Zambales is the "Wreck Diving Capital of the Philippines

2. The name of the province is derived from
its earliest inhabitants, the Zambals, whom the
Spanish found worshipping spirits called anitos.
They were referred to as “Sambali,” from the Malay
word samba, meaning “to worship.” The term was later
Hisparicized to “Zambal.”

3. When Juan de
Salcedo came to explore
the area in 1572, he
landed at Cape Bolinao,
then a part of Zambales.
The Spaniards drove a
group of Chinese
pirates off the coast of
Bolinao thereby earning
the good will of the
natives.

4. Zambales is home to the Aeta tribe. This group of people
are the earliest known Filipino’s to migrate to the
islands more than 10,000 years ago. The Aeta tribe still
lives in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range which forms
the coastline of this beautiful province.

5. THE
ZAMBALES
FESTIVITI

6. Paynauen ‘Duyan’ Festival is held every April 25 –
May 1 in Iba, Zambales. It commemorates the provincial
capital’s founding anniversary (founded in 1611) traces
its origin from a Zambal word which means rest or
pahingahan – the ancient name of Iba before the Spanish
conquistadores founded the village on the shore of the
Bancal River in 1611.

7. This 3-day event is an annual city affair that aims
to reminisce the glorious saga of Olongapo as an
ancient fishing village while at the same time
promoting a friendly tourism alternative. The name
Sibit Sibit is derived from an ancient term called
“small paddle banca” used for fishing, as the city was
born from being one of the ancient fishing villages of
the country.

8. A war dance between the Christians and
Aetas that is performed on the feast day of
San Andres, patron of the town of Masinloc.
The townspeople believe that, by performing
the Binabayani, they are assured of a
bountiful harvest.

9. This is
one of the
biggest
Religious
Festivals
in
Zambales,
attracting
over
300,000
devotees
every
year.

10. Domorokdok Festival is a grand celebration that brings
all Botoleños together in unity and cooperation, in
pursuit of peaceful and progressive Botolan.

11. During the festival
our brother and sister
Aetas are given a part in
the festival and recognize
their achievements and
contributions to our
country by recognizing
and preserving their
historical distinctiveness as
well as their specific rights
based on their historical
ties to a particular
area through policies and
programs of the local
government of Zambales
province.

13. In April, the Mango Festival is held in
Iba, Zambales. You will witness a
spectacular display of Local Foods and
specializes based around the “Zambales
Mangos” which are rated in the Guinness
Book of Records as “The sweetest Mangos in
the World”. There is also “Street
Dancing” and many competitions such as
“Sand Castling” also large and
comprehensive agricultural displays.

14. The floats are made with indigenous materials
and decorated with their own agricultural
products prevalent in each every town
highlighting the different varieties of mango.

15. Street dancing and float parade are
simultaneously held in the grand parade. The
contingents is in intense performance dancing
in the street wearing colorful mango inspired
costumes followed by their respective float.

17. With the recognition received as the sweetest
and delicious mango in the world, the mango
production become a major industry in Zambales. From
their beginning, the association of mango growers in
Zambales, improved and developed the packaging,
handling and shipping system of the mango, for local
and international distribution. It was also regarded
as one of the best mango varieties in the world.

19. Zambales is basically an agricultural
province. The chief products are rice,
corn, vegetables, and rootcrops.

20. Zambales is basically an agricultural
province. The chief products are rice, corn,
vegetables, and rootcrops. Major industries
include farming, fishing, and mining.

21. Zambales is subdivided into
13 municipalities and 1 highly
urbanized city, which are divided into
two legislative districts. Olongapo
City is a highly urbanized city and
administers itself autonomously from
the province. Panatag Shoal
(Scarborough Shoal) a Philippine-
claimed territory, is a designated part
of the province. Iba is a first
class municipality and the capital of
the province of Zambales Philippines.

22. TOURIST’
DESTINATIONS
in
ZAMBALES

23. Magsaysay Ancestral
House, located at
Castillejos, Zambales is
the ancestral of the
seventh Philippine
President Ramon
Magsaysay. It is open for
public viewing. With
traces of the past, the
Magsaysay residence is
was the former leader of
the Philippines grew up.

24. Looc Lake, in Barangay Looc is the planned
site for an open park for all ages and is
to be developed as an alternative
destination for quality time with nature
and love ones.

25. Anawangin Cove is a crescent shaped cove
with a pristine white sand beach. What
makes the place unique is the unusual of
riddle of tall pine trees flourishing round
its vicinity.

26. Capone’s is known as Faro de Punta
Capone’s that brings visitors back in
time. The romantic lighthouse guides ships
entering or leaving the Port of Manila as
well as the Military station at Subic Bay.

27. Before 1991, the mountain was inconspicuous and
heavily eroded. It was covered in dense forest
which supported a population of several thousand
indigenous people, the Aeta, who had fled to the
mountains from the lowlands during the protracted
Spanish conquest of the Philippines which first
commenced in 1565.

28. A collection of crocodiles with audio-visual
presentation on the need to preserve and
nurture the Philippine crocodile called
Crocodilus Mindorensis, a fresh water
crocodile found only in the Philippines.

29. The faith flourished in the
region until the troubled
days of the Revolution of
1896. Leaving ruined
churches and convents in
its wake the revolution,
rendered the region
practically unattended;
only some time later did
secular priests took over
the some of the vacated
parishes. In this state of
things the territory became
a fertile ground for the
Aglipayan schism to gain a
foothold and prosper, so
much so that almost the
whole length and breadth of
the province came under
Aglipayan influence.

30. Located at Paluig Zambales, standing at the
height of 6,683 feet (2,037m) above sea level
with temperature cooler than Baguio at 12-16
Celsius (53.660.8 Fahrenheit), is veritably a
garden of nature abundant with century old as
Tapulao, hence, the name of the mountain.

31. San Salvador is an island barangay under
the jurisdiction of the municipality of
Masinloc, Zambales, in the northwestern
Luzon. The reefs in the northeastern part
of the island are fringing, characterized
by a vast reef flat with sudden drop-offs
in the crest.

32. It is one of the cultural
heritage churches in the
Philippines because of a
polychrome portal leading
to the choir loft. It was
built with coral stones by
Augustinian Recollects in
the 18th century and is
approximately 400 years
old. It is the oldest church
in the Diocese of Iba and
it has a stood intact until
it was damage by an
earthquake in the early
1990’s.

33. Gentle breeze and warm placid waters of the South
China Sea welcome travelers to this charming and
peaceful little tropical island off coast of the town of
Candelaria in the northern part of Zambales. Literally
meaning “small white island”, Potipot Island boasts of
lush array of coconut, mango, kamachile and talisay
trees, coral shells, hermits’ crabs, starfishes, and the
most spectacular sunsets ever witnessed in this side of
town.

36. Dubbed as Philippines number one destination for extreme
adventures and sports, Subic bay stands out as one of the
recommended destinations in the country. It is well known for
its diversity in both cuisine and culture. Some have
described the panoramic views and leisure activities here as
experiences of a lifetime. Others have depicted the place as
one of the spots in the world that you can label as Paradise.