REGION I

ILOCOS REGION (REGION OF THE

NORTHWEST COAST OF LUZON)
Inhabited first by the Negritos before the
Malays.
Before the Marcos administration, Pangasinan
was not part of the region
Mostly inhabited by Ilocanos.
There are 2 distinct origin of the word Ilocos
Evolution of the word ilog
people in the river
CULTURAL GROUPS IN THE REGION
Ilocano
Pangasinense
Tagalog
Igorot
COMMON LIVELIHOOD IN THE REGION
Farming
Fishing
Mining
Weaving
Pottery
Animal Livestock
MAIN PRODUCTS
Rice
Corn
Vegetables
Root crops
Fruits such as mangoes
4 PROVINCES OF ILOCOS REGION
Ilocos Sur- Vigan City
Ilocos Norte- Laoag City
La Union- San Fernando City
Pangasinan- Lingayen
9 cities
116 municipalities
3265 barangays
ILOCOS SUR
biga- Bigan- Vigan
Ilocos (South)
Founded by Juan de Salcedo in 1572
Religion: mostly Roman Catholic
Spoken Languages: Ilocano, Kankanaey,
Filipino, and English
ILOCANOS
3rd largest ethnic group of Malay origin.
They are known to be thrifty people and
someone who is used with the hardships of life.
They are known to be meticulous people when it
comes to their clothes.
ECONOMY AND PRODUCTS
People are engaged in farming, loom weaving,
furniture making, jewelry making, ceramics,
blacksmithing, and food processing.
They produce products like:

Food Crops: rice, corn, vegetables, root

crops, and fruits
Non-Food Crops: cotton and tobacco
ILOCANOS CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
They believe in the value of study, industry and
patience.
Death to the Ilocanos means great sorrow.
The groom makes a panagpudno (formal
announcement) to the soon-to-be brides parents
about his intention of marrying their daughter.
ILOCOS SURS LITERARY PIECES
The ancient literature of the Ilocano consisted of
songs for different occasions:
Ilocano war songs expressed the vigor and
joys of the warriors coming from battle.
Badeng or love song is a serenade.
- Pamulinawen
Biag ni Lam-Ang (adventure and fantasy)
written by Pedro Bukaneg
Isang Pasko sa Buhay ni Moises
written by Reynaldo A. Duque
Nalpay A Namnama (Naunsyaming Pag-asa)
written by Leona Florentino in Ilocano
translated by Lilia Quidoza- Santiago in
Filipino
NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM ILOCOS SUR
Elpidio Quirino- 6th President of the Philippines
Gabriela Silang- first female revolutionary
leader against Spain
Jose Burgos- one of priest and martyrs of
GOMBURZA
Pedro Bukaneg- poet and Father of Ilocano
Literature
Juan Luna- one of the best painter during his
time.
LA UNION
The Union
San Fernando City- regional center for the
whole region
Founded in the year 1850
Spoken Languages: Ilocano, Pangasinense,
Kankanaey,
Tagalog,
English
Religion: mostly Roman Catholic
ECONOMY AND PRODUCTS
Was known for its soft-broom industry.
Port of San Fernando
Major products:
hand-woven blankets (Inabel)
soft brooms
baskets
pottery
rice wine
sugarcane wine (basi)
dried fish
wood and bamboo craft

