Places in Philippines free essay sample

PAMPANGA Brief Description Steeped in history and blessed with natural and man-made scenery, Pampanga offers several sight-seeing 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 the annual Lenten re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ. It is also famous for its Giant Lantern Festival where huge lanterns measuring 20-ft in diameter rise to the occasion to thrill thousands of people with their kaleidoscopic interplay of sounds and colors. The province has remnants of a long and colorful history. It has centuries-old houses, a booming night life center and a myriad of tourist destinations, the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty-free shopping and golf courses in Clark. Brief History Pampanga was already the site of thriving settlements along riverbanks or pampang before the Spaniards came. writing a service report The inhabitants were referred to as Kapampangans or the people by the river bank. Martin de Goiti explored Pampanga and was established in 1571. In 1754, a strip from Dinalupihan to Orion, was ceded to Bataan. In 1848, the province lost five towns to Nueva Ecija and San Miguel to Bulacan. By 1860, its northern district was made into a separate comandancia. This district was made a part of Pangasinan in 1874, and the towns of Mabalacat, Magalang, Porac and Floridablanca were returned to Pampanga. Since the early 20th century, the province has been a hotbed of agrarian troubles, mainly because of its many estates under powerful landlords. During World War II, Pampanga was the base for a guerilla unit known as Hukbalahap which resisted the Japanese. The huks later formed the nucleus of local communist insurgency after the war, but it was suppressed in the early 1950s. It resurfaced as the New Peoples Army in the 1960s. Pampanga was the home province of Diosdado Macapagal, 9th President of the Philippines, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, incumbent and 14th President of the Republic. Adventure Packages Mt. Arayat in Arayat, Pampanga. Rising above sea level by 3,300 ft. , this legendary wonder of Mother Nature boasts of lush green vegetation and wildlife sanctuary. Visitors to the area are welcomed by its envigorating mountain air coupled with natures serenity. At the foot of the mountain, visitors are prone to experience the rejuvenating effect of cool mountain spring at the Arayat National Park. This legendary mountain is about 90 kms. north of Manila or a mere one-and-a-half hour drive. Activities Recommended: Mountain Climbing, Hiking, Camping. Mabalacat and Bacolor) Sunken Villages. Witness how volumes of pyroclastic flow deposits from the volcano transformed a community in Mabalacat and Bacolor into a virtual no mans land. Visit their church which was half-buried under heavy volume of pyroclastic volcanic debris. For the more adventurous, try an eight-hour hike to the slopes of the volcano with Pasig-Potrero River (Delta 5) in Porac as jump-off point. A magn ificient 5-ft. waterfall awaits survivors of this tour. Or try the 2-day mountain climbing adventure to the steep crevices of Mt. Pinatubo via Sapang Uwak in Porac, Pampanga. Even the trip to Sapangbato in Angeles City via Sacobia streambed in Sito Target is worth remembering. Prolific waterfalls and cool mountain springs await the intrepid explorer. Ones Pinatubo tour is never complete without a visit to any of the resettlement sites in Mabalacat and Bacolor. Witness the ever growing tourism industry and prosperity in the area. Climate Pampanga has two (2) pronounced seasons: dry season from November to April and wet the rest of the year. Famous For Buro/fermented rice with small shrimps Betute (stuffed frog) Kamaru (mole crickets sauteed in garlic and onion) Sisig (Pork cheek, grilled to a crunchy perfection, chopped and mixed with chicken liver, onions, calamansi and fresh sili) Pindang Babi o Damulag (Sweet cured pork or carabeef) Burung Talangka (Fat or salt-preserved little crabs) Giant Lanterns Cutud Lenten Rites Betis Wood Carvers Mt. Arayat Geography Pampanga is located in the central part of Central Luzon. It is bounded on the north by Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, Bulacan on the east, south by Bataan and west by Zambales. The provinces total land area is 218,068 hectares or 2,180. 68 square kilometers. How to get there From Manila it is just a 1-? hour ride by car or bus to through the North Luzon Expressway exiting via San Fernando, Angeles or Dau Toll Plaza. Language/Dialect Kapampangan, English and Tagalog are spoken and understood anywhere in the province. Major Industries Farming and fishing are the main industries. Rice and sugarcane are the major crops. Others are banana, mango, and eggplant. The rivers and fishponds produce fish, shrimps, and crabs. Political Subdivision Pampanga is composed of twenty (20) municipalities and two (2) cities, namely: Angeles City and City of San Fernando. It is subdivided into four political districts. Population The province has a population of 1, 529,246 Travel Tips Light casual clothes are recommended. An umbrella and a raincoat are must during the rainy season. Adopt to local customs and accept local differences (whether social or cultural). When shopping in a public market, haggle for the cheapest price. Always bring loose change when taking public transport to avoid inconvenience. Learn some local basic phrases. They may come very handy. Economy Farming and fishing are the two main industries of the province. Major products include rice, corn, sugar cane, and tilapia. In addition to farming and fishing, the province also supports a thriving cottage industries that specializes in wood carving, furniture-making, guitars, and