ZAMBALES

ZAMBALES
■ It is a province in the Philippines located in the Central
Luzonregion. Its capital is Iba, which is located in the middle
of theprovince. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north
andnortheast, Tarlac to the east, Pampanga to the
southeast,Bataan to the south and the West Philippine Sea to
the west.With a total land area of 3,830.83 square kilometres
(1,479.09 sqmi) (including the independent city of Olongapo),
Zambales isthe second largest among the seven provinces of
Central Luzonafter Nueva Ecija. The province is noted for its
mangoes, whichare abundant from January to April.
■ Zambales does not have a functional airport - theclosest
functional airport is the Clark InternationalAirport in the
neighbouring province of Pampanga.Subic Bay
International Airport, which is located inCubi Point
(geographically located inside Morong,Bataan) in the
Subic Bay Freeport Zone is no longerfunctional for
domestic and international flights.
■ The Freeport Zone (SBFZ) is host to many
touristattractions which include casinos, parks,
malls,beach-side huts, cottages and resorts, as well
ashistorical sites.
 HISTORY
■ Prior to colonization, the Aeta people became the first
human population who inhabited what is now
Zambales. Due to Malay migration waves, theTagalog
people displaced the Sambal people insouthern Luzon,
which led to the arrival of the Sambal people into
present-day Zambales. The Spanish first explored the
area in 1572, led by Juande Salcedo. Among the
earliest towns founded were Subic (1572), Botolan
(1572), Masinloc (1607),Iba (1611), and Santa Cruz
(1612).
 GEOGRAPHY
■ Zambales lies on the western shores of Luzon island along the West Philippine Sea.
Its shoreline is rugged and features many coves and inlets.The Zambales Mountains
in the eastern length of the province occupiesabout 60% of the total land area of
Zambales. Subic Bay, at the southernend of the province, provides a natural harbor,
and was the location of theU.S. Naval Base Subic Bay until its closure in 1992. The
summit and crater lake of Mount Pinatubo lies within Botolan municipality in
Zambales, nearthe tripoint of Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac provinces. This
volcano,once considered dormant, erupted violently in June 1991. The formersummit
of the volcano was obliterated by the massive eruption andreplaced by a 2.5 km (1.6
mi) wide caldera, within which Lake Pinatubo issituated. With an average depth of
800 m (2,600 ft), Lake Pinatubo is thedeepest lake in the Philippines. The highest
point of the caldera rim is 1,485m (4,872 ft) above sea level, some 260 m (850 ft)
lower than the pre-eruption summit. A vast portion of the Zambales province
acquired desert-like features in 1991,after being buried by more than 20 feet (6.1 m)
of lahar.
 ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

■ Zambales comprises 13 municipalities

and 1 highly urbanized city, which are
divided into two legislative districts.
Olongapo City is a highly urbanized
city and administers itself autonomously
from the province. Panatag Shoal
(Scarborough Shoal) a Philippine-
claimed territory, is a designated part of
the province.
 TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS OF
ZAMBALES
 • The place is ideal for
fishing, snorkeling
and other beach
activities.It is best to
go there in the
lateafternoon, when
one can have a better
view of the South
Agnaen Bay in Zambales China Sea.
 • This festival, held in the
honor of San Andres, the
town’s patron saint is
celebrated every 30th of
November. The province’s
version of Ati-atihan, it is
mainly celebrated through
dance and commemorates
the war between the
Christians and the Aetas.
It is believed to help bring
Binaybayin in Masinoloc about a bountiful harvest
 • The whole island is
surrounded by
white-sand coral
beaches. There also
beaches inside caves
that can only be
explored by
experienced divers.
Capones Island in San
Antonio
 • More
than 20 resorts are lined
 upalong this 8-
kilometers tretch of
whitish-sand beach
with crystal-clear from
the South China Sea.
During the summer, the
whole stretch is flocked
by both domestic and
foreign tourists.

Iba Beach in Iba

 • Enshrined in the church is
Ina Poon Bato in Barrio Poon Bato,
Loob Bunga Resettlement, Botolan
Enshrined
the miraculous image of
Ina Poon Bato.The image
was transferred here in
1992, after the original
barangay where it was
once located was
submerged in lahar. The
image is flocked by a lot
of devotees during its
feast day.
 • The place has been
awarded the 1996
Galing Pook Award
for its marine
conservation project.
It is endowed with
powdery white-sand
beaches and crystal-
clear waters
San Isidro Island in Masinloc
 ZAMBALES
DELICACIES
 • This is Zambales’ answer to
Ilocos’ Pork Chicharon.
Meticulously prepared by the
locals of San Felipe, this
Zambales version of chicharon
is crispy and too delicious to
describe. Matched perfectly with
a bowl of chili and vinegar, a
bowl of hot steaming rice and
local pinakbet, this dish will
truly give one a taste of bliss.
Bagnet is available at the San
Felipe Public Market, best
San Felipe-Bagnet bought from 8 till 10 in the
morning everyday. 
 • Having the provincial
festival named after the
Dinamulag variety,
Zambales mangoes are one
of the thousand reasons why
people keep coming back to
the province. Aside from
bringing home a bagful of
mangoes, Zambales
mangoes are also
transformed into delectable
desserts, intriguing cocktail
drinks and fresh mango
Zambales Mangoes
thirst quenchers.
 • 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. With its prices
pegged affordably, this is
a favorite pasalubong treat
of visiting tourists.

Ginipang in Sta. Cruz

 • A lot of places in the
Philippines claim to
produce the best
pastilles in the country
but wait till you get a
taste of the carabao
milk pastillas from the
municipalities of Iba
and Palauig.

Pastillas
 • Popular dubbed by
locals as linga, this is
actually sesame
candies. Zambales is
one the very few
producers of sesame
seeds and Zambalenos
in Botolan have
created their own
adaptation of sesame
seeds at its ideal
Botolan sweetest.