native rice cakes

LA UNIONS FESTIVAL
Dinengdeng Festival
Pindangan Festival- San Fernando, La Union
Linubian Festival- Rosario, La Union
LA UNIONS LITERARY PIECES
Morning in Nagrebcan
How my Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife
- written by Manuel E. Arguilla
NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM LA UNION
Diego Silang- a revolution leader.
Gloria Diaz- Miss Universe (1969)
Lucresia Kasilag- composer of different folk
songs
REGION II
CULTURES AND TRADITIONS
MATERIAL CULTURE
People in the valley dressed very simply. Old
women used the saya and kimono while men
used the camisa de chino or the barong tagalog.
Some of the houses that withstood the Japanese
occupation were historical houses made of hard
wood. Some were bahay-kubo. Most typical
homes were strong and typhoon-resistant.
For agriculture, today, there are only a few have
modern agricultural implements. The majority
still use traditional implements like animaldrawn tools.
NON-MATERIAL CULTURE
Filipinos are characterized by its close family
ties such that majority of married couples with
children lived with their parents. The value of
bayanihan, sharing, cooperation, brotherhood,
self-responsibility, respect, love, peace, and
dignity, are still very much alive in Cagayan.
Old songs, proverbs, and poems are still sung
today, alongside the instruments Kuribaw, tulali
and the kuritang produced by Ibanags. These
produced warlike or sad music. It also exhibits
the beauty of the unoni, the berso, and the
pabattang (proverbs and the advises through
songs) which convey Ibanag history and their
mores that the ethnic group keep sacred and
inviolable. The following are samples of
the Unoni as described by the Ibanags:
maguray y mapporay, mesipo y massipo,
mawawan y carwan (the brave leads, the
lenient are included and the rest gets lost).
Arica mamappalla ta baguca la nappaya;
Vulauappagaiccucumamu y ginafu-gafum (Do
not be proud because you became
famous/wealthy; Your fingers may be made of
gold but we know what you are).Mapiacanacuan
nu maguinnaca tat tabarang (You should have
been lucky if you heed advices, Lasam, 1966).

Due to the influx of Ilokano migrants in the last

century, majority of the people of Cagayan
speak Iloko as their primary tongue. Aside from
the Ilokanos, there are several smaller ethnic
groups that live in the province. The Ibanags are
the dominant ethnic group in the vicinity of the
provincial capital of Cagayan-Tuguegarao,
now a city. The closely related Itawits inhabit
the Pinacanauan River valley as well as areas of
Amulung and Tuao. The Malawegs are found
mainly in the municipality of Rizal. In the
foothills and the mountains of the Sierra Madre
Range, several Negrito groups called the Agtas
forage and hunt for food. The established lingua
franca of the province is Ibanag.
The Ibanags, Itawits and Malawegs are mainly
lowland farmers whose agricultural practices are
similar to those of the Ilokanos. The Ibanags
used to inhabit the area along the Cagayan coast
but migrated further inland. They conducted
trade with neighboring areas using distinctive
seacrafts, and their commercial interests made
their language the medium of commerce
throughout the region before the influx of
Ilokano migrants. They are also excellent
blacksmiths and continue to make good bolos.
The Ibanags are reputed to be the tallest of all
the ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines.
The Itawits are almost indistinguishable from
the Ibanags. They build their houses with
separate kitchens, connected by a narrow
walkway that is used as washing area for hands
and feet. The Itawits are noted for their pottery
and basket-weaving traditions.
The culture of Cagayan is showcased in
museums, historical buildings and archeological
sites spread across the province. In Solana, the
Neolithic archeological sites in Lanna have
yielded stone tools used as early as 20,000 years
back. The Cabarruan jar burial site, also in the
town, features ancient Filipino traditions of
taking care of their dead. The Cagayan Museum
is a repository of the provinces cultural
heritage. Iron Age pottery, Chinese Ming and
Sung dynasty porcelain pieces as well as Church
paraphernalia are on display together with
Paleolithic fossils. The oldest bell in the country,
cast in 1592, still peals from the tower of the
church in Camalaniugan. The old brick works in
Tuguegarao lie inside the city and speak of a
time when bricks were extensively used to build
the beautiful churches of the Cagayan Valley.
Unlike in the Mountain Region, land in the
Cagayan Region is fertile for profitable
agriculture. It is no wonder that crops such as
rice, corn, and tobacco, and fruits and

