CALABARZON: Searching for Luzon’s creative soul

Details

Category: Destination

Published on Sunday, 22 January 2012 14:02

Cavite • Laguna • Batangas • Rizal • Quezon

About the region

The Calabarzon region is located in the southern part of the main island Luzon in the Philippines. The region, which is also designated as Region 4A, is composed of five provinces, namely: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, hence the acronym Calabarzon. The regional capital is in Calamba City, Laguna. The Calabarzon region is also the birthplace of many of the country's heroes and martyrs, and features some of the most famous tourist attractions in the Philippines.

How to get there and go around

Situated just south and west of Metro Manila, the Calabarzon region is a popular destination for foreign tourists and Filipino families living in Metro Manila. The region is easily accessible from the metropolis via expressways, national highways and roads. Travelers may opt to ride airconditioned buses operated by bus companies such as BLTB (Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Company), JAM Transit, Philtranco Bus Service Enterprises Incorporated and Tritran Transit Incorporated.

To get around once in their preferred destinations, travelers may avail of local transportation options such as jeepneys, tricycles, AUV’s (Asian Utility Vehicles) and mini-buses. Group tours often avail of vehicle rentals.

Where to stay

In all provinces in the Calabarzon region, there are a number of hotels, resorts, inns, and bed & breakfast establishments. Tourists may choose from a wide array of establishments, with varying prices.

To learn more, visit:
www.tripadvisor.com
www.hoteltravel.com/philippines/hotels.htm
www.resortphilippines.com

What to eat

The five provinces in the Calabarzon region have their own distinct culinary specialties. Cavite is known for its seafood specialties such as ginataang tulingan (fish cooked in coconut cream) and kinilaw na talaba (raw oysters in vinegar, pepper and chillies) and Laguna is known for its Kesong Puti (white cheese made from unskimmed carabao’s milk), Espasol (a rice cake made of rice flour cooked in coconut milk) and buko (coconut) pie. On the other hand, Batangas is famous for its beef, with bulalo (boiled beef bone marrow and shank) being a perennial favorite together with its kapeng barako (Batangas brewed coffee). The Rizal province is known for its kasoy (cashew nuts) and suman (glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and steamed in banana leaves), while Quezon is known for its longganisang Lucban (Lucban-style pork sausages).

What to buy

Textiles, native handicrafts and food products are available in the Calabarzon region and can be purchased by tourists as souvenirs, gifts and giveaways.

What to see and do

Visitors to the Calabarzon region have a wide array of activities to choose from, ranging from beach activities, museum visits, sight-seeing, mountain climbing and trekking, white-water rafting and sporting activities such as golf.

Cavite

Cavite is known for its historic sites and landmarks, museums, world class golf courses, and facilities for leisure. It is home to Tagaytay City, which is situated 2,500 feet above sea level and is a popular summer and holiday destination. Other attractions include several first class resorts like the Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park and historical sites such as the Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit.

To learn more, see:
www.cavite.gov.ph
www.philtravelcenter.com/philippines/cavite.php

Laguna

Laguna is considered the resort capital of the Philippines for its lakes, hot springs, white water rapids, waterfalls and Mt. Makiling. Laguna is also famous for the Pagsanjan Falls, and Lake Caliraya, Historical and cultural sites include the Rizal Shrine in Calamba and the National Arts Center in Los Baños.

To learn more, see:
laguna.islandsphilippines.com
http://www.philtravelcenter.com/philippines/laguna.php

Batangas

Batangas has some fantastic beaches such as Lobo, Calatagan, Matabunkgay, Nasugbu and Anilao, which is also a world-class diving spot. Batangas is also home to the famous Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in the world. Historical attractions include the General Malvar Museum and Library in Santo Tomas and the Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Tanauan.

To learn more, see:
www.batangasnow.com
www.batangas-philippines.com
www.philtravelcenter.com/philippines/batangas.php

Rizal

The Rizal province is known for its large unspoiled forests and impressive views of Metro Manila, the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges and Laguna de Bay. The province has a strong artistic tradition. Interesting art sites are the Nemiranda Arthouse and the Angono Artist Village. One unique site is a cave in Angono and Binangonan that contain petroglyphs carved during the Stone Age. The Higantes festival in the town of Angono is held every 23rd of November.

To learn more, see:
www.rizalprovince.com/
www.virtualtourist.com

Quezon

In Quezon province, a major tourism draw is the famed Mt. Banahaw, reputed to be surrounded by spiritual mysticism. The province is extremely popular during Lent as thousands of people flock to the province to participate in annual religious ceremonies. The famous festival of Pahiyas, which gives thanks for a bountiful harvest, is held here on the 15th of May each year.

To learn more, see:
www.quezon.gov.ph
www.flyphilippines.com.ph/ quezon/info.php

Relevant Contacts and Online Resources

Cavite Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol Building
Trece Martires City, Cavite
Tel Nos. (+6346) 419-1919 loc. 103 & 142
Fax No. (+6346) 419-2311
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.cavite.gov.ph

Laguna Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol Building
Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Tel No (+6349) 501-0464
Fax No. (+6349) 501-0464
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.laguna.com.ph

Batangas Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol Compound
Tel No (+6343) 723-0130 ; 984-1654
Fax No (+6343) 723-0130
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.batangas.gov.ph

Rizal Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol Building
Antipolo City, Rizal
Tel No (+632) 620-2400 loc. 4242 / 4241
Fax No (+632) 661-5159
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.rizalprovince.gov.ph

Quezon Tourism Office
Provincial Capitol Compound
Lucena City, Quezon
Tel No (+6342) 373-7510
Fax No (+6342) 373-7510
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.quezon.gov.ph

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