REGION III-

CENTRAL
LUZON
Rice Granary of the
Philippines
PROVINCES THAT BELONG TO REGION 3

 AURORA
 BATAAN
 BULACAN
 NUEVA ECIJA
 PAMPANGA
 TARLAC
 ZAMBALES
DIALECTS

 TAGALOG
 ILOKO
 KAPANGPANGAN
 ZAMBALEÑ0
AURORA,”LAND OF THE GOLDEN SUNRISE”
“GATEWAY TO THE PACIFIC
 LAND AREA: 3,147.32 SQ.KM
 POPULATION: 235,750 (2020)
 CAPITAL-BALER
 FIRST NAME-AURORA ARAGON AFTER THE NAME OF THE WIFE OF PRES.
MANUEL L. QUEZON.
 8 MUNICIPALITIES: CASIGURAN, DILASAG, DINALUNGAN, DINGALAN,
DIPACULAO, MARIA AURORA, SAN LUIS
 COMPROMISE OF 151 BARANGAYS
 LANGUAGES: TAGALOG , ILOCANO, BICOLANO, KANKANAEY (IGOROT
PEOPLE), BISAYA, DUMAGAT(AETA PEOPLE), CEBUANO
ECONOMY

 CORN CROPS
 RICE CROPS
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

DINADIAWA
N BEACH
ZABALI HANGING BRIDGE
DICASALARIN COVE
MUSEO DE BALER
 FESTIVALS
AURORA FOUNDATION DAY
The Aurora Day is held every
February 14-19. The most
awaited event during the
celebration of the annual Aurora
Foundation Day is the so-called
‘Karansa’: a Street Dancing
Competition where the concept of
cooperation and unity called
‘Paatag’ prevails as the overall
theme of the day’s hilarious
activities.
 SABUTAN FESTIVAL
The Sabutan Festival in the town
of San Luis, province of Aurora
highlights the importance of
growing palm trees locally called
Sabutan on the community’s
economic wellbeing. The raw
material which grows on mountain
terrain and forest land is used to
weave a variety of useful products
and ornamentals like hats,
placemats, fans and even native
dress – all made of Sabutan.
 Moro-Moro Zarsuela
Presented on February 19 (Aurora Day) in
Baler, Aurora, the “Zarsuela” is an interplay
of drama and dance. Taking three days to
complete (although it could be shortened to
a day), the “Zarsuela” performed here is
composed of several acts that revolve
around the main theme of Moro-Moro or
Moslem-Christian conflict. The “Zarsuela”
presents slightly different variations for the
Moro-Moro theme year after year. The roles
of princes and princesses, warriors and
laymen for both the Christian and Moslem
sides are performed in dance, while a
narrator accompanies the pantomime act.
What makes this particular performance
 Suman Festival
Every February Baler celebrates a
HAGISAN activity, which features
the homemade suman. This Filipino
sticky rice cake delicacy hangs
above the main street as its smokey
pandan aroma perfumes the air.
Colorful floats with lots of suman
hanging from each crevice parades
proudly in the middle of the crowd.
Further showing the importance of
agriculture and rice to the masses in
undeniable extravagance.
BATAAN
 LAND AREA: 1,373 SQ. KM
 POPULATION: 853,373 (2020)
 CAPITAL-BALANGA
 11 MUNICIPALITIES: Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga, Pilar, Orion, Limay and
Mariveles, Morong and Bagac
 COMPROMISE OF 237 BARANGAYS
 LANGUAGES: TAGALOG, KAPAMPANGAN, MARIVILEÑO
ECONOMY

 INDUSTRIES AND MANUFACTURING

 AGRICULUTURE AND FISHERIES
 POULTRY PRODUCTION
 COMMERCE AND SERVICE
 BANKING AND FINANCE
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