handicrafts. Every year during the Christmas season, the province of Pampanga becomes the center of a thriving industry centered on handcrafted lighted lanterns called aâ‚ ¬? parolsaâ‚ ¬? that displays a kaleidoscope of light and color. Other industries include its indigenous casket industry and the manufacturing of all Purpose Vehicles present in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas. The province is famous for its culinary industry. Kapampangans are well known for their culinary expertise. Well known food products range from the ordinary to the exotic. Pampangas Best and Mekeni Food are among the better known meat brands of the country producing Kapampangan favorites such as pork and chicken tocinos, beef tapa, hot dogs, and longanizas (Philippines-style sausages and cured meats. Specialty foods such as the murcon (ground meat stuffed in fish), embutido (ground pork roll), kare-kare (pork or beef cooked in peanut butter), sisig baboy (a spicy pork dish best served with beer), lechon (roasted pig) and its sarsa (sauce), are popular specialty foods in the region. The more exotic betute tugak (stuffed frog), kamaru (mole crickets) cooked ala adobo, bulanglang (pork cooked in guava juice), lechon kawali, and bringhe (a green sticky rice dish like paella) are a mainstay in Kapampangan feasts. Native sweets and delicacies like pastillas, turonnes de casoy, buro, are the most sought after by Filipinos including a growing number of tourists who enjoy authentic Kapampangan cuisine. Tourism is a growing industry in the province of Pampanga. Clark Field, in Angeles City, is home to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, Luzons second International Airport and designated as the Philippines future premier gateway site. Within the Clark Special Economic Zone are well established hotels and resorts. Popular tourist destinations in the province include: St. Peter Shrine in Apalit, Mt. Arayat National Park in San Juan Bano, Arayat, the Paskuhan Village in the City of San Fernando, and the Casino Filipino in Angeles City. Well known annual events include the Giant Lantern Festival in December, the annual hot air balloon festival in Clarkfield during the month of February, and the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites celebrated two days before Easter. Other developing economies include a semiconductor industry involved in the manufacturing of electronics and computers mostly located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City. Terrain The province has a total land mass of 2,180. 68 square kilometers. Its terrain is relatively flat with one distinct mountain, Mt. Arayat and the notable Pampanga river. Among its municipalities, Porac has the largest land mass with 343. 12 square kilometers; Candaba comes in second with 208. 7 square kilometers; followed by Lubao with 155. 77 square kilometers. Climate The province of Pampanga has two distinct climates, rainy and dry. The rainy or wet season normally begins in May and runs through October, while the rest of the year is the dry season. The warmest period of the year occurs between March and April, while the coolest period is from December through February. Infrastructure Telecommunication Telephone services in the Province are provided by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Digitel, Datelcom, the Evangelista Telephone Company, and the Pampanga Telecom Company. The province has 24 public telegraph offices distributed among its towns while the facilities of PTT and RCPI were set up to serve the business centers in Angeles City, San Fernando, and Guagua. 1] Several Internet Service Providers and available in the province. These include the Angeles Computer Network Specialist, Information Resources Network System, Inc. , Mosaic communications Inc. , Net Asia Angeles City and Phil World On Line. United Parcel Services (UPS) and Federal Express (FedEx) provide international courier services for the province and the rest of the country. Their hubs are located within the Clark Special Economic Zone. Thes e international courier are complemented by four local couriers operating as the communication and baggage of the province. There are 3 postal district offices and 35 post office stations distributed in the 20 municipalities and 2 cities of the province. [2] Pangasinan HISTORY PangASINan was one of the early provinces into which the island of Luzon was divided after the arrival of the Spaniards. Pangasinan was then formally created as a province by Governor-General Ronquillo de Penalosa in 1850. Etymologically, the term Pangasinan means the place where salt is made, owing to the rich and fine salt beds which were the prime source of livelihood for the provinces coastal towns. Another name for the region, but not as widely known is Caboloan. The word Bolo in the native language refers to a species of bamboo that was abundant in the interior areas, and favored in the practice of weaving light baskets and winnowing plates called bilao. Historians believe that both names may have been used at the same time. Today, salt is still being produced in abundance, creating not a few fortunes for some enterprising families although much of its use is for industry. A local product that has become synonymous with Pangasinan is bagoong, or fermented fish sauce. Salt of course, is the prime ingredient. Mud-colored with a strong smell, bagoong has captured the national palate. Native cuisine, mostly Ilocano in origin, owes its authenticity to the lowly bagoong. Taking from the spare and starkly humble lifestyle of the Pangasinense with his dependence on the sea and rivers and the land, bagoong lends itself well to the local diet. Mixed with plain fresh vegetables like okra, squash and eggplant in an invigorating broth or as a dip for grilled catfish or Bonuan bangus, bagoong brings out the true flavor of the lands origins. The Northern Gate Pangasinan is a crescent-shaped province that occupies 5,368. 