PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY, AND CULTURE

BACHELOR OF SCI ENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

MODULE 5.

REGION IV A- CALABARZON

Objectives:
• Identify the major attractions, activities, accommodations, and cultural highlights in the
provinces within the CALABARZON Region
• Create different tour packages that carry different types of tourism activities within the region
(term project); and
• Assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the region in terms of the
4As of tourism

MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITY:

GEOGRAPHY CHECK!
Identify which parts of the map is Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal.
 PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY, AND CULTURE
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Overview of the Region

Calabarzon, formally known as Southern Tagalog Mainland and designated as Region

IV-A, is an administrative region in the Philippines. The region comprises of five
provinces: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon; whose names form the
acronym CALABARZON.

Situated just south of Metro Manila in southwestern Luzon, the region is the most
populous in the Philippines, having 14,414,774 inhabitants in 2015, and is also the country’s
second most densely populated. Executive Order No. 103, dated May 17, 2002, made great
changes to the Southern Tagalog region. Due to its size, Region IV was split into two separate
regions, Region IV-A (Calabarzon) and Region IV-B (Mimaropa). Aurora was transferred to
Region III, Central Luzon. Executive Order No. 246, dated October 28, 2003, Former President
Gloria Arroyo declared Calamba City as the regional center of the region.

The region is home to some of the most important Philippine historical figures, most
notable of which is the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal, who was born in Calamba.

Fast Facts

Province Capital Land Major Industries No. No. of Towns

Area of and
Cities Municipalities
(in
hectares)
Batangas Batangas 311, 975 Agriculture, fishing, 3 31
City livestock, trade, and
commerce
Cavite Imus 157, 417 Agriculture, fishing, livestock 6 17
and poultry, trade and
commerce, industrial zones
Laguna Santa Cruz 191, 785 Agriculture, fishing, trade 6 23
and commerce, tourism,
manufacturing, industrial
zones
Quezon Lucena 906, 960 Agriculture, fishing, industrial 2 39
zones
Rizal Antipolo 119, 194 Agriculture, trade and 1 13
City commerce, tourism, textile,
manufacturing, mining

Ports of Access

Land: via Pan-Philippine Highway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, SLEX, or CAVITEX

Sea: via Batangas Port

Getting around by land: Private van and car rentals are available as well as public modes of
transportation. One can take the bus to move from one province to the other, or a jeepney and
tricycle to get around towns.
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The name Batangas was derived from the term “batangan” which pertains to a raft the
people used so that they could fish in the nearby Taal Lake. It also meant the
numerous logs found in the Calumpang River, the body of water that runs through the
northeastern portion of the town, and assumes the shape of a tuning fork (Province of
Batangas, 2021, Geography).

Batangas is a combination of plains and mountains, including the world’s smallest

volcano, Mt. Taal, with an elevation of 600 meters, located in the middle of the Taal Lake. Other
important peaks are Mt. Makulot with an elevation of 830 m, Mt. Talamitan with 700 m, Mt. Pico
de Loro with 664 m, Mt. Batulao with 811 m, Mt. Manabo with 830 m, and Mt. Daguldol with 672
m (Province of Batangas, 2021, Geography).

The Municipality of Nasugbu is the home of the plantation of Central Azucarera Don
Pedro, the Philippines’ largest producer of sugar and other sugarcane products (Province of
Batangas, 2021, Geography).

Batangas also has many islands, including Tingloy, Verde Island(Isla Verde), Fortune
Island of Nasugbu (Province of Batangas, 2021, Geography).

When it comes to culture, Batangueños are very regionalistic. When one learns that a
person in the room is also from Batangas, expect them to be together until the end of the event
(Province of Batangas, 2021, Culture).

Most Batangueños are either farmers or fishers who sell their own products in the
market. Although most of them have also finished a degree, a lot of the people prefer to not use
what they have studied and put up their own small businesses instead. This is perhaps due to
the subconscious idea that he who has no land to cultivate or trade to make is a lazy
person(Province of Batangas, 2021, Culture).

