A land-locked province of the central plain of Luzon, surrounded by the provinces of Pangasinan, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.

Tarlac is a major agricultural province, but offers little to detain travelers as they pass through from Manila to Pangasinan, Baguio or Ilocos. Its focal point is the town of Tarlac, the provincial capital.

THE PROVINCE

Tarlac(3,053 square km) is flat, fertile landscape giving way to the rolling barren foothills of the Zambales Mountains, home of Mt. Pinatubo. Tarlac is regarded as a melting pot of different ethno-linguistic groups who migrated the surrounding provinces during the Spanish era. The province of Tarlac was carved out of parts of Pampanga and Pangasinan in 1874. Its name derived from a tough weed, which the Aetas called tanlac or tarlac, growing the wilderness to the north of San Fernando.

Brief History. Tarlak was originally a part of the provinces og Pangasinan and Pampanga. It was the last central Luzon province to be organized under the Spanish regime although many of its towns founded before its recognition as a separate province in 1872. Among these towns were Bamban, Capas, Conception, Victoria, and Tarlac. At present, the province has 17 municipalities.

During the Philippine Revolution of the 1890's, Tarlac was one of the first provinces to be proclaimed in a state of war by Gen. Blanco. It thne became a seat of the first Philippine Republic in March 1899 when General Emilio Aguinaldo had to abandon the former seat in Bulacan. This lasted for only one month since the seat was moved to Nueva Ecija. American forces captured Tarlac in November 1899 and civil government was instituted by the American in 1901.

Tarlac will always figure as a major milestone of Philippine history. During World War II, Camp O'Donnel in Capas was the terminal point of the infamous "Death March" participated in by Filipino and American soldiers who surrendered in Bataan. In 1950, it was the hotbed of Huks a local communist movement. The movement was later suppressed but had a resurgence in 1965.

The municipality of Tarlac is the capital town of the province. It is approximately 123 kilometers from Manila and is one of the largest twons in the Central Luzon Region. This town is particularly important as a transportation center since it is located at the juncture of highways and railways leading to the Lingayen Gulf, thus making it an important trade center.

Known as the "Melting Pot of Central Luzon", Tarlac is the home province of different ethno-linguistic groups, mostly migrants from the surrounding provinces in the early Spanish era. The majority are Ilocanos, Pampanguenos, Pangasinenses, and Tagalogs. The people of Tarlac speak a variety of dialects with ease although Ilocano dominates with 50 percent of the population speaking it, while Pampango is next with 41 percent. English can be spoken by 47 percent and Spanish by 2 percent.

Climate. The climate of Tarlac plays an important role in the economic activity of the province. Like the rest of Central Luzon province, there are two distinct seasons: Dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year. Heavy rainfall is distrituted during the months of July, August, and September wit an average of 400 millimeter. During such months when precipitation is heaviest, the Tarlac river swells flooding the areas surrounding ir and cauding eidespread damage to crops and properties.

Rainfall reaches its lowest lever in January when precipitation totals only millimeter. fThe dry months of January to March cause erosion or the soil kue to the prchings of the land so that mont of the cropswilt and die.

January, the coldest month, registers a temperature of 79°F.

Languages. Languages spoken are Pampango, Ilocano, Tagalog, and Pangasinan.

Religion. The Roman Catholic faith is practiced by 78 percent of the population while Aglipayan is practiced by 12 percent. The rest of the population is divided into the different Protestant denominations and the sect the Iglesia ni Kristo and other denominations.

Socio-economic. Soil characteristics play an important role in the areas devoted to different types of industries. In the eastern section where population is numerous, the soil is composed of alluvial deposits having medium to coarse texture and with good drainage qualities suitable for planting the principal crops of the province. Rice, the major crop, is planted extensively in the area. Palay production has contributed much to the income gathered from agricultural products. Sugarcane is the next important produce of the province. Corn, tobacco, fruits, and tubers, the minor crops of Tarlac, are also planted in these areas.

Along the extreme eastern section where the boundaries of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija meet, the soil is sticky, slightly plastic and compact making internal drainage very poor. Most of the lands here are irrigated palm. Irrigation systems are either communal or pulm types. Sources of water are the Tarlac River, o'Donnel River, and the San Miguel River.

Toward the west in the rolling upland region of the province, soils are formed from sandstones of poor to medium fertility and poor memerability. Some rice fields in this area can also be found as well as orchards, corn fields, vegetable farms and root crop plantations.