82 square kilometers of verdant farmlands, hills, forests and rivers. To the east, it is bounded by the mighty Cordillera Mountains, the Zambales ranges to the west, the rice plains of Tarlac to the south and the Lingayen Gulf and the China Sea to the north. Because of this strategic geographical positioning, it has always been described as a gateway of sorts. Most travellers going up North often remember Pangasinan as the place where they had last seen some semblance of civilization, comparing it with the sparsely populated regions of the Ilocos and the Cagayan Valley (with the exception of Baguio and the old Spanish towns of Vigan and Laoag). Today, the gates of opportunity have literally been opened as Pangasinan under the youthful and no-nonsense leadership of Gov. Victor E. Agbayani, girds itself up for the challenges of the coming new millenium. Connections Historian Rosario Mendoza Cortes writes in her book, Pangasinan 1572-1800 that according to Bishop Domingo de Salazar, Pangasinan was forty leagues distant from Manila either by land or by sea. Roughly translated, travelers of old normally take about thirty-hours to reach Manila via horse and carriage. After the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, travel time was normally 5 to 7 hours as normal route points like Bamban and Mabalacat were closed temporarily. Today, 5 hours is the norm although private vehicles can sometimes negotiate the route under 4 hours. Most major bus companies ply the Manila-Pangasinan route complemented by a host of local bus lines, which can be hired for private purposes and tours. Most bus services operate on a 24-hour basis. Media services are active in Pangasinan. National dailies as well as local publications (several weeklies and one daily) are available. There are 20 radio stations and one regional television station. Cable services have mushroomed even in areas far from the urbanized centers of Dagupan, Urdaneta and Alaminos. At the latest survey, Pangasinan has the highest tele-density in the country outside of Metro Manila with the presence of three major telecommunication companies. People and Culture Much has been written and discussed about the Pangasinense, yet no definite image comes to mind. There is a strong perception that the province is basically of Ilocano stock, but aside from the fact that Iloko is more widely spoken than Pangasinan, the defining characteristics end there. The Pangasinense is hardly frugal in the true sense of the word, nor is he extravagant either. Special occasions such as fiestas, weddings and baptisms are exceptions wherein extravagance is necessary to save face, but then most other Filipinos in other regions are similar in that respect. History tells us however that the Pangasinense has always been sensitive to issues concerning his welfare. One of the first local revolts during the Spanish colonization was instigated by a Binalatongan native, (now San Carlos) Andres Malong in 1660. Princess Urduja: fact or fiction? The heroics of an ancient princess who ruled a kingdom by the Lingayen gulf has never been verified as true by historians, yet the mythical Princess Urduja remains vividly alive and real in the local consciousness. The Gifts of the Earth and Sea Pangasinan is rooted to the earth agriculture based production remains as a major source of income for the majority of the populace. Aqua-culture is also popular in areas where instead of farmlands, variated squares of artificial ponds for fish rearing are found. Through the years, as the demand for particular fish stocks rose and fell, fishpond owners have adapted by sticking to traditionally favored, and stable growing fish species like the bangus or milkfish, the malaga and prawns. With agriculture currently mobilizing more than half of the local labor force, the current administration has seen the need to boost its efforts in this area. El Nino and La Nina Like the rest of the country and the world, 1998 was Pangasinans hottest year with temperatures soaring beyond the 40s. The lingering effects of the El Nino and the La Nina phenomenon continue to affect the local climate. Normally, the dry season begins in November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Typhoons intermittently wreak havoc with some serious flooding in the eastern towns. However, the presence of a long coastline with attractive beaches offsets the hot and humid weather; sun-loving tourists affirm that Pangasinans current climate is perfect. The Count Current census figures place the population at 3,803,890 distributed in the provinces 46 towns, three cities and 1,354 barangays. English and Filipino are widely spoken and are the mediums of instruction in all schools. Ilocano is the major dialect, spoken by a greater portion of the population in the western and eastern areas. There is some fear that the Pangasinan dialect, spoken predominantly in the central areas, is losing its hold on the local tongue. Bolinao, at the northernmost tip of western Pangasinan has a unique language of its own, also called Bolinao. Provincial Profile PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN How to Get There: Pangasinan is accessible by land. Air-conditioned bus lines such as Victory Liner, Five Star, Dagupan Bus and Viron have daily trips from Manila to the cities of Dagupan, Urdaneta, San Carlos, Alaminos and the towns of Bolinao and Tayug. Lingayen, the capital town, is 226 kilometers north of Manila via Dagupan-Urdaneta highway. Capital Lingayen Climate The province experiences two pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Maximum rainfall is observed in August. Average monthly temperature is 27. 