Pitch and Cole's

HISTORY OF TARLAC

Tarlac Province is located approximately 125 kms. northeast of Metro Manila, Tarlac is the most multi-cultural of the Central Luzon provinces. A mixture of four distinct groups, the Pampangos, Ilocanos, Pangasinense and Tagalogs, share life in the province. Tarlac is best known for its fine food and vast sugar and riceplantations. That it has fine cooking to offer is due largely to the fact that it is the "Melting Pot of Central Luzon." It offers some of the best cuisines from the places of ancestry of its settlers, the province of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Pangasinan and the Ilocos Region. Historical sites, fine food, vast plantations, beautiful landscaped parks and golf course, and so many other attractions - all these make the province of Tarlac one of the best places to visit in Central Luzon.

The history of Tarlac is the story of its people. Through the years, Tarlac and its people have been an epitome of the Filipino nation, resolute in times of trying challenges and united despite cultural diversities. Although it is Central Luzon's youngest province, carved out by the Spaniards on May 28,1873 from Pangasinan and Pampanga, Tarlaqueños have since played vital roles in shaping Philippine history. Tarlac was among the first eight provinces that started the 1896 revolution, earning its rightful place in the Philippine flag as one of the rays of the sun.

Aquino Center Museum

The Aquino Center Museum is dedicated  to the late Sen. Benigno “ Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and his wife the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

The center houses all the past memorabilia of the Aquino Family. A walk through the past depicting the death of the late senator, the People Power revolution to the Presidency of Pres. Cory. It embodies the celebration of Philippine independence through a timeless capsule of Philippine history.

The Aquino Center Museum was design by noted Filipino architect Francisco Manosa and is located in the Hacienda Luisita. It has a spacious function room and 

                                           Capas National Shrine

              

The Capas National Shrine is found in Barangay O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac where an obelisk stands as a reminder of the Filipino and American soldiers who attend perished during the infamous Death March during the second world war. The Wall of Heroes was also put up around the obelisk to commemorate all the soldiers who died during the last world war. The area is also home to a small museum named after Gen. Francisco Macabulos.

                                       Isdaan Floating Restaurant

Isdaan Floating Restaurant is one fine restaurant that you wouldn’t even think existing in the landlocked province of Tarlac. Being here is like you’re in another country or some sort. Isdaan Floating Restaurant has a very remarkable setup, good food and display, this restaurant should be included in your list.

Upon arriving in Gerona’s more than a hectare restaurant, the name “Isdaan” means fishery really speaks for itself or they call it Isdaan Floating Restaurant. Huge sculptures of fishes are atop a pond filled with several types of fishes – mostly kois. These fish sculptures are somewhat re-enacting a scene where a bamboo pole has caught a fish. As you look at it, you can really imagine how the fish would act from the time it was trapped from the sharp hook.

                  

                                             Monasterio De Tarlac

On January 29,2007, Msgr. Bauer and Msgr Alfred Voss from Essen Germany brought the relic themselves and was formally enshrined at the Monasterio De Tarlac officiated by the Most Rev Fernando Filoni, D.D. Papal Nuncio of the Philippines. The ceremony was celebrated in the presence of Bishop Florentino Cinense of Tarlac together with the other archbishops, bishops and priests from different archdioceses and dioceses in the Philippines and with the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastic Community. The enshrinement was also witness by top government officials of the province of Tarlac headed by the late Congressman Jose “Aping” Yap, who was very instrumental in the realization of the establishment of the Monasterio De Tarlac with his offer of the land where the relic is located.

The Monasterio De Tarlac where the Relic of the True Cross  is located  is at the heart of the 20 hectares portion of the 278 hectares Tarlac Eco-Tourism Park at Brgy. Lubigan, San Jose, Tarlac. Monasterio De Tarlac has an altitude of 308 meters above sea level,  on top, visitors would see  the panoramic view of the western part of the province , the grandeur of natural landscapes. A 30 foot statue of the Risen Christ reminiscent of Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer stands at the edge of a hill. The Monasterio De Tarlac has the relic, that the only one in Asia, arrived in the province in 2005. Today the site receives 600 to 800 visitors per week.

 

                          Hiking Places in Tarlac

People think that Tarlac is equal to lowland. Even majority of the locals just assume that it’s just a plain in the middle of Luzon and is one of the longest roads you travel if you’re heading north. One friend even joked that when you sleep entering Tarlac, you will wake up still in Tarlac. Little did people know that 1/3 of the province’s territory is composed of hills and mountains.

 Mt. Pinatubo -  Capas

 

                                     Museo ng Probinsya ng Tarlac

Aiming to promote Tarlac’s art and artists, the Museo ng Probinsya ng Tarlac Museum was put up in cooperation with the private sector, in particular, the Tarlac Heritage Foundation for that goal. Given the success of the first ever Belen-making competition in the country, the winning entries of the personal and diorama category are currently housed in the museum.