Central Luzon (Region 3)

Philippine Culture and Geography

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Submitted by: Amabelle Duran, Elisa Padre and Angel Melchor

CENTRAL LUZON

Central Luzon lies at the heart of Luzon. It has the largest contiguous lowland in the
Philippine Archipelago. It comprises of seven provinces richly endowed with natural and human
resources namely: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Aurora
Province was transferred from Region IV to Region III in 2003 through Executive Order 103 on May
17, 2002.

The region contains the largest plain in the country and produces one third of the country’s
total rice production, earning itself the nicknames , "Rice Granary of the Philippines” or “Rice Bowl
of the Philippines”. It is the third biggest region that serves as a major industrial and agricultural
center just north of Metro Manila. It may well be considered as one of the leading growth regions in
the Philippines.

Trivia: It is such a pride to note that six (6) Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines
came from this region including the 15th and incumbent President Benigno”Noynoy” Aquino III
who took his oath on June 30, 2010.

Geography of Central Luzon

Central Luzon covers a total land area of 21,470 square kilometres and occupies the central
portion of the island of Luzon is 7.1 percent of the total land area of the country. The region is
landlocked by Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya on the north; Metro Manila, Cavite and Rizal on the
south; Aurora and Dingalan Bay on the east and Palauig Bay and Subic Bay on the west.

The region is bestowed with a combination of towering mountains, extinct and active
volcanoes, lush verdant farmlands, and natural sea harbours. It is composed of 7 provinces, 14
cities, 116 municipalities, and 3,102 barangays.

Provinces

Aurora

The province of Aurora is known to be the “Gateway to the Pacific” because it is facing the
Pacific Ocean. It is also known as “A Beauty With A Ferocious Temper”. Aurora is a showcase of
nature in its virginal beauty, but one that is also marked by a ferocious temper.

The province’s capital is Baler. Also known as “The Birthplace of Philippine Surfing”.

Trivia: The birthplace of surfing in the country is in Baler, Aurora. In the Vietnam War
movie Apocalypse Now, part of it was filmed in the coastal town of Baler where, towards the end of
the 1970s, the filming crew accidentally gave birth to surfing in the Philippines. During filming, the
locals watched and learned. After the crew left, they began practicing on their own.

Location and Land Area

Aurora Province is located on the East-Central side of Luzon Island. It has a Land Area 3,147
km². It is the north-eastern most province of Central Luzon (Region III). It is bordered on the north
by the provinces of Isabela and Qurino, on the west by Nueva Ecija and Nueva Viscaya, on the south
by Bulacan and Quezon, and on the east by the Pacific Ocean.

Trivia: Before 1979, Aurora was part of the province of Quezon.

The province's main link to the rest of Luzon is through a narrow mountain gravel road
that twists through the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The road is located between Baler and
Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

Historical Background

The Province of Aurora, with Baler as its capital, was founded by President Ferdinand E.
Marcos in August 13, 1979 by virtue of Batas Bambansa Blg. 7. This act was the fulfillment of the
prayers of the people of the former municipalities of Baler and Casiguran to be truly independent
from the Province of Quezon for the first time since the Spanish occupation.

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 Aurora was, in fact, named after Aurora Aragon, the wife of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, the
president of the Philippine Commonwealth, after whom the mother province was named. The
province was named in honor of Aurora Quezon, who in turn was born in the town of Baler, now
the province's capital. Aurora itself is the Latin word for "dawn."

It is the seat of government and center for trade and industry, being the most progressive
town. Baler commands most resorts, public institutions, facilities, and business establishments. It is
the home of the historic Baler Catholic Church, where Spanish resistance fighters held off
Katipuneros, until they surrendered in 2 July 1899.

In addition, historical records show that Dingalan Bay in Aurora was extensively used by
the United States navy during World War II to supply munitions to Filipino-American guerillas
fighting the Japanese occupation troops in Luzon from 1942 to 1945.

`Geographical Structure

Aurora lied on the farther side of the fresh dense growth of trees of the Sierra Madre
mountain range on the eastern part of Luzon. The province has a green and mountainous terrain.
The Sierra Madre mountain range, the place where fauna and flora are the most concentrated and
waterfalls, rivers, and streams of different sizes are situated, includes a big part of the province of
Aurora.

Mt Udok

Located at Maria Aurora, just 17-20km before the

famous town of Baler. Mt Udok play a vital role in lowland
community which is the source of potable water and
irrigation to their farm. Before the introduction of this to
mountaineering community, locals called it “Tanawan”
because of the beauty it offers at the summit which is rocky
and overlooking the lowland. The Udok was derived from
the nickname of Udo who once hunting and guiding the area
and later altered the name of the mountain.

The Sierra Madre Mountain Range, extending along the

Pacific coast from northern to central Luzon, is the longest
mountain range in the country. That range and the Cordillera
Central merge in north-central Luzon to form the Caraballo
Mountains.

Dinadiawan Beach in Dipaculao, Aurora is a laid-back

white sand beach that's one hour drive away from Baler. It's a
great place to escape and relax if you're already exhausted from
surfing the large waves of Sabang Beach. The waves here are
much gentler and peaceful. It is shaped like a narrow strip and
boasts the longest coastline in the province.

Aleman Falls, Dipaculao, Aurora

Have you seen a waterfalls' basin with sand

on it? Literally you will walk on semi fine cream sand on
Aleman Falls! With 3 cascades, all lining on the edge of the rock
wall, it feels a little different from all other waterfalls. But the

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mystery is where the sand came from. It was in the middle of the forest, miles away from the sea,
and only mountains were around it.

Ethnic Groups

There are Negritos in Aurora called Dumagats,

mostly living in the hillsides or mountains. They are
believed to have resulted from a fusion of Austronesian
and Melaneisan ancestries, and survive from fishing and
hunting. There are three kinds of Dumagats in Aurora
province, the Umiray Dumagat, Casiguran Dumagat, and
the Palanan Dumagat. All three subgroupings have the
Bible translated into their languages.

Tourist Attractions

Sabang Beach is a two-kilometer strip of gray

sand facing East over the Pacific Ocean. Famously
known with its frequently strong waves that are
massive enough to give life to people who would like
to ride the waves. As such, Sabang Beach of Baler is the
birthplace of surfing in the country.