Batangueños are known for being religious, where devotees pay respect in such way
that they make rituals, like dances and chants (Luwa) to please them,one of these is the
Passion in which it is a common sight to hear these chants during the Lenten season, a
religious act still practice today. During the month of May the people
of Bauan and Alitagtag celebrate the feast day of the Mahalna Poon ng Sta. Cruz, a ritual dance
called the Subli is made to repect to the Poon .In the town of Taal they celebrate the feast day
of the Our Lady of Caysasay and San Martin de Tours a two day celebration where procession
from the shine of the Virgin towards the Pansipit River where the fluvial procession and another
procession towards the Basilica are made in honored of the Virgin Mary.Fiestas in other towns
usually start in the month of May and last up to the first day of June, usually the plaza near the
church becomes the center of attraction (Province of Batangas, 2021, Culture).
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Cavite province is situated south of Luzon, the most northerly of the large islands of the
Republic of the Philippines. It is bounded by its neighboring provinces of Batangas in the south,
Laguna on the east, Rizal on the northwest, Metro Manila and Manila Bay on the north, and
China Sea on the west (Cavite Province, 2011, Provincial Profile).

It is geographically located at latitude (14.2803 degrees) 14° 16' 49" North of the Equator
and longitude (120.8664 degrees) 120° 51' 59" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of the
world. Cavite has a total land area of 142,706 hectares or 1,427.06 square kilometers
representing approximately 8.72 percent of the CALABARZON‟s total land area and 0.48
percent of the total land area of the country (Cavite Province, 2011, Provincial Profile).

Cavite is divided into four (4) physiographical areas, namely: the lowest lowland area,
lowland area, the central hilly area and the upland mountainous area (Cavite Province, 2011,
Provincial Profile).

The Province of Cavite, generally regarded as the “heartland of the Revolution” – “pugad
ng kagitingan,” in the words of Teodora A. Agoncillo – has played an important role in the
history of the country. The province is strategically located, in proximity to the center of power
and influence, with the highland and lowland areas that have influenced the nature and
character of its growth and development, and a waterfront that played a significant role in the
commerce and defense, first of Spanish Manila, and then in the later periods of the nation’s
history (Churchill, 2005, Abstract).

The Caviteño takes extreme pride in being a Caviteño. Caviteños are identifiable by their
accent, their Tagalog/Chabacano vocabulary, their well-known fiery temper and fearless
reputation, their violent temper which can explode like an angry volcano, and their readiness to
redness any grievance or upload honor and name (the Batangueños also share this reputation,
as well other ethnic groups) (Churchill, 2005, Abstract).

Laguna is a province of the Philippines located in the CALABARZON region in Luzon. Its
capital is Santa Cruz and it is found south-east of Metro Manila, southern province of Rizal, west
of Quezon, north of Batangas and east of Cavite (WordLingo, n.d. Introduction). Narrow plains
can be found along the shores of Laguna de Bay but mountainous towards Sierra Madre in the
 PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY, AND CULTURE
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east, Mt. Makiling in the west, and Mt. Banahaw in the south (Island Properties, n.d. para. 2).
Laguna de bay, which is the largest lake in the Philippines, is almost surrounded by the whole
province of Laguna (WordLingo, n.d. Introduction).

The province got its name from the Spanish word "lago", which means lake. Laguna is
known as the birthplace of Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Also known to
tourists are the Pagsanjan Falls, Park Town of Pila, Laguna, The Woodcarvings of men in Paete
and Pakil, The Hot Springs of Los Baños on the slopes of Mt. Makiling and the Hidden Valley
Springs in Calauan (WordLingo, n.d. Introduction).

Quezon Province is located in the CALABARZON Region. It is bounded on the north by

the province of Aurora, on the west by the provinces of Laguna and Rizal, on the southwest by
the province of Batangas and on the southeast by Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
Tiaong, its first municipality via the Manila South Road is about 89 kilometers from Metro
Manila. Lucena City, the provincial capital, is about 137 kilometers southeast of Manila via the
Maharlika Highway (Province of Quezon, n.d., para. 1).

The total land area of Quezon is 870,660 hectares or 8,706.60 square kilometers,
representing the largest land area share in the region (53.21%) and the sixth largest in the
Philippines (2.65%). The province is composed of thirty-nine (39) municipalities, one (1)
component city, Tayabas, and one (1) highly urbanized city, Lucena. These are further
subdivided into 1,242 barangays and are also grouped into four (4) congressional
districts(Province of Quezon, n.d., para. 2).

Quezon's topography is characterized by rugged terrain with few plains, valleys and
swamps. The Sierra Madre Mountain Range runs along the entire length of the province with
Mount Banahaw (an active volcano) as its most prominent peak. Only narrow strips of land
along the coast and river valleys are available for growing crops. The undulating lowlands along
the coast are well-drained. The province is very narrow, averaging about thirty (30) kilometers
by its width (Province of Quezon, n.d., para. 3).

