The Beauty of Central Luzon Region

(Region III)

INTRODUCTION
Central Luzon is a combination of towering mountains, extinct and active volcanoes, lush,
verdant farmlands, and natural sea harbors. It is one of the leading growth regions in the
Philippines, strategically located at the heart of Asia. Region III lies between Manila and
Northern Luzon. It is composed of seven provinces, twelve cities and 118 municipalities. Its 7
provinces are Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Its 12
cities are Balanga from Bataan, Malolos and San Jose del Monte from Bulacan, Cabanatuan,
Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose from Nueva Ecija; Angeles and San Fernando from
Pampanga, Tarlac from Tarlac; and Olongapo from Zambales.
It includes all land area north of Manila Bay from the tip of Bataan peninsula on the west, and
all the lands north of the Caraballo mountains on the east. It is the longest contiguous area of
lowlands, and is otherwise known as the Central Plains of Luzon. The region produces one third
of the country’s total rice production, thus is also called the Rice Granary of the Philippines.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

Central Luzon has a very diverse cultural heritage and colorful traditions, owing to the influence
of Spanish, American and Japanese colonizers, as well as the presence of different
ethnolinguistic groups – Aetas, Sambals, Capampangangs, Tagalogs, Ilocanos and
Pangasinenses.

More than half of the population in the region speaks Tagalog, which is attributed to the large
Tagalog-speaking provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. Capampangan is the
next most widely spoken dialect in the region, used by people from Pampanga and Tarlac.
Ilocano, the third most dominant dialect in the region, is spoken in the provinces of Zambales,
northern Tarlac and northern Nueva Ecija which are close to the Ilocano-speaking provinces of
Pangasinan and the Cordilleras.

Among the region’s festivities, celebrations and religious sites, the most prominent include the
Carabao Festival and Obando Fertlity Rites in Bulacan; the Giant Lantern Festival and Lenten
Rites in Pampanga; and the Mango Festival in Zambales. Central Lzuon is also noted for
products such as furniture, Christmas lanterns, jewelry, marble products, meat products and
sweets and delicacies. Centuries-old churches, ancestral houses, as well as historical
monuments serve as landmarks that depict the rich cultural heritage of the region.

TOURIST DESTINATION

DITUMABO MOTHER FALLS

Towering at around 140 feet and with the cold water from the highland of Sierra Madre
Mountain Range, Ditumabo Falls is an imposing icon of the province. The freely cascading water
drops into a wide rocky basin forming a natural pool ideal for swimming.

But getting to Ditumabo Falls is not a walk in the park. From Baler, one needs to ride a tricycle
or a van to get to Barangay Ditumabo and trek for approximately an hour to see the waterfalls.
It is not an easy trek, it involves river crossings and the trail is generally rough and rocky (and
quite slippery specially after the rain), but it is one rewarding

MONESTERIO DE TARLAC

Located atop the appropriately named Mount Resurrection, this incredible monastery is a
very popular destination with both locals and tourists alike. Its majestic Jesus Christ statue is
the undoubted highlight of what’s on show.Towering to a height of 30 feet, Christ’s
outstretched arms welcome visitors to the Monasterio de Tarlac. From the peaceful gardens
surrounding the church, you have some lovely views out over the picturesque Zambales
Mountain Range.While its scenic setting and splendid statue are what many people come for,
the interior of the monastery houses a very important relic which is believed to be a remnant
of the cross upon which Christ was crucified.Although the fragment of the True Cross is not all
that much to look at, lots of pilgrims come here and venerate the holy site. The monastery’s
peaceful mountaintop setting certainly makes it the perfect place for some quiet reflection.