OCEAN ADVENTURE,
SUBIC BAY
MOUNT SAMAT
PAWIKAN CONSERVATION CENTER
ADVENTURE BEACH WATERPARK
 FESTIVALS
BANGA FESTIVAL
It is said that the name
“Balanga” was derived
from a kind of pot used
for cooking or fetching
water. The cooking pot is
made of a special clay and
is locally known as
“banga”. To
commemorate this humble
beginning of the now
 PALIS LASA
An agro- religious festival
held annually in Mabatang,
Abucay. It starts with a
thanksgiving mass and a street
dancing where participants
adorn themselves with
colorful costumes made of
tiger lass or “lasa” used to
make walis tambo.
 PAWIKAN FESTIVAL
While all these celebrations are
fine and well, there are a few
whose aim is to bring more
attention and awareness to
certain causes and advocacies.
One such occasion is the
“Pawikan Festival” in the town
of Morong, located in the
province of Bataan. The
Pawikan Festival was
specifically organized to boost
the information campaign and
educate people on the
BULACAN, “THE GATEWAY TO THE
NORTHERN PHILIPPINES”

 LAND AREA: 2,625 SQ. KM

 POPULATION: 3,708,890 (2020)
 CAPITAL-MALOLOS
 21 MUNICIPALITIES: ANGAT, BALAGTAS, BALIUAG, BOCAUE, BULAKAN,
BUSTOS, CALUMPIT, DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD, GUI GUINTO, HAGONOY,
MALOLOS, MARILAO, MEYCAUAYAN, NORZAGARAY, OBANDO, PANDI,
PAOMBONG, PLARIDEL, PULILAN, SAN IDELFONSO, SAN JOSE DEL MONTE.
SAM MIGUEL. SAN RAFAEL. SANTA MARIA
 COMPROMISE OF 569 barangays
 LANGUAGES: TAGALOG , WARAY, ILOCANO, BICOLANO, KAPAMPANGAN
ECONOMY

 JEWELRY
 LEATHER
 GARMENTS
 FURNITURE
 AQUACULTURE
 MEAT PRODUCTION
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL PARISH- BARASOAIN CHURCH
Biak-Na-Bato National Park - Entrance
Mount Manalmon
Mount Balagbag
Verdivia Falls
Ciudad De Victoria
 FESTIVALS
Obando Fertility Dance Festival
The Obando Fertility Dance
Festival is held yearly in Obando,
Bulacan, and attended mostly by
women who are praying for a lover
or for the ability to bear a child. The
parade is attended by many groups
of women as well as other people
who just want to be a part of the
grand parade which takes place on
the streets on the way to the church.
 Santo Niño Festival

The Santo Niño Festival

was observed in some
special way annually on the
last Sunday of January in
Malolos. This festival is the
largest expression of
religious practice to the
Holy Child Jesus in the
 Feast of the Holy Cross of Wawa

A festival held on the first

Sunday of July observed in
honor of the Holy Cross of
Wawa (Mahal na Krus sa
Wawa) which is said to have
saved the life of an old
woman who was drowning.
The main feature of this
fiesta celebration is the
Pagoda which, glides along
 Luyang Dilaw Festival
The name Marilao
originated from a plant
(shrub) that abundantly
thrived in swampy areas
during Spanish era. The
matured plant bears
light yellow flower &
the edible roots are
colored dark yellow
 Pulilan Carabao Festival
Hundreds of work animals, mostly
carabaos, are led on a parade in the
streets of the town every 14th and 15th
of May to honor its patron saint, San
Isidro Labrador via the Pulilan
Carabao Festival. The carabaos
decorated with garland and shaved for
the occasion, genuflect or kneel in
front of the church. On the 14th of
May, farmers all over the town pay
tribute to their patron saint, San Isidro
Labrador, in glorious thanksgiving for
a year-long bountiful harvest
 Halamanan Festival