The province has a total coastline length of 1,066.36 kilometers. It faces three major
marine water bodies: Lamon Bay in the North, Tayabas Bay in the South, and Ragay Gulf in the
East. These are all considered teeming fishing grounds in the Southern Tagalog Region.
Additionally, marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, sea grass beds and mangroves showcase
a rich biodiversity and even richer potential for scientific research and ecotourism development
(Province of Quezon, n.d., para. 7).

Likewise, inland water resources are abundant. The most prominent of which are
Umiray, Agos and Nakar rivers within the Infanta-General Nakar area. Its watersheds are home
to rich biodiversity and to indigenous communities, as well as providing irrigation for agriculture.
Malaking Ilog in Sariaya, identified as a principal river basin by DENR, is also a major source of
water with the biggest drainage area and highest volume of surface runoff in the province, which
generally causes flooding during typhoons and heavy rains (Province of Quezon, n.d., para. 8).
 PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY, AND CULTURE
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Rizal is one of the Philippines first class provinces that belongs to CALABARZON. The
province enjoys a natural beauty of nature and a perfect setting for investments, business
establishments and settlements. It is bounded by Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges and Quezon
Province in the east, the province Laguna in the soutwest, the province of Bulacan in the north,
Metropolitan Manila in the west-northwest portion and by Laguna de Bay in south/south-western
portion. Rizal is one of the neighboring provinces of Metro Manila. It takes an hour drive from
major commercial districts and centers of Metropolis to reach the province's best places. Rizal is
a green province which is the best place to unwind from crowded and polluted metropolis
(Province of Rizal, n.d. Location).
.
.
The province's topography is a combination of valleys and mountains; flat low-lying
areas on the western portion which are mostly urbanized and populated, and the rugged ridges
and rolling hills which form part of the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges in the eastern portion.
Resting in the middle of Laguna de Bay, is the Philippines' largest lake island, the Talim Island
which extends 13 miles across the lake (Province of Rizal, n.d. Topography).
.

The province is inhabited mostly by Tagalogs. Its people are its number one resource,
known to be consummate artists and craftsmen (Province of Rizal, n.d. People and
Community).

Major Attractions in the Region

Taal Lake and Volcano

• Taal Volcano is an active complex

volcano in freshwater Taal Lake;
• The 243 sq. km. Taal Lake partially
covers the Taal Caldera which was
formed by the volcano’s prehistoric
eruptions;
• The lake is home to the world’s only
freshwater sardine, the tawilis, and
one of the rarest sea snake,
Hydrophis semperi, locally known as
Image source: https://au.hotels.com/go/philippines/taal-volcano maliputo

Location: Talisay and San Nicolas,

Batangas
Activities: Boat may be hired from Talisay
going to the island. Boat ride may take 45
minutes. Upon arrival, tourists may do
horseback riding going to the peak of the
volcano to see its majestic crater.
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Tingga Falls

• About 30 meters high

• Area is surrounded by rock
formations and vegetation
• Semi-developed with concrete steps
to each the falls easil

Location: Daang Ibaan, Batangas City

Acivities: Tourists may enjoy the relaxing
cool waters and swim at the base of the falls

Image source:
https://goletsgetawaybats.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/tingga-falls/
General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine

• Dubbed as the House of History

• Where Emilio Aguinaldo was born
• Where the Philippine flag was first
waved on June 12, 1898 following the
Philippine independence from Spain
• Constructed in 1845
• The original structure was of nipa and
thatch material
• Was declared a national shrine
through RA 4039, Executive Order
No. 370
Image source: https://nhcp.gov.ph/museums/emilio-aguinaldo-
shrine/wppaspec/oc1/cv0/ab35/pt423
• The mansion also serves as a
museum that houses several
historical collections:

Gallery 1: Aguinaldo’s Early Years up

to the Katipunan
Gallery II: The Revolution and the
Declaration of Independence
Gallery III: The Road to the First
Republic
Gallery IV: Filipino – American War

Location: Kawit, Cavite

Activities: Tourists may visit the museum
every Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 A.M. to
4:00 P.M.
Fortune Island

• Used to be a private island with a

luxurious resort
• Ceased operation in 2006
• Features an acropolis with Grecian
pillars and statues

Location: Nasugbu, Batangas

Budget: with entrance fee and other fees for
camping and cottage rentals
Image source: Activities: Tourists will need to go on a boat
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/201184308330244675/
ride from Nasugbu to reach it. Upon arrival,
tourists may go on a trek to the lighthouse,
snorkel, scuba dive or camp overnight.
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Pagsanjan Falls

