REGION III

CENTRAL LUZON
Region III is also known as the Central
Luzon Region. As the name implies, it is
located centrally in the large island of
Luzon
CONTENT

7 Provinces 12 CITIES
 Aurora  Angeles  Olongapo
 Bataan  Balanga  Palayan
 Bulacan  Cabanatuan  San Jose del Monte
 Nueva Ecija  Malolos  Muñoz
 Pampanga  San Fernando  Tarlac
 Tarlac  Gapan
 Zambales  Mabalacat
CONTENT

 The Central Plains of Luzon Ethnic Groups

 “Rice Granary of the Philippines”  Kapampangan
 the longest contiguous area of lowlands  Aeta
with a total land area of 2,147,035  Tagalog
 host to the country’s premier economic
zones (ecozones)—Clark and Subic Dialects
Freeport Zone  Kapampangan
 Long coastline (3rd largest aquaculture in  Sinauna
the Philippines)  Sambal
 Ayta
HISTORY

REGION
III
CENTRAL LUZON
HISTORY
 One of the earliest areas converted into Christianity by the Spanish 50 years after
conquistador Hernando Magallanes.
 Pampanga, whose original home extended almost the entire Region 3, was once
part of the Kingdom of Tondo, dating back to the old era when Rajas ruled.
 Medieval churches in this region stand not only as architectural masterpieces, but
witnesses to a dramatic history.
 The province of Aurora, with Baler as its capital was founded by President
Ferdinand E. Marcos in August 13, 1979 by virtue of Batas Pambansa bilang 7.
 The Baler Church, a 17th century building that served as the last Spanish bastion
in the Philippines
 The Barasoain Church in Bulacan. An earthquake baroque structure honed from
adobe and lime, it saw the signing of the first Philippine Republic and the first
democratic constitution in Asia.
HISTORY
 Central Luzon is a combination of towering mountains, extinct and active volcanoes,
lush, verdant farmlands, and natural sea harbors. It is one of the leading growth
regions in the Philippines, strategically located at the heart of Asia. Region III lies
between Manila and Northern Luzon. It is composed of seven provinces, twelve cities
and 118 municipalities. Its 7 provinces are Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,
Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Its 12 cities are Balanga from Bataan, Malolos and
San Jose del Monte from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose
from Nueva Ecija; Angeles and San Fernando from Pampanga, Tarlac from Tarlac;
and Olongapo from Zambales.
 It includes all land area north of Manila Bay from the tip of Bataan peninsula on the
west, and all the lands north of the Caraballo mountains on the east. It is the longest
contiguous area of lowlands, and is otherwise known as the Central Plains of Luzon.
The region produces one third of the country’s total rice production, thus is also
called the Rice Granary of the Philippines.
HISTORY
 Located adjacent to the National Capital Region (NCR), it has benefited from the
“spillover” from Metro Manila. It is a part of the National Industrial Core Region,
together with NCR and Region IV or the Southern Tagalog Region. The Core Region
contributed 70% of manufacturing value added in 1988. It has emerged as an
alternative area for investment to Region IV, but is still overcoming the effects of the
Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
 Only 66 kilometers away from Metro Manila, Central Luzon contains the largest
plain in the country and is the gateway to the Northern Luzon regions. It covers a
total land area of 21,470 square kilometers. The City of San Fernando, in Pampanga,
is the regional center. Aurora was transferred from Region IV to Region III through
Executive Order No. 103 in 2002.
 In terms of population, Region III was the third largest region, containing 10.50
percent of the 76.5 million human beings of the country as recorded in Census 2000.
Located at the crossroads of Asia-Pacific, Central Luzon is one of the dynamic and
vibrant regions in the Philippines. It caters to European and American business
organizations desiring to penetrate Asia.
 HIGHLIGHTS

FESTIVALS
HIGHLIGHTS
 Sinukwan Festival -
Haring Sinukwan is a god of the
ancient Kapampangans.
Street dancing is the highlight of
this event, each delegates
dance to the tune of the
Pampanga Song “Atin ku pong
singsing” in their elegant
headdresses and colorful
costumes.
HIGHLIGHTS