91? C with the highest occuring in May and the lowest in January. Land Area 5,368. 82 square kilometers Location and Boundaries Pangasinan is bounded by Lingayen Gulf, La Union and Benguet on the north, Nueva Vizcaya on the northeast, Nueva Ecija on the east, Tarlac on the south and Zambales and China Sea on the west. Political Subdivision Pangasinan has 44 municipalities and 4 cities namely; Agno, Alcala, Aguilar, Anda, Asingan, Balungao, Bani, Basista, Bautista, Bayambang, Binalonan, Binmaley, Bolinao, Bugallon, Burgos, Calasiao, Dasol, Infanta, Labrador, Laoac, Lingayen, Mabini, Malasiqui, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Mapandan, Natividad, Pozorrubio, Rosales, San Fabian, San Jacinto, San Manuel, San Quintin, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Maria, San Nicolas, Sto. Tomas, Sison, Sual, Tayug, Umingan, Urbiztondo , Villasis, and the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos, and Urdaneta. Languages/ Dialect Spoken Pangasinense is spoken mostly in central Pangasinan. Ilocano is widely spoken in eastern and western portion of the province. Bolinao has a dialect of its own. English and Tagalog are the media of instruction in schools. Population 2,434,086 as of Year 2000 Census Major Industries Agriculture based industries remain to be the source of income of many. Prominent industries are bagoong making, handicrafts and gifts, toys and houseware making. Brief History: Pangasinan was officially conquered and colonized by D. Martin de Goite in 1571. It has always been known in historical accounts as Pangasinan meaning where salt is made. Governor General Ronquillo de Penalosa formally created Pangasinan as a province in 1850, making the province one of the earliest political and administrative units in the Philippines. Its territorial jurisdiction at that time included the present province of Zambales and parts of La Union and Tarlac. Lingayen was designated and remains up to the present as the provinical capital. Binalatongan, now San Carlos City was the largest town both in size and population. Dagupan, then a sitio of Lingayen was converted into a regular town in 1590. It was converging place of supporters of the rebellion led by Andres Malong in 1660. The territorial boundaries of Pangasinan was diminished when Agoo up to Bacnotan became towns of La Union in 1850 and again in 1875 when Paniqui and other southern towns were annexed to Tarlac. Zambales Zambales as the second largest province in Central Luzon, which covers an area of 361, 103 hectares, shares common boundaries with Pangasinan on the North, Tarlac and Pampanga on the East and Bataan on the South. The entire stretch of the Province on the west is rimmed by the crystal clear water of vast China Sea. The topography of the province is generally irregular, with the coastal plains and valleys stretching from Lingayen Gulf down south towards Subic Bay along the western coast and further towards a 175 kms. stretch of shoreline. The sprawling towns dotting the province from north to south, most of them along the shoreline are: Sta Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, San Narciso, San Antonio, San Marcelino, Castillejos and Subic. In our time, all towns of Zambales are accessible by land through its yawning concrete highway which runs from the City of Olongapo to Sta. Cruz exiting to Pangasinan. The Zambales road is also known to be one of the Philippines best scenic highways. Zambales Mango Festival The annual event is celebrated every April in Iba, Zambales, the beach capital of Central Luzon. The festival not only promotes the mango industry in Zambales but also its culture and natural beauty including the beautiful and pristine beaches of the province. A yearly celebration created to promote the mango industry in Zambales and to show the Provincial Government’s support to mango farmers ad other stakeholders. With the province’s richness in natural wonders, cultural and historical heritage, every summer, Zambales beaches have been overflowing with the local and foreign tourists and is now one of the favorite alternative tourist destinations in Central Luzon. Subic PAMANA ISLAND – One of the tourists’ destinations in Subic. Formerly called Sneak Island during the time of Subic naval Base wherein it became the favorite hangout of Americans. The island also home to a resort with first class amenities accommodation. LOOC LAKE – An ideal haven for tourists’ just 26 kms. orth of Olongapo. For nature lovers, one can find a cool and serene place where anyone can enjoy fishing ride the so-called â€Å"balsa. † It is a quiet place for family hangout, picnics and get together of friends. Castillejos RAMON MAGSAYSAY ANCESTRAL HOUSE – This house is famous historical landmark in the town of Castillejos. It houses the memorabilia of the most loved presid ent of the Philippines, President Ramon Magsaysay, â€Å"The Man of the Masses,† whose greatness in humanity gave pride to the Municipality of Castillejos. San Marcelino TIKUB’S POND, POOL PARK RESORT – A nature designed resort situated just a few minutes away from the town of San Marcelino. It is a great venue for nature lovers and picnic goers. San Antonio CASA SAN MIGUEL – A venue for the annual Pudaqui Arts Festival. A center of chamber music in San Antonio. It is set amid a mango orchard nestled between the mountain and the sea. Casa San Miguel is also known to be Zambales’ own version of Center for Culture an the Arts. PUNTA DE UIAN – An exotic, relaxing tropical paradise situated at Barangay