Region IV-A

CALABARZON
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Geography
 Region IV-A and region IV-B, which formed
Southern Tagalog, was separated in 2002 by
the E.O. No. 103.
 The region is composed of 5 provinces: Cavite,
Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon
 The regional center is Calamba Laguna
through E.O. No. 246 in October 28, 2003.
 The most populous in the Philippines, having
14,414,774 inhabitants in 2015
 And second most densely populated after
NCR.
History
 Philippine independence was held by 1st
Philippine president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in
on June 12, 1898.
 People Batangas, Cavite & Laguna were a part of
those who first revolted against the Spaniards
for freedom. They were placed under martial
law by the Spaniards at the start of the
Philippine Revolution in 1896.
 While the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose P.
Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna.
 Apolinario Mabini, was born in Tanauan City,
Batangas
 Cavite
o Cavite, formerly known as Tangway, got its word name from the Filipino word ”Kawit,”
which means hook, because of its geographical shape in the old maps of the
Spaniards..
o Cavite houses some of the oldest histories of the Philippines. From the beginning of the
Philippine revolution against the Spaniards to the memories left during the American
occupation to some relics from the invasion of the Japanese in the second world war.
 Described as “Madre de los Ladrones,“
(the mother of bandits) for generations
 It is the birthplace of lot of Filipino heroes
 it has a number of sites associated with
the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
 This is where Aguinaldo commanded the
revolution to its success
 It is also where, particularly in Kawit,
Cavite, the proclamation of the first
Republic in Asia, the Republic of the
Philippines, on June 12, 1898, took place.
 Historical Sites
 AGUINALDO HOUSE MUSEUM, Kawit
Home of the first president of the Philippine Republic and location of the proclamation of the Republic of the Phillppines.
 CORREGIDOR – the famous last bastion of Philippine
American Defense Forces is dotted with memorials, shrines, cemeteries, pares, barracks and gun batteries. Major attraction is the
Malinta Tunnel.
 ANDRES BONIFACIO HOUSE, General Trias
The home of the revolutionary leader is a typical red brick Spanish-style house.
 BATTLE OF ALAPAN MARKER AND FLAG, Imus
The battle site Is marked by a 30 meter flagpole set on painted
rocks.
 FORT SAN FELIPE, Cavite City
Built in 1609, it has naval memorabilia on the lawns outside.
 GENERAL TRIAS MARKER, General Trias
Located in front of the home of the local hero of the War of
Independence.
 PEOPLE'S PARK, Tagaytay
A mansion in the clouds, built by former president Marcos.
 Laguna
o Laguna was named after Laguna de Bay.
o It is famous for embroidery, wood carving, and taka (papier-mâché).
o It is presently becoming the center of economic activity in the Southern Tagalog
Region and the CALABARZON area
o It is the Resort Province of the Philippines because of its natural riches:
o Pagsanjan Falls (Magdapio Falls, referred to as “shooting rapids”),
o Pila, Laguna Town Plaza
o the wood carvings created by the people of Paete and Pakil (Southern Tagalog
craftmanship)
o hot spring resorts in Los Baños on the slopes of Mt. Makiling and the Hidden Valley Springs
in Calauan.
 It is a significant place in Philippine history
because it is the birthplace of Dr Jose Rizal and.
 After the death of Rizal, thousands of patriotic
citizens of the province have joined the
revolutionary movement, Katipunan.

Laguna houses some of the oldest museums and

houses in Philippines.

A lot of churches of Spanish-influenced architecture

are found in the province
 Historical Sites
 MABITAC CHURCH, Mabitac
Standing atop 126 stone steps, features a Spanish-style
facade.

 SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA, Pakil

Constructed in Corinthic-lonic styles, the church has
survived fire and two earthquakes.

 SAN SANTIAGO APOSTOL CHURCH, Paete

Features the superb woodcarving talents of Paete
craftsmen.

