Zambales as the second largest province in Central Luzon, which covers an area of 361, 103 hectares, shares common boundaries with Pangasinan on the North, Tarlac and Pampanga on the East and Bataan on the South. The entire stretch of the Province on the west is rimmed by the crystal clear water of vast China Sea.
The topography of the province is generally irregular, with the coastal plains and valleys stretching from Lingayen Gulf down south towards Subic Bay along the western coast and further towards a 175 kms. stretch of shoreline.
The sprawling towns dotting the province from north to south, most of them along the shoreline are: Sta Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, San Narciso, San Antonio, San Marcelino, Castillejos and Subic.
In our time, all towns of Zambales are accessible by land through its yawning concrete highway which runs from the City of Olongapo to Sta. Cruz exiting to Pangasinan.
The Zambales road is also known to be one of the Philippines best scenic highways.
Zambales
Mango Festival
The annual event is celebrated every April in Iba, Zambales, the beach capital of Central Luzon. The festival not only promotes the mango industry in Zambales but also its culture and natural beauty including the beautiful and pristine beaches of the province.
A yearly celebration created to promote the mango industry in Zambales and to show the Provincial Government’s support to mango farmers ad other stakeholders.
With the province’s richness in natural wonders, cultural and historical heritage, every summer, Zambales beaches have been overflowing with the local and foreign tourists and is now one of the favorite alternative tourist destinations in Central Luzon.
Subic
PAMANA ISLAND – One of the tourists’ destinations in Subic. Formerly called Sneak Island during the time of Subic naval Base wherein it became the favorite hangout of Americans. The island also home to a resort with first class amenities & accommodation.
LOOC LAKE – An ideal haven for tourists’ just 26 kms. north of Olongapo. For nature lovers, one can find a cool and serene place where anyone can enjoy fishing ride the so-called “balsa.” It is a quiet place for family hangout, picnics and get together of friends.
Castillejos
RAMON MAGSAYSAY ANCESTRAL HOUSE – This house is famous historical landmark in the town of Castillejos. It houses the memorabilia of the most loved president of the Philippines, President Ramon Magsaysay, “The Man of the Masses,” whose greatness in humanity gave pride to the Municipality of Castillejos.
San Marcelino
TIKUB’S POND, POOL & PARK RESORT – A nature designed resort situated just a few minutes away from the town of San Marcelino. It is a great venue for nature lovers and picnic goers.
San Antonio
CASA SAN MIGUEL – A venue for the annual Pudaqui Arts Festival. A center of chamber music in San Antonio. It is set amid a mango orchard nestled between the mountain and the sea. Casa San Miguel is also known to be Zambales’ own version of Center for Culture an the Arts.
PUNTA DE UIAN – An exotic, relaxing tropical paradise situated at Barangay Pundaquit in San Antonio. It is also known as a perfect site for television and/or film locations.
San Narciso
CRYSTAL BEACH RESORT – One of the resorts in Zambales that offers surfing for beginners and enthusiasts. Great big waves await thrill-seekers and surfers who want to enjoy surfing in Zambales
PHILIPPINE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY – The PMMA is the premier maritime institution in the Philippines. It is globally known for quality and good performance with standards of management and training comparable only with the best.
San Felipe
CENTURY OLD TREE – San Felipe is the pride of all Zambaleno’s for bagging the cleanest and greenest town in Central Luzon for 3 consecutive years. A Century Old Tree in Brgy. Maloma adds attraction to this progressive town.
Cabangan
MANGO CAMP ADVENTURE & LEISURE FARM – A premier, family private retreat. It is also suitable for corporate tem activities. With its amenities and recreation facilities, this is your idyllic abode to refresh and to take some time off from the daily humdrum of city living. This is the best alternative to world class, yet congested of resorts and beaches.
Botolan
BOTOLAN WILD LIFE FARM – Different kinds of animals such as tiger, deer, snake, ostrich, birds and rare species of plants and orchids can be found here.