Pundaquit in San Antonio. It is also known as a perfect site for television and/or film locations. San Narciso CRYSTAL BEACH RESORT – One of the resorts in Zambales that offers surfing for beginners and enthusiasts. Great big waves await thrill-seekers and surfers who want to enjoy surfing in Zambales PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY – The PMMA is the premier maritime institution in the Philippines. It is globally known for quality and good performance with standards of management and training comparable only with the best. San Felipe CENTURY OLD TREE – San Felipe is the pride of all Zambaleno’s for bagging the cleanest and greenest town in Central Luzon for 3 consecutive years. A Century Old Tree in Brgy. Maloma adds attraction to this progressive town. Cabangan MANGO CAMP ADVENTURE LEISURE FARM – A premier, family private retreat. It is also suitable for corporate tem activities. With its amenities and recreation facilities, this is your idyllic abode to refresh and to take some time off from the daily humdrum of city living. This is the best alternative to world class, yet congested of resorts and beaches. Botolan BOTOLAN WILD LIFE FARM – Different kinds of animals such as tiger, deer, snake, ostrich, birds and rare species of plants and orchids can be found here. INA POON BATO – As Aetas referred it as â€Å"Apo Apang. It is regarded as the oldest image of our blessed mother which has brought about a combined undeniable proof that with this image, the Filipino people has powerful and beloved instrument for real peace among all races. Iba IBA BEACH – A long stretch of pristine beaches can be found in Iba. It is also home to Zambales’ best sunset view and clean beaches. ST. AUGUSTIEN CATHERAL – A church built out of corals and limestone in 1703. it is the bishop’s seat of the province. Palauig MT. TAPULAO – The highest peak in Central Luzon can be found in Palauig. It is 7,200 feet above sea level and it is colder than Baguio City. Explore different species of flora and fauna that includes bonsai, century old trees, ferns and wild orchids. Masinloc COTO KID’S POOL – Offers a nature designed swimming pool overflowing with crystal white-cool spring water located near the foot of a forest reserve. Enjoy also the view of the 20-feet Coto’s waterfalls. Candelaria POTIPOT ISLAND – One of Candelaria’s main tourist attraction. The island is surrounded with pure white sand coral beaches and it is easily accessible by boat. The fact that you can walk around the whole island in less than 30 minutes makes the place more magical. Sta. Cruz SAGRADA FAMILIA CAVE – A church-like cave where you can see the image of the Holy Family with an altar made of stalactites and stalagmites of the cave. Activities YOU CAN ENJOY: * Surfing at the Crystal Beach * Scuba Diving * Jetskiing * Capones Island * Potipot Island * Hermana Menor Island * San Salvador * Mt. Tapulao Trekking * White Water Rafting Paragliding * Sandcaslting * Beach Volleyball * Boatong * Visit the President Ramon Magsaysay Ancestral House and Museum * Casa San Miguel (Center for Culture Arts in Zambales) Delicacies Only in Zambales †¢ Mango †¢ Linga Tangway †¢ Bagnet †¢ Pastillas Brief Description Zambales is life in itself. It is gifted with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has been touched by civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The province of Zambales is located on the western part of Luzon. It is 210 kilometers and approximately 3 hours drive from Manila. Zambales coastline is most famou s for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea with coral reefs. Zambales is historical. The ancestral house of the most popular and beloved president, Ramon Magsaysay, is situated at Castillejos. The world-renowned Mt. Pinatubo can be found in Botolan. Zambales is perfectly suited for visitors seeking the authentic countryside living without going far from Manila. Brief History The name of the province is derived from its earliest inhabitants, the Zambals. The Spanish found them worshipping spirits called anitos; they were referred to as Sambali, from the Malay word samba, meaning to worship. The term was later Hispanicized to Zambal. Adventure Packages Silanguin Bay in San Antonio. Endowed with abundant marine resources and wild animals, it is one of the five coves soon to be developed into a fish sanctuary. Naturally, an ideal place to visit for scuba diving adventures. Activities Recommended: Scuba Diving, Snorkelling. (Sta. Cruz, Zambales) Sagrada Familia Caves. Located along the cliffside of the Zambales mountain ranges. These caves are typical of others except that a mysterious formation of the image of the Holy Family was caused here by a continuous dripping from the apex of the cavern. Evidence of coral fragments along the cliffside point to the fact that the area was once a part of an ocean bed. Activity Recommended: Spelunking (Day Tour) Mt. Pinatubo in the province of Zambales is 3-1/2 hours away by bus from Manila. The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June, 1991 was heralded around the world as the most explosive eruption in 600 years, surpassing that of Mt. St. Helens in Washington, US. A. Movie producers and directors have visited Mt. Pinatubo and its surrounding communities in the hope of creating a television production with the 1991 volcanic eruption as a background scenario. Today, Mt. Pinatubos main asset rests in the various cultural groups mainly the Aetas who have been relocated to resettlement areas in various provinces. Helicopter and light plane tours as well as climbing or trekking expeditions are available for more adventurous tourists. Among the travel destinations covered by Mt. Pinatubo include