DiscoverHermosa
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Hermosa.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Hermosa
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Hermosa
- Holidays to Hermosa is a serene way to get out of the Manila craze allowing the tourists to experience the harmony of the mounds of hills that touch the vast plains of Central Luzon.
- The Spanish word used in the name of the municipality, which means beautiful, best describes the aesthetic experience one encounters when he or she reaches its peaceful borders with Pampanga.
- The close distance to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway would mean that a single trip along the SCTEX will bring a visitor directly into the midst of fertile farmlands and swathes of sugar-cane.
- The charisma of Hermosa, its quietness is in its low fields that when in planting and harvesting show a vain array of green which changes less but appears remarkable in every season.
- It is a small town whispering silently as a portal to the rest of the greater province of Bataan, and the noise that fills the town is the beat of the farmers and families.
- The fresh air that sometimes welcomes you on the other side of the border between Pampanga shares with you tales of a history as rich as its soil.
- Capital (of the province): Balanga City
- International airport: None in Hermosa
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary international gateway (~2–3 hours by land)
- Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark, Pampanga) – domestic and limited international flights (~2 hours by land)
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Tagalog, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The agricultural richness of the town gets Hermosa an indispensable centre of rice and sugar-cane crop production and this wealth is one of the foundations of the prosperity of the region.
- Being close to the Bataan Line and the SCTEX, it is strategically located to industry and leisure and travel plans are simplified by those who want to adventure.
- The plains, smooth and expansiveness, offer a scenery that also changes with the seasons, which makes viewing the fields not only informative, but also scenic.
- A historical landmark is the trail of the Bataan Death March that links the present with a sad part of the history of the World War II.
- The church of the town, St. Peter de Verona Parish, is a spiritual and architectural icon that depicts the Catholic culture of the town.
- Each of the corners of Hermosa is timid to explore, small markets, vast expanses of fields, all of this belongs to the active identity of the town for holidays to Hermosa.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The months of November to May are dry and the best period to go sightseeing in the vast farmlands since the weather is still and the roads are clear.
- The wet season brings abundant rains that take care of the crops, and the fields appear to be fresh and lush green that is worth the sight.
- Summer heat, although very active, promotes early mornings walks, which enable the travellers to enjoy the harvests, before the peak of the day.
- June and September months are sunny and rainy and provide a very special landscape with fogged fields and sunny horizons.
- The weather during winter in Hermosa is mild and therefore it is very friendly to the people who like cooler seasons and yet they do not lose the feel of the tropics.
- The agricultural rhythm within the town makes the landscape lively and fresh regardless of season and makes each visit to the town refreshing.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Hermosa Ecotourism Site
- Go on sustainable managed trails that meander through the waters of the town displaying its natural water systems.
- See the biodiversity of the area, the native birds, butterflies, and small mammals that live in the orchards.
- Talk to local guides, who will describe the traditional farming methods that have been in existence over the ages.
- Take pictures of sunrise over rice paddies whereby, the fields are illuminated with golden light giving it a dreamy appearance.
- Tour small visitor centres where educational exhibits of the ecological significance of the plains can be found.
- Go back rejuvenated by the sounding of the countryside and the chewing of labouring farms.
The huge rice and sugarcane fields
- Wind back roads built around the town and opening up into vast tracts of wheat and corn, showing the volume of farm produce in Hermosa.
- Also see the beat of harvesters and tractors that make the fields fruitful all year round.
- When you stop to have a moment have you felt the cool mud under your feet, which is the earth that supports the community.
- Read about the irrigation systems that ensure that the rice paddies are green even in drier seasons.
- Gaze upon the cane-brakes in full blast, and the stalks are as tall as green pillars in support of the sky.
- Have a rest in one roadside stand and have a taste of the freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, which is a local delicacy with the flavour of the fields.
St. Peter de Verona Parish Church
- Be amazed by the architecture which incorporates the colonial style with the localised style, providing a serene environment to meditate.
- Observation The detailed stone work surrounding the altar is testimony to the masons of local towns.
- Participate in a morning mass wherein the community gathers sharing the faith and storeys in a harmonious environment.
- See the murals which portray tales of St. Peter, each of which is part of the town faith.
- Experience the feeling of belonging when the visitors join in the traditional chants and hymns that are sung in Tagalog.
- Look into the little adjoining cemetery, and there are simple plaques on the graves of the local heroes.
Death March Marker
- Visit the monumental marker of the unfortunate path of the Bataan Death March, and pay your tribute of memory.
- Get acquainted with the history of the war by oral histories that have been transferred by the locals who experienced the events.
- Look at the adjacent plaque which outlines the adventure and the sacrifices suffered both on the battlefield and by the civilians.
- Your thoughts should be about the hardiness of the community that has been built up by the leftovers of war into a flourishing town.
- Make pictures of the marker and also take pictures of the fields around making sure that you capture the fields that remind you of the ordeal of the journey.