INA POON BATO – As Aetas referred it as “Apo Apang.” It is regarded as the oldest image of our blessed mother which has brought about a combined undeniable proof that with this image, the Filipino people has powerful and beloved instrument for real peace among all races.
Iba
IBA BEACH – A long stretch of pristine beaches can be found in Iba. It is also home to Zambales’ best sunset view and clean beaches.
ST. AUGUSTIEN CATHERAL – A church built out of corals and limestone in 1703. it is the bishop’s seat of the province.
Palauig
MT. TAPULAO – The highest peak in Central Luzon can be found in Palauig. It is 7,200 feet above sea level and it is colder than Baguio City. Explore different species of flora and fauna that includes bonsai, century old trees, ferns and wild orchids.
Masinloc
COTO KID’S POOL – Offers a nature designed swimming pool overflowing with crystal white-cool spring water located near the foot of a forest reserve. Enjoy also the view of the 20-feet Coto’s waterfalls.
Candelaria
POTIPOT ISLAND – One of Candelaria’s main tourist attraction. The island is surrounded with pure white sand coral beaches and it is easily accessible by boat. The fact that you can walk around the whole island in less than 30 minutes makes the place more magical.
Sta. Cruz
SAGRADA FAMILIA CAVE – A church-like cave where you can see the image of the Holy Family with an altar made of stalactites and stalagmites of the cave.
Activities
YOU CAN ENJOY
• Surfing at the Crystal Beach
• Scuba Diving
• Jetskiing
o Capones Island
o Potipot Island
o Hermana Menor Island
o San Salvador
• Mt. Tapulao Trekking
• White Water Rafting & Paragliding
• Sandcaslting
• Beach Volleyball
• Boatong
• Visit the President Ramon Magsaysay Ancestral House and Museum
• Casa San Miguel (Center for Culture & Arts in Zambales)
Delicacies
ONLY IN ZAMBALES
• Mango
• Linga
• Tangway
• Bagnet
• Pastillas
How to Get to Zambales
By Bus
• Caloocan to Iba
Approximately 5 hours
• Cubao to Iba
Approximately 5 ½ hours
• Pasay to Iba
Approximately 5 ½ hours
• Sampaloc to Iba
Approximately 5 ½ hours
• Olongap to Iba
Approximately 2 hours
Own Vehicle
• Balintawak Exit to Iba via SBMA
Approximately 3 ½ hours
• San Fernando Exit to Iba via SBMA
Approximately 2 ½ hours
Office of the Governor
2nd Floor Capitol Builing, Iba, Zambales
Telefax: (047) 811-7203
Zambales is life in itself. It is gifted with the natural beauty of its surroundings. It has been touched by civilization yet has maintained its rustic glory and beauty. The province of Zambales is located on the western part of Luzon. It is 210 kilometers and approximately 3 hours drive from Manila. Zambales coastline is most famous for its sandy beaches and deep blue sea with coral reefs. Zambales is historical. The ancestral house of the most popular and beloved president, Ramon Magsaysay, is situated at Castillejos. The world-renowned Mt. Pinatubo can be found in Botolan. Zambales is perfectly suited for visitors seeking the authentic countryside living without going far from Manila.
Brief History
The name of the province is derived from its earliest inhabitants, the Zambals. The Spanish found them worshipping spirits called anitos; they were referred to as "Sambali", from the Malay word samba, meaning "to worship". The term was later Hispanicized to "Zambal".