• One of the most famous waterfalls in

the country
• declared as a National Park with
Proc. 392 on March 29, 1939 and
Proc. 1551 on March 31, 1976
• The main falls is situated in Cavinti,
Laguna but the more popular access
in Pagsanjan.
• Cavinti townsfolk passed an
ordinance to the Sangguniang Bayan
asking to rename the falls into Cavinti
Falls.
Image source: https://escapemanila.com/2014/01/pagsanjan-falls-
laguna.html
Location: Cavinti, Laguna
Budget: with entrance fee
Activities: Tourists may enjoy rafting or
rapelling adventure.
Underground Cemetery

• A national historical landmark and

museum
• the only underground cemetery in the
country
• Supervised by the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines
• Built in 1845 under the supervision of
Franciscan priest Fr. Vicente Velloc
• A public burial site; underground crypt
was exclusively for Spanish friars,
Image source: prominent town citizens, and
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/217861700701566089/ members of elite Catholic families

Location: Nagcarlan, Laguna

Activities: A tour of the cemetery may be
given by the curator. Small souvenirs may
also be purchased within the area.
Cagbalete Island

• 1640 hectare privately-owned island

• Originally bought by three Pansacola
brothers from the Spanish
government
• Hosts two barangays (Brgy.
Cagbalete Uno and Brgy. Cagbalete
Dos)

Location: Mauban, Quezon

Activities: Tourists may enjoy beach
Image source: https://harv.world/2016/06/19/cagbalete-island- volleyball, horseback riding, boat rental, and
travel-guide/ camping.
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Quezon Museum

• showcased diggings from the Bondoc

Peninsula of earthenware jars,
households implements, antique
pieces relics of the Spanish era like
old santos and icons.

• Memorabilia of illustrious Quezonians

on displays are those of the late Pres.
Manuel L. Quezon, Hon. Filemon
Perez, Hon. Fabian Millar, Sen.
Lorenzo A. Tañada, Cong. Manuel S.
Enverga and Gov. Anacleto C. Alcala.
Image source: http://quezonprovinciallibrary.weebly.com/
Location: Lucena City, Quezon
Activities: Tourists may visit the museum.
Masungi Georeserve

• A conservation area and rock garden

• Perfect for adventurers

Location: Baras, Rizal

Activities: Tourists may enjoy different trails
depending on their group and time of the
day/week. Tourists are advised to bring
spare clothes, and water to combat
dehydration.

Image source: https://www.syramay.com/masungi-georeserve-

travel-guide/
Pinto Art Museum

• an exhibition space and

contemporary museum
• founded in 2010
• from the Filipino word “pinto” which
means door
• exhibits the art collection of Filipino
neurologist and patron of arts. Dr.
Joven Cuanang
• founded on the principle that art plays
a dramatic role in bridging distinctive
nationalities, worldviews, and
Image source:
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/447545281704295324/
communities

Location: Antipolo, Rizal

Activities: Tourists are encouraged to visit
the museum as it is one of the 25 most
instragrammable museums in the world.
Pinto Art museum is open from Tuesday to
Sunday, 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Can you identify other tourist attractions in CALABARZON?

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Popular Cuisines and Delicacies from the Region

Batangas Lomi (Batangas) Pansit Pusit (Cavite)

Kinulob na Itik (Laguna)

Pinais (Quezon)

Okoy (Rizal)

Batangas Cavite Laguna Quezon Rizal

• Bulalo • Pansit Pusit • Bibingkang • Lucban • Sinigang sa
• Kaldereta • Quesillo Abnoy Longganisa Miso
• Batangas • Bibingkoy • Bibingka de • Pancit • Balaw-balaw
Lomi • Bitchokoy Macapuno Habhab • Fried Itik
• Goto • Biyuko • Cassava • Hardinera • Okoy
• Tapang Taal • Tamales Cake • Budin • Binarutak
• Kapeng • Sinigang na • Tinuktok • Lauya
Barako Baka with • Pinais • Nilasing na
Langka • Kalamay Hipon
• Uraro • Kilawin na • Adobong
(arrowroot Baboy Matanda
cookies)
• Kinulob na
Itik
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Popular Festivals from the Region

