Central Luzón Region

[Sinjin P.]

Olongapo City is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 194,260 people in 43,107 households. The name Olongapo is derived from the phrase "Ulo ng Apo", which means "head of the chief" in Tagalog.

Olongapo was originally governed as a part of the United States naval reservation. It was relinquished to the Philippine government and converted into a municipality on December 7 1959. Six years later, Olongapo was reconverted into a chartered city on the June 1 1966.[2] Olongapo City administers itself autonomously from Zambales province. Adjacent to the city is the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, which until 1992 was a United States naval base.

[Sinjin P.]

Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains.

[Sinjin P.]

Downtown Olongapo

[whippersnapper]

uy meron pala thread ang gapo.. hehehe kaso wla taung maipagmamlaking mall.. huhuhu

[Sinjin P.]

introduction by allan_dude

----------

Region 3

Aurora

Beyond the lush forest of the Sierra Madre mountains lies a splendid land so unbelievably rich and untouched - Aurora, otherwise known as the “Sanctuary of Nature’s Splendor.”

The Sierra Madre mountain range covers a large part of the province of Aurora. In fact, next to the Aurora coastline, it is the place where flora and fauna are most concentrated. Waterfalls, rivers, crystal clear streams of varying sizes are located within, if not adjacent to, the area of the Sierra Madre mountain. Special interest trips such as mountain climbing, safari, bird watching, ecological studies, or even as simple as picnics could be rolled into one by taking the trails recommended by local nature trekkers in the area.

When the northeast monsoon winds blow and the usual tranquil white beaches are transformed into deathtraps by angry waves, it is time to come to Aurora to ride the waves on a surfboard.

Bataan

Discover the magic of the Philippines’ Third Region with this amazing historical and cultural province, only an hour by ferryboat across the bay from Manila. Until recently not a traditional tourist destination, Bataan is now proving to be a tourist haven boasting a multitude of exciting places to visit, and interesting things to do. The province has much to offer – a rich culture and history, the beauty of unspoilt beaches, and a warm hospitality that is truly Filipino.

Bulacan

Feel the heart and soul of the Philippines in Bulacan. Its history and tradition, its land, its culture, and its people, live and breathe Filipino. Truly a melting pot of the past and the present, the old and the new, the countryside and the urbane – that is Bulacan.

The province is noted as the land of heroes. Bulacan is the home province of some of the nation’s celebrated heroes: Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), “The Prince of Filipino Poets,” Marcelo H. Del Pilar, “The Great Propagandist,” and Gregorio del Pilar, “The Hero of Tirad Pass.” It is reputed for beautiful women, progressive cooperatives, small and medium scale industries. It is known for excellent craftsmanship as in its jewelries, leather crafts, and garments.

The province has emerged into a reputable resort haven of Luzon. Just a few minutes north of Manila by car, Bulacan resorts provide an accessible and welcome respite from the pressures of city life.

Nueva Ecija

Nueva Ecija is the largest province and the biggest rice producer of Central Luzon, thus, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.”

Among its main attractions is the Pantabangan River, the country’s first multi-purpose infrastructure, which stands today as a phenomenon in Filipino engineering feats. Another is the Pampanga river, cutting across a rich valley floor, famed for irrigation, the generation of hydroelectric power, and the mitigation of flood damage.

Nueva Ecija is also the agri-tourism pilot site in Central Luzon due to the presence of the Central Luzon State University in the province.

Its other worthwhile attractions include the Minalungao National Park, Rizal Hot Spring, Burburayok Springs and Pajanutic Falls, Barrio Puncan in the town of Carranglan, among others.

Pampanga

Steeped in history and blessed with natural and man-made scenery, Pampanga offers several sightseeing options for visitors. Pampanga has always enjoyed the title, “The Culinary Center of the Philippines.” It is populated by resourceful hardy folk who are justifiably proud of their famous Kapampangan cuisine.

The capital city of San Fernando is world-famous for its annual Easter re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also famous for the Pampanga Christmas lanterns.

The province has remnants of a long and colorful history. It houses a booming night life and tourist destinations. It is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty free shopping, and golf courses.

Tarlac

Tarlac is the most multicultural of the Central Luzon provinces. A mixture of four district groups, the Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, and Tagalogs, share life in the province.

Tarlac is best known for its fine foods and vast sugar and rice plantations. That it has fine cooking to offer is due largely to the fact that it is the melting pot of Central Luzon. It offers some of the best cuisines from the places of ancestry of its settlers, the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasinan, and the Ilocos Region.

Historical sites, fine food, vast plantations, a beautifully landscaped golf course, and so many other attractions – all these make the province of Tarlac one of the best of the places to visit in Central Luzon.

Zambales

Zambales has been gifted with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has been touched by civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The Zambales coastline is most famous for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea teeming with coral reefs.

The province is historical. Located here is the ancestral house of the most beloved Philippine President, Ramon Magsaysay, situated at Castillejos. Mt. Pinatubo, world-famous for its 1991 catastrophic eruption, can be found in the vicinity.

Zambales is perfectly suited for visitors seeking an authentic view of the Philippines without going too far from the national capital, Manila. It is located at the western part of Luzon, 210 kilometers or approximately a three-hour drive from Manila.