vegetables, are produced in amounts that exceed

the community requirements.
A significant number of the original settlers- the
Ilongots, Igorots and a few Dumagats is still
found living along boundaries of the province or
inhabiting the forests. The Ilongots were
believed to have descended from the
Indonesians. They are quite good-looking and
friendly.
In the Ilongot society, the man is an absolute
king. The women cook and farm. The men fish
and hunt, bring firewood, build fences and take
care of the kaingin.
- They can have as many as six wives as long as
they treat each one fairly and build a house for
each wife.
- Childbirth among the Ilongots is simple. The
pregnant mother goes to a spot near a tree a bed
of ashes has been prepared. When the time to
deliver comes, the pregnant woman holds on to
the tree trunk allowing the baby to fall on the
bed of ashes. She cuts the umbilical cord with a
sharp objects washes herself in a nearby river,
and gives the baby to the father. Having done
these, she returns to the field to continue
working.
The region is hailed as the Tilapia Capital of
the Philippines The main crops are rice, corn,
and tobacco. Fishing is prevalent in the coast of
Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes and Magat Dam in
Isabela. The region is also involved in livestock
production of cattle, hog, carabaos and poultry.
Other livelihood of the region involves furniture
making of rattan and other indigenous materials
which are for export.
PRODUCTS
Batanes Vacul/vakul (Headgear)
Isabela Banana Chips
Nueva Vizcaya Earthen Products like pots and
jars ; Coco shells
Quirino Fossiled flowers
Cagayan Dried fish ; Sarakat bags
AUTHORS AND COMMON GENRES
Florentino Hornedo
Born on October 16, 1938 in Batanes.
Parents : Father - Leon Hornedo
Mother - Bienvenida Hontomin
Hornedo obtained his BSE from the University
of Santo Tomas in 1961. He received his
Masters in English and Philosophy from St.
Louis Universityin 1966 and 1972 respectively
and his Ph. D in Literature from UST in 1977.
He also completed a post doctorate in History
and Political Science from UST completed in
1985-88 and has trainings in Journalism and
Cultural Anthropology.

His Works: The Glitter of Gold, Taming the

Wind, Ideas and Ideals
Fernando Maramag
Was born on January 21,1893 in Ilagan.
Parents : Father Rafael Maramag
Mother Victoria Mamuri

He finished high school in 1908 at the age of

15, he entered Philippine Normal School. But
due to the insistence of his father, he transferred
to the University of the Philippines where he
started to write for a school organ.
At age 21, he was the principal of the Instituto
de Manila, a prestigious school for gifted and
well-off students.
He taught in San Juan de Letran, during that
time he met and married Constancia Ablanza,
and they had 6 children.
His Works: My Queen Tagala, A Christ
Without A Cross, Jose Rizal, The
Presentation, The Rural Maid
Edith L. Tiempo
Was born on April 22, 1919 in San Nicolas,
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Parents : Father Salvador T. Lopez

Mother Teresa Cutaran
She went to high school in Bayombong, and
went to take pre-law at UP. In 1947, she
graduated magna cum laude from Silliman
University, with a Bachelor of Science in degree
in education major in english.
Her poetry is hailed for its witty and complex
wordplay. This characteristic is most evident in
two of her most famous poems, Bonsai and
The Little Marmoset. Literary scholars often
refer to either of these poems in their studies of
Tiempos work.
REGION III
CENTRAL LUZON: RICE GRANARY OF THE
PHILIPPINES
AURORA
Capital City: Baler
known as The Hidden Paradise
before August 13, 191979, Aurora was part of
Privince of Luzon
named after Aurora Aragon, the wife of Manuel
L. Quezon
ECONOMY: corn crops, rice and other major
agricultural crops
CULTURE AND ARTS
People are lowland and Christian
Dialect: South- Tagalog, North- Ilokano
LOCAL PRODUCTS:
Coconut by products:
virgin coconut oil
coco jam
coco vinegar