Figure 1 Sabang Beach in Baler

Dicasalarin Cove is a secret beach cove owned by

the Angaras in Baler. It's famous for its white sand,
awesome vista, and access to the Baler Lighthouse.

Figure 2 Dicasalarin Cove in Baler

Cunayan Falls, located in Barangay

Pimentel, San Luis, is one of the most visited falls
in Aurora Province. Just a few meters away from
a dirt road accessible to most land vehicles, it
serves as a favorite destination spot for locals
and visitors who want to experience the beauty
of nature.

Figure 3 Cunayan Falls in San Luis

Climbing the Old Balete Tree. Standing 600 years now is

the old century Balete tree located in Balete Park at Maria
Aurora, Aurora. The tree is also known as the “Millennium
tree” of the country because of its age. It is said to be the
largest of its kind in Asia.
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 Figure 4 Balete Tree in Maria Aurora
Province of Bulacan

Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578. It has 569 barangays from 21 municipalities
and three component cities (Malolos the provincial capital, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte).
Bulacan is located immediately north of Metro Manila. The Province of Bulacan is among the most
progressive in the country and most populous in the region. Its people, the Bulakenyo are educated
and industrious.

Cities of Bulacan

Malolos City is also known as, “The Cradle of the Philippine Republic”, “The Renaissance
City” and “The Historic and Heritage City of Bulacan”. Called the Cradle of the Philippine Republic,
Malolos is a city with a storied past. It is where the Malolos Convention was held, which brought
about the drafting of the Malolos Constitution of 1899. President Aguinaldo used the cathedral's
convent as his office during the Philippine-American War.

Meycauayan City is named the “Hub of Jewelry Production in the Philippines and in Asia”.
For years, Meycauayan has been the hub of jewelry production in the Philippines and in Asia. It is
famous for its very affordable jewelries

San Jose del Monte is called, “The First City of Bulacan”. On September 10, 2000, SJDM was
proclaimed as a Component City under Republic Act No. 8797. It is the first City in the province of
Bulacan and recorded as the 86th City of the Philippines.

Location and Land Area

Bulacan has a total land area of 2,775 km² or roughly 15 percent of the total area of Central
Luzon. The province boasts of its strategic location, which is equidistant with the northern and
southern parts of Luzon. It is one of the few provinces in the Philippines that greatly benefit from its
geographic location. It is proximate and accessible to the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro
Manila where most of development impulses originate.

Dubbed as the "Northern Gateway from Manila," for it is the first province you come across
as you pass by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Such accessibility is a key factor that prompted
private investors to develop several industrial estates in the province.

The Land Use Plan of Bulacan consists of two major sub-components : Production Land Use
and the Protection Land Use. The production component of the land use plan deals with those areas
used for the production of goods and/or services as croplands, mining etc. Protection component,
on the other hand, are those areas designed to be protected from human activities for purposes of
protecting its unique physical and biological significance.

Historical Background

The name "Bulakan" was derived from the Tagalog word "bulak" which is cotton in English.
When the Spaniards first came to the country's shore, they found cotton, among others, growing
abundantly in many places in Luzon, particularly in Bulakan. Bulacan is also dubbed as the “Culture
Capital of the Philippines”.

Bulacan prides itself on its rich history. The province figures prominently in Philippine
History. Many national heroes and political figures were born in Bulacan. The province was also one
of the first to revolt against Spain. The province is honored as one of the 8 rays of the sun in the
national flag. It is the home of the "Three Republics." These are the Republic of Real de Kakarong de
Sili (1896) in Pandi, the Republic of Biak-na-Bato (1897) and the very first Philippine Republic in
Malolos (1899–1901).

It is also the cradle of the nation's noble heroes, of great men and women; also home to
many of the country's greatest artists, with a good number elevated as National Artists. Bulacan is

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the home province of heroes like Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), "The Prince of Filipino Poets",
Marcelo H. Del Pilar, "The Great Propagandist," and Gregorio del Pilar, "The Hero of Tirad Pass."

Geographcal Structure

The province's total land area indicates that its topography

ranges from level to rugged terrain. The western portion of
Bulacan for instance has been classified in the Landscape Map
as belonging to the lowland category with an approximate
coverage of close to 50 percent of the provincial land area. On
the other hand, the eastern part of the province covers those
areas that are hilly to mountainous. Over one half of Bulacan's
overall land area have been classified as having slopes less
than 8 percent or those considered as having level to gently
sloping terrain and this is found on the western part of
Bulacan.

Angat River is
the major river of the province of Bulacan in the Philippines.
It flows from the Sierra Madre mountain range to Manila Bay.
Angat, Ipo and Bustos Dam are also located here. Angat River
snakes through 11 towns -- Angat, Baliwag, Bustos, DRT,
Norzagaray, Pulilan, Calumpit, San Rafael, Plaridel,
Paombong, and Hagonoy).

Mt. Manalmon is a great place for budding adventurers and

seasoned hikers alike. The mountain has an elevation of 196 Meters
Above Sea Level and it is located in the province of San Miguel,
Bulacan. Apart from the mountain itself, some of the nearby
attractions include the Madlum Cave and Bayukbok Caves.

Ethnic Groups

Dumagats origin is the same with Aeta's in Northern Luzon. Their ancestral origin is traced
from Negrito's which is one of the earliest inhabitants in the Philippines. They are found in the
hillsides and mountains of Quezon, Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna provinces. The term "Dumagat" is
thought to be derived from the word "rumakat", "lumakat" or "lumakad" which signifies the
migration of early Negritos in Philippines by walking in land and not by the sea.

Dumagats before are nomadic

people, they stay for a while in a place, build
their temporary house and get their food
from natural resources around them
through hunting and gathering crops in the
wild. After the sources are depleted, they
move in another place to gather again food
in the wild. They don't know how to
cultivate soil for multi-cropping and no
sustainable living. They wear G-string for
men and skirts wrap around the body for
women. Dumagats before are animists and
their belief is differ from person to person.
They have their own language used among
themselves. They did not have wedding ceremony but a simple conversation only between two
parties during a union.

