Iba - Zambales Guide Book V2021-04

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industrytorecoverfrom theCOVID-19pandemic
whichhasefectedthem greatly.
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Authors introduction
Conveniently located just a few hours drive North West, of Manila. However,
despite being so close, it is largely undiscovered, due, in my opinion, mostly to lack of
promotion and a lack of cooperation amongst local resorts, despite having a reasonably
active resort owners association, which in recent years appears to have become more
interested in social issues, such as Barangay clean ups, rather than attracting potential
tourists, both local and foreign through promotion and advertising along with assisting the
Provincial and Local Government units in forming a long term plan to promote their area.
I make this comment as one of its founders and previously active member of that
association. In fact, I worked on doing this same project prior to my retirement, but could
not convince the executive management that a "digital, on-line" copy was the answer
rather than a printed book, though one such book was produced with the cooperation of
the Olongapo Office of the DTI, but never put into commercial publication.
As I have now been retired for a number of years, in which I have been active as
a volunteer in Drowning Prevention and water safety. However, with the COVID-19
pandemic forcing me to be restricted from my other activities which include Lifeguard
training and the promotion of lifesaving sports, along with a junior life­saver program for
boys and girls from 5 years of age, I decided to see what I could put together to fulfill the
needs of telling people how much Zambales has to offer.
About myself, I am originally from Australia and first visited the Philippines in
1969. I moved to Zambales in the mid 1980's and was involved with tourism prior to my
retirement in 2013. I was, during that time, also involved in promoting tourism, as the Vice
President (North) of the Provincial Tourism Council and President of the Botolan Tourism
Council, so I believe I have a fair knowledge of just how much Zambales has to offer to
both local and foreign tourists. For foreign tourists, one of the best factors is that English is
basically spoken everywhere, something that for some reason the DOT never advertise.
As in my opinion, the 2 greatest assets of Philippine tourism are, one the people and
second that it is, by population, the third largest English speaking country in the world.
A number of people, some resort owners and Provincial and Local Government
units have assisted with input to make this as informative as possible, I thank them, as
their input has been indispensable in making this guide as accurate and informative as I
hope you will find it.
Roger J. Bound.
Author.
Guide Book to Zambales
Online version commenced April 2020
Any profits from advertising will go to Zambales Lifesaving Inc. to support
their free to the public Drowning Awareness and Prevention Programs
and the Lifeguard training Scholarship program for unemployed youths.

IBA
Capital of Zambales
Established in 1611 and with a population of just over
50,000. It boarders with Palauig on the North,
Botolan on the South and Tarlac on the East.
It is the Provincial Capitol of Zambales since 1901 when under the American administration it
was moved from Masinloc as Iba was more central. As the Capitol, all Government agencies
are located in Iba. It has a thriving business area that has seen massive growth over the last
decade, it also has an operational airport.
Tourist attractions:
Known as the "Home of Beautiful Beaches". Its beaches are by far its biggest attraction with
many high quality resorts in the area.

There is an annual Sand Sculpturing Competition held in Iba each year.

It is also home to the Dinamulag Festival, (Local dialect name for Mango, for which the
Province is famous for) held each April and the Paynauen Festival held each May.

The Dinamulog (Mango) Festival
is a spectacular event. It
includes Street Dancing
Competition, talent quests and a
trade show of Zambales
Products. It also includes
information and new
technologies for the Mango
Growers.
The event culminates in the
Crowning of Miss Zambales and
Miss Zambales Tourism who will
represent Zambales in the
promotion of the Province and
Tourism for the coming year.
This event is to celebrate the
fact that Zambales Mangoes are
according the the Guinness Book
of Records, the Sweetest
Mangoes in the World.

Sta. Barbara Waterfalls:
This is quite a trek that requires a 4 X 4 and negotiating some difficult terrain, so if
you want to enjoy the adventure, make sure to leave early in the morning.

Iba is also home of the Zambales Lifeguard Challenge, sponsored by Standard Insurance and
Tees and Prints, this is an International Surf Lifesaving Sports event and the Junior Lifesavers
Nippers Carnival, (a Junior Lifesaver's event) sponsored by Broadwater Marine and RDH
Marine, for kids 5 and above, generally held every March at Palmera Garden Hotel and Beach
Resort in Bangantalinga, just 4 Km. North of town proper, to showcase the efforts of aquatic
safety and training initiated by Zambales Lifesaving Inc.
NOTE: Due
the the
COVID-19
Lock-down
the event
will be
rescheduled
, most likely
Mid to late
November
2020.

Business Directory:
http://www.zambaleslifesaving.org https://www.teesandprints.com/ http://www.rdhmarinesubic.com
https://www.activeboatingwatersports.com/
https://www.broadwatermarine.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Standard-
Insurance/509879392684868
For great food in Iba, try the new Seafood Garden.

www.zambalesphilippines.com
+63 (0) 966 659 7513
Email: zambalesguidebook@gmail.com