Region 3: Handouts

Region 3CENTRAL LUZON

Provinces:
1. Aurora “Sanctuary Of Nature’s Splendor” – Baler 2. Bataan “History Hub of Central Luzon” -Balanga
3. Bulacan “Land of Heroes” – Malolos
4. Nueva Ecija “Rice Bowl of the Philippines”-Palayan 5. Pampanga “Culinary Center of the Philippines”- San Fernando 6. Tarlac “Melting Pot of Central Luzon”-Tarlac City 7. Zambales “Wreck Diving Capital of the Philippines”-Iba

BATAAN

DAMBANA NG KAGITINGAN
Also called the “Shrine of Valor”, this structure consists of a giant cross on top of Mt. Samat, in an area now declared a national park. It symbolizes the bravery of the Fil-American soldiers who fought against the Japanese forces during WWII.

FALL OF BATAAN MARKER
A very important event in the country’s history commemorates this marker. It was also built to honor the Filipino soldiers, both living and dead, who valiantly fought against the Japanese invaders.

MT. SAMAT
The scene of the most heroic defensive battle during WWII, in which Fil-American forces were defeated by the Japanese.

FESTIVALS

PAWIKAN FESTIVAL
Many tourists go to this sanctuary during the nesting season and especially during the Pawikan Festival to be able to get a chance to see turtles come up to shore at night to lay their eggs. During the Pawikan Festival, tourists are even able to “adopt a turtle” and personally hold and release a
baby turtle into the sea. BULACAN

BARASOAIN CHURCH
This church is considered one of the leading historical spots in the Philippines. It was the seat of the short-lived Philippine Republic and the site of the Malolos Congress in 1898.

BIAK NA BATO
This huge split boulder was the mountain hideout if the revolutionary forces during the Spanish period and the place where Malolos Constitution was signed.

CASA REAL
This building was a printing press during the Malolos Republic and was converted into a municipal library. Now it is a museum that houses various memorabilia. OBANDO FERTILITY RITES
Held every May 15-19, is attended mostly by childless couples who dance before the Virgin of Salambao, San Pascual Baylon and Sta. Clara in the hopes that they would be granted a child. NUEVA ECIJA

THE OLD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF GAPAN
The first 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) and the old Municipal hall as the tribunal endures as a remainder of their pioneering efforts.

GABALDON FALLS
The river is surrounded by green foliage and huge rock formation. Its rippling ice-cold water from the ten feet high water falls is the main attraction of the area.

DOÑA AURORA NATIONAL PARK (Bongabon)
Located 100 meters away from the arch symbolized the boundary between Aurora and Nueva Ecija, the park is rich in ravine and cliffs which is ideal for mountain climbing and hiking and for pleasure trip.

TAONG-PUTIK RITUAL
On June 24 during the feast of Saint John, residents of barrio Bibiclat in Aliaga wake up at dawn and walk to the fields, dragging dried banana leaves behind them. Silhouettes of barrio folks gathered in the field, sunrise signal the start of the religious rite. Men and women, young and old smear their and cover their body with mud. They tie one end of the banana leaves and wear this to conceal their identities. Then they proceed anonymously to the barrio and visits each house were everybody waits them. The taong putik are given candles which they collect and offer to their patron saint at the church. The ritual ends in a mass where everyone removes the banana leaves to reveal their identities and participate in the procession in honor of Saint Joseph the Baptist.

ZAMBALES

IBA BEACH
More than 20 resorts are lined up along the 8-kilometer stretch of whitish-sand beach with crystal clear water from the South China Sea.

MT. PINATUBO
The volcano which caused a massive eruption in 1991. Now you can marvel at the volcano up close and swim inside its crater.

SAN SALVADOR ISLAND
The place has been awarded the 1996 “Galing Pook Award” for its marine conservation project.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT
This huge complex first serve as a Spanish Naval Station before being ceded to the United States in 1898.

PAMPANGA
SISIG
A crunchy charcoal-grilled pork cheek chopped into minute morsels and mixed
with minced chicken liver, onions, and the juices of freshly-squeezed calamansi (Philippine lemon).

CHRISTMAS LANTERNS
The best and the brightest (including the largest) Christmas lanterns in the world can only be found in the capital City of San Fernando, host to the popular ‘Giant Lantern Festival’ held Christmas every year.

MT. PINATUBO-LAHAR AREA & THE MT. PINATUBO CRATER LAKE
A majestic cauldron-like lake created after the volcano’s devastating eruption in 1991. The Mt. Pinatubo Sky Tour treats visitors to an aerial view of the volcano that once ravaged Central Luzon. An annual Pinatubo trek, known as “A March to Peace and Tranquility,” is held every November 30 to commemorate the great eruption. An ecumenical worship highlights the annual sojourn.

CANDABA SWAMP AND WILD DUCK SANCTUARY
A natural sanctuary for thousands of birds migrating from China to flee the winter. The Bird Sanctuary of Candaba is a paradise waiting to be discovered hopefully by bird watchers and not by bird hunters.

BETIS CATHOLIC CHURCH
The jewel in the crown is the Betis Church (Santiago de Galicia Parish), built in the early 1700s and repaired continually throughout the 1800s. The unadorned exterior does not prepare the visitor for what he is about to witness inside: the main altar (retablo) with ornate carvings and saints peering out of their niches like ancient dolls, and the paintings on the ceiling that attract comparison with the Sistine Chapel.

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
Formerly known as Clark Air Base and once the largest US military air facility outside continental America before it was turned over to the Philippine Government in 1991 with the expiration of the Bases Agreement and declared as a special economic zone.

MARCOS VILLAGE
An authentic Aeta village inhabited by Negritos who still practice their ancient tribal rituals and customs.

HILAGA
Formerly known as Paskuhan Village, Hilaga was transformed into a cultural, historical, tourism, trade, and entertainment village in 2003 and now serves as a virtual window to the cultural and historical heritage of the four regions that make up Northern Philippines. The star-shaped central pavilion pays tribute to the skilled lantern makers of San Fernando who continue to produce the biggest and the brightest lanterns in the world.

HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is an annual event that occurs between January and February at the Omni Aviation Complex in Clark Field, Angeles City. It features multicolored hot air balloons with more than a hundred balloon pilots from round the world. This three day hot air balloon event is the biggest aviation sports event in the country.