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Tourist Attractions

Barasoain Church in Malolos is more than just

another Roman Catholic Church, the Barasoain Church holds
significant importance in Philippine History. The church is
the birthplace of the First Philippine Republic, under the rule
of First President Emilio Aguinaldo.

Previously featured in the 1997 Ten Peso bill, this

historical landmark is now on the obverse of the 200 Peso
bill.

The Lioness Back and Rhino Rock formations in

Brgy. Upper Bigte are just two of a number of towering
limestone rock faces located in Norzagaray, Bulacan. The
Lioness Back and Rhino Rocks obviously got their names from
their shapes that somehow resembles these animals. Although
they are popular among adventurers and thrill seekers, some
locals are not aware how these rocks are named by outsiders.
For the kids of Brgy. Bigte, it was simply their secret playground.

The Lioness Back and Rhino Rocks obviously got their

names from their shapes that somehow resembles these
animals. Although they are popular among adventurers and
thrill seekers, some locals are not aware how these rocks are
named by outsiders. For the kids of Brgy. Bigte, it was simply
their secret playground.

Bulacan Old Train Station in Meycauayan

Built in 1661, the Estacion de Guiguinto

(Guiguinto Train Station) is the town's most
acclaimed historical landmark and heritage site.
It was upon this site that the Katipuneros
(Filipino guerillas during the Spanish Regime)
ambushed a train from Dagupan, killing six
friars, including the parish friar of Guiguinto,
Fr. Leocadio Sanchez, and a Spanish doctor.
The incident inspired Severino Reyes to author
the novel “Opera Walang Sugat” which was
later made into a movie entitled “Walang
Sugat.”

Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray

This major cave in Norzagaray is a natural refuge used

by Filipinos during the struggle against Spain and the
Americans and during the last world war. Floral species
observed on the hills encompassing the cave are limited
to shrubs, vines, cogon and some types of plants that
thrive on limestone with very thin soil substrate. A few
unidentified birds are noted flying over the loose
canopies of the thicket. and expert cave enthusiasts.
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Saint John of God Parish Church in Brgy Poblacion, San Rafael

Also known as San Juan de Dios Parish, the

church was established in the 19th century and is
best known as the site of the Battle of San Rafael.
The historic duel between the Filipino
revolutionaries led by Gen. Anacleto “Matanglawin”
Enriquez and the Spanish army led to the death of
800 Filipinos.

It is believed that bloodshed in the church

reached ankle-high. It is also believed to be the
inspiration behind Dr Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me
Tangere” characters Crispin, Basilio and Sisa.

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Province of Nueva Ecija

Cities of Nueva Ecija

Palayan City is the capital city of Nueva Ecija. ”Palayan” was chosen as its name, the
province being dubbed as the Rice Granary of the region and the country.

Cabanatuan City is known ”The Tricycle Capital of the Philippines”.

Gapan City is dubbed as “The Footwear Capital of the North”.

San Jose is called “Central Luzon's City of the Golden Harvests”.

Science City of Muñoz is said to be “The Science City of the Philippines”.

Location and Land Area

The province is the largest in Central Luzon. Its terrain begins with the southwestern
marshes near the Pampanga border. Nueva Ecija borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan,
Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora. It’s total Land area is 5,751 km² making
it the largest province in the region.

Historical Background

Nueva Ecija was named by the Spanish colonizers after the city of Ecija, Spain. É cija is a
town belonging to the province of Seville, Spain. Nueva Ecija was formed as a military district of the
province of Pampanga at the beginning of the 18th Century after the Augustinian missionaries had
reduced some Ilongots into Christian communities. These communities formed the nucleus of the
towns of Bongabon, Pantabangan and Carranglan. It is said that the comandancia was named by the
Governor General after his hometown of Ecija in southern Spain. From being a military outpost,
Nueva Ecija was transformed into a regular province a century later.

It was formerly part of the province of Pampanga. From its humble beginning, its land area
grew to cover almost the entire island of Luzon. Spanish Records in the Philippines recognizes 2
Spanish countries in the Pacific-- Las Islas Filipinas and Nueva É cija. Poverty was the only reason
why Nueva Ecija was not given recognition as a separate country from the Philippines by the King
of Spain in 1840s.. From 1777 to 1917, Nueva Ecija’s territory was however subdivided to give way
to the creation of other provinces.

The first Cry of Nueva Ecija (Filipino: Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija) occurred September 2–5, 1896,
in the province of Nueva Ecija, in the Philippines under Spanish rule. It followed shortly after the
Cry of Pugad Lawin and was the first call for revolution in central Luzon. Roughly 3,000 volunteers
were led by Mariano Llanera and Pantaleon Valmonte (the Gobernadorcillos of Cabiao and Gapan,
respectively). They marched towards San Isidro, the provincial capital, where after fighting several
battles with the Spanish forces, their army was finally forced to retreat and to undertake guerrilla
warfare.

Geographcal Structure

A landlocked province of the

Philippines located in the Central Luzon
region. Its capital is Palayan City. Nueva
Ecija borders, from the south clockwise,
Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan,
Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora. In the absence
of mountain, sea and forest within
geographical compass of the town makes
for the monotonously flat and features
topography. The land's very first settlers
came upon three mountain ranges to the
East, North and West and vast southern
plains.
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Ethnic Groups

The Ilongot (or Ibilao) are a tribe who inhabit the southern
Sierra Madre and Caraballo Mountains, on the east side of Luzon in the
Philippines, primarily in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija
and along the mountain border between the provinces of Quirino and
Aurora. An alternative name of this tribe and its language is "Bugkalot".
They are known as a tribe of headhunters. Anthropological writings
explore themes in headhunting that include mortification of the rival,
ritual violence, cosmological balance, the display of manhood,
cannibalism, dominance over the body and soul of his enemies in life
and afterlife, as a trophy and proof of killing (achievement in hunting),
show of greatness, prestige by taking on a rival's spirit and power, and
as a means of securing the services of the victim as a slave in the
afterlife. Presently, there are about 87,000 Ilongots. The Ilongots tend to
inhabit areas close to rivers, as they provide a food source and a means
for transportation. Their native language is the Ilongot language, currently spoken by about 50,000
people. They also speak the Ilocano language.