 Makatapak
Festival –“ Makatapak” is a
Kapampangan word means
barefoot. This festival is the
famous re-enactment of the
town people in Apalit who
walked through lahar in
barefoot to look for a safer
place to stay after the eruption
of Mt. Pinatubo.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 Philippine Hot Air
Balloon Festival – held
annually in Omni
Aviation Complex inside
Clark Freeport Zone.  It
features multi-colored hot
air balloons from around the
globe, it is the biggest
aviation sports event in the
Philippines.
 Sabuaga Festival – held every
morning of Easter Sunday. 
Flower petals are strewn while the
procession of the image of the
Blessed Virgin Mary passes. 
“Sabuaga” means showering of
flowers; this has been celebrated in
Sto. Tomas to honor the Blessed
Mother Mary.  Street dancing also
follows to promote the products and
traditions of the town.
 Caragan Festival – Caragan
is the name of the first chieftain
of the native Aeta.  It is held
every third week of February
through street dancing.  The
Aetas lead the presentation
showcasing their customs and
traditions in their
native costumes
PLACES OF INTEREST
2. Tourist Spots

Baler, Aurora Mt. Pinatubo

HIGHLIGHTS

Corregidor Island Monasterio de Tarlac

HIGHLIGHTS

Magalawa Island Minalungao National Park

HIGHLIGHTS

Subic Bay Mt. Samat

Pinatubo Volcano
Mount Pinatubo is a 1485 meters
high volcano localized at the orders
of 3 provinces: Pampanga, Tarlac,
and Zambales. The last eruption of
the volcano happened in 1991. to
visit is turquoise crater lake you will
have to trek 3 hours to reach it. It’s
also possible to get a sky tour if you
prefer to see the volcano from the
air.
Monasterio de Tarlac

For Christians around the

world, this is one of the
more important pilgrimage
sites as the church contains a
true relic of the cross of
Jesus Christ in the entire
Asia! In Christian belief,
Jesus Christ is the son of
God, and has saved the
people from their sins.
Anawagin Cove

Anawagin is a pristine
beach cove in the
Zambales province. The
best option is to spend
overnight there. Camping
is allowed.
 Mount Samat

Mount Samat in the

province of Bataan is a
popular trek for veterans
as it has a shrine on its
summit to remember the
soldiers who died during
the infamous Bataan
death march during the
second world war.
PRODUCTS
DELICACIES

Tupig

Iniruban

Sisig
tibuk-tibuk
Sabutan Craft
 Roasted
cashew nuts
Burong Isda
Footwear (Nueva
Ecija)
Crocheted
product
(Tarlac)
Mangoes
(Zambales)
 DIFFERENT
LITERARY PIECES
IN THE
REGION
 Literary Works of Central
Luzon

 Daniw
 All over the World by Vicente Rivera
 Juan Manalaksan by Ansio Pascual
 Suan, the Good Guesser by Macaria Garcia
 The Legend Alitaptap
 The Legend Pinatubo
 The Legend Olongapo
 I SING
by: Imelda Morales Aznar

I sing because of your heart-shaped hands, I sing

Because of the folds in your skin. They catch
My kisses the way leaves drink sunshine and I sing
Because you’re fragrant as a dream

Of cotton and wisps of foggy air

At dawn. Because it feels as if
I’m holding a cloud when I put your foot
On my palm, I sing.
If I put my cheek near your little lips I’m kissed
By the gentlest, sweetest breath. I sing
Because your laughter is a song whose chords
Play in my heart. Your smile, pure miracle
Blossoming before me, makes me sing.
And I’m warmed to my soul by your gentle eyes
Whose depths cradle sparks of sweet days coming,
And I sing for the perfectness of things.
 YOUTH
by maximo d. ramos

These have known the tingling freshness

Of the coming forth from God;
The sweetness of mother's breast
The ringing sinewiness of growth,
The feel of the loved one's cheek, the song
Of April suns and showers...

