2nd Floor Capitol Building, Iba, Zambales 2201 Philippines Tel. No.

: (047) 811 7216 (047) 811 7956 loc 115 Telefax: (047) 811 7218 ptipozambales@yahoo.com zamabalestourism@yahoo.com tourism.zambalesnow.com

Zambales Provincial Tourism and Investment Promotions Office

ZAMBALES P H I L I P P I N E S

explore

BRIEF HISTORY
The area now occupied by Zambales was first explored by the Spanish in 1572, led by Juan de Salcedo. Among the earliest towns founded were Subic (1572), Botolan (1572), Masinloc (1607), Iba (1611), and Santa Cruz (1612). [3] Masinloc became the province's first capital. However, the capital was moved among the last three towns above during its history before settling in Iba, due to its strategic location. The first civil governor of Zambales during the American era was the Honorable Potenciano Lesaca from 1901-1903. 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. 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. Zambales was one of the earliest provinces created during the Spanish rule. As founded in the 16th century, it was composed of the area extending from Cape Bolinao in the north to Subic on the south. Due to their inaccessibility from the capital, seven towns in the northern portion of Zambales - from Bolinao to Infanta and including Alaminos - were later ceded to Pangasinan, forming that provinces western part. Zambales is the home province of the seventh president of the Philippine Republic, Ramon Magsaysay, who hailed from Castillejos. The province's name came from the word zambal, which is a Hispanized term for Sambali. Zambal refers to the language spoken by the early Austronesian inhabitants of the place. A contending version states that the name was derived from the word samba, meaning worship, because the Spanish supposedly found the native inhabitants to be highly superstitious; worshiping the spirits of their ancestors. Zambales Day is celebrated every August 30.

trip to ZAMBALES

TRAVELLERS GUIDE

By land from Manila, exit or take the North Luzon Expressway (NLE), and exit at San Fernando. Go all the way to the Dinalupihan junction, and turn right at the Crossroads where Soldiers pose the Bataan Death March. Go straight and stay on the left side when you see the Shell Station splitting the road to two. Turn left into the SBMA Bataan gate. Taking this route will save you 30 minutes of travel time to the north of Zambales, and gives you a view of SBMA. Exit through the Subic gate, and turn left. Getting lost should never be a concern because Zambales has only one highway all the way up to the North, crossing all towns. If the feeling of being lost does indeed creep up, you may ask any town municipal usually found in the center plaza of all towns.There are about a handful of new GOVIC Highways newly built almost all towns of Zambales. You may take them if you are trying to cut across town proper as shortcuts.The Subic GOVIC is not yet fully complete. The castillejos GOVIC Highway is great. You turn right into this Highway at the side before the Jesus Magsaysay Highschool and exit past the town center. The San Antonio GOVIC Highway is complete already but still too dark at night. The GOVIC Highway in Iba helps you get faster into the beach area of Iba without having to chase Tricycles off the roads. By bus, take the Victory Liner (http://www.victoryliner.com) to Iba. Air conditioned and nonair conditioned buses are available. These buses will pass all the towns leading to Iba, take the Iba bus, and change buses in the Olongapo Victory Liner Terminal, and take the bus that leads to Alominos, Pangasinan. This will stop in Sta. Cruz, and other Zambales destinations farther north than Iba. From a town to another, you may take jeepney rides. Fare rates are low. By air, you may rent private planes, jets, and choppers at the Domestic Airport in Paranaque at Subic Air to land in three places in Zambales. There is an International Subis Airport, A Castillejos Airstrip, and the Iba Local Airport. Best to fly daytime 6:00 a.m., or 6:00 p.m. By ferry, take the ferry ride to Subic near Manila Hotel, situated along Manilas Roxas Boulevard. Upon arrival, take the SBMA shuttle to any gate, and take the jeepney ride to the Victory Liner Terminal in Olongapo. From here, the Victory Liner may be taken to Iba or Alominos Travel Tips What to bring: Sunblock, insect repellant, bottled water (although these are available at most sari-sari stores), thong slippers, shorts, cotton clothing, beach ware, large hats, your prescription medicines, cold medicines, etc. What to do: Visits the town market place, and check out all the available goodies. Everything you need is usually in this area, usually situated in every towns major plaza, by the towns parish church, true to any colonial town set-up. Always ask around if in need of anything. 95% of the locals speak fluent English. Locals are willing to answer any query or help any person in need. This is a touristfriendly place. Nobody is actually considered a visitor, and you should feel at home. Check out the municipal buildings and look for the tourism officials who can assist in your every need. They enjoy entertaining visitors, and would usually host a gathering with the town mayor.

