Region 3: Central Luzon 

     Central Luzon (Kapampangan: Kalibudtarang Luzon; Tagalog: Gitnang Luzon), designated as Region III, is an administrative region in the Philippines, primarily serving to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon (the largest island), for administrative convenience. The region contains the largest plain in the country and produces most of the country's rice supply, earning itself the nickname "Rice Granary of the Philippines". Its provinces are: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

     Central Luzon Region is located north of Manila, the nation's capital. Bordering it are the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley to the north; National Capital Region, CALABARZON and the waters of Manila Bay to the south; South China Sea to the west; and the Philippine Sea to the east.^[3]

  There are fourteen cities in the region: Balanga in Bataan; Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan;Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose in Nueva Ecija; Angeles, Mabalacat and San Fernando in Pampanga; Tarlac in Tarlac; and Olongapo in Zambales. Central Luzon produces the most rice in the whole country. Excess rice is delivered and imported to other provinces of the Philippines. The City of San Fernando, in Pampanga, is the regional center. Aurora was transferred from Region IV through Executive Order No. 103 on May 2002.

DELICACIES

INIRUBAN

     Iniruban or nilubyan is a famous Tarlac delicacy originating from the town of Camiling. It is a type of rice cake made with burned young sticky rice, coconut milk and sweetener; usually sugar, or tagapulot, hardened sugarcane molasses.

TUPIG

     Tupig is a famous local delicacy of Tarlac and Pangasinan. It consists of coconut milk, glutinous rice flour, young coconut meat and sweetener (usually sugar or molasses).                           

tibuk-tibuk

     This is tibuk-tibuk, a richer version of the maja blanca. They bought it from the famous Susie’s Cuisine, home of quality native delicacies and pasalubong food items. It is made with carabao milk and topped withlatik. The first time I got to taste this was during Ted’s graduation party/ house blessing. One of his friends gave a big bilao as a gift which we devoured in a couple of minutes. In fact, we did not serve it to the guests.

                                        

Sisig

     “Sisig” is a term in the “Capampangan”, the dialect of the people of Pampanga and partly of Tarlac Provinces of Central Luzon, Philippines which means “to snack on something sour”. It usually refers to unripe of half-ripe fruits sometimes dipped in salt and/or vinegar. More widely known, it also refers to a method of preparing meat, especially pork and later on fish and other exotic meats, which is marinated in a souring agent such as calamodin (“calamansi”) or lemon juice or vinegar, then seasoned with salt, chili pepper and other spices.

     Onion and chicken or pork liver are among the important ingredients of the tasty dish regarded as an ultimate Filipino “pulutan” or bites/morsel usually eaten while drinking alcoholic drinks or beverages. Whilst it started as a roadside eatery food, it is now widely eaten in every Filipino home as well as in many restaurants, big and small.

    Mrs. Lucia Cunanan of Angeles City, Philippines has been credited with inventing the dish. The Philippine Department of Tourism has acknowledged that her “Aling Lucing’s” Restaurant had established Angeles City as the “Sisig Capital of the Philippines”. Mrs. Cunanan’s trademark “sisig” was developed in mid 1974 when she served a concoction of boiled and chopped pig ears and cheeks seasoned with vinegar, “calamansi” juice, chopped onions and chicken liver and served in hot plates.

Products 

Sabutan Craft

   

Roasted Cashew Nuts

Burong Isda

Footwear (Nueva Ecija)

Crocheted Products(Tarlac)

Mangoes (Zambales)

Places of Interest

Pinatubo volcano

     Mount Pinatubo is a 1485 meters high volcano localized at the borders of 3 provinces: Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. The last eruption of the volcano happened in 1991. To visit its turquoise crater lake you will have to trek 3 hours to reach it. It's also possible to get a sky tour if you prefer to see the volcano from the air. 

Monasterio de Tarlac

    For Christians around the world, this is one of the more important pilgrimage sites as the church contains a true relic of the cross of Jesus Christ in the entire Asia! In Christian belief, Jesus Christ is the son of God, and has saved the people from their sins.

Anawangin cove

     Anawangin is a pristine beach cove in the Zambales province. The best option is to spend an overnight there. Camping is allowed.

Diving in Subic

Subic is a famous diving spot for wrecks. Subic was a former US naval base and is easily accessible form Manila by public transportation. 

Zoobic safari

Zoobic is a park in Subic where you can watch exotic wildlife, as tigers or crocodiles.

Surfing in Baler

If you are into surfing don't miss Baler. This spot has some huge waves especially during the monsoon. 

Mount Samat

Mount Samat in the province of Bataan is a popular trek for veterans as it has a shrine on its summit to remember the soldiers who died during the infamous Bataan death march during the second world war. 

Capones island

Capones Island can be reached from Pundaquit Zambales. You need two days to complete this adventure. 

Giant Lantern Festival

This festival happens every December in San Fernando, Pampanga. People will parade will some giant lanterns all over the town. A great event for Photographers. 

Spelunking Bulacan's caves

Bucalan province has several interesting caves including Biak na Bato, the most famous.

Literary Works

The literary works of Central Luzon are:

• Daniw
• All over the World by Vicente Rivera
• Juan Manalaksan by Ancio Pascual
• Suan, the Good Guesser by Macaria Garcia
• The Legend of Alitaptap
• The Legend of Pinatubo
• The Legend of Olongapo