CENTRAL LUZON
REGION
REGION III
CENTRAL LUZON REGION
• Is comprised of 7 provinces,
namely: BATAAN, NUEVA ECIJA,
BULACAN, PAMPANGA, TARLAC,
ZAMBALES and AURORA.
AURORA
• CAPITAL: BALER
• Has a total land area of 308,122 hectares
• It is a long narrow strip of land that covers a portion of the Sierra Madre Mountain
Range
CASIGURAN SOUND
Almost like a lake,
Casiguran Sound is a
bay nearly enclosed
by the Casiguran
landmass and the
peninsula of San
ildefonso. This
protects the area
from typhoons.
CEMENTO BEACH AND REEF
White sand, seashells,
and crushed corals
could be found along
the stretch of Cemento
beach. The waters are
ideal for expert or
professional surfing as
the waves are of the
right-hand break type.
CHARLIE’S POINT
Ideal for surfing, with medium
quality right-and-left break waves on
a sand-and-gravel bottom. The
waves are best in December and
January. The surf scenes from the
Hollywood movie Apocalypse Now
were filmed here.
QUEZON’S RESTHOUSE
This was the resthouse
of the family of former
President Manuel L.
Quezon and his family
and relatives during their
vacation in Baler.
DITUMABO FALLS
Approximately 140 feet
high, the falls are
surrounded by huge cliffs
covered with tall hardwood,
shrubbery, and vines while
sprays of cool water seem
to remain suspended in the
air.
BATAAN
• CAPITAL: BALANGA
• Generally a mountainous province
• 80.9 percent of its land area is composed of upland hills and mountain regions.
DAMBANA NG KAGITINGAN
Also called as 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
the Japanese forces during World
War II.
DEATH MARCH MARKER
The statue commemorates the
resistant spirit of Bataan where
the historic Death March
commenced.
FALL OF BATAAN MARKER
The marker commemorates the
fall of Bataan, a very important
event in the country’s history. It is
built to honor the Filipino
soldiers, both living and dead,
who valiantly fought against the
Japanese invaders.
MT. MALASIMBO
This conical mountain is
used as a weather
forecasting device. Dark
clouds covering its
summit indicates a coming
typhoon.
MT. NATIB
An active volcano rising
8,000 feet above sea level.
Mt. Natib offers
mountaineers a good climb
especially with its abundant
wildlife reserve. Reaching
the summit will take
around 4 hours.
BULACAN
• CAPITAL: MALOLOS
• Derived its name from bulak meaning cotton
• The western half of the province is generally flat
BARASOAIN CHURCH
This church in Malolos 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 NATIONAL PARK
This huge split boulder
was the mountain hideout
of the revolutionary forces
during the Spanish period
and the place where the
Malolos Constitution was
signed. Located in San
Miguel, Bulacan.
CALUMPIT BRIDGE
This bridge is the site
of the first battle
between the Filipino
and American soldiers
during the retreat of
Aguinaldo to the Ilocos
Region.
PHILIPPINE ARENA
Owned by the Iglesia Ni
Cristo, this arena in Bocaue,
Bulacan is considered one
the largest arenas in Asia. It
has a maximum capacity of
55,000 seats.
PAGODA FESTIVAL
This fluvial festival in Bocaue
is held in honor of the Holy
Cross of Wawa, which is said
to have saved an old woman
from drowning. The festival is
held every first Sunday of July.
MADLUM CAVE
This cave in San Miguel
is believed to where St.
Michael has appeared. It
has 3 grand portals
leading to a 50-meter
long cavern.
OBANDO FERTILITY RITES
• This event held every May 15
to 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
• CAPITAL: PALAYAN CITY
• About 233,519 hectares of the province is forest land
• Minerals are abundant in the area
ARAQUIO OF PEÑARANDA
Held every 1st week of May, is
a traditional reenactment of
the search of Queen Helena
and King Constantine for the
cross where Christ was
crucified.
GABALDON FALLS
Is the lure of Gabaldon,
Nueva Ecija. It is located at
the 200-hectare Sabani
Estate Agricultural College.