The Aeta (pronounced as “eye-ta,”), Agta or Ayta

are an indigenous people who live in scattered, isolated
mountainous parts of Luzon, Philippines. They are
considered to be Negritos, who are dark to very dark
brown-skinned and tend to have features such as a small
stature, small frame, curly to kinky afro-like textured hair
with a higher frequency of naturally lighter hair color
(blondism) relative to the general population, small nose,
and dark brown eyes. They are thought to be among the
earliest inhabitants of the Philippines, preceding the
Austronesian migrations. In Ilocano, the word also means
“goblin” or “forest spirit.”

Tourist Attractions

Minalungao National Park is a protected area

of the Philippines located in the municipality of General
Tinio, Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon. Minalungao Park
Declared as a national park, it features a breathtaking
view of the narrow but deep Penaranda River. On both
sides of the river bank are 16 meter high limestone
walls. The ridge formation of white sculptured
limestone walls shows the might of the great river.

Pantabangan Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam on

the Pampanga River located in Pantabangan in Nueva
Ecija province of the Philippines. The multi-purpose dam
provides water for irrigation and hydroelectric power
generation while its reservoir, Pantabangan Lake, affords
flood control. Aside from holding the title of being one of
the largest dams in the country and take note in
Southeast Asia and one of the cleanest in Philippines,
Pantabangan is also famous for its sport fishing.

This old Spanish house of Sedeco of San Isidro in

Nueva Ecija is prided by the town as a historical treasure.
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Found inside this house are memorabilia showcasing the life of San Isidro during the Spanish
regime. General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippine Republic frequented this site,
and likewise, it was here that General Frederick Funston planned the capture of Aguinaldo during
the Philippine-American War.

Church of Penaranda (Nueva Ecija) – The

church of Penaranda was erected in 1869 by Fr.
Florentino Samonte. Construction was continued by Fr.
Candicho San Miguel from 1879–1881 and by Fr. Santos
Vega from 1887-1889. From 1889 to 1891, the parochial
house of bricks and wood was built by Fr. Valentin
Gatode la Fuente. Fr. Alvaro Callega built the original
church with thatch-roof and stone walls. An Augustinian
mission in lowland Nueva Ecija was founded in Gapan in
1595. The Roman Catholic Church of Byzantine
architecture, built within 16 years (1856-1872).

Trial House- Owned by revolutionary leader and Novo

Ecijano General Manuel Tinio. Built during the early
Commonwealth period, it features ornately designed turn-of-
the-century furniture and a life-size figure of esteemed Nove
Ecijano Don Kapitan Berong in stained glass.

Province of Pampanga

Cities of Pampanga

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 “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” is what the province of Pampanga is known for.
Pampanga is called as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines because the province is blessed which
great cooks which are trained by the Spaniards during the colonial period. These great cooks pass
their culinary expertise from generation to generation for kapampangan choose spouse that are
good in cooking. The Capital City of Pampamnga is the City of San Fernando. It is known as “The
Christmas City of the Philippines”. This is because of their festival that has gradually become an
important part of Filipino Christmas culture. Every year as the Christmas season approaches, the
province of Pampanga becomes the center of a thriving industry centered on handcrafted lighted
lanterns called “parols” that displays a kaleidoscope of light and color. Mabalacat City is dubbed
as “The Industrial Capital of Pampanga”. The province supports thriving cottage industries that
specialize in wood carving, furniture making, guitars and handicrafts . Other industries include
its casket industry and the manufacturing of all-purpose vehicles in the municipality of Santo
Tomas. Angeles City is called the “City of Angels” and the “Entertainment Capital of the
Philippines”. The name Ángeles is derived from the Spanish El Pueblo de los Ángeles ("The
Town of the Angels") in honour of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles Custodios (Holy
Guardian Angels), and the name of its founder, Don Ángel Pantaleón de Miranda.

Location and Land Area

Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and
Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast. Pampanga also lies on the northern shore of
Manila Bay. Angeles City, although within the geography of Pampanga, is classified as a first-class,
highly urbanized city and has a government independent of Pampanga. Pampanga covers a total
area of 2,200square kilometres (773.05 sq mi) occupying the south-central section of the Central
Luzon region. When Angeles City is included for geographical purposes, the province’s area is
2,062.47 square kilometres (796.32 sq mi). Pampanga was the first province created by the
Spaniards in 1571, and it encompassed the areas of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac,
Pangasinan and Zambales. Pampanga is as well as one of the 8 rays of the sun depicted in the
Philippine flag, representing the provinces that allied the armed revolt against Spain in the late
19th century.

Historical Background

Pampanga, which is about 850 square miles (2,200 km2) in area and inhabited by more
than 1.5 million people, had its present borders drawn in 1873. During the Spanish regime it was
one of the richest Philippine provinces. Manila and its surrounding region were then primarily
dependent on Kapampangan agricultural, fishery and forestry products as well as on the supply of
skilled workers. As other Luzon provinces were created due to increases in population, some well-
established Pampanga towns were lost to new emerging provinces in Central Luzon.

The name "La Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who found the early natives living
near the river banks. From the word pampang meaning river bank. It is consider as the first Spanish
province in the country in 1571. It also served as the capital of the archipelago for two years from
1762-1764 during the British invasion of Manila. However, history shows evidence of the province
of Pampanga itself being a descendant of what was known back then as the Kingdom of Tondo, or
the Luzon Empire. The population has produced two presidents, three chief justices, a senate
president, the first Filipino cardinal and many outstanding personalities in public service,
education, diplomacy, journalism, the arts and sciences, entertainment and business.

Geographcal Structure

Its terrain is relatively flat with one distinct mountain, Mount Arayat and the notable
Pampanga River. Among its municipalities, Porac has the largest land mass with 314 square
kilometres (121 sq mi); Candaba comes in second with 176 square kilometres (68 sq mi); followed
by Floridablanca with 175 square kilometres (68 sq mi). Santo Tomas, with an area of 21 square
kilometres (8.1 sq mi), is the smallest.

Ethnic Group

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 The Aetas, being one of the biggest, in terms of number, member of ethno linguistic group in
the Philippines, are indigenous people living in different mountainous places in Luzon. They can be
found in the provinces of Pampanga, Zambales, and Tarlac, to name a few. In Pampanga alone, Aetas
are scattered in the municipalities of Floridablanca, Porac, Guagua and Angeles.

