Monday, January 25, 2010

Tarlac Tourist Attractions and Activities

Historical Sites

Tarlac Provincial Capitol and Maria Cristina Park (Tarlac City)
An imposing historical landmark in the province is the seat of provincial government, the Capitol building, built in 1906. Giving more grandeur and beauty to the place is the Maria Cristina Park, fittingly named after a Tarlac beauty queen, Maria Cristina Galang, Ms. Philippines 1952.

Capas National Shrine (Capas)
A concentration camp subsequently serving as the burial grounds for thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who perished during WW II. The site was the ultimate destination of the infamous Death March.

Capas Death March Monument (Capas)
The historical marker of the infamous concentration camp where nearly 30,000 Filipino and American soldiers who participated in the Death March perished in 1942.

Sto. Domingo Death March Marker (Capas)
The site where about 60,000 Filipino soldiers camped like sardines in closed boxcars were unloaded to start the second phase of the tragic Death March.

Maria Clara Museum (Camiling)
Preserved and displayed in this museum are the priceless mementos of Leonora Rivera, the sweetheart of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Leonora Rivera is immortalized as the heroine Maria Clara in the novel of Rizal.

San Sebastian Cathedral (Tarlac City)
The site of the revolutionary congress. The demolished Tarlac Catholic Convert had once become the highest Filipino seat of learning when the Literario Sciantifico Universidad was transferred from Malolos, Bulacan to Tarlac on March 31, 1889.

Accolalao (Paniqui)
It was in this old townsite of Paniqui where Ali Madin, deposed Sultan of Sulu, formally embraced the Christian faith on April 29, 1750 and assumed the name, Don Fernando Ali Mudin I.

Camiling Church (Camiling)
Its convent was the place of death of General Pedro Pedroche and his men in the hands of General Francisco Makabalos and his revolutionary troops upon the order of General Antonio Luna on charges of rebellion.

Cultural Heritage

Aquino Center (Tarlac City)
The Aquino Center offers modern conference facilities, spacious functions rooms, convention hall, library containing books and memorabilia of former President Corazon Aquino and the late Senator and patriot Benigno Aquino, Jr. The museum offers a vivid display of the life and works of the late Senator with a mini-theater depicting in visual drama his illustrious life. Tour of Tarlac is never complete without a memorial visit to the center.

Carlos P. Romulo Memorial Library (Tarlac City)
Established on May 9, 1952 during the administration of Governor Antonio E. Lopez, this institution was originally named after the late President Manuel A. Roxas, and was later renamed in 1990 after the prominent statesman.

Tarlac Museum (Tarlac City)
Tarlac Museum has an extensive collection of official documents of the different revolutionary personalities like the letters of Francisco Makabulos and Gen. Servillano Aquino. This museum stages exhibits every 45 days such as the National Costume of Luzon and many other themes that depict the history and life in the province of Tarlac.

Natural Formations

Mt. Pinatubo
Made famous by its catastrophic eruption in 1991, now a source of travel and study among tourists and travelers visiting Central Luzon.

Bueno Hot Springs (Capas)
Located within the reservation area of Clark Air Base. The terrain is mountainous and the place can be reached only by trail.

Dolores Spring (Tarlac City)
Its water is believed to be medicinal.

Anao Quinabutok Creek (Anao)
Rich with aquatic resources and a favorite site of picnic goers and excursionists for fishing and swimming.

Religious Structures
St. Rose of Lima Church (Paniqui)
Built during the Spanish colonization, and one of the oldest in the country. This structure underwent extensive reconstruction in the early 1970s.

San Sebastian Church (Tarlac City)
Located in front of the Municipal Hall, the church was the site of the revolutionary congress. The demolished Tarlac Catholic convent had become the highest Filipino seat of learning when the Literario-Sientifico Universidad of Malolos, Bulacan was transferred to Tarlac on March 31, 1889. The first graduation ceremonies on Sept. 29, 1890 were held inside the Catholic Convent premises. Diplomas then were signed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

Man-Made
Bamban Park (Bamban)
The park was carved along the hilly area near the national highway in Tarlac and is quite visible from the road with its imposing grotto of Virgin Mary pedestalled on a hill. One has to hurdle a 100-step stairway before reaching the grotto. The area is characterized by stretches of roadside mini-restaurants and bonsai farms - all catering to commuters bound for the north. People visit the place to pay homage to the Blessed Mother or do mountain trekking on the side.