Processed rootcrops:
ube chips
sweet potato chips
taro chips
Processed peanuts:
peanut butter
Processed bananas:
banana chips
ROMMEL N. ANGARA
a Filipino poet
was born in the town of Baler
Wriiten works:
Why do they cut me, Lord?
Pano ang Pasko
Itinuto nyo ang magpakababa
Akoy tunay na pangahas
Ang mga Griego at ang mga Jufio pagdating ni
Kristo
BATAAN
Capital city: Balanga
founded in 1754 by Governor General Pedro
Manuel Arandia
the battle of Bataan is famous in history as one
of the last stands of American and Filipino
soldiers they were overwhelmed by the Japanese
forces in WW2
the Bataan Death March was named for this
provinve, where the infamous march started
CULTURE
celebrated fiestas or feast days- to cherish the
memories in place
observed and maintained the historical
significance of local festivals, whic depicts
legends, cultures, and histories of their towns
ECONOMY
the primary tradition industry, FISHING
major producer of banana, mango and palay
tinapa is one of the livelihood profuct in coastal
areas
TOMAS PINPIN
was a printer, writer and publisher from Abucay
his works notable were:
Librong pag-aaralan nang manga Tagalog nang
Uicang Castilla
Relacion de Martrio
FRANCISCO BALAGTAS
widely considered one of the greatest Filipino
literary laureates for his impact on Filipino
literature.
his notable works were:
Florante at Laura
Orosmam at Zafira
Clara Belmore
BULACAN
Capital City: Malolos

honored as one of the 8 rays of the sun in the

national flag
it lies on the north-eastern shore of Manila Bay
the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos was
the birthplace of the First Constitutional
Democracy in Asia.
CULTURES AND PRODUCTS
Tagalog is the predominant language
Baliwag buntal hat
sukang Paombong
sayaw Obando
Bocaue fluvial parade
LEVI CELERIO
Celerio was a prolific songwriter, with over
4,000 songs to his credit
Christmas songs:
Pasko nanaman
Ang pasko ay sumapit
Folk songs and love songs:
Pipit, Tinikling, Alibangbang, Tunay na
Tunay, Itik-itik, Ako ay may singsing,
Alembong, Galawgaw
NICANOR ABELARDO
composer known for his Kundiman songs,
especially before the Second World War
His works were:
Ang unang buko
Nasaan ka irog
Magbalik ka hirang
Himutok
NUEVA ECIJA
Capital City: Palayan
largest province in Central Luzon
rice bowl of the Philippines
CULTURES AND TRADITIONS
God-fearing and have close-knit family ties
Taong putik festival
Ragragsak Ti Guimba
Holy Week Rituals of Puncan
Pagibang Damara
PRODUCTS
RICE
mango, calamansi, banana, garlic
DAMANIA L. EUGENIO
was a Filipino female author and professor who
was known as the Mother of Philippine Folklore
Her notable works were:
Philippine proverb rule
Philippine Folk Literature: An Anthology
ROGELIO R. SIKAT
was a prolific Filipino novelist, playwright and
short story writer
His works were:
Impeng Negro
Dugo sa Bukang Liwayway
Tatlo sa Tanghalan

PAMPANGA
Capital City: San Fernando
it was named after the Indung Kapampangan
river
the name La Pampanga was given by the
Spaniards who found the early natives living
near the river banks
CULTURE AND ARTS
they speak a distinct language, which is a source
of ethnic pride
exceptional goldsmiths, jewelers, furniture
workers and woodcarvers
ECONOMY
farming and fishing
major products include corn, rice, sugar cane
and tilapia
lanterns called parols that displays a
kaleidoscope of loght and color
famous for its sophisticated culinary industry
JUAN CRISOSTOMO SOTO
was a Filipino poet, dramatist, journalist and
newspaperman
His works were:
Alang Dios
Perlas Quing Burac
Anac ning Katipunan
FRANCISCO ALONZO LIONGSON
He was born into an Ilustrado family
His works were:
Ang kahapong nagbalik
Juan dela Cruz
Parity
Viva la Pepa
TARLAC
Capital city:Tarlac
its name was derived from a talahib weed called
Malatarlak
one of the biggest producers of rice and
sugarcane
one of the 8 rays of the flag
CULTURE AND ARTS
the most dominant religion is Christianity
50 percent are Ilokano, 41 percent are
Kapampangan
ECONOMY
rice and sugarcane
corn and coconut
vegetables such as eggplant, garlic and onion;
fruits like mango, banana and calamansi
GREGORIO C. BRILLANTES
Hall of Famer and a multi-awarded fiction writer
His notable works were:
Help
Looking for Rizal in Madrid
Chronicles of interesting times
The Cardinals Sins