Botolan Resettlement sites where one may indulge in community immersion with the Aetas; Bucao River, now completely covered with lahar and where one may engage in a walking safari towards the foothills of the dreaded volcano; Pinatubo Lake in San Marcelino town where one may have an opportunity to witness sunken villages. Activities Recommended: Pinatubo Trek, Volcano Watching, Community Immersion with the Aetas. Candelaria, Zambales) Sto. Nino Caves. Carved out of a fissure on the earths crust, this cavern measures about 50 by 75 meters. At its central wall sits an altar with the images of the Holy Family. The cross in the background is a makeshift of human femur bones. The unique charm of the cave is the presence of a petrified giant clam measuring almost two feet in diameter and embedded in the rocky stratum of the caves ceiling. Activity Recommended: Spelunking. (Masinloc, Zambales) San Salvador Island. Its abundance in marine resources has made it most famous as a scuba divers paradise. Divers would certainly love feasting their eyes on seeing the largest Manta Rays in the country, each measuring about 10 feet in diameter. The island is rich in fruit-bearing trees like mangoes. Clear water, smooth beaches coupled with powdery white sand and cool sea breeze. Activities Recommended: Scuba Diving, Swimming, Snorkeling. (Sta. Cruz, Zambales) Baloc-Baloc Cave. After a brief but arduous trek through rocky path, one is rewarded with a magnificent spectacle: a waterfall right inside this cave. From a height of about 10 meters, naturally cool spring water oozes out of the cavernous ceiling and on to the caves grotesque rocky walls. Down under, nature-formed swimming pond awaits the exhausted trekkers. Activities Recommended: Spelunking, Swimming, Camping. Climate Light casual clothes are recommended. An umbrella and a raincoat are must during the rainy season. Adopt to local customs and accept local differences (whether social or cultural). When shopping in a public market, haggle for the cheapest price. Always bring loose change when taking public transport to avoid inconvenience. Learn some local basic phrases. They may come very handy. Zamboanga Del Sur The Colors Of Ethnic Zamboanga BRIEF DESCRIPTION The province of Zamboanga del Sur is bounded on the north by the province of Zamboanga del Norte; on the south by the Moro Gulf; on the southwest by Zamboanga Sibugay; and on the east and northeast by Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Panguil Bay. The original inhabitants of the Zamboanga peninsula were the Subanons, who settled along the riverbanks. The next group of settlers to arrive were Muslim migrants from the neighboring provinces. The Maguindanaoans and Kalibugans were farmers; the Tausugs, Samals, and Badjaos were fishermen; and the Maranaos were traders and artisans. The Muslim settlers also looked on mat weaving as its major occupation. Then came an exodus of migrants from nearby provinces. Historians say that majority of them came from the Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Siquijor. Together with the original settlers, these pioneers helped develop Zamboanga del Sur into the abundant and culturally diverse province that it is. Today the province comprises two congressional districts with 26 municipalities and one component city. Pagadian City, its capital, with a total of 681 barangays, has been declared as the new regional seat of Region IX. ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR HISTORY Like some of the places and cities found in the Philippines (and in Southeast Asia), Zamboanga del Sur was, for the most part, built slowly upon the foundations of various migrants and settlers; it wasn’t a settlement built by one tribe which later expanded. The name Zamboanga itself came from the Malayan word â€Å"Jambangan†, meaning a place of flowers. The very first settlers of the area which would ultimately be known as Zamboanga del Sur were known as the Subanons or Subanens, whose name literally means â€Å"river folks†. They settled on the riverbanks and almost all were farmers who practiced the â€Å"slash and burn† method of agriculture. It wasn’t long afterwards, though, that they were joined by the Muslim immigrants who came in from neighboring towns, with some coming from as far away as Malaysia. The Muslims were broken down into groups depending from where they came, and their professions were also different: the Maguindanaoans and Kalibugans were mostly farmers by trade; the Tausugs, Badjaos, and Samals were fishermen, and finally, the Maranaos were traders and artisans. A major occupation for the Muslims, however, was mat weaving, which is still very much practiced today. During the following years, more and more people from nearby provinces migrated to the area. Most came from Visayas, namely, Cebu, Negros, and Bohol. Together, these people helped form Zamboanga del Sur into the vibrant province it is known today. When the Moro Province was established, composing of five districts (Cotabato, Davao, Sulu, Zamboanga, and Lanao), Zamboanga became its capital. When the five districts became individual provinces in 1940, Zamboanga City became the capital of Zamboanga province. After World War II, the capital was transferred to Dipolog and Molave became the provincial capital of Zamboanga when Republic Act 286 was passed on June 16, 1948. On June 6, 1952, by virtue of Republic Act 711, Zamboanga province, which encompassed the entire peninsula in the southwestern Mindanao, was split into two, with Zamboanga del Sur being one of the half. Zamboanga del Sur became the 52nd province in the Philippines, originally having 11 towns which were later broken down into 42 municipalities and one city, Pagadian. Pagadian City also became Zamboanga del Sur’s capital. GEOGRAPHY Zamboanga del Sur occupies the southern section of the Zamboanga peninsula that forms the western part of the Island of Mindanao. It is located within a longitude of 122? 