REGION 3 – Central Luzon

- “Rice Granary of the Philippines”

- the largest plain in the country and produces most of the country’s rice supply
- 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon (the largest island)
- The region of Central Luzon is located north of Manila, the nation's capital.
- Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales; and fourteen
cities: Angeles, Balanga, Cabanatuan, Malolos, San Fernando, Gapan, Mabalacat,
Meycauyan, Olongapo, Palayan, San Jose, San Jose del Monte, and Munoz, and Tarlac.

Provinces

1. Aurora - Sanctuary of nature’s Splendor

- Its capital is Baler and borders, clockwise from the south, the provinces
of Quezon, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela

Tourist spots

 Baler Church - it first stood on the site of an important battle called the "Siege of Baler"
that took place during the Philippine Revolution.
 Baler Hanging Bridge - situated along Zabali Road and connects the barangays of Tibang
and Sabang. The bridge is made of wooden planks and railings that are suspended above
a wide river by sturdy metal cables
 Baler Lighthouse - sits on one of the hills of Sitio Tibag
 Balete Tree - Aurora is known for being the biggest of its kind in the whole continent of
Asia. This enormous tree is cared for in a park inside the municipality of Maria Aurora.
This tree has been around for over 600 years and has grown to about 200 feet.
 Sabang Beach -  gray sand beach that is widely regarded as the birthplace of surfing in
Baler.
 Ditumabo Falls - waterfall that stands at about 140 feet tall. Locals commonly refer to it
as The Mother Falls

Local Products

Handicrafts- surfboard miniatures, key chains, sandals , flip flops and bags. 
Wood Products- Sungka, wood figurines, and other wood carving products which are appropriate
for home display.
Memorabilia- Printed Shirts (you can customize what design you want), printed mugs, board
shorts.
Homemade delicacies- suman de baler, kakanin, peanut butter, banana chips and sukang sasa.

Well-known information

There are several stories attributed to the origin of the name Baler. Legend has it that the name of
the place was originated from Lakan Balid, a chieftain of a prosperous and thriving village,
when the Spanish soldiers came upon, in their exploration of the northeastern coast of Luzon.
The Spanish soldiers found it hard to utter the native word Balid that they called him instead
as Lakan Baler.

Cultural Activities

SUMAN FESTIVAL

 February 17-19 / Baler, Aurora (3 hours from Manila by land)

 A parade of uniquely designed floats. Main streets and homes are decked with suman, a
native delicacy

The Aurora Foundation Day Festival

San Luis’ Sabutan Festival
The Aurora Surfing Cup
Search for Binibining Aurora
Street Dancing Competition
Tourism and Investment Exhibit

2. Bataan - History Hub of Central Luzon

Origin

established in 1754 by Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia out of territories

belonging to Pampanga and the corregimiento of Mariveles, which at the time, included
Maragondon in Cavite across the bay.

Tourist Attraction

Beaches The towns of Morong, Bagac, and Mariveles are home to various pristine beach
resorts that are just a few hours’ drive away from Metro Manila.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Balanga Nature and Wetland Park

Local products

 the famed smoked fish called tinapa

 tuyo (dried fish)
 bagoong (fermented shrimp paste)
 own version of the classic Southeast Asian sour soup, Sinigang na Manok sa Ayo.

Cultural Activities/Points of Interest

Bataan Day (April 9)

The Bataan Day Celebration is an annual event of the province. War veterans and their families
travel from all over the country to Mount Samat every April 9 to reminisce the past and celebrate
the bravery of our soldiers who offered their lives for freedom.

First Line of Defense Marker (Dinalupihan)

Marks the first strong line of defense of combined Phil. and USAFFE troops against the Japanese
invasion during World War II.

Democracy Marker

Situated at the provincial boundary between Pampanga and Bataan which depicts the role of
Bataan in the fight for freedom for the preservation of democracy.

Death March Marker (Orani)

The folk arts statue commemorating the defiant spirit of Bataan, where Death march marches
passed on their way to the prison camp.

Fall of Bataan Marker (Balanga)

This commemorates the fall of Bataan, in memory of war veterans, living and dead. The marker
symbolizes the courage and the enduring commitment of a Filipino soldier to his country.

Surrender Site Marker (Balanga)

Marks the spot where the grim surrender of Bataan and Corregidor was signed by Maj. Gen.
Edward King Jr., on April 9, 1942
Well-known information

Bataan Death March WW2, The siege of Bataan was the first major land battle for the
Americans in World War II and one of the most-devastating military defeats in American
history. The force on Bataan, numbering some 76,000 Filipino and American troops, is the
largest army under American command ever to surrender.

3. Bulacan – Land of the Heroes

Origin

The province's name is derived from the Tagalog word 'bulak' meaning cotton, which was
its former principal product. Bulacan started with small fishing settlements along the coast of
Manila Bay and expanded into the interior with the arrival of the Spaniards.

Tourist Attraction

Barasoian Church
Biak na Bato National Park
Meyto Shrine
Divine Mercy National Shrine
Vervidia Falls

Local Products

 Bulacan is known for its sweet delicacies such as breads and other pastries
 Enseimada or ensaymada is one of the popular products of Bulacan. This is sweetened
bread that looks like a large snail
 suman

Cultural Activities

Singkaban Festival – September 8-15

Kneeling Carabao in Pulilan – May 14-15
Fertility Dance in Obando – May 17-19
Baliwag Lenten Procession – Holy week
Calumpit Libad Festival – June 23-24
Feast of the Holy Cross of Wawa in Bocaue – 1st Sunday of July
4. Nueva Ecija - Rice Bowl of the Philippines

Origin

Nueva Ecija was named by the Spanish colonizers after the city of Ecija, Spain. Its indigenous
names, such as Pinagpanaan, meaning the place where the arrow hit – defining the precolonial
artistry in archery in the area, were abolished and changed by the government during the post-
colonial period after World War II.

