymous
 
Thread started: Jan 14 2013, 7:59 PM EST  Watch
how man woodcarving handicrafts are there in betis? pls someone answer. thanks
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Anonymous Moving 1 Oct 31 2011, 5:15 AM EDT by Anonymous
 
Thread started: Dec 7 2009, 2:02 PM EST  Watch
I am MOVING HERE! I married my Filipino wife in Guagua!
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Anonymous proud to be a betiseno 0 Dec 3 2009, 1:59 AM EST by Anonymous
 
Thread started: Dec 3 2009, 1:59 AM EST  Watch
I used to be reluctant in going back home to betis where my roots are. But after seeing this site my views change. We were finally going back home to betis with my family for good after 18 years away. Thanks to the one who created this magnificent site. Please feature more interesting articles about betis.
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