 ST. GREGORY CHURCH, Majayjay

Reputedly one of the oldest churches in the Philippines,
preserving antique relief statues of saints.
 Batangas
o Long before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, Batangas, formerly known
as town of Bonbon, already is an advanced civilization with a thriving population.
They have been trading with other countries such as China before the Spaniards
came to the Philippines.
o The province’s name is the same as its capital. When the Capital is Taal, the
province also changed its name to Taal. And when the Capital was changed to
Batangas (Batangan), the Province changed its name once more after the Capital.
o Lipa, Batangas, The Coffee Granary of the Philippines, produces the popular
Kapeng Barako, strong coffee considered fit only for strong men.
o Batangas possesses Taal volcano, the smallest volcano.
 Batangueños are known for being adventurous, business-minded industrious, friendly,
hospitable and long-standing reputation for bravery, owing to the Balisong.
 Being one of the 8 provinces who first revolted against the Spaniards is another
testament of their Bravery.

 Batangas was one of the places where the

revolutionaries chose to propagate their
propaganda such as plays.
 Example is the performance of Tanikalang
Ginto. Not only the revolutionaries were
arrested but the audience as well.
Historical Sites
 BASILICA OF ST. MARTIN DE TOURS, Taal
Rebuilt twice after volcanic and earthquake damages.
Once the largest church in Asia.
 CHURCH OF SAN JOSE, Batangas City
Built by Augustinian Friars in 1788. The massive main altar
has six rounded columns.
 TANAUAN CHURCH
along Romanesque and Neo-classical lines. Remarkable
for its wide-open central nave and circular niches.
 CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF CASAYSAY
Houses priceless relics of the Spanish Era.
 LIPA CATHEDRAL
Built in the Romanesque tradition, with circular dome,
massive walls and balconies.
 Rizal
o Rizal, originally Morong, was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal.
Rizal's capital is Antipolo City, although the provincial capitol is located in Pasig
City in Metro Manila, which was the previous capital.
o Rizal has artisan villages and art galleries. It’s a colorful region.
o Rizal is called the "Duyan ng Pambansang Sining". Many national artists such as
Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Vicente Manansala, and Maestro Lucio San Pedro are all
Rizal natives.
 Japanese fighter and bomber planes rained
explosives on the province in December 1941
and then invaded it in 1942 during the second
world war.
 Many natives organised themselves into a
resistance movement. The guerrilla forces also
aided Filipino soldiers in the Philippine
Commonwealth Army and American troops in
fighting the Japanese troops.
 Historical Sites

 OUR LADY OF ANTIPOLO SHRINE

This miraculous icon is said to have saved several
Spanish galleons from British, Dutch and pirate
attacks
 ST. JEROME CHURCH, Morong
Features the work of Chinese craftsmen and a
four-storey octagonal bell tower.
 TANAY CHURCH
A mixture of Philippine colonial design with
element: of Baroque.Rebuilt in 1783.
 Quezon
o Quezon was originally called Kaliraya or Kalilayan, in 1591, after the capital town
which later became Unisan. The capital was transferred to the town of Tayabas, in
1749, from which the province got its new name. It was named Tayabas until
September 7, 1946 when Republic Act No. 14 got it renamed as Quezon in honor of
Manuel Quezon, first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
o Aurora, the name of the president’s wife, was separated from Quezon in 1979.
o The province has harvest festivals and flamboyantly decorated houses.
 Japanese occupation during World War II
began on December 23, 1941, when the
Japanese Imperial Army landed in
Atimonan.
 The General Headquarters of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army and Philippine
Constabulary was stationed in Tayabas
from January 3, 1942 to June 30, 1946 are
military operates against the Japanese
Occupation.
 The occupation witnessed the brutal
murders of prominent sons of Tayabas.
Historical Sites

 CATHEDRAL OF SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA, Gumaca

The largest and oldest church in the province.
 CHURCH OF ST. LOUIS OF TOULOUSE, Lucban
Surrounded by gardens and grottos, the church has
been rebuilt on three occasions.
 ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL MINOR BASILICA Tayabas
One of the oldest churches in the country, it was first built
in 1585
 SANTA LUCIA KINABUHAYAN, Dolores
Important pilgrimage centers are established at this site
 Significance of Culture, Traditions,
Beliefs, Practices and Way of living
to the Filipinos
Major Languages are Tagalog, Chabacano, and English.
Other indigenous languages are Waray, Bicolano, Cebuano, Ilokano, Pangasinense, and
Hiligaynon. Chinese and Spanish are also spoken by some local residents.

