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| Source: Its more fun in the Philippines
Central Luzon, having the most abundant harvest of palay and other crops because of its fertile plains and valleys, was renowned as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines”. The people in Central Luzon are mostly native Tagalog and Kapampangan speakers so it would not be hard for tourists to communicate with them.
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| Source: Still in Brouhaha
Central Luzon has a total land area of 18, 227.80 square kilometers and is comprised of 7 provinces, namely: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales, 14 cities and 116 towns. On the northern boundary of the region, the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan can be found. While on its south is the Rizal province and the Manila Bay. The region is bounded by the South China Sea on the west and Quezon province on the east. The “super” region is very accessible because it is just a short trip away from Metro Manila.
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| Source: Wikipedia
As a resident of the region itself, I can honestly say that I view Central Luzon as the next BIG thing! From each of its provinces’ amazing history, traditions, culture, sumptuous food, beaches, adventures and many more, your visit will surely not go to waste! So come on, delve, explore and discover Central Luzon!
A Sneak-Peek in the Southern Provinces of Central Luzon
Fall in love with Bataan
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| Source: Its more fun in the Philippines
Capital: Balanga
Area: 1,373 square kilometers
Current Governor: Mr. Abet Garcia
Climate: Dry from November to April; Wet for the rest of the year
Common Languages: Tagalog and Pampango (Kapampangan)
Get to know Bataan Province
The Bataan Peninsula is the smallest province located in the southwestern part of the Central Luzon Region. The province is bounded by Zambales and Pampanga on the north and is situated between the South China Sea and the Manila Bay. Being a mountainous province (having 80.9% of its land area as mountains and hills), it is divided by pass into two separate areas: the northern mountains and the southern mountains of Mariveles.
Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia was the one who has established Bataan in 1754. Also, more than the Bataan Death March that is known to us all, the province has had its fare share in the history of the Philippines. Some of these events include the 1647 Abucay massacre in one of its towns, which was executed by the Dutch Naval Forces in its attempt to attack the country. Also, the province of Bataan together with other provinces also participated in the Philippine revolution of 1896.
The people inhabiting Bataan are mostly Tagalog and Kapampangan speakers which makes it easy for tourists to communicate with them. While Aetas and Negritos occupies some of the mountainous regions of the province.
How to get there?
The Bataan Peninsula is accessible by land, air and sea. For those travelling by land, they can ride a bus from Manila to the province’s capital or board a bus from Manila to Olongapo and transfer from Olongapo to Bataan. Some famous bus companies that travel to and from Bataan and/or Olongapo are Victory Liner, Philippine Rabbit and Pantranco North. The North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway have even made travelling by land to Bataan more accessible for both commuters and private car owners, alike. And for those who wish to travel by sea to avoid traffic congestion, they can catch a ferry trip from the CCP terminal in Manila and be there in Bataan in no time.
Fun in Bulacan
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| Source: Flickr
Fast Facts
Capital: Malolos
Area: 2, 627 square kilometers
Current Governor: Mr. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado
Climate: Dry from November to April; wet for the rest of the year
Common Language: Tagalog
Get to know Bulacan
In the southeastern part of Central Luzon, the province of Bulacan can be found. Nueva Ecija borders the province of Bulacan on the north, on its east are the provinces of Quezon and Aurora, while on the south are the Rizal province and the Metro Manila, and on its west is the province of Pampanga. The eastern part of Bulacan inclines towards the mountain range of Sierra Madre and is also where Mt. Oriol (Bulacan’s highest point) can be found while areas are dominantly flat in the western half of the province.
The name of the province was derived from the word ‘bulak’ which means cotton. Cotton has been primarily the product of Bulacan in the early days. Historically, Bulacan has been one of the first provinces who stood up against the Spanish rule. Many historically important events have happened in the province of Bulacan serve as one of the things locals of Bulacan are proud of. Some examples of these events are the signing of the Pact of Biak na Bato in San Miguel in the year 1897, the drafting of the constitution by the Malolos Congress at the Barasoain Church in 1898 and the first election in the country carried out by the Americans happened in Baliwag in the year 1899. Also, Bulacan has served as the home to many heroes namely: Marcelo del Pilar, Gregorio del Pilar, and Francisco Baltazar.
