Mexico, Pampanga

Mexico is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 109,481 people in 20,382 households. It is named after Mexico, the name of the country in North America. The town has seen such significant economic progress since it became home to large commercial malls, such as the SM City Pampanga supermall and Robinson's Starmills (SM City Pampanga East Wing is located in Barangay Lagundi). It has also become a home of one of the world-class residential, commercial and recreational developments in the country, The Lakeshore Leisure Estates.

SM City Pampanga East Wing in Barangay Lagundi, Mexico, Pampanga

Mexico is politically subdivided into 43 barangays.

History

In the 16th century, the place we now call Mexico sat as a crossing point between the Áitâ Mag-Anchî and Áinu (Abûrlin) nations at the upper reaches of the Ábakan River and the international port cities of Bétis and Lúbao to the south. Upland products such as deerskins and beeswax became important commodities to the 16th century Japanese who made candles out of beeswax and samurai armours out of deerskins. Plying their goods down the Ábakan River, these upland traders would have had no choice but to slow down and dock at the place “where the river bends” (nung nú ya másíku ing ílug) or “where the river has an elbow” (nung nú ya makisíku ing ílug) before continuing their trip downstream. From there, the river is matúlid (straight) all the way to its mouth at Uáuâ. Enterprising merchants from LÅ­sòng Guo (Luzón: circa 13th AD – 1572 AD) and perhaps even from Japan and China formed a trading base at this natural checkpoint known as Makisíku or Másíku. Mexicans, during the Spanish regime, settled in that same place, hence, in memory of the Mexicans whom settled alongside the Filipinos. Named the town Mexico.

Culture

Mexico's town fiesta is celebrated every May 4 in honor of its patron saint, Saint Monica.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information

Coordinates: 15°04′N, 120°43′E