Focus on Zambales Zambales Familiar Features and Facts Past and Present

Zambales Familiar Features and Facts
Past and Present
Submitted by: Rodel Ramos
and Edgar Millan

STA CRUZ
Mangoes, Historic Church, Spanish era houses, White pristine beaches, Birthplace of Congressman Cesar Miraflor, Center of Commerce for Pangasinan and Zambales Products

CANDELARIA
Mangoes, Fishing Rice Farming

MASINLOC
Acoje Mines - Chromite - used to be one of the world's largest deposit, Mangoes, 2 Masinloc Electric Plants - Masinloc Economic Freeport Zone to extend up to Botolan (proposed), Fishing Farming

PALAUIG
Mangoes, Fishing, Mt. Tapulao - 6,000 ft. above sea level with a weather comparative to Baguio. It can be made as an alternative summer destination. For hiking, - yet to be developed, Birthplace of Cong. Buenaventura Altares Jr., former mayor and Congressman, White pristine beaches, Magalawa Island, Pastillas

IBA, CAPITAL OF ZAMBALES
Beaches - Vicar and others, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital, Aggregates (gravel) for construction, Nipa - for roofing, wine and vinegar, Rice, Mangoes, Town of late Gov. Camara, Birthplace of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, Dr. Loi Pimentel Estrada - former Philippine First Lady, Pastillas from carabao milk, Bibingka, casoy

BOTOLAN
Copper, silver & gold - Botolan Copper mines operated by the Japanese during the war and by Roy Tuggle in the 50's. Sugarcane - Carribe Suger Central - San Juan, Botolan (gone) Cattle - (gone) Bagatsing ranch, Blanco ranch, White pristine beaches, Tourism: Poonbato Religious Pilgrimage - Our Lady of Poonbato Mt. Pinatubo - to be made into tourist's area (hot springs?) Where Capt. Ralph McGuire was beheaded/Japanese time, Site of Botolan - Capas Highway, Most of Negritos live here (Moraza, Poonbato, Villar (negrito reservation, etc.) Great historical value, Rice, banana, cassava, camote, rattan baskets & indayon by aetas, Origin of Habanera Botolena (a Romantic wedding dance)

CABANGAN
Nipa - roofing, vinegar & wine; Rice, Fish, Birthplace of Gov. Dantes (Japanese Time) - tourism development, White pristine Beaches, Aeta Villages - tourism, Pottery, gravel, Taiwanese fishing projects

SAN FELIPE
Fishing - sea, river and fishponds - Bo. Sto. Nino Mango orchard - Sindol, Baksil etc., Resorts - beach areas Rice, Guava, Clay pots, pottery, banga, Rope making, Town of Gov. Manuel Barreto (Maloma, San Felipe) Kinaff, Corn, mongo, watermelon (Caragay & Pasinga - gone) Caragay - Sugar Central (Japanese time, historical) Yangil - Aeta Village, Cattle/piggery/poultry - Barrettos & Certezas End of Macolcol river & bridge

SAN NARCISO
Museum of San Narciso (project of John Fontillas & co.), Pinatubo Lodge of Freemasons (transferred to Olongapo) ,13 Martyrs monument (All Freemasons executed during Spanish era), Nepa Soft Drinks Factory 1940s & 50s (gone), Ramos Electric Plant (became Gonzales Electric) gone, Vegetables bowl of Zambales (Barrio Bidding), Onions, garlic, egg plant, tomatoes, okra, Cattle (gone), Valdes cattle ranch, Black pepper, Kalamansi (Cawagas orchard) gone, Ipon (small fish), Fishing - sea, rivers & fishponds, Tobacco, Bagoong, Singkamas, mango Zambales Academy - 1st to offer College degrees in Zambales (School of Ramon Magsaysay), Crystal Beach resort, Town of the Abivas (Abiva Publishing), Macolcol River, Trees for lumber orchards, Where the Americans landed including San Antonio & San Felipe

SAN ANTONIO
Town of the famous philanthropist Mr. Teodoro Yangco who owned the Try-V-Tran, San Miguel - U.S. Communication & Radar Station, now Phil. Naval and Marine Training School, White pristine beaches, Pundaquit (there are 3 Islands in front of this beach), Casa San Miguel Cultural Center (The Pundaquit Chambers Players, with Alfonso & Ramon Bolipata & the Cuerdas and Cuadros.), Rice, corn, monggo, camote, Mangoes