The local people of Calabarzon likes seafood, they

also like eating on banana leaves, adding coconut
to their dishes, and making it spicy.
 They have certain marriage practices that make them stand out.
• The bride wears a veil that is connected to the groom.
• The groom gives “arrahe” or unity coins to the bride.
• And they preform a dance called “Panganga”

 Their burial practices also uniqueness. They sometimes

place their dead relatives inside hollow trees and all
infants, whether a relative or not, that attend the
funeral are passed over the coffin before the burial.
 Dominant characteristics
of the people
• Brave and fearless
• Courageous
• Speaks Chavacano
• Artistic
• Nakikipagkapwa-tao
• They put coffee in their
meals

Socialization
• Semana Santa
• Festival
• Bayanihan
 Festivals
Pahiyas Festival Tahong Festival
Lucban San Isidro
Bacoor, Cavite
Pahiyas festival is a very colourful festival celebrating in honor
Tahong festival is a festival tat promotes Cavite’s seefood
of San Isidro. It is the thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest with a
delicacy. Parts of the celebration is preparing cuisines with
display of colourful foods and handicrafts. It comes from the
tahong as the main ingredient.
word “Hiyas” (Jewel) and pahiyas meaning precious offering.
Regada Festival
Cavite City

Regada festival or water festival is both a religious and

cultural activity. It derived from the Spanish word “regar”
which means water or to sprinkle.

Kalayaan Festival
Cavite

Kalayaan festival is the celebration of the Philippine

independence.. It is celebrated in Cavite, the seat of
Philippine independence.
Hamaka Festival
Taytay, Rizal

Hamaka is an abbreviation of 3 words. Ha for “hamba”

(Woodworks), Ma for “Makina” Machine(), and Ka for
“Kasuotan” (clothing). Taytay is famous for these 3 things..

Higantes Festival
Angono

Higantes started during the Spanish cololonial times, when

anogo was still a hacienda ruled by the Spaniards. It is a way
of protesting their struggles by making giant effigy of their
landlords.
Walistik Festival
Lipa City

It originated from the word walis (broom) and the Tagalog slang
for incredible (walastik).
This festival is being done on the second week of January or
as part of the celebration of the city’s fiesta, January 20.
It is celebrated in a street dance competition where the walis
as the highlight

Balsa Festival
Matabungkay, Batangas

A festival that centerpieces the “Balsa”. Using it as a way of

relaxation by the Matabungkay Beach Resort. The festival
and celebration is done by a race and decorating contest for
the Balsa.
Literature

PROSE AND POETRY

Chavacano
Poetry
Departir / Departure
By: Ben D. Nillo

Translated
Original

Na barco, mentras desde lejos In the boat, while we go far

y lejos
Na embarcadero, el aplaya ta
separta
Y coger mi lagrimas, agui
Into the wharf, the sea that
separate
And catches my tears, here
Where my sadness swims

Que ya nadar mi tristeza.

 Isla del Sta. Cruz / The Sta. Cruz island
Original
Translated
No hay mas canciones na viento
There are no songs in the wind
Que puede mas, cantar alegria
To make Cawa-Cawa’s
Para de corazon del Cawa-Cawa.
Heart cheerful.

Cuando ya hase separta

When the silence of the sea
este quieto mar
Separate Cawa - Cawa
Con su señorita, from her señorita,

El triste Cawa-Cawa, The sad Cawa-Cawa,

Mas que mil veses mira In countless times, will
con su señorita--- Stare to her señorita---

nunca mas puede agara It can never hold

el arena blanco mano del su señorita the white sand hand of her señorita.

Que hase con Cawa-Cawa celos. is making Cawa-Cawa envious.