Tourist Attractions

Mount Arayat National Park in Arayat Pampanga

Mount Aarayat is an inactive basaltic volcano on

Luzon Island, Philippines, rising to a height of 1,026 metres.
The volcano has a breached crater on its northwest side
with a smaller andesitic dome in the collapse amphitheater.

El Kabayo, Clark Freeport Zone

If you’re up for some horseback riding, El

Kabayo is the place to go. As stated in their website, it
“is a replica of an old Western town directly out of an
American cowboy movie.” Complete with mockup
recreations of old Western establishments such as a
saloon and a telegraph office, one would feel as if he
has been transported into another country and era.
Other activities available are riding lessons,
adventure and scenic trail rides, carriage tours, photo
opportunities and shopping.

Giant Lantern Festival, Brgy. Sto. Rosario, San

Fernando

This is an annual lantern festival held

every December in San Fernando City to celebrate
Christmas. Giant lanterns as high as 16 feet are
displayed, bearing intricate designs infused with
lighting technology. This fun festival (and the
year-round availability of Christmas decoration)
earned San Fernando the moniker “Christmas
Capital of the Philippines.”

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 Nayong Pilipino, Clark Freeport Zone

For something more historical, visit Nayong

Pilipino, which is situated on a 45-hectare estate
featuring replicas of the Philippines’ most famous
sights. Miniature versions of famous landmarks
such as Magellan’s Cross and Chocolate Hills, and
even statues of our national heroes and political
figures, are within the park. A trip to Nayong
Pilipino is indeed a fun and educational experience
for all ages.

Zoocobia Fun Zoo, Mabalacat

As a 50-hectare zoo and theme park,

Zoocobia is more than just a place to visit and see
various species of animals. The park also boasts a
labyrinth and garden maze full of animal topiaries
as you find your way out of the garden maze.
Visitors can also visit their unique gallery of stuffed
real animals preserved by their expert taxidermist.
And probably the most fun of all is their Zooc, the
first and only gravity car track in the Philippines
that is patterned after the Skyline Luge in
Singapore’s Sentosa Island. With a unique steering
and braking system, manoeuvre the gravity car down the fun 400-meter track.

Province of Tarlac

City of Tarlac

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 The city of Tarlac is dubbed as the “Home of Sugar, Rice and Everything Nice”. While the
province of Tarlac is known to be the “Melting Pot of Central Luzon” and “Sugar Capital of Luzon”.
Tarlac is best known for its fine foods and vast sugar and rice plantations.

Location and Land Area

Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon island. Its capital is
Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north,
and Zambales to the west. It is a part of Central Luzon, which is composed of Aurora, Bataan,
Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. It has a total land area of 2,736.6 km².

Historical Background

The name “Tarlac” is a Hispanized derivation of the Aeta word for a “talahib-like” weed
called “Malatarlak.” Along the year, the word 'MALA' was removed and shortened to 'Tarlac'.
Tarlac Province was the last province organized in Central Luzon in 1874 by the Spaniards. It was
carved out from the provinces of Pampanga and Pangasinan, which explains the two major dialects
spoken in the area, namely, Kapampangan (by more than half of the population) and Ilocano
(roughly 41%).

During the Philippine Revolution of 1896, Tarlac was among the first eight provinces to rise
against Spain, alongside neighbouring Pampanga. It became the new seat of the first Philippine
Republic in March 1899 when General Emilio Aguinaldo abandoned the former capital, Malolos,
Bulacan. This lasted only for a month before the seat was moved to Nueva Ecija in Aguinaldo's
attempt to elude the pursuing Americans.

The highest seat of political power of the province is located on a hill in Brgy. San Vicente,
Tarlac City. The present structure was finished in 1909. During the Japanese occupation, the
provincial capitol was vacated and used as the provincial headquarters of the Imperial Army. The
capitol suffered great damages during the Second World War, but afterwards, in 1946, the United
States of America helped rebuild and improve its structure. Because of its historical background,
the picture of the capitol façade appeared in the previous version of the 500 peso bill.

Geographcal Structure

Approximately 75% of the province is plain

while the rest is hilly to mountainous. Like the rest of
Central Luzon, the province has two distinct seasons:
dry from November to April and wet for the rest of
the year. Eastern Tarlac is a plain, while Western
Tarlac is hilly to slightly mountainous. Because of this,
the province includes a large portion of mountains
like Mt. Telakawa (Straw Hat Mountain), located at
Capas, Tarlac. Mt. Bueno, Mt. Mor-Asia and Mt.
Canouman are located also in Capas as well as Mt.
Dalin. The other mountains are Mt. Dueg and Mt. Figure 5 Plains of Eastern Tarlac
Maasin, found in the municipality of San Clemente.

Also noted are Mt. Damas of Camiling. A portion of Mount Pinatubo (whose summit crater
rests in neighbouring Zambales) also rests in Bamban and Capas. The whole of Mayantoc and San
Jose are mountainous so it is suitable for the highest natural resources and forest products in the
province such as coal, iron, copper, temperate-climate fruits and vegetables, fire logs, sand, rocks
and forest animals such as wild boar and deer. The main water sources for agriculture include the
Tarlac River at Tarlac City, the Lucong and Parua rivers in Concepcion, Sacobia-Bamban River in
Bamban and the Rio Chico in La Paz.

Mt. Telakawa is the alternative mountain destination for visitors who are up to a more
extreme hiking challenge. “Telakawa” literally means a pot place upside down. The mountain, which

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Figure 6 Mt. Telakawa, Tarlac

 proudly stands at 630 meters above the sea level, is named
as such because of its shape. It is the highest mountain in
the province located at Capas, Tarlac.

Ethnic Groups

The Abellen Aytas are

found mostly in the mountains of western Tarlac and Zambales.
They have adopted the language of their Austronesian neighbors,
speaking a Sambalic language that belongs to the Central Luzon
language family.

The Abellen Aytas are traditionally semi-nomadic. After the

eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and due to intermarriage with their Ilocano
neighbors, they have spread throughout the region. However, a good
number of Abellen Ayta settlements still live in remote reaches of the
mountains of Tarlac Province.