CARLOS P. ROMULO
was a Filipino diplomat, statesman, soldier,
journalist and author
His notable works were:
I saw the fall of the Philippines
Mother America
I see the Philippines rise
The united
ZAMBALES
Capital City:Iba
its name is derived from the Spanish word
samba, meaning worship
second largest among six provinces of Central
Luzon region
CULTURE AND ARTS
belief in superstitions and mysteries
major ethnic groups:Sambals, Ilokanos,
Tagalogs and Aetas
ECONOMY
chief products are rice, corn, vegetables and
rootcrops
nickel
REGION IV-A
CALABARZON
Regional Capital: Calamba City
Also designated as Region IV-A
The region is composed of five provinces namely:
CAVITE
LAGUNA
BATANGAS
RIZAL
QUEZON
HISTORY
Its where the Philippines independence from Spain was
first declared in 1898. Its the birthplace of national
heroes such as Jose Rizal (from Calamba, Laguna),
Emilio Aguinaldo (from Kawit, Cavite), Apolinario
Mabini (from Tanauan, Batangas) and Miguel Malvar
(from Sto. Tomas, Batangas).
CAVITE
Capital: Trece Martires
Historical capital of the Philippines
Cradle of Philippine Revolution
Birthplace of Philippine Independence
It is the birthplace of a good number of Filipino
heroes and it has an interesting range of sites
associated with the Philippine Revolution of
1896.
Found in the province is the residence of the
first president of the republic, Emilio
Aguinaldo, which is also the site where the
Philippine Republic was proclaimed on June 12,
1898.
HISTORY
Cavite got its name from the Filipino word Kawit,
which means hook, owing to the hook-shaped land on

the old Spanish map. The land formerly known as

Tangway was where the Spanish authorities
constructed a fort on which the city of Cavite rose.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
MARDICAS
a war dance held in Ternate town
KARAKOL
street dancing with a fluvial procession
which is usually held in coastal towns
SANGHIYANG
a pre-colonial ritual as a form of
thanksgiving and to heal the sick
LIVE VIA CRUCIS OR KALBARYO NI HESUS
being done during Holy Week
MAYTINIS
word prayer that is annually held in Kawit
every December 24 just before the
beginning of the midnight Mass.
DELICACIES
Tamales - a delicacy made of a mixture of
ground peanuts and galapong (rice flour) with
pork and/or chicken, hard-boiled egg, and
garbanzos. Wrapped in multi-folded banana
leaves.
Tahong Chips
AUTHORS
JULIAN FELIPE
composer of the Philippine national anthem,
"Lupang Hinirang" formerly, Marcha
Nacional Filipinas
born in Cavite City, Cavite
EARLY POPULAR COMPOSITIONS:
Moteti el Santesisimo
Sintos y Floras Rogodones
Amorita Danza
ALEJANDRO G. ABADILLA
regarded as "Father of Modern Tagalog
Poetry"
born in Rosario, Cavite
His major breakthrough in Philippine poetry
was when he wrote his poem "Ako ang
Daigdig"
(I am the world) in 1955.
HIS NOVELS:
"Sing-ganda Ng Buhay" (As beautiful as life)
"Pagkamulat Ni Magdalena" (Magdalene's
awakening)
LAGUNA
Capital: Santa Cruz
Resort Province of the Philippines
HISTORY
The province of Laguna was named after
Laguna de Bay, the body of water that forms
the provinces northern boundary. In turn,
Laguna de Bay was named after the town of
Bay, which was the first provincial capital.

