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LESSON MODULE
Lesson Number 7

Lesson Title REGION 4A CALABRAZON REGION

Introduction/Discussion of Content

I. Introduction

Calabarzon, also spelled as CALABARZON (/ká -lɑ-bɑr-zon/), formally known as

Southern Tagalog Mainland and designated as Region IV-A, is an administrative region in
the Philippines. The region comprises five provinces: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and
Quezon, and one highly urbanized city, Lucena. The region is the most populous region in
the Philippines, having 14,414,774 inhabitants in 2015, and is also the country's second
most densely populated after Metro Manila.

Provinces City
Cavite Bacoor/ Cavite City/Dasmariñ as/General Trias/Imus
Tagaytay/Trece Martires

Laguna Biñ an/Cabuyao/Calamba/San Pablo/San Pedro/Santa Rosa

Batangas City/Lipa/Tanauan

Batangas
Antipolo

Rizal
Lucena City Tayabas City

Quezon

II. History
A number of notable events in the history of the Philippines took place in Region IV-A. People from Batangas, Cavite and
Laguna were a part of those who first revolted against the Spaniards for freedom. While the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose P.
Rizal, his brother, Paciano Rizal and Vicente Lim are also born in Calamba City. Apolinario Mabini was born in Tanauan City,
Batangas.
The eight primary rays of the sun found in the Philippine Flag represent the first eight provinces (Batangas, Bulacan,
Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac) that sought independence from Spain and were placed under martial
law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.
CALABARZON or Region 4A (sometimes written with the Roman numeral as REGION IV-A), is what became of the other
half when in 2002, Southern Tagalog (Region 4) was split into two. The term CALABARZON is actually an acronym representing
letters from the names of the 5 provinces that comprise it – Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. Like Region 3, it also
spans from east in the pacific to the west in the South China Sea.
A. Territory
The region is situated south of the National Capital Region, and is
bordered by the Manila Bay in the west, Lamon Bay and the Bicol Region in the
east, the Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan Sea in the south, and the provinces of Aurora,
Bulacan, and Metro Manila in the north. It is home to places like Mount Makiling
near Los Bañ os, Laguna and the Taal Volcano in Talisay, Batangas.

B. Map

C. Topography
CALABARZON has varied land forms. It consists partly of coastal areas and mostly upland interior areas of slightly moderate
rolling or undulating plains and hills, and mountains. Almost sixty percent of the region’s land area has a slope ranging from 0-18
percent. Slope distribution by province is presented below.
Batangas has a unique cove-like shape coastal areas lying at the south-eastern portion of the province. It consists mostly of
moderately sloping to rolling and very steep hills with scattered mountainous areas.
Cavite is characterized by rolling hinterlands punctuated by hills, with shore land fronting Manila Bay at sea level, and rugged
Figure 3. Map of the CALABARZON
portion at the boundary of Batangas where Dos Picos Mountains are located.
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Laguna province it is considered as an inland province, which comprises the largest portion of the Laguna de Bay Region where
the Laguna Lake lies, the country’s largest inland water and the second largest freshwater in the Southeast Asia. It is
characterized with flat and rugged terrain and its slope ranges from level to steep slope.
Quezon province it has a rugged terrain with few plains, valleys and swamps. The undulating lowlands along the coast are well
drained. The province is very narrow, with average width of about 30 kilometers.
Rizal province its topography is a combination of valleys and mountains, with flat low-lying areas on the western portion, rugged
ridges and rolling hills which form part of the Sierra Madre ranges in the eastern portion.