SAN MARCELINO
Singkamas, Rice (harvest 3 times a year because of irrigation which was destroyed by lahar), Cattle (gone) Rodriguez, Piga cattle ranch, Copper, gold & silver - Dizon Mines (gone) Town of the late Governor Archemedes Villanueva, Camp of the Western Luzon Guerrilla Movement under Capt. Ralph McGuire & Col. Gyles Merrill which later became the Magsaysay Guerrillas. Birthplace of Congressman Corpus, Shrimps (hipon), Birthplace of Mr. Soria, one of the most highly decorated hero of the 2nd World War. Sto. Tomas River Underwater Village (sunk by Mt. Pinatubo Eruption)

CASTILLEJOS
Ramon Magsaysay's home town Town of Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, Gov. Vic Magsaysay & Congressman Antonio Diaz Castillejos Airport

SUBIC
Highly urbanized and one of the most developed in the province. Hometown of the late Congressman Atty. Enrique J. Corpuz, Dr. Virgilio Afable and Ramon Lacbain, the current vice-governor of Zambales.

Subic Economic Zone
Formerly was the largest U.S. Naval Base in the world with underground hangars for planes. It has an international airport and seaport. Now the place has more than 300 factories and commercial businesses mostly from Taiwan, Japan, etc. Asian base of FedEx and other multinational corporations. Attracts tourists with its forest ecological area, entertainment, duty free shops, hotel facilities and beaches. Was a seaport since the Spanish era which shelters ships from storms and with strategic location.

OLONGAPO CITY
Nature has blessed Olongapo City with beautiful scenario. Subic Bay's calm waters can be viewed by everyone in just one easy ride from Olongapo proper going to the North. In viewing Subic Bay, one also sees its natural harbor protected by mountains on three sides and its recreational area for tourists and visitors. One may explore other interesting places in Olongapo City such as:

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Gordon Memorial Park
This is where the late Mayor James L. Gordon, dubbed as the "Father of Olongapo City" was interred. From its landscape location at the edge of the Kalaklan bridge (near the public cemetery), the beautiful and breathtaking Subic Bay can be viewed.

Subic Bay Lighthouse
A panoramic view perfect for picture taking, this old lighthouse is found along the National Highway going to the North. It overlooks the Subic Bay Area.

Grotto of our Lady of Pardon
Located near the side of Kalaklan Bridge in Barangay Mabayuan, Catholic devotees pray and pay homage to the Lord of Pardon at this Sacred Place.

Marikit Park
Designed for the enjoyment of children and the young at heart, this park located at the center of the city features a scenic playground and a scattering of benches for relaxation.

Friendship Park
Adjacent to the main gate of the Subic Bay Freeport, this long, narrow park stretches along the Perimeter Road. A mini-children's park lies at the Northern side. The Olongapo Bremerton Sisterhood Marker, symbolizing the sister city relationship between Olongapo City and Bremerton City, Washington can also be found here.

World Peace Memorial
The dove that greets visitors at the entry point to Olongapo City stands as a sign of peace, in memory of those who died during the battle of Zigzag Pass, one of the longest and most hazardous battles during World War II.

Magsaysay Drive and Rizal Avenue
Chains of bars, nightclub, restaurants, hotel and sauna baths can be found here. Definitely the business center of Olongapo City.

FESTIVALS
First Quarter (January to March)
New Year's Celebration
Chinese New Year (Chinese Community)
Valentines Day Celebration
Holy Week
Graduation Day (Schools)

Second Quarter (April to June)
Holy Week Activities (Sinakulo, Pabasa)
Santacruzan
Barangay Fiesta
Independence Day

Third Quarter (July to September)
Fil-Am Friendship Day
Intramurals (School)

Fourth Quarter (October to December)
October Fest (Mardi Grass)
All Souls Day
Christmas Celebration
Olongapo City Town Fiesta

ACCOMMODATIONS
Olongapo City offers more than enough rooms ranging from furnished housings and luxurious condominiums to modest hotel accommodations. Amenities include air-conditioned rooms, hot or cold water and restaurants. While most resorts are located at Bo. Barretto, going North to Zambales, most hotels and resorts accommodate walk-in customer. During peak season, however, reservations are highly recommended in major tourist establishments, most of which have booking offices in Manila.

A rationalized transport scheme started in 1983 is being implemented to maintain orderly traffic flow within the City. Color coded jeepney's and tricycles, each representing a specific route strictly follow traffic rules and regulation.

Following are the color schemes and their respective routes:
Sta. Rita/Pepsi to Main Gate - Yellow Jeepney
Gordon Heights to Main Gate - Red Jeepney
Gordon Heights to Pag-asa - Orange Jeepney
Gordon Heights to Balic-Balic - Beige Jeepney
Cabalan/New Cabalan to Public Market - Brown Jeepney
Mabayuan to Public Market - Green Jeepney
Subic to Olongapo City - Blue Jeepney

Color coded jeepneys and tricycles are affordable modes of transportation throughout Olongapo City and Subic.

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