Laguna is one of the many provinces in the

Philippines that have been influenced by the
ways of the Spaniards. Because of this, several
religious sites were built in Laguna. The
government of Laguna, as well as the locals, did
an excellent job in preserving these churches.
ANNUAL EVENTS & FESTIVITIES
Visita Iglesia - (church visit) done every
Maundy Thursday each year. People from the
province of Laguna and from its neighboring
areas visit huge churches to perform this
tradition or ritual that is very unique in the
province and in the whole country of the
Philippines.
ANILAG Festival (Ani Ng Laguna) - It is a
weeklong celebration that usually happens
during the month of March. The ANILAG
Festival is held to give thanks to the all the
blessings that the people of the province had in
the previous year.
CUSTOMS
In Magdalena, Laguna, there is a wedding
custom called Galahan. It is a wedding practice
for newly wed couples where it is mandatory for
them to dance in front of the relatives.
Bayanihan where neighbors offer an
extraordinary kindness to their fellow Laguenos
in times of need. This hospitality and
thoughtfulness that they show to everybody
makes foreign tourists come back again and
again.
PRODUCTS
Laguna is known for embroidery, wood carving,
and papier-mch (locally known as taka)
Laguna is also known for its sweet lanzones.
Kesong Puti (native white cheese)
Rattan chairs and hammocks
Native pandan bags and mats
AUTHORS
JOSE RIZAL
born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna
While living in Europe, Rizal wrote about the
discrimination that accompanied Spain's colonial
rule of his country. He returned to the
Philippines in 1892, but was exiled due to his
desire for reform. Although he supported
peaceful change, Rizal was convicted of sedition
and executed on December 30, 1896, at age 35.
WRITINGS:
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not/The Social
Cancer)
El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed)
Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)
GREGORIO F. ZAIDE
Zaide, popularly referred to as "Goyo" by his
town mates in Pagsanjan, Laguna, was one of

the most traveled Filipino historians. He also

authored more than 500 articles in history
published in both national and international
newspapers and academic journals.
HIS BOOKS:
Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings
A Documentary History of the Katipunan
Great Events in Philippine History
BATANGAS
Capital: Batangas City
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
PRODUCTS
Balisong' or Filipino Butterfly knife.
Kapeng Barako
Tapang Taal
Lambanog
Bagoong Balayan
Tamarind Wine
Embroideries, Wedding Dresses, Barong
Tagalog
Panutsa
Atcharang Calaca
FAMOUS BATANGUEOS: FROM THE PAGES
OF HISTORY AND BEYOND
Apolinario Mabini
Marcela Agoncillo
Miguel Malvar
Teodoro M. Kalaw
Claro M. Recto
Jose P. Laurel
Segunda Katigbak
RIZAL
Capital: Antipolo City
Municipalities: 14
Capital: Antipolo City
Barangays: 188
Districts: 1st and 2nd districts of Rizal, 1st and
2nd districts of Antipolo
Languages: Tagalog, English
PRODUCTS
rice and fruits (mango, citrus, coffee, cacao and
cashew)
Production of garments is the top industry,
followed by trading and service-oriented
business.
dairy farms and products
Suman with latik sauce, Dinilawang Kanduli sa
Alagaw, Golden Brewed Fried Chicken, Bacon
Maple Gourmet Turon, etc
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
THE MOST FAMOUS RIZALEOS
Carlos Botong V. Francisco
Maestrio Lucio D. San Pedro
Vicente S. Manansala
Tomas Mateo Claudio
QUEZON

