Tarlac Founding Anniversary is celebrated in the province of Tarlac, Philipines every May 28. It commemorates the formation of Tarlac as an independent province in 1873.
Every May 28th is also declared as Araw ng Lalawigang Tarlak (Province of Tarlac Day) by virtue of Proclamation 109 approved by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on May 10, 1999.
The province also celebrates the KanLAHI Festival every first week of March.
History of Tarlac
Tarlac is part of Central Luzon that is comprised of other provinces such as Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales. Its name comes from a weed that the aboriginal people called Matarlac.
Its history is tied to a historical area that included Pampanga and Pangasinan in the time of Spanish conquest where a military presence called comandancia. It was established in 1858 within the term of Governor General Fernando Norzagaray y Escudero.
The town of Tarlac that later becomes its capital was founded much earlier in 1686. It was noted for one famous uprising, one that was led by Juan de la Cruz Palaris in 1762.
The territory was sparsely inhabited in those times. That changed with a steady trickle of migration coming from the north. Tarlac was organized as a province by bringing together lands from from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Zambales on May 28, 1873. Juan Guillen was first provincial governor.
When the Philippine revolution broke out in 1896, it was one of the first provinces that joined. It briefly was the seat of the Philippine Republic in March 1899.
The first time that the provincial government held a founding anniversary was in 1999. It was an initiative by then Governor Jose Yap, and the celebration was the result of research conducted by experts into the history of Tarlac.
Tarlac Founding Anniversary Activities
The calendar of Tarlac Founding Anniversary varies. In 2017, events spanned for a week while in 2022, the celebration lasted for three days.
Activities include fairs, fireworks display, cultural presentations, sports, talent contests, variety shows, and beauty contest (Mutya ng Lalawigang Tarlac).
How to reach Tarlac
Tarlac is a three-hour land-based trip from Metro Manila. Alternatively, one can book a flight to Clark International Airport and then travel to Tarlac (about 50 kilometers away).
References
- 145th Founding Anniversary and 2nd Kanlahi Festival of TarlacOctober 9, 2022. Radio Television Malacañang. March 7, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2023
- Pavia, Joey. Tarlac celebrates 144th founding anniversary. Business Mirror. May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2023
- Census of the Philippine Islands taken under the direction of the Philippine Legislature in the year 1918. Archive.org. Retrieved May 1, 2023
- The Province of Tarlac. Department of Interior and Local Government. Retrieved May 1, 2023
- Proclamation No. 109, s. 1999. Official Gazette. Retrieved May 1, 2023
- Holidays–Tarlac. Official Gazette. Retrieved May 1, 2023
- Ric Sapnu. Tarlac marks 149th anniversary. The Philippine Star. May 30, 2022
Tarlac Founding Anniversary Summary
Name Tarlac Founding Anniversary Celebration Founding Anniversary Country Philippines Date May 28 Facebook www.facebook.com Historical event Creation of the province of Tarlac on May 28, 1873 Location Tarlac Organizer Provincial Government of Tarlac Other Names Araw ng Lalawigang Tarlak Website tarlac.gov.ph
| Name | Tarlac Founding Anniversary |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Founding Anniversary |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | May 28 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Historical event | Creation of the province of Tarlac on May 28, 1873 |
| Location | Tarlac |
| Organizer | Provincial Government of Tarlac |
| Other Names | Araw ng Lalawigang Tarlak |
| Website | tarlac.gov.ph |