Philippine Tourism, Geography & Culture — Central Luzon and Surrounding Regions (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering regions, geography, ethnic groups, major transport corridors, attractions, foods, and festivals mentioned across the lecture notes for Central Luzon and neighboring areas.

Region III (Central Luzon)

Official regional division in the Philippines; largest plain and rice-producing region in the country.

Central Luzon Boundaries

North: Ilocos Region; East: Cagayan Valley; South: CALABARZON and NCR; West: West Philippine Sea.

Regional Center

San Fernando City serves as the regional administrative hub for Central Luzon.

Clark International Airport

Primary northern air access point for the region, located in Pampanga.

Port Capinpin

Seaport in Orion, Bataan, used for maritime access.

MacArthur Highway

Major land route running through Central Luzon.

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)

Expressway connecting Metro Manila to the northern provinces.

SCTEX

Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway; major toll road in the region.

TPLEX

Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway; facilitates northbound travel.

Aetas

Indigenous group in Central Luzon; name often linked to Malay term bitam; commonly described as 'people' in their own language.

Kapampangan

Ethnic group in Pampanga; known for their culinary skills and regional culture.

Dialects in the Region

Common languages/dialects include Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilocano, and Sambal.

Aeta meaning (bitam vs. people)

Aeta is widely interpreted as 'people,' though 'bitam' was a Malay root often cited.

Kapampangan Culinary Talents

Kapampangans are renowned for cooking skills and culinary extravagance.

Pinawa (Aurora)

Brown rice used in Suman de Baler; a key ingredient associated with Aurora’s sweets.

Suman de Baler

Aurora delicacy: coconut-milk-sweetened rice wrap, cooked with Pinawa.

Inuruban

A Tarlac/Nueva Ecija rice-based delicacy; often linked to nilubyan; a special rice cake.

Nilubyan (Inuruban)

Rice cake variant in which the name nilubyan is associated with Inuruban.

Tibok-tibok

Pampanga version of maja blanca; made with fresh carabao milk, rice flour, and latik.

Nilagang manok na may asparagus

Filipino chicken soup variant in Bulacan region, cooked with asparagus.

Aurora Top Attractions (Suman de Baler, Pinawa)

Aurora’s notable foods: Suman de Baler made with Pinawa; traditional desserts.

Sabang Beach

A famous Aurora beach known for surfing and coastal scenery.

Balete Park

Park featuring a 600-year-old balete tree, dubbed the Millennium Tree and Asia’s largest balete.

Ermita Hill

Plateau with views of Baler Bay; historic refuge during Tromba Marina (1735).

Museo de Baler

Museum in Baler housing artifacts including porcelain from the Galleon Trade.

Aurora Surfing Cup

Annual surfing competition held in Baler, Aurora.

Suman Festival (Aurora)

Festival celebrating Suman and related local sweets in Aurora.

Sabutan Festival (Aurora)

Festival celebrating Sabutan (palm fiber) heritage and crafts.

Mount Pinatubo

Active volcano known as the 'beautiful disaster'; features Crater Lake and requires off-road access.

Magalawa Island

Island in Zambales famed for its white sand and starfish; ‘Island of the Stars.’

Anawangin Cove

Cove formed by volcanic ash with distinctive pine-like Agoho trees; popular camping and beach spot.

Nagsasa Cove

Coastal cove similar to Anawangin; volcanic ash landscape and scenic view.

Dinamulag Festival

Mango Festival of Zambales celebrating the Dinamulag carabao mango; Guinness recognition in 1995.

Sibit-Sibit Festival

Festival in Olongapo celebrating local fishing heritage; named after small paddle banca.

Subic Karakoa Festival

Festival in Subic honoring the Karakoa warship tradition; vibrant floats and parades.

Bataan (Balanga)

Province with Balanga as capital; known for historical sites and coastal geography.

Biak na Bato National Park

Ecological and historical park in Bulacan; features a 2100-hectare landscape and revolution-era hideout.

Barasoain Church

Historic Bulacan church known as the Cradle of Democracy in the East.

Casa Real Shrine

Museum in Malolos; site of Imprenta Nacional and First Philippine Republic relics.

Belenismo Festival

Festival in Tarlac featuring life-sized illuminated Nativity displays.

Melting Pot Festival

Tarlac festival celebrating the province’s multicultural heritage.

Chicharon and Inuruban Festival

Tarlac festival celebrating local pork cracklings and traditional foods.

Pulilan Carabao Festival

Bulacan festival honoring carabaos with kneeling ritual before the church.

Luyang Dilaw Festival

Bulacan festival celebrating local produce, notably turmeric/dye-related heritage.