Region 4A - CALABARZON

Region 4A - CALABARZON

• CALABARZON is composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces.
• The region's name is an acronym of the first two letters of each province.
• It has diverse topography and various natural attractions.
• Attractions include beaches, dive spots, forests, caves, mountains, hills, waterfalls and hot springs.
• Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest freshwater lake, and Taal Lake, which contains the world’s smallest active volcano, is a part of the region.
• Calabarzon has experienced steady industrial growth and urbanization because of its proximity to the national capital.
• Despite urbanization, the local culture is alive, and the region has historical landmarks, monuments, old churches, and shrines.
• The area is rich in history, including being where the Philippines declared independence from Spain in 1898.
• National heroes Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini, and Miguel Malvar were born here.
• Region IV-A played a crucial role in Philippine history
• The first Philippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo, held Philippine independence on June 12, 1898.
• People from Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna were among the first to revolt against the Spaniards for freedom

Languages

• The main languages spoken in the region are Tagalog, Chabacano, and English.
• Chabacano/Chavacano, is a dialect spoken by the Cavitenios living in Cavite City and Ternate evolved from the arrival of Spaniards three centuries prior.
• Very few Cavitenios still speak the Chabacano dialect today.

Festivals

• Coconut Festival, celebrated in San Pablo City every January, showcases the 'tree of life' and its products and is held during the city’s patron saint celebration, St Paul the First Hermit.
• Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon every May is a colorful harvest festival dating back to the 15th century with prizes for creatively decorated houses, contests, cultural shows, and parades.
• Higantes Festival in Angono every November is a fiesta honoring San Clemente, patron saint of fishermen, featuring papier-mâché giants and a river procession.

Cavite

• Cavite means "hook" derived from the Filipino word "Kawit," referencing the shape of the land recorded on old Spanish maps.
• Cavite is known as the "Land of Braves" and the "Historical Capital of the Philippines."
• It is deemed the Cradle of the Philippine Revolution and the birthplace of Philippine Independence.
• The province is the birthplace of Filipino heroes and has many sites related to the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
• Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the republic, resided in Cavite, where the Philippine Republic was proclaimed on June 12, 1898.
• Amadeo is nicknamed the Coffee Capital of the Philippines and is its largest coffee producer.
• Ternate is known for people speaking Chavacano or "Broken Spanish," also called Philippine Creole Spanish.

Cavite - Historical Landmarks

• Julian Felipe Monument in Cavite City, honors Professor Julian Felipe, a Caviteño and composer of the Philippine National Anthem; the Filipino lyrics were supplied by Jose Palma
• Sangley Point in Cavite City, which served as a refuge for the Chinese pirate Limahong in 1574, later became a military base for American and Japanese troops, and is now occupied by the Philippine Navy for ship repair and dry docking
• Noveleta Tribunal or Townhall in Noveleta is where Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo wrestled with two guardia civils on duty on August 31, 1896.
• Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine in Binakayan, Kawit, was the residence of Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo, cousin and right hand of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and president of the Magdalo Council - he died on February 14, 1915
• Gen. Trias Municipal Town and Old Church in General Trias was the site of the uprising in Cavite; senior band members rehearsed the national anthem, Marcha Filipina, in its old church before its declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.
• St Mary Magdalene Church of Kawit is one of the country's oldest churches; construction began in 1737, and it was restored in 1990.
• Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit marks where the Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed in the balcony of the home of General Emilio Aguinaldo, and where the Philippine flag was first unfurled, and Emilio Aguinaldo became the first president.
• Corregidor is an island fortress where Filipino and American forces resisted Japanese invaders in 1942; a tourist attraction, it features tunnels, cannons, and war structures, and it is where General Douglas McArthur said "I shall return!"

Cavite - Leisure Parks

• San Lazaro Leisure Park, aslo called the San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park is a mixed-use venue with a racetrack in Carmona.
• Sky Ranch is a 5-hectare leisure park in Tagaytay, south of Metro Manila developed by SM Prime Holdings.
• Carmona Racing Circuit is also a Cavite attraction

Cavite - Events and Cuisine

• Kalayaan Festival is a 2 week-long province wide event held annually from May 28 to June 12
• Ginataang Langka, a dish of unripe jackfruit and coconut milk with options to add pork, chilis, shrimp paste, or dried fish
• Tamales, made with rice, coconut cream, atchuete seeds, white sugar, and peanut butter, and can be topped with chicken or pork
• Bibingkoy consists of rice, coconut cream, atchuete seeds, and white sugar

Laguna

• Laguna is called the "Resort Province of the Philippines.”
• Laguna's greatest natural resource is water, with at least 7 principal water basins and 45 rivers
• It has an estimated 1,100,000 cubic meters of underground water.
• The province was named after Laguna de Bay, which forms its northern boundary, named after the town of Bay, the first provincial capital.
• Laguna is Rizal's birthplace
• San Pablo is known as The City of the Seven Lakes: Lake Sampalok, Lake Calibato, Lake Pandin, Lake Yambo, Lake Bunot, Lake Muhikap, and Lake Palakpakin.
• There is an underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, Laguna.
• Liliw is known as the Footwear Capital

Laguna - Tourist Attractions

• Rizal Shrine in Calamba City is a two-story building with Spanish-vintage architecture where Dr. Jose P. Rizal grew up; designed by Juan Nakpil.
• Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is a circular walled structure built in the 18th century, where the Katipuneros plotted against Spanish rule.
• National Arts Center, UP Los Baños is Laguna's show window and a vantage point for panoramic views of Laguna de Bay, Talim Island, Crocodile Lake, and International Rice Research Institute.
• Seven Lakes in San Pablo boasts Sampaloc, Yambo, Pandin, Bunot, Kalibato, Muhicap, and Palapakin Lakes situated between Mount Makiling and Mount Banahaw.
• Pagsanjan Falls is a major Laguna attraction; about 300 ft. high, it is accessible via a thrilling indigenous canoe ride or hike.
• Mount Makiling in Los Baños is an inactive volcano, with over 2,048 plant species, shaped like a reclining woman, said to be the sleeping Mariang Makiling.
• Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosais is a theme park in Laguna.
• Lake Caliraya is a large reservoir built in 1943 from Lumban to Cavinti to supply water to the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant.
• Paete Woodcarving dates back to the pre-Spanish period; skillful artisans fashion lanite, amlang, kamagong, lauan, acacia, and santol wood into miniature décor items.