Tourist Attractions

Monasterio de Tarlac is a popular tourist

destination in the province of Tarlac in the Philippines.
It is a monastery on top of Mount Resurrection, part of
the Zambales Mountain Range in San Jose, one of the
municipalities in Tarlac. In the monastery can be found
a relic of the True Cross.

The Capas National Shrine in Barangay

Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines was built by
the Philippine government as a memorial to Allied
soldiers who died at Camp O'Donnell at the end of
the Bataan Death March during the Second World
War.

Kart City in Tarlac City. is your one-stop-shop for

food, entertainment, and adventure located along
McArthur Highway in Tarlac, Tarlac. Kart City is known
for its World Class Karting facilities. The best about it is
that it's right in front of the SM City Tarlac, making it
very accessible.

Timangguyob Falls is situated in Barangay Maasin, San

Clemente, Tarlac. This wonderful waterfalls stands more than

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50 meters high. The name Timangguyob is named after the local term for a carabao's horn because
the water falls down in the shape of a horn.

The Aquino Center and Museum is

one of the best places to visit when revisiting
the history of the Philippines. It is located in
Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac City. It is
established as a tribute to the two beloved
Filipino icons of democracy, the late Sen.
Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and his wife, the
late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. The
museum houses an anthology of photographs
and memorabilia of the Aquino Family
showcasing the legacy of the late Sen. Ninoy
and late Pres. Cory Aquino. It has an excellent
and interesting historic review of the lives of
both Corazon and Ninoy.

Province of Zambales

City in Zambales

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 The municipality of Iba in Zambales is the Capital of the province and is known as the
“Beach Capital of Zambales”.

Olongapo City dubbed as “City of Volunteers” because they are known for their
volunteerism.

Location and Land Area

Zambales is the second largest among the seven provinces of Central Luzon. It has a total
land area of 3,830.83 km². The province is on the western coast of Central Luzon. It is bounded on
the north by Pangasinan, on the east by Tarlac and Pampanga, on the south by Bataan and on the
west by the South China Sea. The province is noted for its mangoes, which are abundant from
January to April.

Historical Background

The name of the province is derived from its earliest inhabitants, the Zambals. They
worship spirits called "anitos", thus they were referred to as "Sambali" from the Malay word samba,
meaning "to worship". The term was later Hispanicized to "Zambal".

Zambales was one of the earliest provinces created during the Spanish rule. As founded in
the 16 th century. It comprised an area extending from Cape Bolinao in the north to Subic Bay in the
south. Due to their inaccessibility from the capital, seven towns in the northern portion of
Zambales, from Bolinao to Infanta and including Alaminos, were later ceded to Pangasinan, forming
its western part. Zambales is the home province of the seventh president of the Republic, Ramon
Magsaysay, who hailed form Castillejos.

Geographcal Structure

The province has lowlands along the narrow coast where the town centers are located. The
northern part is basically swampy.

Mountain ranges, containing vast precious mineral deposits, as well as some volcanoes, are
found in the eastern portion. The recent eruption of Mount Pinatubo, on the boundary between
Zambales and Pampanga, has changed the landscape of the province. Certain parts are submerged
under lahar and have sometimes given rise to lakes.

Mount Tapulao, also known as High Peak, is the

tallest mountain in Central Luzon at 6,683 feet (2,037
meters) above sea level. It was named after the Sumatran
Pine trees, locally called “tapulao”, that grow abundantly in
the Zambales Mountain range.

Mt. Pinatubo Before 1991, Mt. Pinatubo was an

unremarkable and heavily eroded mountain. It was covered in
dense forest which supported a population of several thousand
indigenous people, the Aeta. On June 15th 1991, the second largest
volcanic eruption of the twentieth century took place when Mt
Pinatubo erupted at 1:42 pm local time. The eruption lasted for
nine hours and caused several large earthquakes which resulted in
the collapse of the summit and the creation of a caldera.

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 Mt Negron, the elevation above sea level is 1583 metres. Variant forms of spelling for
Mount Negron or in other languages: Mount Negron (en), Mount Negron

Ethnic Groups

Despite its proximity to major cities, Zambales remains the bastion of the Aeta. They were
the earliest Filipinos to migrate to the archipelago more than 10,000 years ago – thousands of years
even before the Austronesian migration. Although the Aetas — also known as Ati, Ata, and Agta —
are scattered throughout the Philippines, Zambales has the largest known population.

There are several Aeta dialects in the province. The Aetas were Subic Bay’s earliest settlers.
They were believed to have arrived from the northern part of the Philippines and were the first
inhabitants of the Subic Bay area long before the first of the Spanish colonizers arrived. Largely
nomadic, the Aetas depend on hunting, besides fishing on the swamps and mangroves that abound
in the area, for their main livelihood.

Aetas were also considered among the most skillful when it comes to jungle survival and
this was recognized by the U.S. military, which recruited them to train their servicemen in jungle
survival tactics during the course of their stay in Subic.

Tourist Attractions

Lake Pinatubo (Filipino: Lawa ng Pinatubo) is the summit

crater lake of Mount Pinatubo formed after its climactic
eruption on June 15, 1991. The lake is located in Botolan,
Zambales, near the boundaries of Pampanga and Tarlac
provinces in the Philippines and is the deepest lake in the
country at 600 m (2,000 ft).

Capones Island

The island is characterized by huge rock formations and

steep cliffs surrounded by white sand and coral beaches. The
Capones Island Lighthouse is located on the hillside near the
western end of the island.

Anawangin Cove is in San Antonio, Zambales is one

popular tourist destination for beach outings and camping in
Central Luzon. For people who love to commune with nature
and soak in the sun, this is a perfect getaway spot for
unwinding and relaxation. With its volcanic white sand,
pristine waters, and pine trees, Anawangin Cove is a striking
beach destination for outdoor-lovers. Because of its
seclusion, it is most easily accessed via motorboat.

Capones Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse

located in Capones Island off the coast of Brgy. Pundaquit, San
Antonio, in the province of Zambales, in the Philippines. It is

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one of the few remaining old Spanish lighthouse in the country, the Capones Island Lighthouse was
built in the late 1800’s and became operational in 1890, purposely to guide the ships entering and
leaving Subic Bay, and to warn passing ships of the dangers of rocks around the island.

