Congressman Angel Pangan Macapagal

Congressman Angel Pangan Macapagal, or "Star" as he is more popularly known, was born in Lubao, Pampanga on October 2, 1917. He was raised together with his brothers (Israel and Diosdado) and sister (Lourdes) in a home where moral and spiritual values were held above all. What their family lacked for in material wealth they made-up for with mutual love and respect for one another and for God. But fortune must have smiled on the Macapagals for out of their humble beginnings they soon rose into positions of importance and great responsibility.

Through the support and encouragement of his elder brother Diosdado, Angel graduated from the Manuel L. Quezon Law School. During World War II he heeded his country's call for service, and joined the forces against the Japanese. He became a part of history when he participated in the dreaded Bataan Death March. Fortunately, the Congressman survived these trials and in March 2, 1947, he married fellow Capampangan Lorenza Dabu. With his modest salary as a Clerk at the Philippine Post Office, the couple settled in Pampanga.

Cong. Macapagal's hard work as a Postal employee paid off. Through a series of promotions he rose through the ranks to become a department manager and move on to other positions in government offices. Work took him from the province to the city and in 1950, he and his wife bought a parcel of land in Tulip St., Roxas District.

In 1958-1961, he worked as a Secretary to his brother the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Hon. Diosdado P. Macapagal. In 1962 up to the early part of 1963, he was appointed as Secretary to the Office of the President. He became the General Manager of the Philippine Home site and Housing Corporation in 1963, now known as the National Housing Authority. In 1964, the call for Public Service led him back to Pampanga where he served as Vice Governor of the Province and later became acting Governor. During this time he moved his family back to the province but kept their city home. In 1965, he ran for Congress in the 2nd district of Pampanga and won by a landslide.

Despite his position in government, the Congressman remained a very down-to-earth person. He believed in living simply. He never forgot his humble beginnings and made sure his family, especially his seven children, realized the same. As a Congress man intent on serving his country, he wanted his family to be a part of the nation as much as anyone else. He did not want his family to be separated from the people by high gates and formidable walls, both literal and otherwise. He believed that by immersing his family in the community, he would be able to impart to them the valuable lessons of social awareness, empathy and advocacy.