SAN ANTONIO

CANDELARIA

CAPONES ISLAND is one of the main attractions in Pundaquit Zambales. The island is actually a big lump of rock formation with very little soil. Beaches around the island arent that homie for the usual tourist mainly because of the sand and rock mixture from the crashing waves of the open ocean. One of the best things to do on the island, aside from just hanging around and not being able to enjoy the beach, is go up and take a tour of the lighthouse.

POTIPOT ISLAND is located roughly 1 km from the mainland shore of Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales. Uacon is about 240+km from Manila by road. Some of the attractions of Potipot Island are: its white sands that completely surround the whole island, the calm clear waters, its proximity to the mainland that allows visitors to reach the island in only 5 minutes by banca, the lush vegetation and trees that provide shade along the beach (and even on the water). 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. And if the weather is just right, dolphins will honor you with their presence. This untamed and untouched island makes an ideal camping and picnic spot. There are no resorts on the island. Visitors usually stay at the resorts on the mainland in Uacon where they hire bancas to take them to Potipot One such place is suited with Candelaria and is called Potipot Island. Its the nearest island from mainland Zambales where tourists or travelers can simply rent a boat from any of the resorts. After a 15 minute boat ride from the shore, I found myself on a small and uninhabited Potipot Island, an unspoiled haven that is completely surrounded with cream sand beaches and filled with trees. Many have enjoyed spending a day here, basking around the sun, enjoying its waters and solitude it brings.

ANAWANGIN is a cove in the town of San Antonio in Zambales. It is a beach that has an off-white sand and an evergreen forest cover near the shore (youll rarely see a coconut tree in Anawangin). Behind the forest is a small stream that flows out to the sea (During summer this stream dries up into a shallow pond). There are also two beach cliffs bounding the beach, which you can hike up and enjoy the view.

PALAUIG

MASINLOC

MAGALAWA is an island barangay lying 6 kilometers, northwest of the Poblacion. Surrounding the island is the vast China Sea. Beyond the north is the San Salvador Island of Masinloc and on the east is Sitio Luan, Lipay. It is known for beautiful beaches. Magalawa is 56 hectares in area. Although the island is surrounded by the sea potable water is abundant within the island and uses jetmatic and pitcher pumps. The main source of livelihood is fishing and some are engaged in shell craft industry.There is a complete primary school with two teachers. No rice is planted in this area, so the people resort in buying everything they need except fish. Coco trees and century trees are abundant also.

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. Spur and groove formation is common along the reef crest, particularly in the area facing the South China Sea. A 127-hectares fish sanctuary and a nearby Taklobo or Giant Clam Farm is the usual attraction to diving enthusiasts. It is located in the western side of Masinloc, a municipality on the northern most part of Zambales. The island is about 2.5 kilometer away from the mainland, or a 20-30 minutes pump boat ride from the municipal halls coast. Its abundance in marine resources has made it most famous as a scuba divers paradise. Divers would certainly love feasting their eyes on seeing the largest Manta Rays in the country, each measuring about 10 feet in diameter. The island is rich in fruitbearing trees like mangoes. Clear water, smooth beaches coupled with powdery white sand and cool sea breeze. White pristine beachesclear blue watersmysterious cavesmountainous trailsabundant terrestrial and marine life These and more complete the picturesque San Salvador, an island located on the western side of the municipality of Masinloc. A scuba divers paradise, San Salvador enjoys an unspoiled marine setting and offers sanctuary to all aquatic life forms. Divers have a feast in swimming with the largest manta rays, and exploring the giant clams (taklobo). Thats not all; exotic birds and wild animals have also made this island their home. On the top of this, San Salvador possesses the sweetest mangoes in the world as judged by the Guinness book of the World Records for five straight years. Definitely, a prime natural resource is worth discovering.