Every January 23rd of

the year, the land of
Guiguinto , Bulacan
celebrates its Halamanan
Festival. During the
festival, the people held
streetdancing
competitions, plant
NUEVA ECIJA
 LAND AREA: 5,751 SQ.KM
 POPULATION: 2,310,134
 CAPITAL-PALAYAN CITY
 27 MUNICIPALITIES: ALIAGA, BONGABON, CABANATUAN, CABIAO,
CARRANGLAN, CUYAPO, GABALDO, GAPAN, GENREAL MAMERTO NATIVIDAD,
GENERAL TINIO, GUIMBA, JAEN, LAUR, LICAB, LLANERA, LUPAO, MUÑOZ,
NAMPICUAN, PALAYAN, PANTABANGAN, PEÑARANDA, QUEZON, RIZAL, SAN
ANTONIO, SAN ISIDRO, SAN JOSE, SAN LEONARDO, SANTA ROSA, SANTO
DOMINGO, TALAVERA, TALUGTUG, ZARAGOSA
 COMPROMISE OF 849 BARANGAYS
 LANGUAGES: TAGALOG, BULAKENYO, ILOCANO, KAPAMPANGAN,
PANGASINAN, ABELLANM KANKANA-EY, BUGKALOT, DUMAGAT.
ECONOMY

 AGRICULTURE
 LIVESTOCK
 POULTRY
 FISH PRODUCTION
 TOURISM
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 Minalungao National Park

Pantabangan Dam
Gabaldon Falls
Pantabangan Lake
Carron Dream Park
Dupinga River
Aloha Falls
Mount 387
 FESTIVALS
Kariton Festival
 Kariton, a cart pulled by
Carabao, is celebrated
every March 28 during
the annual celebration of
the founding anniversary
of Licab, Nueva Ecija.
 Tanduyong Festival – Thanksgiving for a Good
Harvest of Crops
 Every year, on the fourth
Sunday of April, the people of
San Jose City at Nueva Ecija
dance through the main street
to celebrate the Tanduyong
Festival – a colorful,
enchanting celebration of the
blessing of the harvest of
tanduyong, a kind of onion
abundant in the area.
 Pandawan Festival
 This festival is held every last
week of April in Pantabangan,
Nueva Ecija. Pantabangan boasts
of one of the biggest fish-
producing towns in Asia. The
word “Pandaw” means assurance
of an abundant fresh-water catch
each time the festival is
celebrated. Festival features
 Pastores Festival

 Celebrated in honor of
the miraculous patron
saint, Nuestra Senora
dela Virgen Divina
Pastora, the event
features colorful,
vibrant street
performances.
PAMPANGA, “CULINARY CAPITAL OF
THE PHILIPPINES”

 LAND AREA: 2,181 SQ. KM

 POPULATION: 2,437,709 (2020)
 CAPITAL- SAN FERNANDO
 19 MUNICIPALITIES: Apalit , Arayat , Bacolor, Candaba , Floridablanca, Guagua,
Lubao, Macabebe, Magalang, Masantol, Mexico, Minalin Porac, San Luis, San Simon,
Santa Ana, Santa Rita, Santo Tomas, Sasmuan.
 COMPROMISE OF 505 BARANGAYS
 LANGUAGES: KAPANGPANGAN, TAGALOG
ECONOMY

 AGRICULTURE
 LIVESTOCK
 POULTRY
 FISH PRODUCTION
 TOURISM
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 Clark Free Port Zone