The 10-foot waterfall with
its ice-cold waters is
surrounded by huge rock
formations.
GAPAN CHURCH
This old Roman Catholic Church
with its Byzantine architecture
was built in a span of 16 years
(1856-1872) by Augustinian
missionaries, who first came to
Gapan in 1595. It stands beside
the Municipal Hall in which was
also built during that period.
TAONG PUTIK FESTIVAL
Held in Aliaga, this ritual
is celebrated every June
24, the feast of St. John
the Baptist.
PAMPANGA
• CAPITAL: SAN FERNANDO
• CULINARY CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES
APUNG IRU FLUVIAL FESTIVAL
Apung Iru is a life-sized
ivory image of St. Peter.
During the feast of St. Paul
and St. Peter, the locals take
part in a fluvial parade.
CANDABA SWAMP
This large wetland is
one of the major
stopover points of
migratory birds
using the Asian
Flyway.
CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE
This former US Air Force Base
was once the biggest American
military installation outside the
United States. It served as the
home of the US 13th Air Force and
the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing.
Among the many places of interest
inside are the Base Cemetery and
the numerous tourist and
recreational facilities.
CUTUD LENTEN RITES
Held every Good Friday,
these rites revolve around
the reenactment of Christ’s
passion, culminating with
the actual nailing of at least
three flagellants on wooden
crosses atop a makeshift
Calvary.
GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL
This festival is a showcase of
giant lanterns that dance,
blink and twinkle in
kaleidoscopic patterns.
MT. ARAYAT NATIONAL PARK
The 3,564-foot high Mount
Arayat is a favorite
destination among tourists
and picnickers. There is a
resort facility at the foot of
the mountain.
HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL
Held every April and
participated by various hot
air balloon enthusiasts all
over the world.
SISIG
The authentic sisig was
invented by Lucia “Aling
Lucing” Lagman Cunanan.
SAN NICOLAS COOKIES
• Panecillos de San Nicolas
are a buttery shortbread-
like cookie made with
arrowroot flour, coconut
milk and egg yolks.
CAMARO
A Kapampangan
dish made of
crickets which is
considered an
aphrodisiac.
TARLAC
• CAPITAL: TARLAC CITY
• Mostly extensive plains and rolling hiils
CAMILING CHURCH
The Catholic convent of
Camiling is the site of the
execution of General Pedro
Pedroche and his men who
were charged rebellion in
the hands of Francisco
Makabulos and his
revolutionary troops.
CAMP O’ DONNELL
Is a former concentration
camp that now serves as
burial ground for
thousands of Filipino
soldiers who perished
during World War II.
CAPAS DEATH MARCH MONUMENT
This monument is a
historical marker of the
infamous concentration
camp where nearly
30,000 Filipino and
American soldiers who
participated in the
Death March perished
in 1942.
LUISITA INDUSTRIAL PARK
Is a 120-hectare of
prime land mapped out
of a variety of light,
labor intensive, non-
polluting manufacturing
and service industries.
TARLAC MONASTERO
Also known as
Paradise Island, is a
man-made attraction
in Concepcion. Tarlac.
ZAMBALES
• CAPITAL: IBA
• The province is consists of lowland along the narrow coast where the town centers are
located and the eastern part of the province is flanked by a series of mountain ranges
BINABAYANI FESTIVAL
Held in honor of San
Andres, being celebrated
every November 30. This is
the province’s version of
Ati-Atihan commemorating
the war between the
Christians and the Aetas.
ANAWANGIN COVE
Considered a
paradise haven,
consisting of a white-
sand beach and
pristine waters.
MT. PINATUBO
This volcano was made
famous by its eruption
in June 1991. It has
since become an
important tourist
destination in the
province.
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT
This huge complex first served as
a Spanish Naval Station before
being ceded to the United States
in 1898. It then became home to
the US Seventh Fleet. It was also
occupied by the Japanese from
1942 tom1945, then was
eventually turned over to the
Philippines during the presidency
of Corazon Aquino.
SUBIC OCEAN ADVENTURE
A very popular tourist
attraction in Subic
inside the Camayan
Wharf.