Mt. Balingkilat is one of the highest peaks in the

Zambales Coastal Mountains and Coves Area. It was once
known as the “Pointed Peak” and currently offers views
that connect you to the spectacular coves of the province.
One of them is Mt. Balingkilat, also dubbed as the
“Mountain of Thunder”.

Province of Bataan

City of Bataan

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 The capital of Bataan province is Balangan City. Bataaan is dubbed as the “Valorous
Province”.

Location and Land Area

The province has an area of 1,372.98 square kilometres (530.11 sq mi), and covers the
entire Bataan Peninsula, a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains jutting out into the South
China Sea, enclosing the Manila Bay. Bataan, a peninsula and province, is a rocky extension of the
Zambales Mountains, on Luzon in the Philippines. Zambales is located in the south western part of
Central Luzon, between Manila Bay and West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). It is bounded on the
north by the provinces of Zambales, and on the northeast side by the province of Pampanga.

Historical Background

Bataan evolved from “batan”, a word of obscure origin, which was the indigenous name for
the land across the water from Maragondon, also rendered in early Spanish accounts as Vatan . The
term batang has cognates across various Austronesian languages, mostly being a word that means
"the main part of something," such as "trunk" or "body".

Bataan was founded in 1754 by Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia. During World
War II, the province became a symbol of democracy and freedom as Filipino-American defenders in
Bataan fought decisive battles that delayed the timetable of Japanese invaders, and changed the
course of history in the Pacific. On April 9, 1942, about 75,000 Filipino and American troops in
Bataan were forced to make an arduous 65-mile march to prison camp in Tarlac, marking the
infamous Bataan Death March.

Geographcal Structure

The province of Bataan is a mountainous land

mass, 80.9 percent is covering the whole area and
dominated largely by uplands, hills and mountains. Only
19.1 percent are lowlands and plains, generally flat
gently rising towards the hills. These areas comprise
most of the agricultural portion of Bataan, found along
the northern and eastern coasts facing Manila Bay.

The peninsula features Mount Natib with the

height of 1,253 masl in the north and the Mariveles
Mountains with 1,388 masl in the south, which includes
Mount Samat with 505 masl, the location of 92 meters
high memorial cross, a national shrine of "Dambana ng Kagitingan" or Shrine of Valor dedicated to
the fallen Filipino and American fallen during World War II.

The province is drained by numerous rivers and small streams with very few meanders
radiating and sloping from the mountain groups down to the sea draining the whole area efficiently.
There are more than one hundred rivers in the province which are very important not only for
irrigation and domestic used but also for purposes of navigation and fishing.

Mount Natib /nɑːˈtiːb/ is a dormant volcano and

caldera complex in the province of Bataan on western Luzon
Island of the Philippines. ... The mountain and adjacent
surroundings is a protected area first declared as the Bataan
National Park in 1945.

Mount Mariveles is a massive stratovolcano topped

with a 4-kilometre (2.5 mi) summit caldera which drains to the
north. The highest peak, called Mariveles, has an elevation of
1,388 metres (4,554 ft) asl.

Ethnic Groups

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 There is an Aeta Community in Sitio Kanawan, Barangay Binaritan, Morong Bataan. Aeta, or
Agta, is one of the many indigenous groups within the Philippine archipelago. Commonly, they are
situated in the north-eastern parts of the country, in the island of Luzon. They are traditionally
hunters and gatherers which make them one of the most skilled in terms of jungle survival, not just
in the Philippines, but as well as worldwide.

Tourist Attractions

Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng

Corregidor, is an island located at the entrance of Manila
Bay in south western part of Luzon Island in the
Philippines. Corregidor is a historic monument as well as
a tourist destination. Many travel companies offer day
tours on the island, featuring military installations used
during World War II. Most of the war-ravaged buildings
have not been restored and were left in their original
state after the war in reverence to the Filipino and
American soldiers who died there.

Pasukulan Falls- For those adamant on

exploring Bataan’s great outdoors, the province has
several waterfalls for one’s enjoyment. Pasukulan
Falls is a popular sidetrip for mountain hikers already
familiar with the nearby Mount Natib. A three-hour
trek will lead you to a majestic sight — pristine waters
cascading from almost 200 feet above and into a pool.

The Balanga Wetland and Nature Park

commonly known as Tortugas Bay Park is a popular
destination for bird watching. Balanga City’s thick
mangrove forest, wetlands, grasslands, and mudflats
have provided a nature food basket, making it one of the
archipelago’s most populated bird sites. With at least 35
species and 15 families of birds recorded, it is one of the
country’s bird watching havens. The best time to go
there is early morning or before sunset since most birds
eat during those times.

First Abucay Catholic Church

The parish church is located in Abucay, Bataan.

The current structure was constructed during the early
part of 1600’s and was administered by the Dominicans.

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Damaged twice, by earthquake in 1852 and fire in 1870, it stood up again as Father Jose Diego
Pelaez spearheaded its reconstruction. Its walls have seen the deaths of more than 200 people,
mostly Pampangenos during the Dutch Invasion of 1647. it has also been a witness to one of the
first Filipino printing presses in the Philippines by none other than Tomas Pinpin, the father of
Philippine printing, who is also a local of Abucay. On its five-level belfry, five restored bells donated
in 1839 and 1859 still rings.

Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan. One of

the most famous landmarks in Bataan is the “Dambana
ng Kagitingan” or the Shrine of Valor — perched atop
Mt. Samat in Pilar — and was built to honor the bravery
of the Filipinos and Americans who fought during the
second world war.

Popular Festivals in Central Luzon

Caragan Festival in Malabacat City,

Pampanga

The celebration is named after the main

chieftain of Mabalacat called "Caragan". It is held
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every third week of February through street dancing. The Aetas lead the presentation showcasing
their customs and traditions in their native costumes.

Tanduyong Festival

Every year, on the fourth Sunday of April, the people of San Jose City at Nueva Ecija dance
through the main street to celebrate the Tanduyong Festival. A colorful, enchanting celebration of
the blessing of the harvest of tanduyong, a kind of onion abundant in the area. Nueva Ecija is a
leading producer of onion, garlic, rice and vegetables. During the festival day itself, the streets are
filled with dancers wearing multi-colored native costumes – almost onion-inspired. Exotic rhythms
of improvised musical instruments fill the air as the dancers gyrate and sway to the beat of life.