Clark Air Base was once the biggest American air base
facility outside the United States as it served as a major
destination and refuel/ transit point for US military
aircrafts within the Asia-Pacific Region. When the
Philippine-US Military Bases Agreement expired in
1991, Clark was turned over to the Philippine
government and declared a special economic zone and
renamed Clark Special Economic Zone. Today, Clark is a
world-class civil aviation complex, modern industrial
estates, and tourism and trade center.
 Betis Church
 Betis Church is Pampanga’s
oldest church is a fascinating
work of architecture with its
classic altar in antique carved
design and décor blending with
religious frescoes reminiscent of
neoclassic works of European Art.
Built between 1754, this church
has impressive paintings on its
ceiling and walls with fine
sculpture and paintings in gold
dust.
 Candaba Bird Sanctuary
 The Candaba Wetland and Bird
Sanctuary (swamp in
plainspeak but wetland is more
current) is a 32,000-ha.
seasonally flooded grassland
stretching in an area bounded
by Candaba in Pampanga, and
San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and
Baliuag towns in Bulacan north
of Manila.
 Mt. Arayat National Park
 Pampanga boasts of a 3,564 feet high mountain at
Barrio Bano, Arayat called Mt. Arayat. It’s nice to
experience the cool breeze and natural spring water
that fall from the mountains. At the foot of Mt. Arayat
is Mt. Arayat National Park, a picnic site with a natural
park complete with exquisite swimming pools,
recreational halls, picnic huts, lush foliage, natural
waterfalls, two swimming pools, and a countless
variety of unique and interesting flora and fauna.
 FESTIVALS
 Giant Lantern Festival
Among the highlights of Christmas in the country is the Giant
Lantern Festival held in San Fernando, Pampanga. The
kaleidoscope of lights and tinsels from these giant lanterns
showcasing Filipino ingenuity brightens Christmas. The Giant
Lantern Festival attracts droves of people not only from
Pampanga, but also from nearby provinces and Manila. As
brighttinsel and strobes light up for the parade, so do the hearths
of those who watch in awe and wonderment at the spectacle.
 SINUKWAN” FESTIVAL
“The Sinukwan Festival recaptures the Kapampangan spirit
with a weeklong cultural revival capped by a grand street
dance parade in the streets of San Fernando, with towns
outdoing each other to the tune of “Atin Cu Pung Singsing.”
Organized annually by the Save Pampanga Movement, the
festival memorializes Aring Sinukwan, god of the ancient
Kapampangans.The festival is participated by different
schools in Pampanga with various costumes and dance
numbers. It is celebrated every December.
 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, Pampanga.
It features multicolored hot air
balloons with more than a hundred
balloon pilots from around the world.
This three to four day hot air balloon
event is the biggest aviation sports
event in the Philippines.
TARLAC
 LAND AREA: 3,053 SQ. KM
 POPULATION: 1,503,456 (2020)
 CAPITAL- TARLAC CITY
 17 MUNICIPALITIES: ANAO, BAMBAN, CAMILING, CAPAS, CONCEPCION,
GERONA, LA PAZ, MAYANTOC, MONCADA, PANIQUI, PURA, RAMOS, SAN
CLEMENTE, SAN JOSE SAN MANUEL, STA IGNACIA, TARLAC CITY, VICTORIA
 COMPROMISE OF 511 BARANGAYS
 LANGUAGES: TAGALOG, KAPANGPANGAN
ECONOMY

 AGRICULTURE
 LIVESTOCK
 POULTRY
 FISH PRODUCTION
 TOURISM
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 Luisita Golf and Country Club

Luisita Golf and Country Club,
designed by renowned architect
Robert Trent Jones Sr. This 18-hole
championship course has been
recently renovated so you can enjoy
it in any weather, all year round.
There are water areas all around
coupled with great landscaping
which is breathtaking.
 Plaza Luisita Mall