Batangas

• Batangas is known as "From the Lowest Volcano to Deeper Dives."
• Taal Lake and Taal Volcano are Southern Luzon's centerpiece attractions, accessible from Tagaytay City with panoramic views of Volcano Island.
• The volcano is known to be the smallest in the world. It is surrounded by a lake and situated on an 8.8-kilometer islet, and the 27-kilometer-long lake.
• Both are on the crater of an extinct volcano, and Volcano Island is ideal for trekking.
• Batangueños are bilingual, with Tagalog and English used commonly.
• Batangas Tagalog is the local language, with "Ala eh!" as its well-known expression
• Parada ng Lechon, held every June 24 in Balayan town, celebrates St. John the Baptist, featuring roast suckling pigs dressed according to the fiesta theme, followed by a grand viewing and water dousing.
• Batangueños cook adobo using yellow ginger instead of soy sauce.
• The province is known for its world-class coffee called kapeng barako and its coffee plantations, especially the city of Lipa.

Batangas - Tourist Spots

• Taal Lake Volcano is home to one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines with Taal Volcano standing 311+ meters above sea level located within a lake with Taal Crater Lake inside and visitors can ride a boat and trek/ride a horse to the top.
• Fortune Island in Batangas is famous for its crumbling pillars called “Acropolis” from the Acropolis of Athens in Greece.
• Laiya Beach is a top destination in Batangas for luxury travelers, featuring a long white sand beach with around 44 amenities, including beach front resorts
• Matabungkay Beach in Lian is a popular beach destination in Batangas; with grey sand, inns, resorts, stores, and holiday crowds.
• Anilao Dive Sites is a Marine Protected Sanctuary that is considered the birthplace of scuba diving.
• Mount Maculot is a popular tourist spot that stands 947 meters above sea level and offers a great view
• Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, at 96 meters in length and 48 meters in width
• Nasugbo Beaches are popular among those in Batangas

Rizal

• Rizal is referred to as the "Cradle of Philippine Art.”
• Rizal's capital and seat of government is Antipolo City, moved from Pasig City.
• Rizal is a mountainous province perched on the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountain range
• Antipolo has a view of Metro Manila with the Hinulugang Taktak, a waterfall.
• Taytay Rizal is a “Garments Capital of the Philippines.”
• The area used to be the provinces of Tondo and La Laguna during the Spanish.
• Arts Capital of the Philippines is the nickname of Rizal
• Politico Militar Distrito de Morong was the original name of Morong
• 'City in the Sky' is what Antipolo City is known as

Rizal - Delicacies

• Sinabawang Balut with Buntot ng Baka made of duck eggs with cow tail and herbs
• Fried Itik is a native duck marinated with spices and fried to a crisp"
• Ampalaya in Peanut Sauce or Peanut Butter is ampalaya sautéed in garlic, onion, and tomatoes, with shrimp or pork, and with salt, pepper and peanut butter to taste
• Suman at mangga is a delicacy from Antipolo
• Ensaladang Bougainvillea are bougainvillea flower salad or Ensaladang Kamias
• Ensaladang Labanos is made of radish squeezed the old fashioned way "radish squeezed the old fashioned way but made more savory with their own sweet-sour sauce garnished with bits of smoked fish and chopped shallots."
• Binusang Hantik is stirred-fried weaver ants
• Nilasing na Palaka are- frogs marinated in wine and deep-fried.

Rizal - Festivals and Tourist Attractions

• Higantes Festival is a secular celebration initiated by the Municipality of Angono held every November 23 to express gratitude to its patron Saint Clement
• The ‘higante’ was used as symbol of agrarian protest during the waning years of the Spanish colonization when Angono was a hacienda
• Pinto Art Museum is a popular spot along 1 Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights with a Mediterranean-inspired architecture designs
• Avilon Zoo, located in Barrio San Isidro one of the best 7.5 hectare with 3,000 of exotic wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates
• Daranak Falls is Tucked in Tanay in the mountainous side is drops from 14-meters high to the deep, cold and turquoise basin
• Pililla Wind Farm can power up to 66,000+ households It offers a beautiful scenery

Quezon

• Quezon is "Land of a Thousand Colors".
• Tayabas was among the first provinces to rise up against Spain, and Lucena was appointed the capital in 1901.
• The Pahiyas Festival celebrates San Isidro every May 15 in Lucban to give thanks to farmers patron saint San Isidro Labrador for harvest

Quezon - Cuisine

• Longganisang Lucban is a Quezon province meat made of stronger garlic flavor and a bit of sour recipe.
• Pancit Habhab, also known as ‘pancit lucban’ is a popular local pancit made of dried flour noodles generally known as pancit miki
• The yema cake and custard of Quezon

Quezon- Tourist attractions

• The Villa Escudero showcases Philippine’s country life customs and cultural sites located in a coconut plantation that opens its doors to public as a resort
• Mount Banahaw is an active volcano still closed known to local with the ground covering 10,901 hectares since closed August 2016. It is named as the “Holy Mountain."