Happy TravellerWelcome to Tarlac City, the vibrant and historic capital of the province of Tarlac in the Philippines. With a population of 385,398 people, Tarlac City is a bustling 1st class component city that offers a unique blend of culture, history, and modernity. Let’s take a closer look at what this city has to offer.
Tarlac City has a rich history dating back to the 18th century when settlers from Bacolor, Pampanga established their settlement here in 1788. Since then, the city has experienced rapid population growth and development, becoming the capital of the province of Tarlac in 1872. Today, it is a highly urbanized city that is home to a diverse range of communities, cultures, and languages.
Geographically, Tarlac City is located at the center of the province of Tarlac, along the Tarlac River. It is surrounded by the municipalities of Gerona, Santa Ignacia, San Jose, Capas, Concepcion, Victoria, and La Paz. The city is approximately 58 kilometers north of Central Luzon’s regional center San Fernando, Pampanga, and 124 kilometers north of Manila. The city’s climate is tropical with two distinct seasons – wet and dry.
Tarlac City is politically subdivided into 77 barangays, each with its own unique character and charm. The city is home to several shopping malls such as SM City Tarlac, Plaza Luisita Mall, Magic Star Mall, My MetroTown Mall, Palm Plaza Mall, CityWalk, and CityMall. These malls offer a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options for visitors and locals alike.
As the educational center of Tarlac, Tarlac City is home to several higher educational institutions such as Tarlac State University, Don Bosco Technical Institute, College of the Holy Spirit, Kian Tiak School, and the Ecumenical Christian College. The Tarlac City Schools Division of the Department of Education operates 87 elementary schools and 13 high schools as of 2013.
Tarlac City also boasts a vibrant tourism industry, with several festivals and cultural events held throughout the year. The Malatarlak Festival, celebrated every January, is one of the most remarkable festivals in the province, commemorating the first people who built civilization in the province, the Aetas. For the current administration (since July 2016), the local fiesta or festival has been called Kaisa Festival derived from the word magkaisa (to unite).
Transportation in Tarlac City is convenient, with several bus companies operating in and out of the city. Bus companies that take a route through the city include Pangasinan Solid North Transit, Inc., Dagupan Bus Company, Philippine Rabbit, Victory Liner, Five Star, First North Luzon Transit, Luzon Cisco Transport, Genesis, Santrans, Viron Transit, Partas, and many others. The Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) connects with Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEx) and Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) within the capital of the province, providing an alternate route for motorists going to the other parts of Northern Luzon area such as Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, La Union and Baguio while in the Marcos Highway via TPLEX and Kennon Road from McArthur Highway.
In terms of religion, the dominant religion in Tarlac City is Christianity, with Roman Catholics as the majority followed by a large concentration of Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ). Other Christian groups belong to various Protestant denominations. There are also non-Christian religions practiced in the city.
Overall, Tarlac City is a unique and exciting destination that offers a range of experiences for visitors. Whether you are interested in history, culture, shopping, entertainment, or simply soaking up the local atmosphere, Tarlac City has something for everyone. Come and discover the magic of Tarlac City for yourself!
