The History of Zambales

 

The Philippines is one of Asia’s paradises. Needless to say, we have a handful of tourist destinations that are recognized worldwide, and have earned rave reviews through travel magazines and travel blogs.

 

However, I would like to focus on the one place that is closest to my heart; Zambales.

 

This Province is known as a melting pot of people from all walks of life.

 

Zambales truly is a place of wonder, so many sights to visit ,and so many places to be unraveled

 

Back before the world fell apart, I always looked forward to the Holidays because that’s usually the time where we visit this magnificent province.

 

 Zambales is a wonderful place where the river kisses the West Philippine Sea. It is a place where breath-taking mountains merge with the rivers and seas, a perfect place for fishing and coral diving, mountain climbing or merely to relax and admire God’s natural creation.

 

At night you shall see thousands of stars along with the soft whisper of fresh salt air.

 

And at dawn you get this awesome view of this beautiful sunrise as you watch fishermen haul their catch for the day.

 

You can also find the best seafood such as prawns, crabs, sea urchins, and fish sold at a most reasonable price perfect for a barbecue at the beach.

 

At sunset, you can just serenely sit by the shore and watch the sun make love to the sea. It truly is a sight to behold.

 

Yes, there are a lot of great things to mention about this place. From its lush mountain tops, to its breathtaking ocean view, there is no arguing that the Zambales is one of the most beautiful places in the country.

 

 

But what is Zambales?

Let’s take a deep dive and learn more about this place.

The  name of the Province came from the word zambal, which is a Hispanized term for Sambali, used to name the province. Sambal is the native dialect of the early Austronesian people in the area. According to one story, the name was derived from the word samba, which means worship, because the Spanish believed the locals were superstitious who worshipped the spirits of their ancestors 

It could also potentially have derived from the term "Zambo," which was used by the Iberian  empires to designate people of African origin. The Aetas, a Filipino indigenous group who have Afro-ethnic ties, live in the province.

Zambales is located on the west coast of Luzon Island, in the western Philippine Sea. Subic Bay was the site of an American military base. It was a naval base until 1992, until it was closed. 

In terms of religion, the residents of Zambales are largely Roman Catholic, accounting for about 78 percent of the population. Meanwhile, Aglipay will cover at least 6 percent of the place, and Iglesia ni Cristo cover the remaining four. 

Zambales has three main languages. These are Sambal, Tagalog, and Ilocano. The place has at least 115, 337 people who speak Ilocano, 114, 636 people who speak Sambal, and finally 250, 637 speak Tagalog. There are also people who live in Zambales that don't speak any of these languages. At least 119,126 people speak other foreign languages such as English or Chinese.

 

When it comes to the economy, Zambales leans heavily on tourism. Local and international tourists travel to the region's many beaches, creating jobs and contributing to the economy. Even though the majority of the province is still agricultural, there are huge industrial zones that provide jobs not just for Zambales people but also for residents of neighboring provinces. In Zambales, where there is a huge deposit of nickel and other minerals since mining has recently exploded. Zambales is also  an agricultural province, with rice, mangoes, corn, vegetables, and root crops being the main products.

 

Zambales is a wonderful place that has a special place to my heart. It is a place connected to childhood innocence and happy memories. A place connected to a time where the only thing I worry about is getting sand in a bathing suit. It is a beautiful place surrounded by mountains, rivers and seas. It is a perfect place for outdoor activities such as fishing and coral diving, mountain climbing or merely to relax and the surroundings.