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)

• Tarlac City

Municipalities (17)

• Anao
• Bamban
• Camiling
• Capas
• Conception
• Gerono
• La Paz
• Mayantoc
• Moncada
• Paniqui
• Pura
• Ramos
• San Clemente
• San Jose
• San Manuel
• Santa Ignacia
• Victoria

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.