And these will know

The quiet dimming down of age
And the silent wonder
of going back
to God.
Notable authors of
region iii
 Francisco Balagtas
 Was a prominent Filipino poet, and is widely
considered as one of the greatest Filipino literary
laureate for his impact on Filipino literature. The
famous epic, Florante at Laura is regarded as his
defining work.
 He was born on April 2, 1788 in Barro Panginay,
Bigaa, Bulacan.
 He was died on February 20, 1862 at age of 73.
 Here are his works:
o Don Nuno at Slinda – a komedya in three parts
o Abdol at Missereanan – a komedya staged in Abucay in
1857
o La India elegante y el amante – a short play in one part.
 Tomas Agulto
 He was born on December 21, 1953 in
Hongonoy, Bulacan. He wrote poem at
young age and hand them commented
on by his family and neighbors. He
further honed his poetic skills as
member of Galian as Arte at tula.
 His poetry collection:
o Lagi na’y kailangang kung gumising nang maaga
at iba pang pangdilidlili (Always to wake up early
and other redlection,1981)
o Bakasyunista (Summer Folk,1984)
o Batanes at iba pang pulo ( Batanes and other
islands,1989)
 Emilio Mar Antonio
 He was born on December 11, 1903 in Bambang
Bulacan. He was a poet and fictionist. In 1941, he
married Andrea Teodoro and they had six
children.
 He died on May 13, 1667 in Quiapo Manila.
 He became popular as a balagtasan poet who
engaged Florentino Collantes, Nemesio Carvana
and other in public debates in verse on
contemporary issue.
 His Lyric poem:
o Ang Nayon ko and Gambana at Alitaptap have been
anthologized in Walong Dekada ng Makabagong Tulang
Pilipino, 1981.
 Virgilio V. Vitug
 He was born on September 17, 1951 in
Pampanga
 He is a poet, journalist, scriptwriter. He
is married to Marites Daguilian with
whom he has a son, Alan
 He studied at University of the East
and was a fellow in writer’s workshop
of the Ateneo de Manila, University of
the Philippines and Diliman
University.
THE WORLD IS AN
APPLE
by Alberto
Florentino
BACKGROUND OF
THE AUTHOR

ALBERTO
FLORENTINO
Alberto S. Florentino (Bert) was born in Nueva
Ecija, Philippines on July 28, 1931, the second of
seven children of Alberto San Buenaventura
Florentino and Maria Rivera Sanqueza. His father
was a teacher who always organized drama and
choral groups. The young Bert used to type multiple
copies of his father’s plays, an activity that helped
usher Bert into playwriting. Later, as a 23-year-old
accounting student at the University of the East, Bert
wrote the one-act play, The World Is an Apple that
shot to the fame, which won the Carlos Palanca
Award and one of the performed plays in the
Philippines. Unfortunately, he passed away last
September 22, 2018 at the age of 87.
AWARDS
 Five-time Palanca awardee.
The world is an apple; The Cadaver; The Dancers; Cavort with Angels; and
Olimpian.
 A two-time Arena Theater winner.
 He became a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) awardee for literature in
1960, an honor he shared with then Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. (for public
service).
 He was awarded a Patnubay ng Kalinganan Award from the City of Manila
and a Presidential Medal of Merit (in 2008).
 He was the Philippine representative to the 1966 PEN Congress in New York.
He attended writing conferences in Denver and Aspen in Colorado and
Vermont (Breadloaf), and he was regional editor for Short Story
International (New York).
Elements of a plot
exposition
The story goes on how wrong decisions become greater burdens to a
family. Mario’s family happens to be in the lower bracket of society.
When Mario enters from the street at left, he is in the late twenties
shabbily dressed and with hair that seems to have been uncut for weeks.
Gloria greeted him and then Mario asked about the condition of their
child. And then, she was asking for some money to feed their child.
Mario said that he have no money because he did something.
Rising action
Mario started to elaborate his reasons why he doesn’t
have money. Gloria didn’t believe on what Mario’s
reasons and said to tell the truth. When Mario
answered it, Gloria was shocked on what she heard
because Mario lost his job. Gloria asked Mario if how
he lost his job and Mario answered it and Gloria was
shocked again because Mario said that he lost his job
because of an apple.
climax
Gloria said that how can he lose his job by just taking
one not a dozen not a crate but one apple and Mario
answered that he just saw it rolling and he found himself
putting it in his bag because Tita ( their daughter) would
love to have it, and Mario told Gloria that there’s no
need to worry because he found a new job. And without
her knowledge, Mario starts to become suspicious with
his actions.
Falling action
Suddenly Pablo was there ruining the whole
conversation and asked them if how is their daughter
doing and he’ll loan a few pesos to help their daughter
and Gloria said that no thank you because Mario
stopped depending on Pablo. Pablo said that Mario’s
new job was with him. When Gloria heard it he told
Mario that it’s a bad doing and risky.
Resolution/denouement
Mario didn’t listen and walks away with Pablo and told
Gloria not to worry because he will come back early
morning and don’t wait for him. Gloria cries and
shouting Mario, while Tita was crying also because he
heard the conversation while watching Mario walks
away.
Theme:
The one-word prevailing message in the story is the word
“Apple” that symbolizes temptation and the dishonest life
lived by Mario before. The theme of the story is, it is man’s
basic instinct that drives him towards his survival. But, no
matter what he should not forget that society expects him to
confirm to its norms. One’s action is weighed right or
wrong and thus should be kept towards the proper action
and his wrong decisions become greater burdens to a
family that symbolizes the word “Apple”.
Conflict:
Man vs. self