30 and latitude of 7? 15 north. It has a total land area of 473, 491hectares or 4,734. 91 sq. m. Stretching northward from Sibugay in the southwest and running along the northern boundary to Salug Valley in the east is the province mountainous countryside. The coastal plains are extending regularly from south to west then spreading into wide flat lands when reaching the coastal plains of the Baganian peninsula in the southeast. POLITICAL SUBDIVISION Zamboanga del Sur consists of two congressional districts with 26 municipalities and one city, with a total of 681 barangays. LANGUAGE / DIALECT The major dialect is Cebuano, spoken by 61. 31% of the population. Also spoken are Tagalog, Subanon, Chavacano, Ilonggo, Maguindanao, Tausug, Boholano, and Ilocano. POPULATION As of the year 2007 census, Zamboanga del Sur had reached a population of 914,278. CLIMATE The province has a relatively high mean annual rainfall that varies from 1,599 millimeters in drier areas to 3,500 millimeters in the wettest portion. Temperature is relatively warm and constant throughout the year ranging from the minimum temperature of 22 to 35 degrees Celsius. TRADE AND INDUSTRY Agri-based manufacture of coco oil, livestock feed milling, rice/ corn milling, including the processing of fruits; gifts and housewares made from indigenous materials like handmade paper, roots, rattan, buri, and bamboo; wood-based manufacture of furniture and furniture components from wood, rattan, and bamboo; marine and aquaculture including support services; construction services and manufacture of marble, concrete, and wooden construction materials. OVERVIEW The early history of Zamboanga del Sur is similar to that of Zamboanga del Norte, inevitably linked with that of Zamboanga City, the center of Mindanao then, specially during the American Era. When Zamboanga City became a chartered city on October 12, 1936, it included the Zamboanga Peninsula and the island of Basilan, making it the largest city in the world in terms of land area. This changed in 1948 when Basilan became a separate province and when Republic Act No. 711 on June 6,1952 created two more provinces out of the Zamboanga City area. One of these provinces was the Province of Zamboanga del Sur. The status quo prevailed un til February 2001 when Zamboanga Sibugayand 16 of del Surs southern towns came into its own. GEOGRAPHY/POLITICAL SUBDIVISION Zamboanga del Sur is in northwestern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Zamboanga del Norte, to the west by Zamboanga Sibugay, on the east by Misamis Occidental, Panguil Bay, and Lanao del Norte, and on the south by the Moro Gulf and the Basilan Strait. Zamboanga del Sur has an aggregate land area of 4,694. 78 square kilometers with an irregular coastline. The landscape consists of a flat coastal plain giving way to mountains in the interior. The biggest bays are Dumanquilas, Maligay, and Pagadian Bay. A small peninsula extends into the Moro Gulf. Four rivers cross the plain to deltas where major towns are located. These are the Kumalarang, Sibuguey, Dinas, and Labangan Rivers. Zamboanga del Sur now has 27 towns. ETHNIC DISTINCTION Pagadian City is a melting pot that includes the Tiruray, Manobo, Maranao, and Maguindanao ethnic groups. The dominant ethnic group in Zamboanga del Sur is the Subanen whose enclaves are in tne towns of Kmnaiarang, and Lapuyan. MAJOR INDUSTRIES Zamboanga del Surs Land is highly fertile, where rice, corn, coconut and rubber are consistently produced. Rich and teeming waters mark fishing as a major industry. Its dense forests also contribute to a thriving wood industry. With valuable mineral deposits, manganese, copper, and nickel and mined in Kumalarang. Zamboanga Del Norte -From Orchid City To Shrine City BRIEF DESCRIPTION About half of the province land area is devoted to agriculture. Corn, coconut, and rice are major crops. The province being rich in marine and mineral sources, its fish production has accelerated through the development of fishponds. Commercial fishing has likewise steadily increased through the years, with the yellow fin tuna as the primary species. The 2nd largest island in the Philippines is Mindanao, which is the southern most part of the archipelago. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east; Celebes Sea to the south and to the west is Sulu Sea. The island of Mindanao is marked by a peninsulas and the largest of all is the ZAMBOANGA Peninsula. It is a semi circular peninsula extending southwesterly towards the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo. The peninsula has an area of 14,500 sq. km. (5,600 sq. ile). The ZAMBOANGA Peninsula was known as Sibugay or Sibuguey during the coming of the Spanish conquistadors. And later on was changed into Zamboanga from the capital town of the province which derived its name from the Malay word Jambangan meaning a place where wild flowers grow. The Spanish colonialization of Mindanao was done by sending missionaries and one of the sites was Jambangan. As the years went by, t he mispronunciation of Bisaya (North Borneo dialect) and Spanish words turned into what is now today Zamboanga. On June 23, 1635 the town was officially called Zamboanga. The boundary of the town of Zamboanga comprised half of the peninsula then. The entire peninsula was later called Zamboanga Peninsula although the easternmost part of the peninsula belong to the Province of Misamis. Before the Philippines was ceded to the United States of America (Treaty of Paris), the