Tourist Attraction

Minalungao Park
Gabaldon Falls 

Local Products

 Tinapa or smoked fish

 Diningdeng-a concoction of vegetables & fish sauce
 boiled kamote tops
 Goat (kalding) is a common treat for all occasions. It is a common ingredient on dishes
such as pinapaitan, kilawin & adobo.
 Sweets like tinudok, espasol,puto, tambutambong, tupig, kalamay, ginataang bayabas and
Ingkiwar.
 Exotic foods like Tapang usa or venison , Baboy-ramo or wild hog meat, Abu-os   ant
egg

Cultural Activities

Taong Putik Festival of Aliaga – June 24

Holy Week Rituals of Puncan 

Well-known Information

Nueva Ecija was created as a military commandancia in 1777 by Governor General Narciso
Claveria, with the capital at Baler (present-day capital of Aurora province). It was formerly part
of the province of Pampanga. Spanish records in the Philippines recognize two Spanish countries
in the Pacific–Las Islas Filipinas and Nueva Ecija

5. Pampanga - Culinary Center of the Philippines

Origin

Pampanga was founded by the Spanish conquistador, Martín de Goiti, in 1571. The name was
derived from the native Kapampangan words “pangpang ilog” meaning “riverside” where the
early Malayan settlements were concentrated along the Rio Grande de la Pampanga.

Tourist Attraction

Clark Freeport Zone

Betis Church
San Guillermo Parish Church
Nabuklod Adventure Park
Angeles City Heritage District

Local Products

 Buro/fermented rice with small shrimps

 Betute (stuffed frog)
 Kamaru (mole crickets sauteed in garlic and onion)
 Sisig (Pork cheek, grilled to a crunchy perfection, chopped and mixed with chicken liver,
onions, calamansi and fresh sili)
 Pindang Babi o Damulag (Sweet cured pork or carabeef)
 Burung Talangka (Fat or salt-preserved little crabs}
 bringhe

Cultural Activities

Giant Lantern Festival

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Ibon-Ebon Festival
San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites
Sampaguita Festival
Aldo Ning Amanung Siswan
Duman Festival
Sisig Festival
Aldo Ning Kapampangan
Lubenas, Sinukwan Festival

6. Tarlac – Melting Pot of Central Luzon

Origin

The name “Tarlac” is a Hispanized derivation of the Aeta word for a “talahib-like” weed called
“Malatarlak.” The Aetas lived in the western mountain regions of what is now the municipality
of Bamban. 

Tourist Attraction

Mt. Pinatubo Crater in Capas

Sikwako River Pool in Bamban
Monasterio de Tarlac in San Jose
Anzap Twin Falls in Mayantoc
Nambalan River in San Jose

Local Products

 Lechon Kawali popularly known as Chicharon

 Sinigang na ulang

Cultural Activities

Inuruban and Chicharon Festival of Camiling (October 8)

Buyboy Festival of San Clemente (Last Saturday and Sunday of April)
Melting Pot Festival or Malatarlak Festival of Tarlac City (January 20)
Feast of Immaculate Conception of Concepcion (December 8)
Belenismo sa Tarlac (December)

Well-known Information

most multicultural of the Central Luzon provinces. A mixture of four distinct groups – the
Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinenses and Tagalogs – share this province and living together

7. Zambales - Wreck Diving Capital of the Philippines

Origin

The province of Zambales was formally organized in 1572 after its exploration by Don Juan de
Salcedo, and originally included the towns of Alaminos, Bolinao, San Isidro, Infanta, Anda,
Bani, and Agno, which now belong to Pangasinan.

The name of the province was derived from the Malay word “Samba” meaning to worship as the
Spaniards found the its inhabitants worshipping their “Anitos.”

Tourist Attraction

Mt. Pinatubo
Mt. Tapulao
Anawangin Cove
Potipot Island
Capones Island
Lighthouse

Cultural Activities

Feast of the Ina Poonbato (Botolan) – 24 January

Singkamas Festival and Town Fiesta (San Marcelino) – 3rd week of February
Town Fiesta (San Narciso) – 19-25 February
Pundakit Festival of the Arts (San Felipe) – February-July
Senakulo – 3rd week of March Good Friday (Castillejos) – March or April Foundation Day
Celebration (Palauig) – 10 April Grand Fiesta (Cabangan) – 21-25 April
Zambales Mango Festival – March or April
Paynawen Festival (Iba) – 3rd Tuesday of April
Sibit-Sibit Festival (Olongapo) – 28-30 April
Marunggay Festival and Town Fiesta (San Antonio) – last week of April
Domorokdok Festival (Botolan) – 04 May
Laruk Laruk Festival (Candelaria) – last week of October
Ulo ng Apo Festival/ Mardi Gras (Olongapo) – 4th Friday/Saturday of October
Binabayan Festival and Town Fiesta (Masinloc) – 30 November
Kalgawan Ha Mayanan (Candelaria) – 29-30 December

Local Products

 The most famous delight of Zambales is its sweet, sumptuous mangoes

 Felipe, this Zambales version of chicharon is crispy and too delicious to describe.
 Ginipa is a native delicacy of the northernmost town of Zambales, made of conspicuously
dried rice grains flavored with a uniquely sweet concoction to taste.
 Zambales pastilles are made from fresh carabao milk
 Popular dubbed by locals as linga, this is actually sesame candies

Well-known Information

The topography of the province is generally irregular, with the coastal plains and valleys
stretching from Lingayen Gulf down south towards Subic Bay along the western coast and
further towards a 175 kms. stretch of shoreline.