Source:
nscb.gov.ph
tourism.gov.ph

----------

Garbage crisis looms in Central Luzon
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
Correspondent


AN official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned Tuesday of a looming garbage crisis in Central Luzon owing to the failure of concerned authorities to enforce the six-year-old solid-waste management law.

Regidor de Leon, DENR Central Luzon executive director, said that at a daily generation rate of about half a kilo of garbage per person, with about eight million people, Central Luzon could generate as much as 4,000 tons of garbage per day, or 1.44 million tons annually, enough to create a mountain of garbage similar to the Payatas dump site in Quezon City in just a year.

“This is definitely a lot of waste. If we cannot address this problem now, we will soon find ourselves buried in our own trash,” he warned.

De Leon said reducing, reusing and recycling waste are just some of the more “practical and doable” solution to the worsening garbage problem. He added only 70 percent of Central Luzon’s daily garbage, or 2,800 tons, are collected by dump trucks hired by local governments.

The remaining 30 percent, or roughly 1,200 tons end up in canals, vacant spaces, street corners, market places, creeks and rivers, and eventually, into the sea.

The DENR, together with corporate giant SM Prime Holdings in Clarkfield Pampanga, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), and the Environmental Practitioners Association (EPA) launched a massive campaign to promote waste segregation and recycling through a market fair where recyclable waste may be sold at a fee.

Started by EPA four years ago, the Waste Market Event invites the public to sell their recyclable materials such as papers and cartons, plastic bottles, automobile batteries, aluminum cans, old computers, electronic equipment, and ink printer cartridges, among others, to accredited recycler industries in a given buying station during the fair, says public affairs officer Donaver Guevarra of DENR in Central Luzon.

“It is important to increase public awareness on waste management to effectively address the worsening garbage problem in the country. Recycling must be a way of life of every Filipino,” he said at the opening of the waste market fair at SM Clark in Pampanga.

Guevarra said Metro Manila generates about 6,500 tons of solid waste daily, 75 percent of which is recyclable but only 5 percent is actually recycled.

[laquacherra]

technically, this isn't in Zambales but it's really close to SBMA so I'm posting these pictures in this thread. mods, feel free to move them... thanks!

[laquacherra]

[jadebench]

i love Gapo, dito ako lumaki!!!

[tisoycuba]

ang kulang sa gapo ay university at mga kilalang mga mall,yun saver's mall sa gapo taga angeles pa ang may-ari!gapo rin ako dati

[rage@cebu]

anybody knows where Nagsasa Island in Zambales is? ba ta pa ksi ako nun ng pinasyal namin ang island... hehehehe!

[jadebench]

ang ganda ng Gapo dati nung meron pa mga kano, buhay na buhay! nakakamiss...

[coacozambo92]

Hello,

I am so happy that for now we have forum for Zamabales, that's great because my wife is a zambalenia. She was born in Iba, Zambales.
What I concern most is the road going in and out to Zambales. The province have one highway only and nothing else thus if there is a calamity that would hit, presto you will be stranded. Yes, I see the road in Zambales is so nice, becuase of less vehicle using this highway. The province have only one bus company travelling which is Victory Liner and other bus they call it local is ZAM-OLONGAPO BUS Company. I tought Mr. Magsaysay is a good politician then why his province was left behind without any industries, only seasonal beach resorts. I am really hoping that Zambales will atleast be known by the people of Region 3, You could imagine Zambales is the poorest province in Region 3. Most of the investment where grabed by Olongapo or SBMA. How pity is the province of Zambales.
Even me, I am waiting until now of when will be the construction of BOTOLAN-TARLAC Highway be finish. This could be a chance that Zambales will be closer to development. I HOPE.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by jadebench

ang ganda ng Gapo dati nung meron pa mga kano, buhay na buhay! nakakamiss...

napgiiwanan nga talaga ang zambales
ok din sana ang gapo kaso madami pa ding kulang
cnu taga gapo dito????
taga gapo kc ako

[tisoycuba]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

napgiiwanan nga talaga ang zambales
ok din sana ang gapo kaso madami pa ding kulang
cnu taga gapo dito????
taga gapo kc ako

oo talagang marami pagkulang sa gapo,taga gapo ako dati eh..like mga malls at mga university ang kulang sa gapo

[whippersnapper]

mga magagandang villages din wala
ung pag taga dun ka, sikat ka
madami dto stall ng mga muslim

[Waldenstrom]

Magkakaroon din ng maraming establishments sa Olongapo in the future. Pero kahit ganyan sya ngayon, maunlad at sikat na city pa rin sya.

[Sinjin P.]

[Sinjin P.]

[death327]

We went to Pundaquit Beach and Anawangin Beach last month. Pundaquit is quite developed already. On one hand, Anawangin is really pristine... you still need to put tents because there is no resort or any place to stay here.

Btw, Anawangin is just a 45-min banka ride from Pundaquit.

Here are some pics.

Pundaquit


Ako Muni Muni



Capones Island - Pundaquit




Anawangin


The Beach Line



Going to the Swamp





The Swamp












Little Green things in Anawangin


The Beach


Pine Trees of Anawangin

[Sinjin P.]

^ My goodness, ang gaganda ng mga photos, parang hindi sa Pilipinas!