Mario struggles to stay honest or to decide whether he

takes the path of Pablo just to provide the needs of his
family.
Man vs. society

Mario was fired on unfair grounds, he was against with

the work-culture of the company he works in.
characterization
a. major
Mario- He is the Father of the story, the husband of Gloria. He is known to
be bad before but he strive hard to change his life for her daughter and for
her wife, but life sometimes is unfair that force him with no choice to go
back the old way of his life.
Gloria- She is the wife of Mario. The very good and lovable woman who
just want a simple life yet descent life. She is the reason why Mario
changed because of her unconditional love to him.
Pablo- The evil man in the story, the old friend of Mario. He wants easy and
dishonest money, the life that Mario lived before.
 characterization

b. minor

Tita- the daughter of Gloria and Mario

IMAGERY
 The author used the Imagery and symbolic type of narration:

Scene:
An improvised home behind a portion of the Intramuroswalls. Two wooden boxes flank the doorway.
At left is an acacia tree with a wooden bench under it.
GLORIA: (A small woman about Mario’s age, with long hair, comes out wiping her hands on her dress.)
I’m glad you’re home early.

MARIO: Yes, she did. (pause.) Do you remember that day I took her out for A walk? On our way home we
passed a grocery store that sold “delicious” apples at seventy centavos each. She wanted me to buy One for
her, but I did not have seventy centavos. What I Did was buy her one of those small green apples they sell on
the Sidewalk, but she just threw it away, saying it was not a real apple. Then she cried. (Pause.)So… when I
saw this apple roll out of the Broken crate, I thought that Tita would love to have it.

Mario: Why? Did God create apple trees to bear fruit for the rich alone? Didn’t He create the whole world
for everyone? That’s why I tried to bring the apple home for Tita. When we brought her into this world, we
promised her everything. She has the right to have everything in life.
 Figurative language
GLORIA: (Eyeing him intently)-Mario, do you think you can make
a fool of me? Haven’t I seen you drunk before: crawling home like
a wounded snake and reeking of alcohol like a hospital? You
don’t Smell or look drunk. – Simile

GLORIA: But how did you lose it? Mario! Have your sinful
Fingers brought you trouble again? - Personification

MARIO: I wouldn’t mind losing a thousand jobs for an apple

for my daughter! – Hyperbole
 Figurative language
PABLO: You’re still that same woman who cursed me to
hell because I happened to be Mario’s friend long before
you met him. Time has not made you any kinder to me.
You still hate me, don’t you? – Personification

GLORIA: One cannot expect too much from honest

money- and we don’t. – Personification