The Malatarlak Festival, celebrated every

January in Tarlac City, is one of the most remarkable
festivals in the province. The festival is a
commemoration to the first people who built
civilization in the province, the Aetas. The Malatarlak
Festival takes its name from the a variety of grass that
is native to the Luzon area. The plant is celebrated
with sumptuous pageantry that’s characterized by
schoolchildren dressed in grass-inspired costumes,
who dance to the beat of traditional music.

AURORA DAY AND SUMAN

FESTIVAL

The festival is celebrated on February 14-

February 19 in Baler, Aurora. It is the biggest and
grandest of all feasts in Aurora where people
parade floats uniquely designed. Main streets and
homes are decked with suman, a native delicacy. A
weeklong celebration marked by trade exhibits,
fairs and competitions capped by the Search for Ms.
Aurora. Suman is the ritual gift of HAGISAN. It is
cooked with great enthusiasm by Tayabenses
because Hagisan is an opportunity to share their prosperity. Bundles of suman are gaily tied in the
pabitin, which is made out of a special kind of bamboo called bagakay.

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 The Kneeling Carabao Festival

In Bulacan, the town of Pulilan has been

celebrating the Kneeling Carabaos Festival but on
the eve of the saint’s feast. May 15 is an auspicious
time for farmers and those in the traditional
agriculture industries. It is the feast day of St
Isidore the Laborer, or San Isidro Labrador as we
come to know him. The Kneeling Carabaos Festival
is, first and foremost, a harvest festival, giving
thanks to the San Isidro for the bountiful fruits of
the land but honoring also the ever reliable and the
farmer’s best friend, the Carabao.

The Banga Festival is a weeklong event

celebrated in the city of Balanga City, Bataan. It is said
that the name Balanga, which is the capital of Bataan,
came from the word “banga,” the tagalong term for
pot used in cooking. The Banga Festival is celebrated
to remind the Balangueños of their humble
beginnings. The festival is celebrated alongside the
feast of St. Joseph in April 28.

The Dinamulag Festival also known as the

Zambales Mango Festival is an annual festival held in the
province of Zambales in the Philippines to celebrate or
encourage bountiful harvest of the province's mangoes.
The festival was first held in 1999. Mangoes cultivated in
Zambales particularly the Dinamulag variety of Carabao
mangoes were cited as the world's sweetest mangoes by
Guinness World Records in 1995 and the country's
sweetest mangoes by the Department of Agriculture in
2013.

Unusual Festivals in Central Luzon

Obando Fertility Rites (Obando, Bulacan)

Usually celebrated from May 17 to 19,

the Obando Fertility Rites traces its roots back
to pre-Spanish times when pagan natives would
celebrate it in hopes of having children or
getting a good harvest. Nowadays, the festival
is a mix of pagan and Roman Catholic beliefs,
with San Pascual de Baylon, Sta. Clara, and the
Lady of Salambao replacing the old idols as the
central figures. Childless couples and singles
looking for their soulmates can do the fertility
dance in front of San Pascual and Sta. Clara;
fisher and farm-folk meanwhile can dance to
the Lady of Salambao for a good season.

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Piestang Tugak (San Fernando City,
Pampanga)

First organized in 2003, the frog-

themed festival held every first week of
October is meant to showcase the
importance of frogs to the culture of
Pampanga, especially to that of the
Fernandinos. Attractions include traditional
frog-catching contests, frog-based cuisine
such as stuffed frog, and other fun and games
involving the beloved amphibians.

Taong Putik Festival honors John the

Baptist. A tradition that draws the faithful and
tourists alike, the event celebrates the feast of
John the Baptist with devotees taking part in what
they see as an act of humility and penance that
imitates a saint who preached and lived a life of
poverty in the desert.

San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites (San Fernando City,

Pampanga)

Said to have started during the 1950s and held every

Good Friday, penitents of this barangay would line the streets
and strike their backs bloody with sharpened bamboo whips.
The gory spectacle does not stop there, however, as three
devotees would re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and
the two thieves by being actually crucified with nails on a
cross in field near the barangay.

As to why they engage in such a practice, the

participants say they do it in imitation of Christ’s suffering and
as a form of penance. Due to the bloody nature of the event, the Rites have attracted both local and
foreign tourists eager to see the penitents’ almost-fanatical devotion to their faith.

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Trademark Products in Central Luzon

Bataan

Tinapa is one of the livelihood products of the

coastal towns in Bataan. Famously known as Ginisang
Bagoong sa Alamang, is a popular Filipino dip for raw
mango. It is made from fermented krill or “alamang”
sautéed in garlic, ginger, onion and tomatoes. Locals in
Bataan produce this.

Aurora

Agriculture is the primary industry in Aurora. Major crops

include rice, coconut, coffee, bananas, root crops, corn,
citrus fruits, peanuts and abaca.

Bulacan

The Province of Bulacan is known for the following

industries: Marble and Marbleized Limestone, Jewellery,
Pyrotechnics, Leathercraft, Aquaculture, Meat and Meat
Products, Garments, Furniture, High-Value Crops, and
Sweets and Native Delicacies.

Pampanga

Major products include rice, corn, sugarcane, and tilapia.

Pampanga is the tilapia capital of the country because of its high
production reaching 214,210.12 metric tons in 2015. In addition to
farming and fishing, the province supports thriving cottage
industries that specialize in wood carving, furniture making,
guitars and handicrafts.

Tarlac

The principal crops of the province are rice and sugarcane.

Other major crops are corn and coconut; vegetables such as
eggplant, garlic and onion; and fruit trees like mango, banana and
calamansi. Because it is landlocked, the province’s fish production is
limited to several fishponds.

Nueva Ecija

Nueva Ecija is one of the top producers of

agricultural products in the country. Its principal crops is
mainly rice but corn and onion are also produced in quantity

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 Zambales

Zambales is basically an agricultural province. The chief products are rice,

corn, vegetables, and rootcrops.

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