A. Famous People

Ethnic Groups
The Sinauna are found in Sta. Inez in Rizal and General Nakar in Quezon
(CALABARZON Region), and in a few places in Aurora (Central Luzon). Their
language has a 73% lexical similarity with Filipino, but it is now highly endangered.
Marriage is prearranged by the parents and happens at a very young age. Note that
Sinaunas have no religion, but they believe in a high being that created everything.
Agtas are characteristically short, dark-skinned, kinky-haired, thick-lipped, and
small-nosed. Their traditional clothing is tapis (skirt) for women and bahag (breechcloth) for men. Breastfeeding mothers wear
uban, a piece of fabric slung from the shoulders. Most men scar their bodies, using various designs that have been passed down to
them by their ancestors. Today, most Agtas have abandoned their tribal attire for "civilized" clothes.
V. Economy
Calabarzon is the second largest contributor to the national GDP, accounting for 17% of the gross domestic product. The
region boasts a 2.1% inflation rate, lower than the national average of 3%. The region has a 9.2% unemployment rate which is
higher than the national average of 7%. Calabarzon, much like the rest of the country, is caught in the middle of being an
industrial and an agricultural economy.
Due to the region's proximity to Metro Manila, a large amount of urbanization has taken place over the years. Cavite and
Laguna in particular re sites of manufacturing and high-tech industries, with companies like Intel and Panasonic setting up plants
in the region. Santa Rosa, Laguna, is home to a host of semi-conductor and automotive companies such as Amkor and Toyota,
while General Trias is home to Cavite's largest economic development zone, the PEC Industrial Park.
The region still has a large agricultural base. As of 2002, the region had 282,700 farms, covering 588,500 hectares
(1,454,000 acres), or 36.3% of the region's total land area. Cavite alone has almost 70,500 hectares (174,000 acres) of
agricultural land. Laguna is home to the International Rice Research Institute, which can be found within the University of the
Philippines Los Bañ os, whose main goal is to find sustainable ways to help rice farmers. Batangas, meanwhile, is home to a large
pineapple and coconut industry, which is used to make Barong Tagalogs and native liqueurs such as lambanog and tuba in
Tayabas City. Quezon is the country's leader in coconut products such as coconut oil and copra. Rizal is known for its piggeries.
Region IV-A's agricultural base, however, is slowly decreasing. Due to their proximity to large bodies of water, Laguna and
Batangas also have sizable fishing industries. Taal Lake is a large source of fresh water fishes for the country.

Cavite-An agriculture province and its major crops include rice, vegetables, fruits, root crops, coffee, coconut and sugarcane. It is
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endowed with rich offshore and coastal fishing grounds and fishing is a major source of livelihood in the coastal towns. Many
industrial establishments are now operational and more industrial estates have been or are being developed in various parts.
Laguna-Agriculture and fishery are the main industries that contribute a great part of the provincial economy. The crops
produced are rice, sugarcane and fruits, specifically citrus and lanzones. It is the second largest producer of coconut in the
country. It is also noted for its woodcarvings, paper-mache figures, barong materials and linen.
Rizal- The top industry garment production, followed by trading and service-oriented businesses. Agriculture is less intense
compared with other provinces in the region. The major crops are rice and fruit trees, specifically mango, citrus, coffee, cacao and
cashew. Eight towns lie along the northern coast of Laguna de Bay and depend on the lake for livelihood, including tilapia- and
duck-raising.
Quezon-It is the country’s leading coconut producer. Other major crops are rice, corn, banana and coffee. Although it has vast
forest lands, timber and other forest products are now only in very small quantities. Figure
Fishing19.
is Products
a year-round activity because of
in Quezon
rich fishing grounds especially in the many bays.

IX. Festivals
Feast of San Clemente (Higantes Festival) (Angono, Rizal)
Angono’s joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal vestment, is
borne by male devotees during a procession accompanied by “parehadoras” (devotees dressed in
local costumes, wooden shoes, and carrying boat paddles) and “higantes,” (giant wooden figures
made from papier mache and bamboo). The street event culminates in a fluvial procession on the
shores of Laguna de Bay, amidst revelry that continues until the image is brought back to the
parish church.

Agawan Festival is an annual harvest festival held in Sariaya, Quezon, Philippines every 15
May in honor to Saint Isidore the Laborer, the patron saint of agriculture and good harvest. The
nte
celebration is known as the Happy Pandemonium and one of the four harvest festivals
celebrated in the province of Quezon every May 15th.