Do You Still Remember In Cavite?
By: Obed dela Cruz
Do you still remember in Cavite
When our banner was waved in liberty?
Our people was united in their will
To end the oppression of tyranny.
I can still hear the loud freedom cry
As our brave men raised their fists in the air
Ready to battle against anything
And in their hearts they said, 'O Spain, Beware! '
But today I ask, 'Can you still recall? '
Can your heart direct your eyes to see it?
For it is something in history that
Should uplift our Filipino spirit.
We were there when our forefathers
declared
That they have a nation they call their own.
Now, ours is the land in which we reside
The whole of it, yes, every sand and stone.
We have part in the great Eastern islands
Hence, no foreign invader can prevail
Our shores cannot be trodden anymore
For they are mighty in every detail.
We are a proud people who stand erect
We lift our hands against the oppressor
This is how we can say our faith is strong
When we know how to take what we fight
for.
Ah, so whenever we think we are weak
Let us ignite the fire to see it clear
O, we can do better than what happened
In Cavite, when we trampled our fear.
BARONG TAGALOG: Carrying The Style and
Wearing a True Legacy
By: Jun Jun Villanueva
Strands of satiny pineapple fibers
From the superbly prickly pieces of leaves
Refined by the nifty naked hands
Of the great sophisticated artisans
Beyond this unequaled plant
Is a peculiar product exist
Only native Filipinos - Tagalogs can procreate
An art of aesthetic craftsmen
The fabric of my historical breed
Versatile apparel suits for formal affairs -
weddings
From 20 meters of silk processed and produced -
four months
Nation known as PEARL OF THE ORIENT
Exaltedly introduces this "BARONG TAGALOG"
Through cordial hardworks and artistic thinkings
A lifetime masterpiece dominates the Philippine
Art
A cloth woven by faith and ornamented by
passion
A cloth designed by heart and given birth
through life
A cloth perfected by artistry and embroidered by
fidelity
For native Batanguenos, this is their breath
Respiring together as they brocade their future
Future that depends on THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
CLOTH - BARONG TAGALOG.
PROMINENT ARTISTS ‘ROLES
THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO CONTEMPORARY ARTS --- PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES,
ARCHITECTURE, ETC
Laguna
Manuel Baldemor is a Filipino painter, sculptor,
printmaker, writer and book illustrator.
 Best known for his paintings on various media that depict scenes
in simplified geometric forms with a folk art character.
 Most of his subjects in art are his hometown, its people, their
everyday activities, and their celebrations.
 His works are known not only in the Philippines but also in other
countries.

Fred Sarmiento Baldemor is a wood-carver.

Batangas
Lito Mayo was a Filipino graphic artist, print-maker,
avantegarde poet, social activist, sculptor, satirist,
and art professor. His prolific career was brief
SONG, MUSIC, DANCE
Song
Batangas
Batangas is the origin of the ”kumintang,” an ancient
war song.
The huluna
Batangueños are known for debates which are sung.
Duplo
Karagatan (Ocean)
CALABARZON MARCH
Music
Kaguluhan Music Festival

The Kaguluhan Music Festival

a Pinoy rock and heavy metal music event
held every November mostly in the province
of Cavite, in the Philippines.
The festival's name, Kaguluhan, is
a Tagalog word for "frenzy" or "commotion".
DANCE
 Cavite
Karakol Dance- people dance on the street with the image of
their patron saint and then a fluvial procession follows right after
the parade on the streets
Sanghiyang / Sayaw sa Apoy – a pre-colonial ritual celebrated
by firewalkers of Indang and Alfonso.
Live Via Crucis (Kalbaryo ni Hesus) – done during the Holy week.
Mardicas Dance – a war dance popular in the town of Ternate
Laguna
Maglalatik is a mock war dance between the
Muslims and the Christians
It is about a fight for the “latik” or coconut
meat during the Spanish era.
All dancers are male and are naked to the
waist except for the coconut shells attached to
their chests, backs and hips.
Batangas
 Balitao
Sublian is a ritual dance that
originated from Bauan, Batangas
in Luzon, Philippines.
PROMINENT PEOPLE
 Dr. Jose Rizal

(Calamba Laguna)
José Rizal called for
peaceful reform of Spain's
colonial rule in the
Philippines. After his 1896
execution, he became an
icon for the nationalist
movement.
Julian Felipe
The composer of the music of the Filipino national anthem,
formerly known as "Marcha Nacional Magdalo", now known
as Lupang Hinirang.
José Paciano Laurel y García

oTanauan, Batangas
oFilipino politician and
judge.
President of the Second
Philippine Republic
Emilio aguinaldo
• Kawit Cavite
Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo
led his country to achieve
independence after fighting off
both the Spanish and the
Americans.
TRIVIA
Tagaytay City hailed as the
Second Summer Capital of the
Philippines
Kawit is known as the Cradle of
the Philippine Independence.
Ternate is the place where
many people still speak
Chavacano or “Broken Spanish“.
HIGANTE FESTIVAL
It was said that the higantes
started during the Spanish
colonial times, when Angono
was once a hacienda and
ruled by Spanish hacienderos.
REFLECTION