In the boundaries of Tarlac and Zambales are forest lands that provide timber for the logging industries.

Livestock and poultry population has not had a significant increase from the headcount in 1960. The province Tarlac has not converted its land into grazing areas needed for a more extensive livestock industry.

Mining areas are along the western section with mineral reserves consisting of metals like manganese and iron and non-metals are construction materials, ceramics and refractory minerals.

Tarlac, being landlocked, has no marine resources. In land fishing, however, con be developed since Tarlac has several freswater sections which can be utilized for fishponds. Swamplands will be able to supply the province for domestic consumption.

The province has its own rice and corn mills to grind its agricultural produce of palay and corn, and sawmills and logging outfits for the forest industries. Other firms service agricultural needs such as fertilizers. Tarlac also has 3 sugar centrals, being one of the Philippines' top sugar producers. These are the Central Azucarera de Tarlac at the capital town of Tarlac, the Paniqui Sugar Mills, Inc. at the Paniqui and the Central Milling Company at Bamban.

Among the cottage industries, ceramic manufacturing has become an important industry of the province partly because of the unlimited supply of clay.

Points of interest

Camp General Servillano Aquino. Formerly called Camp Ord named after Lt. Col. James B. Ord (who died in the airplane crash in 1938) is now the home of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. To add to historicity of the place is the Eisenhower tree planted on July 4, 1939 by Lt. Col. Dwight D. Eisenhower, chief of Staff of Marshall Douglas McArthur, the military adviser of the Philippine Commonwealth. The Camp is about 20 meters away from the national highway.

Acocolao (Paniqui). The old townsite of Paniqui where Ali Mudin, a deposed Muslim Sultan graciously embraced Christianity on April 29, 1750 and assumed the name Don Fernando Ali Mundin I. As the story is told and re-told, a whole day celebration of the solemn affairs was held in his honor, highlighted with the presence of church dignitaries and high government officials from Manila and the towns people who witnessed the ocassion.

Catholic Chruch of Camiling. Of historical importance, the Camiling Catholic Convent was the death place of General Pedro Pedroche and his men in the hands of Francisco Makabulos and his revolutionary troops on orders of Gen. Luna on charges of rebellion.

Tarlac Provincial Capitol and Maria Cristina Park. An imposing historical landmark in the province is the seat of provincial government, the Capitol Building. Constructed atop a hill, capitol command a panoramic view of the town of Tarlac and its surrounding environs. To add grandeur and beauty to the place is the Maria Cristina Park, fittingly named after a Tarlac beauty queen, Maria Cristina Galang, 1952 Miss Philippines.

San Sebastian Cathedral (Tarlac). Located in front of Municipal Hall, this edefice was the site of Revolutionary Congress.

Lugay Park (Bamban). Carved along the hill area, near the highway, the park is bordered by a calm, pebbled stream which is frequently used as location shooting by movie companies doing western movies. Inside the park is the Bamban grotto of the Lady of Lourdes accessible to the lovers, who make vows before it, the image is atop of a hill overlooking the expanse of lowlands farms, the highway and the surrounding towns.

Anao Quinabundok Creek. The Quinabundok Creek is about 24 hectares and 3 kms. away from the town hall. It is rich with aquatic resources and a source of livelihood for the town people. Picnickers and excursionists usually go there for fishing and swimming. The place has horse shoe shape which can be divided into a water reservoir for irrigation purposes and a resort good for boating and fishing when fully developed.

Dolores Springs (Tarlac). Seven kilometer away from Tarlac town is Dolores Springs. Its waters are believed to be medicinal and for this a good number of excursionists, old and young alike frequent the place.

Luisita Golf Course. The only golf course in Tarlac province is found in San Miguel, Tarlac within the CAT sugar plantation residential compound. It is managed by its owners, the Cojuangcos, who use it exclusively for themselves and friends except when golf tournaments are held. A touch of history is associated with the place because in a cottage nearby, the late American hero, General Douglass McArthur and selected members of his staff spent a night on their way to Manila during the liberation period.

Magsaysay Dam. Named after the late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, this irrigation dam can be a haven for tired souls in need of a country setting. Located in Mayontoc town, the dam is a well-loved place for excursionists and local residents who admire its "crystal mountain waters" which sustain, too, the rice-growing towns of nearby Western Tarlac municipalities. The site is accessible thru all modes of road travel traversing 14 kms. from the town proper.