Capital: Lucena
CULTURES
Cock fighting
Christian procession
Carabao (water buffalo)
Colorful jeepney
TRADITIONS
Pahiyas Festival is one of the most interesting
and colorful fiestas in the Philippines. Held
every May 15th in Lucban, Quezon Province,
Pahiyas Festival is a special time when the
locals give thanks to their patron saint, San
Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers.
During Pahiyas Festival Lucban folks adorn
their houses with colorful ornaments, all made
of farm produce: fruits and vegetables, rice
grains, eggs, coconuts and kiping, a wafer made
of rice, said to be influenced and was a rice
version of the Mexican taco shell.
PRODUCTS
Quezon Province is famous for its good food,
but it is most famous for pancit habhab and
Lucban longganisa.
FAMOUS AND NOTABLE PERSONS IN QUEZON
PROVINCE
Manuel L. Quezon
Leo Oracion
Aaron Lozada
Orlando Nadres
REGION IV-B
MIMAROPA
The name of this region is an acronym that combines the
names of its provinces:
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
ORIENTAL MINDORO
MARINDUQUE
ROMBLON
PALAWAN
With its National Parks, World Heritage Sites, protected
marine areas and even wild safari parks, the
MIMAROPA region is definitely something different.
You wont find big cities, bustling highways, or traffic
jams here. You will find rugged roads, palm-fringed
beaches, and peace and serenity.
LANGUAGES
(Tagalog is widely spoken in the region)
Marinduque - Bicolano and Visayan dialects
Interior of Mindoro - Mangyans
Romblon- Visayan dialects
Palawan - own set of native language
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
Marine wonderland of Luzon
Occidental Mindoro is a province in the Philippines
located in the Mimaropa region. Its capital is Mamburao
and occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro.
PRODUCTS

Its economic base is rice production while its major

agricultural products include rice, corn, coconut,
tobacco, garlic, onions, mango, banana, melons, and
peanuts. Fisheries and aqua-marine products include salt,
milkfish, prawn, tuna, octopus, and seaweeds.
ORIENTAL MINDORO
The Islands' Loveliest Harbor
Oriental Mindoro is a province in the Philippines
located in the island of Mindoro under Mimaropa region
in Luzon, about 140 kilometres southwest of Manila.
PRODUCTS
bulk of outward merchandise consists of rice, banana,
calamansi, livestock, and poultry, and fish products.
Inward merchandise, on the other hand, consists mainly
of petroleum products, basic and prime commodities,
consumer electronics, motor vehicles and parts, and
construction materials.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS IN MINDORO
Giving arinola (chamberpot) as wedding gift is
believed to bring good luck to newlyweds.
A Male member of the tribe traditionally wears a
loincloth known as the ba-ag, while the women
wear the Ramit, an indigo dyed handwoven
cloth, as skirt with a blouse or a lambung, while
Hanunuo man wear a balukas (shirt)
embroidered with their traditional motif
known as the pakudos. The pakudos was
originally used as a symbol and a token to ward
off evil spirits or bad omen.
Today, the pakudos is mostly considered as a
decoration and is popularly used as a design on
bags made of buri (palm leaf) and nito vine.
These bags are called the bay-ong.
MARINDUQUE
Lenten Capital of the Philippines
Marinduque is an island province in the Philippines
located in Mimaropa region. Its capital is the
municipality of Boac. Marinduque lies between Tayabas
Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south.
PRODUCTS
In food processing industry, root crop-based products
such as arrowroot, sweet potato and processed fish such
as bagoong and patis have also been promoted.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS IN MARINDUQUE
Marinduque is best known for its unique cultural
traditions such as the Moriones tableau, a
colorful observance staged by the locals dressed
as Roman centurions during the Lenten season.
The tradition of putong or coronation is the
Marinduquenos way of welcoming friends and
honored guests. As an oral expression of
thanksgiving and prayer forn long life of a guest
of honor, a group of men and women called
mamumutong chant greetings, sing, dance and
place a crown of flowers on the honorees head.