Tinang Site Voice of America (Concepcion)
This radio transmitting facility was used by the Voice of America, the International Broadcasting Service and the U.S. Information Agency in communicating to the world for over 30 years.

Magsaysay Dam (Mayantok)
This dam, named after the late Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, boasts of crystal-clear water from the mountain and a scenic view of surrounding areas.

San Bartolome Treehouse (Mayantok)
Located in Brgy. San Bartolome, this treehouse, constructed through the initiative of the barangay council in 1973, is one of the most interesting attractions in the province.

Tarlac Sugar Mills (Paniqui)
The province of Tarlac takes pride in having two large sugar mills, namely CAT Sugar Mills in Tarlac City and Paniqui Sugar Mills in Paniqui town. These sugar mills help boost the economy of the province.

Diwa ng Tarlak (Tarlac City)
A civic and convention center built during the time of Gov. Federico Peralta, it houses a convention hall, ballroom, trade exhibit hall and dining facilities. It is a favorite venue for special functions such as seminars and conferences.

Hacienda Luisita (Tarlac City)
The Cojuangco-owned hacienda in Tarlac City houses the famous Tarlac Industrial Park where a growing lists of international export producing companies are located. It boasts of an 18-hole championship golf course, shopping malls, world-class restaurants, hotels, a Beverly Hill - type of residential estate and a vast sugar plantation. Also located in the complex is the Aquino Center and Museum.

Luisita Golf and Country Club (Tarlac City)
Located within a sugar plantation owned by the Cojuangco Family. Designed by the world-renowned Robert Trent, this place is a magnificent landscape of verdant slopes and restful lagoons.

Plaza Luisita Center (Tarlac City)
A modern and masterfully designed commercial and business complex for shopping malls, offices, retail shops, food establishments and recreational centers. It houses such retail food outlets like Max's Restaurant, McDonald's, Jollibee, Pancake House, Greenwich, Cindy's, Travieza and Chow King

Festivals
Mt. Pinatubo Trek (30 November, Capas)
An annual trekking event is held every November 30 to commemorate the world-famous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Hundreds of local and foreign visitors on board all-weather vehicles drive for one hour along the rocky and watery streambed in O' Donnell, Brgy. Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac only to take on a 2-hour walk to the crater of the volcano to witness the tranquility and peacefulness of Mother Nature. Participants join the annual event to contribute part of their resources for the benefit of the conservation and local infrastructure development projects of the host community of Sta. Juliana. The event is participated in by the Angeles City Four Wheelers Club with support from other motoring groups. The project is organized by the Department of Tourism - Region III as part of their mission to "build better quality of lives thru travel and tourism."

Special Interests
Conquer Mt. Pinatubo
Trek to the crater of the world-famous Mt. Pinatubo. Spectacular views, towering lahar canyons, cool mountain springs, and cascading waterfalls make the trip up the volcano an experience to remember. The tour may be taken via Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac.

How to Get to Tarlac
All buses from Manila going to the Ilocos Region and Baguio City pass through Tarlac. Most of these buses make rest stops along the highway at the town's many restaurants. Philippine Rabbit in Manila has buses that leave for Tarlac every 10 to 30 minutes, twenty-four (24) hours a day. The types of available land transportation are cars, vans, jeepneys, tricycles, and buses.

Tarlac Emergency Services
Medical Facilities
Jecsons Hospital
MacArthur Hwy., Tarlac City
Tel. No. (63 45) 982-5501 - 5508
Contact Person: Dr. Jose Y. Chua, Jr.

Police
Tarlac Police Station
Tel. No.(6345) 982-2102; 166

Fire Station
Tarlac Fire Station
Tel No. (6345) 982-1356

Tourist Information and Assistance
DOT Region 3
MR. RONALDO P. TIOTUICO, Regional Director
Paskuhan Village, San Fernando, Pampanga 2000
Tel.: (6345) 961 2665
Fax: (6345) 961-2612
Cell. Phone: (0919) 427 8351
E-mail: dot3@pldtdsl.net
Website: www.luzoncentral.com

Capas, Tarlac
Tel. No. (63 45) 925-0154
Website: http://www.capaslgu.gov.ph
Email: capaslgu@mozcom.com
Contact Person: Rodolfo Dalagan - Municipal Tourism Officer

Tarlac City
Tel. No. (63 45) 982-1923
Contact Person: Wilfredo Toldanes - City Tourism Officer

source: Department of Tourism

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