Anao is positioned at the Tarlac- Nueva Ecija boundary and was initially called Danao because it contained plenty of ponds or shallow water which people in early times called Danao. Others claim that the town got its name from Anaoang, a boiler for cooking sugar. Still others say the town derived its name from Anahaw or Anawo-a, a palm tree used to make hats and rain capes. At present, Anao is internationally acclaimed as the Town of Ylang-Ylang. It as well has been consistently awarded as a top winner in clean and green campaigns in the country. At present, Anao has a replica of the summer capital of the Philippines which people tag as the mini Baguio.
Bamban was once a vast jungle believed to be a former part of the province of Pampanga. It was assumed to be named after an aquatic plant, a weed abundant in fertile valleys that olden folks used in producing baskets. Bamban sons joined Katipunan forces under the command of Servillano Aquino and Francisco Macabulos during the Filipino Revolt against Spain. It has a fair share of history as it became the momentary seat of the Philippines Revolutionary Government of Emilio Aguinaldo. The Central Azucarera Bamban also served as the short-term evacuation site of the Phil- American Forces on their retreat from the north going to the Bataan Peninsula. At the end of World War II, Japanese Imperial army under major General Rikichi Tsukada with 30,000 soldiers converted the mountains of Bamban as their outer defense where they dug several caves and tunnels. At present, Bamban has the following landmarks: Bamban bridge that links Pampanga and Tarlac. Bamban Grotto of Lourdes and Lugay Park
Like most of the towns, Capas was a part of a vast wilderness. People believe it got its name from a wild vine Capas-Capas popularly called bulak or cotton. It presently has a newly created barangay- Cristo Rey which is formerly the O’ Donnell resettlement. History will forever cite Capas as the culminating point of the heart rending “Death March”. Today it is famous to mountaineers for its Mt. Pinatubo treck. And it presently enjoys the title “Tourism Capital of the Province”.
Concepcion primarily incurred recurrent floods when it was still part of Magalang, Pampanga. The floods prompted the citizens to reside in a relocation area which they called La Purisima Concepcion- their patron saint. Later on, people simplified its name into Concepcion.
In the beginning, Camiling was a vast area of cogon grass interspersed with thick forested area stretching as far as the Zambales mountain ranges. A wide river cut peacefully through it and wild cashew plants grew on it. Early inhabitants chose to build homes for themselves on one side of the river but afterwards abandoned it in favor of the other side since flood devastated their initial location. Soon after, they called their swampy place Cacamilingan then changed it to San Miguel de Camiling in honor of their patron saint.
The once small hill covered with thick vegetation derived its name from the bird egret. This place that was formerly called barog, meaning forest, contained a handful of settlers until migrants from Pangasinan and Ilocos swarmed the place. The eventual swelling of migrants in the area made it financially sound to this day. Gerona at present has a famous floating restaurant.
- LA PAZ
Storytellers share that La Paz was once swept by a great flood from an overflowing river when its name was still Cama Juan. It was believed to be a part of Arayat along the bank of Chico River bordering Tarlac and Nueva Ecija
The devastation led the residents to search for a better site. Luckily, they found a verdant field nearby called Matayumtayum. With the newly found place, the residents tried to enrich their way of living.
Soon, it became the birthplace of local poet, writer, and revolutionary General Francisco Makabulos and Capitan Mariano Ignacio. The Cry of Tagumpay was held here.
Mayantoc emerged as a wide stretch of wild hilly forest where various trees suitable for house-making abound. The abundance of rattan palms or yantoc explains the town’s name- Mayantoc or plenty of rattan. During the Philippine- American war, Sitio Tongadan in Barrio Labney became the last stronghold of General Makabulos. The town has benefited from the Magsaysay dam that was built in the 50’s. The town is presently adept in terms of agriculture. Its scenic beauty and climate made the town to be tagged as the “Summer Capital of the Province”.
Moncada was once a verdant environment with big arosip trees, a small tree with red fruits. Hence, people called it Caaarosipan. The influx of people from Paoay, Ilocos Norte paved way to its new name, Capaoayan which was later transformed into San Ramon in honor of their most revered saint,-Saint Raymond Nonnatus. Others claim the name is from a plant called muskada whereas other accounts claim it is from a certain influential nobility in Spain.
Paniqui was a sprawling town with a great number of bats which Ilocanos called Pampanikui. The place initially covered the barrios o0f Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, Gerona, San Jose, Ramos, Moncada and Anao. It was the birthplace of the Cojuangco clan, a family of businessmen turned politicians.
- PURA
Pura got its name from Pandan or screw pine which people in early times called Porac. The town priorly belonged to Gerona when its name was still De Villa. As the locality grew, residents aspired for independence and bid for a township. The inhabitants eventually won the bid. During the Philippine Revolution of 1896-98 and World War II, the town has contributed a number of its valiant sons and daughters. Most of significant of which is Comandante Alejandro Tulongan who lead the recruitment of Katipuneros from Pura and Ramos.
- RAMOS
Ramos was once a grassland forming one of the barrios of Paniqui. The medicinal tree Bani wa abundant in the place making it known for such name. When the Philippine Revolution flared up, Bani residents responded to the call of arms of Bernabe Oteysa and Alejandro Tolongan to reinforce Filipino troops in Balintawak, Bulacan, Tarlac, and Pangasinan. Soon after, the residents requested for township. They failed several times until 1921. Residents renamed their place Ramos; in honor of Governor Alfonso Ramos who was the first to initiate the creation of the locality.
San Clemente was created during the colonial period by virtue of a Royal Spanish Decree. Its name sprung from the inspiration of their patron, Saint Clement of Rome whom the residents believe to have saved their ancestors from various forms of enemies. Its earliest residents were endowed with the vision of transforming their area into a wholesome place to live in.
- SAN MANUEL
San Manuel is the northernmost part of the province. It was originally a dense forest covered with lakes and creeks. Wild animals roamed the place until the people of San Manuel abandoned their township to their sister town Moncada. San Manuel is practically a big hacienda with most lands being cultivated for vegetable and tobacco production.
- STA. IGNACIA
Sta. Ignacia was mere grassland long before settlers from Ilocos region discovered the place. The rustic town contained thousands of cattle giving rise to its name Binaca. Binaca became a barrio of Camiling and recovered its township after sometime. Binaca adopted the name Sta. Ignacia as suggested by a parish priest.
- SAN JOSE
San Jose is a town of forests and terraces. It was then known as Pueblo de Moriones and Villa Aglipay. It was the last town to be created in Tarlac province. Its name was changed into San Jose in honor of the three Joses who worked for its township namely: Jose Yap, Jose Cojuangco, and Jose Macapinlac. At present, San Jose is being tagged as the “Sanctuary of the Holy Cross of Jesus”.
Victoria is historically associated with Canarem as the tree is prominent in the place. Victoria was once a barrio of Pampanga but when Tarlac became the seat of the headquarters of the Provincial Military Governor, it became officially a part of Tarlac.
(Info Source: http://tarlac.gov.ph/geninfo.php?id=2)
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