The province has its own set of indigenous

musical percussive instruments comprised of
two wooden sticks called the kalutang.
ROMBLON
Marble Capital of the Philippines
Romblon is an archipelagic province of the Philippines
located in the Mimaropa region. Its main islands include
Tablas, the largest, which covers nine municipalities,
Sibuyan with its three towns, as well as the smaller
island municipalities of Corcuera, Banton, Concepcion,
San Jose, and Romblon, the provincial capital.
PRODUCTS
Romblon is famous around the world for its marble
being one of the finest. Coconut is the number one crop
grown in the province. oher crops grown in the province
include bananas, mango, star apple, root crops, vegetable
and other fruit trees.
Local products in the province has found a home
in Odiongans Pasalubong Center which caters
to 26 micro entrepreneurs in the selling of their
products ranging from handicrafts items and
processed foods such as peanut butter, peanut
brittle, ginger tea, candies made from local fruits
like sampaloc and bukayo.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS IN ROMBLON
Romblon is famous for its traditional weaving
and basketry. Handicrafts are a major home
industry in which the women are engaged. The
province is noted, especially, for its fine and
delicate crochet laces and bedspreads.
Although branched into several religions, most
of the population still celebrate the feast of Sto.
Nio a tradition started in 1521.
The tribute to Seor Sto. Nio is celebrated in
conjunction with the town fiesta called Biniray
Festival, which is a display of floral splendor
held every 9th of January.
PALAWAN
Philippines' Last Frontier or The Land of Promise
The islands of Palawan stretch between Mindoro in
the northeast and Borneo in the southwest. It is the
largest province in the country in terms of total area of
jurisdiction. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, but it is
governed independently from the province.
PRODUCTS
Existing products where Palawan is known for are fresh
and dried fish, lamayo, fish fillet, smoked fish, tuna
cuts, spicy dilis, tuna sausage, tuna spring rolls, and
delectable fish cuisine which are served in
hotels/restaurants.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS IN PALAWAN
The principle on which Palawan base their life is
called ingasiq, meaning compassion. This
underlies all their actions and emphasizes the
importance of behaving with generosity and
sympathy towards others.

Their ceremonies, prayers, chanting and healing

dances are all part of what they call adat et
kegurangurangan, or the customs of the
ancestors.
For the Palawan, the universe is vertical and
divided into fourteen different layers. The souls
of the beljan (shamans) are able to travel to these
other levels in order to heal the world and to
re-establish the cosmic balance.
Shamans are not seen as special or sacred
people, but are those who, either in a trance or
dream, are able to enter the invisible world and
contact super-human beings. They can see and
extract impurities that are causing sickness from
a patients body. They are also usually experts in
the use of medicinal plants.
Good health is dependent on a balance between
the body and its life force (kuruduwa). The
loss of kuruduwa creates a disturbance, which
makes the body vulnerable to illness and attacks
by malevolent beings.
NOTABLE PERSONS FROM REGION IV-B
MALOU LEVISTE JACOB
She directed a lot of dramas for television and
documentary films

She finished Bachelor of Arts in Communication

in Maryknoll College (now Miriam College)
Her works include: Pagod na Ako, Irog, and a
TV special about the National Artist Amado V.
Hernandez
NSTOR VICENTE MADALI GONZLEZ
He was born on 8 September 1915 in Romblon,
Philippines
Was a Filipino writer of fiction, poetry and
essays and one of the National Artists of the
Philippines for Literature
He believes "writers create their own nation,
even if they've never set foot on it.
His most notable works include the novels The
Winds of April, The Bamboo Dancers and A
Season of Grace, short story collections
Children of the Ash-Covered Loam and The
Bread of Salt.
NVMs works have appeared in practically all
the leading magazines, pre-WWII and after, in
Manila and numerous journals abroad. Some
have been translated into various foreign
languages.