Batangas Sublian Festival (July 23)- a two-week long festival in honor of the town’s
patron Sto. Niño in Batangas City
Parada ng Lechon (June 24)
Kabakahan Festival (December 1)
Lambayok Festival (December 12) to feature the town’s products—
lambanog, lambat, and palayok
Balsa Festival (May 8)
Lomi Festival (June 20)
Tinapayan Festival (May 15)
Cavite Kalayaan Festival (June 12)
Regada Festival (June 22-24)
Sumilang Festival (February 1-3)
Kawayan Festival (September 7)
Pahimis Festival (February 2nd week)- a thanksgiving festival held for an
abundant harvest of coffee
Wagayway Festival (May 29) to honor the symbolic hoisting of the Philippine
flag in the province
Tinapa Festival (October)
Sapyaw Festival (August 20) in honor of St. Augustine
Tahong Festival (September 29)
Laguna Pandan Festival (April)
Coconut Festival (January 15)
Batingaw Festival (January 16)- to remember the legendary kampanang
ginto which is said to bring bountiful harvest
Bangkero Festival (February)
Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival (April 1st week)-to celebrate and support the
industry of the Footwear Capital of the Philippines
Pinya Festival (May)
Festival of Lights to celebrate the Christmas season
Quezon Pahiyas Festival (May 15)
Niyogyugan Festival (August 15)
Tay-Tsinoy Festival- part of the Chinese New Year celebration of the
Tayabanese people
Mayohan Festival (May 15)- the version of Pahiyas Festival of Tayabas,
Quezon
Tagultol Festival (July 29-August 2)- to celebrate the rich culture of
Atimonan, Quezon
Boling boling Festival- a week-long festival in Catanauan Quezon preceding
the Ash Wednesday where locals put mud or grease all over their bodies
and roam around town
Rizal Higantes Festival (November 22-23)
Feast of San Isidro Labrador (May 15)
Santacruzan (May)
Kaluskos Bamboo Arch Festival (December 1st week)
Sikaran Festival (last week of January)-to showcase and promote the
traditional and local martial arts called Sikaran
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ACTIVITY:

I. Choose the correct answer by encircling the letter of your choice.

1. Which festival from Cavite is celebrated to honor the symbolic hoisting of the Philippine
flag in the province?
a. Bandila Festival b. Wagayway Festival c. Watawat Festival

2. The Lambayok Festival in stands for?

a. Lambanog, lambat, palayok
b. Lambanog, banig, palayok
c. Lambat, balut, palayok

3. Which museum found in the region is dubbed as one of the 25 most instagrammable
museums in the world?
a. BenCab Museum b. Art in Island c. Pinto Art Museum

4. Who were the ones NOT entitled to be buried in the Underground Museum in Laguna?
a. Common townspeople b. Friars c. elite Catholic family members

5. Which province in the region is also known as the heartland of the revolution/ “pugad ng
kagitingan”?
a. Cavite b. Laguna c. Rizal

6. Which fish, found in Taal Lake, is known to be the only freshwater sardine in the world?
a. Bitungu b. tawilis c. banak

7. Which festival in the region is celebrated as a thanksgiving event for an abundant

harvest of coffee?
a. Pahimis Festival b. Kapehan Festival c. Barako Festival

8. Which festival in the region is celebrated to showcase and promote the traditional and
local martial arts?
a. Arnis Festival b. Silat Festival c. Sikaran Festival

9. Which festival in the region is celebrated to remember the legendary kampanang ginto
which is said to bring bountiful harvest?
a. Kampana Festival b. Kaluskos Festival c. Batingaw Festival
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10. What is the last name of the three brothers who previously owned Cagbalete Island?
a. Pansacola b. Benedicto c. Jose

II. Identify the capital of the following provinces in the region. Write your answer
on the blank.

________________1. Batangas

________________2. Cavite

________________3. Quezon

________________4. Rizal

________________5. Laguna

References:

Cavite Province. (2011). Provincial disaster risk reduction and management plan.
https://wvphilippineshea.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/cavite-pdrrm-plan.pdf

Churchill, B.R. (2005). The historiography of Cavite Province in the context of national
history. https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=5259

Island Properties. (n.d.). Laguna province. https://www.islandsproperties.com/places

/laguna.htm

Province of Batangas. (2021). Geography. http://www.batangas.gov.ph/portal/history/

Province of Quezon. (n.d.). About. https://www.quezon.gov.ph/general-

information/about

Province of Rizal. (n.d.) General information. http://www.rizalprovince.ph/pages/

generalinformation2 .html

WordLingo. (n.d.) History of Laguna. http://lagunaphilippines.weebly.com/history.html