peninsula was partly to the south where ZAMBOANGA city proper is the Provincia Mora and towards the North where Dipolog City is a part of the Provincia Misamis. Dapitan district which includes Dipolog was part of Provincia Misamis. Each province has a governor and the whole Department of Mindanao and Sulu has also a governor. From 1903 to 1913 Zamboanga City was the capital of the Provincia Mora which comprise five district, namely ; Cotabato, Davao, Lanao, Zamboanga and Sulu . In 1903, Judge William Howard Taft, President of the Second Philippine Commission (Later on became the President of the United States of America) decreed Dapitan to be separated form Cagayan de Oro and annex to Provincia Mora, which later on 1913 became part of the Province of Zamboanga . One day in the year 1910 the Provincial Governor of Zamboanga, Mr. Helper visited Dipolog on his way to Dapitan on horseback. He was asked by the Dipolog town people that Dipolog be separated from Dapitan. This was the beginning of the crusade to make Dipolog a Municipality. On September 15,1911, the governing body of the Provincia Mora, the legislative council passed Act. No. 272 converting the Municipality of Zamboanga into a city. The ceremony was held on January 1, 1912 with the appointment of American Christopher F. Bader as the first City Mayor. Also at almost the same time created the provinces of Davao, Lanao, Sulu, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Surigao, Butuan (a subprovince of Surigao), Agusan (a sub province of Davao), Malaybalay (now Bukidnon) and Misamis. Misamis was part of the Department of Cebu, Agusan and Surigao was District of Caraga during the Spanish era. General John J. Pershing, Governor of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu granted the petition to elevate Dipolog into a town. On July 1, 1913, amidst a solemn inspiring ceremony John J. Pershing pronounced Dipolog as a Municipality from the balcony of the brand new Dipolog Municipal Hall and the appointment of Pascual T. Martinez as the first Municipal Mayor (called president at that time). In 1942 during the Second World War, Acting Governor Felipe B. Azcuna transferred the seat of the provincial government from ZAMBOANGA City to DIPOLOG. Thus making DIPOLOG the capital-in-fact of the ZAMBOANGA Province. On June 6, 1952, a bill fathered by Roseller Lim became the republic act 711. It created the Province of Zamboanga del Sur with Pagadian as its capital and Province of Zamboanga del Norte and with Dipolog as the capital town. Dubbed as the Twin-City Province, Zamboanga del Norte has been made famous by the beauty and charm of the Orchid City of Dipolog and the historical, rustic quaintness of the Shrine City of Dapitan. Decrying Spanish authority over his beloved country, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippine National Hero, lived in exile in faraway Dapitan City, then only a sleepy town in Mindanao. Here, he spent fruitfully his last four years in exile, from 1892 to 1896, to practice medicine, pursue scientific studies, keep with his artistic and literary endeavors, and widen his knowledge of languages. In Dapitan, Dr. Rizal found a school and a hospital, and became a farmer to prove to the people that farming is as good a profession as medicine. The original estate of Dr. Rizal in Dapitan has been declared a national shrine and is being administered by the National Historical Institute. Hence, the city monicker, Shrine City of the Philippines. By the year 2020, Dapitan is poised to become the Dr. Jose Rizal Heritage Center of the Philippines, owing to the wealth of Rizal memorabilia and memorable places associated with the country beloved hero. Zamboanga del Norte today is equally famous for Dakak Park and Beach Resort, the province foremost natural attraction. The very popular Dakak Beach is most known for its beautifully shaped cove and powdery white sand, and as a diving mecca in Mindanao. Pristine blue waters, excellent dive sites with an abundance of coral reefs, and a magnificent sunset horizon characterize this tropical eden. Dakak Park and Beach Resort boasts 15 hectares of wooded land, a natural reservoir for native plants and animals, and a 750-meter private white-sand beach. GEOGRAPHY Zamboanga del Norte is situated in Northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur. The province occupies a total land area of 6,618 square kilometers. It has an average elevation of 243. 8 meters, with Mt. Dabiak in Katipunan as the highest peak at 2,600 meters. Other parts,near the coastlines, are plains. The province irregular coastline runs 400 kilometers from north to south. POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS The province has 25 towns and twin city (Dipolog and Dapitan), which are clustered into three districts. CLIMATE Zamboanga del Norte has a mild and moderate climate due to evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Its southern portion has a longer dry season. LANGUAGES/DIALECTS The main dialect is Cebuano/Visayan. English and Filipino (Tagalog) are also spoken, indicative of a high level of literacy. The original and native Subanen dialect lives on, especially in the highlands. POPULATION As of 2007 census count, the province of Zamboanga del Norte had a total population of 907,238, the second largest in the region, after Zamboanga del Sur. MAJOR INDUSTRIES About half of the province land area is devoted to agriculture. Corn, coconut, and rice are major crops. The province being rich in marine and mineral sources, its fish production has accelerated through the development of fishponds. Commercial fishing has likewise steadily increased through the years, with the yellow fin tuna as the primary species.