Tarlac - Melting Pot of Central Luzon
Its name was derived from a local weed called Malatarlak, which covered vast areas of the province. Originally a part of two provinces, Pampanga and Pangasinan, Tarlac became popular as one of the sites of the Bataan Death March where thousands of soldiers walk to their death during the Japanese Occupation in 1943. Aside from this, Tarlac houses the mixed culinary artistry of Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasinan, Bulacan, and the Ilocos Region. It is also the last province established in Central Luzon by the Spanish Colonial Government.
Demographic
1. Population –
1,243,449 (as of 2007 census)
2. Land Area – 3,053.4 sq. km
3. Capital – Tarlac City
4. Language/Dialect – Ilocano, Pampango, English
and Filipino
5. Division
Cities (1)
Municipalities (17)
Capas National
Shrine and Capas Death Monument
Location: Capas, Tarlac
This serves as the burial site for thousands of Filipinos
and American soldiers who died during the Bataan Death
March. An obelisk marks the end point of the brutal
journey and below it is a black wall engraved with the
names of the fallen soldiers who took part in this walk
of death.
Sto Domingo
Death March Marker
Location: Capas, Tarlac
This marker commemorates the site where an estimated
60,000 Filipino soldiers were they camped in closed
boxcars. This also marks the second phase of the Death
March.
Maria Clara
Museum
Location: Camiling, Tarlac
This museum contains personal belongings of Leonora
Rivera, the primary inspiration behind Maria Clara,
one of the characters in Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s immortal
novel, Noli Me Tangere. The museum is located at Rivera’s
own residence.
Bueno Hot
Springs
Location: Sitio Danum Mapali, Brgy Bueno, Capas, Tarlac
This natural hot spring is located inside the reservation
area of Clark Air Base. The only way to reach the spring
is by following the trail surrounded by trees.
Hacienda
Luisita and Luisita Golf and Country Club
Location: Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, Tarlac Province
This 18-hole par 72 golf course is dubbed as one of
the finest and toughest in the country and included
in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Golf Courses in the
World. Located inside Hacienda Luisita in San Miguel,
it gives any golf aficionado a thrill for the game due
to its challenging courses
Anao Ylang-ylang
The municipality of Anao dubbed itself as the “Ylang-Ylang
country” in 1989 when the local government started
implementing livelihood projects that used ylang-ylang
oils. Products include aromatherapy oils, shampoo, hair
conditioner, lotion and powder
Cultural
Aquino Center
Location: Tarlac City, Tarlac
Tour Days: Monday –Saturday
Tour Hours: 2:00 – 5:00pm (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat)
9:00am - 12:00pm (Wed. and Fri.)
This houses all the memorabilia of the Aquino family,
from the items used by late Senator Ninoy Aquino and
her wife, former President Cory Aquino. It also has
a spacious function room and conference hall.
Carlos P. Romulo Memorial Library
Location: Tarlac City, Tarlac
Initially named after late President Manuel A. Roxas,
this 56-year old library houses different books particularly
those written about the rich history of Tarlac.
Tarlac Museum
Location: Tarlac City, Tarlac
The Tarlac Museum contains historically valuable documents
such as the letters of Francisco Makabulos. Every 45
days, the Museum creates thematic exhibits depicting
the rich history of the province
Historical
Camiling
Church
The church, before it was burned in 1997, was the death
place of General Pedro Pedroche on charges of rebellion.
He and his men were executed by Francisco Makabulos
on orders of Gen. Antonio Luna.
Admiral Ohnishi
Tunnel and Peace Shrine
Location: Asahiyama, Bamban, Tarlac
The Shrine serves as memorial to the Japanese and American
soldiers who have fallen during the WWII. The tunnel,
on the other hand, was once the headquarters of Vice
Admiral Takijiro Onishi, the originator of the kamikaze
(divine wind) or the suicide air attacks is now a museum
filled with photos taken during the war.
Bamban Airfield
Memorial Tower
Location: Barrio Pacalcal, Bamban, Tarlac
The memorial serves as indicator of one of the venues
where Japanese soldiers staged the kamikaze attacks
against the American troops.
Bamban World
War II Peace Memorial
Location: Lourdes, Bamban, Tarlac
The memorial commemorates the Bruce Guerilla, Negrito
Squardron, and the 21st Division, who fought the Battle
of Bamban Bridge in 1941.
Voice of
America transmitter
Location: Barrio Tinang, Concepcion, Tarlac
This radio transmitting facility is used by the radio
company, Voice of America, an international broadcasting
company that has been on the air for over thirty years.
Man-made
Diwa ng Tarlak
Location: Brgy. San Vicente, Tarlac City, Tarlac
This structure is a combination of convention hall,
ballroom, trade exhibit hall and dining facilities which
as become a favorite venue for special functions such
as seminars and conferences.
San Bartolome
Tree house
Location: Brgy. San Bartolome, Mayantok, Tarlac
The tree house was built in 1973 through collaborative
effort of the residents and barangay council of San
Bartolome. This fruit of labor is now one of the must-see
places in Mayantok.
Tarlac Sugar
Mills
Location: Paniqui, Tarlac and Tarlac City
The CAT Sugar Mills in Tarlac City and Paniqui Sugar
Mills in Paniqui are two if the largest sugar mills
in the country.
Plaza Luisita
Center & Industrial Park
Location: San Miguel, Tarlac City
The Plaza is the most modern part of Tarlac. It has
a shopping mall where locals and tourists shop and dine
conveniently. The park is a great venue for picnics
and outdoor activities. Inside the park is the Golf
and Country Club.
Natural
Dolores Springs
Location: Tarlac City, Tarlac
This spring is believed to have medicinal benefits.
Bamban Park
/ Lugay Park
Location: Sampalok – Panaisan road, Bamban, Tarlac
This park has a 100-step stairway that leads to a grotto
of the Our Lady of Lourdes. At its sides are bonsai
farms and mini-restaurants.
Religious
Accolalao
Location: Paniqui, Tarlac
This is one of the barangays of Paniqui, Tarlac. It
is here where Ali Madin, former Sultan of Sulu, formally
embraced the Catholic faith brought by the Spaniards.
He then changed his name to Don Fernando Ali Mudin I.
Malatarlak
Festival
Place: Tarlac City, Tarlac
Date: January 13 - 20
The festival commemorates the founding of Tarlac based
on the history of its name, the weed, malatarlak. Street
dancers wear grass-inspired costumes with black soot
paint and dance on the streets. A beauty pageant is
held during the evening where contestants wear gowns
with grass line ornaments and design.
Iniruban
and Chicharon Festival
Place: Camiling, Tarlac
Date: Last week of October
The inuruban is green and sticky rice eaten raw, mixed
with milk or turned into a kakanin. Along with chicharon,
these two delicacies are the focus of the celebration
in Camiling.