Adventure Packages
Silanguin Bay in San Antonio. Endowed with abundant marine resources and wild animals, it is one of the five coves soon to be developed into a fish sanctuary. Naturally, an ideal place to visit for scuba diving adventures. Activities Recommended: Scuba Diving, Snorkelling. (Sta. Cruz, Zambales) Sagrada Familia Caves. Located along the cliffside of the Zambales mountain ranges. These caves are typical of others except that a mysterious formation of the image of the Holy Family was caused here by a continuous dripping from the apex of the cavern. Evidence of coral fragments along the cliffside point to the fact that the area was once a part of an ocean bed. Activity Recommended: Spelunking (Day Tour) Mt. Pinatubo in the province of Zambales is 3-1/2 hours away by bus from Manila. The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June, 1991 was heralded around the world as the most explosive eruption in 600 years, surpassing that of Mt. St. Helens in Washington, US.A. Movie producers and directors have visited Mt. Pinatubo and its surrounding communities in the hope of creating a television production with the 1991 volcanic eruption as a background scenario. Today, Mt. Pinatubo's main asset rests in the various cultural groups mainly the "Aetas" who have been relocated to resettlement areas in various provinces. Helicopter and light plane tours as well as climbing or trekking expeditions are available for more adventurous tourists. Among the travel destinations covered by Mt. Pinatubo include Botolan Resettlement sites where one may indulge in community immersion with the Aetas; Bucao River, now completely covered with lahar and where one may engage in a walking safari towards the foothills of the dreaded volcano; Pinatubo Lake in San Marcelino town where one may have an opportunity to witness sunken villages. Activities Recommended: Pinatubo Trek, Volcano Watching, Community Immersion with the Aetas. (Candelaria, Zambales) Sto. Nino Caves. Carved out of a fissure on the earths crust, this cavern measures about 50 by 75 meters. At its central wall sits an altar with the images of the Holy Family. The cross in the background is a makeshift of human femur bones. The unique charm of the cave is the presence of a petrified giant clam measuring almost two feet in diameter and embedded in the rocky stratum of the caves ceiling. Activity Recommended: Spelunking. (Masinloc, Zambales) San Salvador Island. Its abundance in marine resources has made it most famous as a scuba divers paradise. Divers would certainly love feasting their eyes on seeing the largest Manta Rays in the country, each measuring about 10 feet in diameter. The island is rich in fruit-bearing trees like mangoes. Clear water, smooth beaches coupled with powdery white sand and cool sea breeze. Activities Recommended: Scuba Diving, Swimming, Snorkeling. (Sta. Cruz, Zambales) Baloc-Baloc Cave. After a brief but arduous trek through rocky path, one is rewarded with a magnificent spectacle: a waterfall right inside this cave. From a height of about 10 meters, naturally cool spring water oozes out of the cavernous ceiling and on to the caves grotesque rocky walls. Down under, nature-formed swimming pond awaits the exhausted trekkers. Activities Recommended: Spelunking, Swimming, Camping.
Climate
Light casual clothes are recommended. An umbrella and a raincoat are must during the rainy season. Adopt to local customs and accept local differences (whether social or cultural). When shopping in a public market, haggle for the cheapest price. Always bring loose change when taking public transport to avoid inconvenience. Learn some local basic phrases. They may come very handy.
How to get there
Air-conditioned Victory Liner buses leave Manila for Olongapo City and Iba daily.
HOW TO GO TO SUBIC/ZAMBALES VIA SUBIC-CLARK-TARLAC EXPRESSWAY (SCTex)
Motorists coming from NLEX bound for Subic are advised to take the Spur/NLE interchange located between the Dau and Sta. Ines Exits of the NLEX and proceed to the SCTEx Clark Logistics Toll Plaza. After crossing the bridge, follow the loop of the ramp towards Subic. Likewise, motorists at SCTEx bound for Bataan may exit at the Dinalupihan Interchange via the Roman Highway. When in Subic Freeport, take the Kalaklan Gate to proceed to Zambales.
On the other hand, motorists from Subic and Bataan bound for Manila are advised to enter the SCTEx through the Tipo Toll Plaza or the Dinalupihan Toll Plaza respectively, and follow the road signage towards the Clark Logistics Toll Plaza. Upon reaching the Clark Logistics interchange, take the first ramp to the right that will lead to the toll plaza, then the Spur/NLE interchange connecting to the NLEX. The Subic-Clark section measures 50.5 kms. long while the Clark-Tarlac section is 43.27 kms. long or a total of 93.77 kms. Travel time from Clark to Subic is only 40 minutes. From NLEX in Balintawak to Subic, travel time is only 1 ½ hours.
SCTEx HOTLINE: (02) 3-5000/(02) 362-9997/362-2246/(045) 865-2030
Contact