In Pampanga, a trio goes up against the Pineda dynasty

PAMPANGA, Philippines – It may have been stripped of the official title “culinary capital” of the Philippines, but Pampanga is a worthy gastronomic center, and very much a center of something else – politics.

The dominance of political families here — the ruling Pinedas, Arroyos, Lapids and Gonzaleses — is a microcosm of the dynasty-led country. It is where national candidates come to seek local endorsements, with its 1.46 million-strong voting population making it 11th most vote rich out of 82 provinces.