Pahiyas Festival
Every May 15, the townsfolk of Lucban, Quezon, don their houses with fruits, vegetables and
colorful kiping (a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice and dyed with food coloring) in celebration of
the Pahiyas Festival. The word ‘pahiyas’ was derived from the word ‘payas’, which means
decoration or to decorate. The reason behind such practice dates back to the 15th century,
when farmers used to offer their harvests at the foot of Mount Banahaw. Over time, they
brought their farm produce at the church in honor of the town’s patron saint – St. Isidore the Laborer, who is the patron saint of
farmers, laborers and peasants.
Niyogyugan Festival is a provincial festival that combines all of Quezon’s 39 municipalities and
2 cities into one. The name comes from niyog (coconut) and yugyog (to shake). A coconut
dancing to a lively beat comes to mind. Actually, the festival itself isn’t too far off from this
description: everything is coconut-themed and the Niyogyugan song that plays on a loop in the
festival is perfect to shake or dance to.

X. Products and Delicacies

Here are the different kinds of products and delicacies in different provinces of Region 4A CALABARZON.
A. Delicacies with sampling
 Bibingka
 Buko Pie
 Espasol- Laguna
 Mer nel’s Cake
 Kesong Puti
 Salted Egg
 Kapeng barako
 Lomi Batangas
 Bulalong Baka
 Tapang Taal
 Bagoong Balayan
 Tawilis
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 Pancit Malabon
 Dinilawang Kanduli with Alagaw

 Yema Cake
 Lambanog
 Budin or Cassava Cake
 Longganisang Lucban
 Pancit Habhab
 Minukmok

B. Crafts & Pasalubong
 Salakót A salakó t is a traditional wide-brimmed hat from the Philippines. It is often made of either rattan or
Phragmites reeds, and is a Filipino traditional headdress similar to the iconic conical hat found in neighbouring
Southeast and East Asian countries. The Visayans also call this headgear "sadok" or "sarok".
 Taka-Taka refers to paper mache made using carved wooden sculpture used as a mold. The craft originated in the town
of Paete, Laguna in the Philippines
 Pandan crafts-Pandan crafts, or crafts made from dried pandan leaves are skillfully woven by the locals of Luisiana.
They come in different products like bags, boxes, mats, and hats, to name a few.
 Embroideries and Barongs
 Footwears
 Kiping
 Ugu Pottery
 Buli Weaving

XI. Tourist Attractions
Religious Sites
Location/ Name Description Picture
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine can be found in the town of
Lucban,Quezon . This is one of the most visited places in the
Kamay ni Hesus area, especially during Lenten season (Visita Iglesia). The
Shrine shrine, including the Stations of the Cross, is situated on the
Lucban, Quezon top of the hill. Before you reach the Hand of Christ Jesus, you
will pass by the 14 Stations of the Cross located along the
pathway going to the top.

Natural Attractions
Name/ Location Description Picture
Corregidor is the largest of the five islands guarding the
entrance to Manila Bay. A tadpole-shaped isle, Corregidor
Corregidor Island was once a mere fishing village with a lighthouse and signal
Cavite station for all ships entering and leaving Manila Bay.

The Cavinti Underground river and caves compex is one of

Cavinti Underground the newest ecotourism destinations the province of

River and Caves Laguna.It is located in Brgy. Paowin in the municipality of

Complex Cavinti.

Laguna

Laiya Beach Resort is one of the best destinations in

Batangas when it comes to escaping the hustle and bustle
Laiya Beach of urban living. It is about 1.5 hectares of beach side
Batangas property well known for its fine white sand beach and
azure coastline amongst fishing villages
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Balesin island allegedly acquired its name from the local
name for the Banyan Tree (balete) and the Tagalog word
for salt (asin), reflecting the waters surrounding the island.
Balesin Beach
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, a
Quezon
contingent of seven soldiers lived on Balesin Island,
reportedly existing peacefully with indigenous local
fishermen and their families.