Plaza Luisita Mall – the first

shopping mall in Central
Luzon owned by the
Cojuangcos of Tarlac and its
located along MacArthur
Highway, San Miguel,
Tarlac City.
Trek to Mt. Pinatubo and Lake
 The climactic eruption that rocked Mt. Pinatubo in
Zambales on June 15, 1991, the effects of which
reached neighboring countries, has allowed the
birth of a new tourist destination out of the barely
known and active volcano in the Philippines. With
the traces of eruption still aplenty, Mt. Pinatubo
and its surrounding areas has become an interesting
mix of eruption signs and the new developments
that transformed the place over the years.
 Dine at the Famous Isdaan
Restaurant
Eat anything edible. This is probably one of the tips
taught in Subic jungle survival course. I can eat almost
anything, except, well, many vegetables. Still, this doesn’t
stop me from appreciating good food, specially those with
good prices and ambiance. These are the reasons why I
appreciate the Isdaan Restaurant, located in Gerona,
Tarlac.
 FESTIVALS
 Belenisimo Festival
Tarlac, known as the “Belen
Capital of the Philippines” holds
the annual “Belenismo sa Tarlac”.
It is a belen making contest which
is participated by establishments
and residents in Tarlac. Giant
versions of the belen with different
themes are displayed in front of the
establishments and roads of Tarlac
for the rest of the Christmas season.
 Malatarlak Festival
 The Malatarlak Festival takes its
name from the a variety of grass
that is native to the Luzon area.
The plant is celebrated with
sumptuous pageantry that’s
characterized by schoolchildren
dressed in grass-inspired costumes,
who dance to the beat of traditional
music. The Rice Cake Festival
falls on the same day.
 Aeta Forest Food Festival
 Organized by Kabalikat sa
Kaunlaran ng mga Ayta, Inc.
(KAKAI), focused on celebrating
the culture of the Aetas and
empowering the youth. The festival
aimed to remind the younger
generation of Aetas about their
cultural practices and traditions,
including rituals, crafts, songs,
dances and folk games
ZAMBALES
 LAND AREA: 3,830.83 SQ. KM
 POPULATION: 649,615 (2020)
 CAPITAL- IBA
 13 MUNICIPALITIES: Botolan, Cabangan, Candelaria, Castillejos, Iba, Masinloc,
Palauig, San Antonio, San Felipe, San Marcelino, San Narciso, Santa Cruz, Subic
 COMPROMISE OF 247 BARANGAYS
 LANGUAGES: TAGALOG, KAPANGPANGAN
ECONOMY

 AGRICULTURE
 LIVESTOCK
 POULTRY
 FISH PRODUCTION
 TOURISM
 TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
 SILAGUIN BAY
Our destination for that day was
Silanguin Cove, the farthest of the
newly “rediscovered” beaches in San
Antonio, Zambales. While it bears
many similarities with its neighbors,
Silanguin is definitely the odd man
out. While Nagsasa, Talisayin, and
Anawangin are covered with volcanic
ash, Silanguin is strewn with regular
sand.
 Looc Lake

 Looc Lake, in Barangay

Looc is the planned site
for an open park for all
ages and is to be
developed as an
alternative destination for
quality time with nature
and love ones.
 Anawangin Cove
 Capones Island is famous for its
average yet manageable surfs. On
the right season, the island’s reefs
offer well formed breaks for
advance surfers. Pundaquit
however has waves perfect for
beginners ranging from 3-9 ft
during season. This period
commonly runs between July and
December but the best timing to
enjoy such adventure is within few
days after a storm.
 FESTIVALS

Paynauen ‘Duyan’
Festival
Paynauen ‘Duyan’ Festival is held every April 25 – May 1
in Iba, Zambales. It commemorates the provincial
capital’s founding anniversary (founded in 1611) traces its
origin from a Zambal word which means rest or
pahingahan – the ancient name of Iba before the Spanish
conquistadores founded the village on the shore of the
Bancal River in 1611.
 Sibit-Sibit Summer Festival

Sibit-Sibit Summer Festival is

held every 4th Week of April in
Olongapo City (Brgy. Barreto).
The name Sibit-Sibit was derived
from the name of small paddle-
driven bancas used for fishing
during the early days when Brgy.
Barreto was yet called Sitio
Maquinaya. During fiestas,
fisherfolk hold banca race using
 Dinamulag Mango Festival
 In April, the Mango Festival is held
in Iba, Zambales. You will witness a
spectacular display of Local Foods
and specializes based around the
“Zambales Mangos” which are rated
in the Guinness Book of Records as
“The sweetest Mangos in the World”.
There is also “Street Dancing” and
many competitions such as “Sand
Castling” also large and
comprehensive agricultural displays.