Tarlac is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region (Region III) of Luzon. The province covers roughly 3,046.49 square kilometers and is composed of 17 municipalities and 1 component city with a total of 511 barangays. The capital of the province is Tarlac City. The province was named after its capital, Tarlac City, and it is known as the “Melting Pot of Central Luzon” due to the convergence of different cultures and ethnic groups such as the Kapampangans, Pangasinenses, Ilocanos, and Tagalogs. It is also recognized for its historical landmarks, vast sugarcane and rice fields, and notable sites such as the Monasterio de Tarlac and Mt. Pinatubo’s trekking destination.

History

Tarlac’s history traces back to the late 16th century when it was originally inhabited by Aetas and later settled by various groups such as the Pangasinenses, Kapampangans, Ilocanos, and Tagalogs who migrated to the area. The name “Tarlac” is derived from a local tree called malatarlak. During the Spanish colonial period, Tarlac was part of Pangasinan and Pampanga until it became a separate province in 1874, making it the last province to be created in Central Luzon. The province quickly became a center of agriculture, particularly for sugarcane, rice, and corn, due to its fertile lands. With its diverse settlers and booming farmlands, Tarlac earned its title as the “Melting Pot of Central Luzon.” Tarlac played a significant role in the country’s fight for independence. It became an important base of operations during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and later the Philippine–American War, with the revolutionary government of General Emilio Aguinaldo even holding office in Tarlac for a time. During World War II, the province witnessed the tragic Bataan Death March, where Filipino and American soldiers who surrendered to Japanese forces were marched through Capas, Tarlac, leaving a lasting mark on its history.