Historical Sites
Name/Location Description Picture
Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit Cavite
This National Shrine is situated in Kawit, Cavite. It is the ancestral home of the first Philippine
President Emilio Aguinaldo. In this place was where the Philippine Independence Day, also known
as “Araw ng Kalayaan,” was declared on June 12, 1898.

Malagonlong Bridge- Quezon

Considered as one of the most important heritage sites in this city, Malagonlong Bridge is now
closed to traffic after the new bridge across Dumacaa river was completed. Among the eleven (11)
stone masonry bridges that can be found in Tayabas City, Malogonlong Bridge is said to be one of
the oldest and longest stone arched bridge. The bridge was not included by UNESCO in the list of
World Heritage Sites due to the existence of the newly constructed bridge located beside the old bridge.
The Angono Petroglyphs - Rizal
It is considered as the oldest work of art in the Philippines. This heritage site was discovered by the
late National Artist of the Philippines awardee Carlos V. Francisco in 1965. There are 127 human and
animal figures engraved on the rock wall dating back to 3000 BC.This inscription shows stylized
human figures, lizards, frog with other designs that may portray other interesting figures. Some
carvings have been damage due to neglect and vandalism.

Man Made Attractions

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Name/Location Description Picture
Enchanted Kingdom - Laguna
Enchanted Kingdom opened to the public on October 19, 1995. It was and still is the first and only
world-class theme park in the Philippines.

Avilon Zoo - Rizal

The Avilon Montalban Zoological Park is a 7½-hectare zoological and botanical park located in
Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. Owned and operated by Mr. Joaquin Gaw, it started in 1992 as
an offshoot of his habit as an exotic animal collector. He decided to show to the public his collection
and established the Avilon Zoo. The park, in the 10 years of evolution, became what it is today.

Cultural Sites
Name/Location Description Picture
The house was built in the 1930s and was a gift of Dr. Isidro
Rodriguez to his ailing wife Doñ a Gregoria Gala. It was a huge stone
house with opulent furniture.
The Gala-Rodriguez ancestral house was witness to events during
Gala-Rodriguez
the Japanese invasion that created stories fit to be told in a movie,
Ancestral House
like that story of a Japanese General Ashima’s wooing of Doñ a
Quezon
Carmen, the eldest daughter of the Rodriguez couple, and the
bombing attack of the house planned by American troops when the
guerillas found out that some Japanese officers lived in the
Rodriguez house.
When Don Catalino became Sariaya’s presidente (mayor during the
Catalino and Luisa American invasion) in 1908-1909, their house was the venue of
Rodriguez some huge political events. The prominent features of the house
Ancestral House include high ceilings, stained glass windows, wall paintings, and
Quezon carved lattices.

The brick-roofed art deco house was designed by Andres Luna, son
of artist Juan Luna. This is one of the most prominent landmarks in
Sariaya and was where former provincial leader, Gov. Natalio

Gov. Natalio Enriquez lived.

Enriquez
Ancestral House
Quezon

Special Interest Sites/Attractions

Name/Location Description Picture
The Fantasy World Castle it is a theme park under
construction located in Barangy Mayasang in Lemery,
Batangas. This amazing and colorful structure can be easily
Fantasy World Castle
seen along Diokno Highway going to Tagaytay. At the time of
Batangas
its construction, it was meant to be a huge complex for a
theme park with the castle as the centerpiece with rides and a
series of condominiums.
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The sun flower farm is a very popular to visit here in Quezon
specifically in Candelaria mostly the flowers bloom in
Sun Flower Farm summer that why many people will visit there and that is the
Quezon perfect time to go there because of the perfect sunny day and
great for picturesque and instagramable.

Just south of Manila, the province of Batangas has some of the

best dive sites off the coast of Luzon. These include Fortune
Island, sites near Matabungkay and the most famous Balayan
Bay, home to the sleepy little town of Anilao, the birthplace of
Anilao Dive Sites
diving in the Philippines. This Batangas Beach Resort and
Batangas
Hotel in Batangas is blessed with every rich scuba diving sites
that many scuba divers around the world have chosen to keep
on coming back because of the many choices of scuba diving
spots in Anilao Batangas Philippines.