The people in the province of Bulacan are truly proud of the rich history of their province and claims that they the language known as the pure Tagalog. As a resident of Bulacan, I too take pride of the history as well as the developments that have taken and will be taking place in our area. The Bulacan province is truly a place to be, from farms to commercial establishments, living in a community with a very diverse way of life is truly exciting!
How to get there?
Being very near in Metro Manila, most buses that are bound to the northern parts of Luzon pass through Bulacan, therefore making the province very accessible to both tourists and locals alike.
Pig out in Pampanga
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| Source: Its more fun in the Philippines
Fast Facts
Capital: San Fernando
Area: 2,180 square kilometers
Current Governor: Ms. Lilia Pineda
Climate: Dry from November to April; wet for the rest of the year
Common Languages: Pampango (Kapampangan) and Tagalog
Get to know Pampanga
I once asked a friend, “What do you love most about Pampanga?” and he answered, “Excluding my family, I really love the food there”. Based on my observation, whenever a Filipino is asked about what place offers the best food in the Philippines, he would immediately say “Pampanga!” with a satisfied smile. In Pampanga, the food that are served everyday are like the food served in our fiestas!
Geographically, Pampanga is situated in the middle of the region of Central Luzon. In its northern boundary are the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, while on its south are Bataan and the Manila Bay, on its eastern side is Bulacan and on the west is the province of Zambales. The province is mainly comprised of flat lands but it has changed mainly because of the traces of lahar flows due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo that has happened before. The longest river in this province is the Pampanga River, which runs from the east of Nueva Ecija to the Manila Bay.
The name of the province was derived from the word “pampang” because of the early settlements along the riverbanks and its dwellers were called “Kapampangans”. Many cities were removed from the province of Pampanga but are still part of the Central Luzon Region but now belong to different provinces. In addition, the Kapampangans’ main industries are farming and fishing, rice and sugarcane being their main crops and fishes, shrimps and crabs their main water produce, respectively. Lastly, the main language of the Kapampangans is called Pampango.
How to get there?
Many buses travel from Manila to almost every provinces of Pampanga. The province’s capital is just more or less 66 kilometers away from Manila, which makes Pampanga very accessible for the tourists. Some of the bus companies that travel to, through and from Pampanga are the Philippine Rabbit and Victory Liner.
Swim in Zambales
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| Source: An Angel in Bohol
Fast Facts
Capital: Iba
Area: 3,174 square kilometers
Current Governor: Mr. Jun Ebdane
Climate: Dry from November to April; wet for the rest of the year
Common Languages: Tagalog, Ilocano and Zambal
Get to know Zambales
On the western part of Central Luzon, the province of Zambales can be found. On its north is the province of Pangasinan, on the east of Zambales is bordered by the provinces of Tarlac and Pampanga, while on its west lies the South China Sea, and the Bataan Peninsula can be found on its south. Zambales is comprised of lowlands along the coast where the town centers are situated. The province also consists of mountain ranges, which gives it abundant deposits of minerals.
The name of the province was derived from the word “Zambals” which was the term that was used to refer to the early people inhabiting the province of Zambales. On the other hand, Zambals is the hispanicized term of “samba” or “worship” because the early inhabitants of Zambales used to worship anitos. The province of Zambales was one of the earliest provinces created during the rule of the Spaniards in the country. Today, the residents of Zambales are mainly Ilocanos, Tagalogs and Zambals with their languages being the common languages used in the province.
How to get there?
The province of Zambales can be reached via land transportation using buses travelling from Manila to Olongapo or from Manila to Iba daily. While air transportation is also available via Air Philippines that flies to Subic from Manila twice every day.
References:
· Libosada, C. (2003). Domestic Tourism. Anvil Publishing
· Lancion, C. (1995). Fast facts about Philippine provinces. Tahanan Books
· Department of Tourism (2014). Profile of Bataan. Retrieved from
http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/index.php?title=Profile%20of%20Bat
· Department of Tourism (2014). Bulacan. Retrieved from
http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/index.php?title=Bulacan&Page=1&pid=425
· Department of Tourism (2009). Region III (Central Luzon)>Pampanga. Retrieved from
http://www.tourism.gov.ph/SitePages/InteractiveSitesPage.aspx?siteID=12
· Department of Toursim (2009). Region III (Central Luzon)>Zambales. Retrieved from http://www.tourism.gov.ph/SitePages/InteractiveSitesPage.aspx?siteID=14
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