Background of Luzon
Luzon is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. It is ranked 15th largest in the world by
land area. Located in the northern region of the archipelago. It is the economic and political center of the
nation, being home to the country’s capital city, Manila, as well as Quezon City, the country’s most
populous city.
The 8 (Eight) Regions:
Region 1: Ilocos Region
The area and location are situated on the northwestern coats of Luzon, the region covers an area of
12,840.19 square kilometers.
Region 2: Cagayan Valley
It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Quirino.
Region 3: Central Luzon
It is one of the leading growth regions in the Philippines, located at the heart of Asia. It is composed of
seven provinces, twelve cities and 118 municipalities. It includes all land area north of Manila Bay from
the tip of Bataan peninsula on the west.
Region 4a: CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon)
CALABARZON is designated as Region IV-A. The region is composed of five provinces, namely:
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon. It’s located in Southern Luzon, just south and west of Metro
Manila and is the second most densely populated region.
Region 4b: MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan)
The entire island of Mindoro, which is separated from the southern Luzon mainland, is composed of
Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.
These two provinces are separated by a mountain ranges, running through the entire length of the island,
which serves as a natural and political boundary. The topography of Occidental Mindoro generally
rugged, with narrow strips of coastal lowlands. Its terrain is characterized by successive mountain ranges,
valleys, and elongated plateaus with rolling lands along the coastal region.
Region 5: Bicol Region
The Bicol Region also known as Bicolandia, is composed of three provinces of the Bicol Peninsula
(Albay, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur), one southern end of Luzon Island (Sorsogon) and two
island provinces adjacent to the peninsula (Catanduanes and Masbate).
Region 16: CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)
It’s comprised by the following provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province and the
characterized city of Baguio, officially known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
Region 17: National Capital Region (NCR)
Metro Manila is bordered by the provinces of Bulacan to the North, Rizal to the East and Cavite and
Laguna to the south. It is the smallest of the country of the administrative region, but the most populous
and the most densely populated. It is also the only region without any provinces.
-The region is known for its epic poetry, with the most famous being the "Ibalon" of Bicol and the "Biag
ni Lam-ang" of Ilocos. These epics often tell stories of heroism and adventure. Luzon literature also
includes folk tales, riddles, and proverbs that reflect the region's cultural values and beliefs.
-What is the literature used in most parts of Luzon?
Tagalog Literature Tagalog Literature is the literature used in most parts of Luzon.
-The styles and themes used in Philippine literature were born from a combination of the country's
history, mythology, culture, and foreign influences, evolving throughout different periods while also
adopting common writing philosophies and movements of the time.
-Who is the father of Luzon literature?
Pedro Bukaneg (March 1592 – c. 1630) was a Filipino poet. He is considered the "Father of
Ilocano literature." Blind since birth, he is the believed to have authored of parts of the Ilocano
epic Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang). Bukaneg was sent to the Augustinian convent in Manila
to further his theological and cultural studies.[3] He took lessons in Latin and Spanish and also
learned the local languages and Ilocano Isneg.
Through his knowledge of these languages, he was asked by the priests in the region to translate
their prayers and sermons in local languages.
Bukaneg composed poems and songs and was loved by the Ilocanos as a troubadour. He was
regarded by the locals as a seer. Even the Spaniards knocked him for his services. He would have
identified the killer of a servant of a Spaniard on a day in a row of Itneg men by placing his hand on
the chest of all these men.