- Go away with a greater appreciation of the peace that now prevails, those that fought to be free.
Reason 05
Discover More
Hermosa Public Market
- Wander down stalls that are brimming with fresh rice, sugarcane and local produce that is a reflection of the abundance of the plains.
- Eat a sample of fresh fruit, and each mouthful is filled with the taste of the sun-filled fields.
- Interact with sellers of their storeys about their products and their growing activities.
- Note the buying and selling cycles that make the market active and vibrant on a daily basis.
- Get trivial gifts like woven baskets or handmade crafts by the local artisans for holidays to Hermosa.
- Read a book in a small corner cafe drinking a cup of local coffee or herbal tea and hearing the gossip of the marketplace.
Boundary of Mount Santa Rita/Dinalupihan
- Go as far as the plateau where the plains have been replaced by the smooth slopes of the Zambales range giving us the panoramic views.
- Note the different ecosystems that exist, the lowland fields and the forest patches of the higher altitudes.
- Feel the cool air that changes as you go up another nice contrast to the warmth of the plains.
- Go on a peaceful walk about through designated trails that expose unusual rock formations and spectacular viewpoints.
- Wildlife can be seen, including native birds and small mammals, which are well adapted to this transitional area.
- Go back to the town with an achievement and a new outlook of the landscape of the area.
Local Eateries
- There is the taste of Central Luzon cuisine made of fresh and locally-grown food that accentuate local flavours.
- Sample humba, sweet and savoury pork, which denotes partying and communal life.
- Savour the ginataan, which is a stew made of coconut-milk that demonstrates the tropical taste of the region.
- Sample sweet sugarcane juice, squeezed right on the ground in order to release its natural sweetness.
- Enjoy rice food that shares the high quality grain which is cultivated in the town.
- Communicate with hospitable chefs who provide information about the history and cooking of every dish and add more flavour to the cuisine.
Bataan Technology Park Industrial Park (Bataan Technology Park)
- Tour the current infrastructure that enhances development of technology and innovation in the area.
- Follow the interaction of the industry and agriculture, where business pursues sustainable relationships.
- Get to know how local employees have been trained to survive in a technology-driven market.
- Explore how the design of the park integrates the element of green space, and balances development, and the maintenance of the environment.
- Meet the local authorities who negotiate future intentions on how to increase the impact of the park on the community.
- Consider the value of economic growth that continues to bring Hermosa alive and progressive.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The native language is Tagalog although you can feel the melodious flavour of Kapampangan owing to the fact that the town borders Pampanga.
- The agricultural sector still forms the basis of livelihoods with rice and sugar-cane cultivations defining life and community patterns.
- The foster atmosphere of strength and solidarity that flourishes in Central Luzon is reflected in the festivals and common meals in the town.
- Family ties are strengthened as seasonal harvest festivals unite families.
- The streets abounded with traditional songs and dances, which are orally passed down and reverberated the rich heritage of the town during the festivals.
- Storytelling is used in community functions where elders have been involved in creating the present by interweaving the past, and this way of preserving identity for holidays to Hermosa.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- The special occasions should include Humba, which has savoury and sweet tones in it and which pays tribute to the culinary ingenuity of the community.
- The dishes are characterised by Ginataan, which reflects how much the people in the region love coconut milk, making them come up with simple yet cosy soups and stews that warm the heart.
- A sweet harvest is captured in the form of a sweet liquid, freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.
- Rice is considered to be local and is loved because of its texture and taste, which is applied in many recipes that demonstrate its adaptability.
- The street sellers sell tropical fruits, which are picked at the nearby fields, and they are so sweet that a single bite is filled with natural sweetness.
- Festivals are characterised by the consumption of grilled meat and tropical delicacies making meals to be common celebrations.
Fun
- Exploring the countryside allows one to enjoy the relaxed country lifestyle without the noise of the big city.
- The plains are rolling giving panoramic sceneries that are ideal in taking pictures or just appreciating the scenery.
- The Death March Marker is an emotionally charged historic experience, allowing you to relate to historical loss.
- Farm tours allow interactive learning where you are able to observe the way rice and sugarcane are cultivated.
- Local festivals, having music, dancing and street food make it all joyful and exciting.
- Walking along the riverside in the evening, the soft glow of lanterns can be seen, a calming down of a day of adventure.
Fashion
- The breathable fabrics are necessary because it is hot in the area, and only light clothes can be comfortable.
- They need to have comfortable shoes because there will be many times they would be walking in the field and the streets which are not even.
- Even basic accessories such as a broad hat would save you under the blazing sun and still be fashionable.
- During festivals, local traditions can be observed, with embroidered blouses being one of the traditional clothing.
- At night walks a light sweater or a jacket can be convenient because evenings on the banks of the rivers can be colder.
- The style is casual, but very respectful and reflects the humble nature of the community.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The rich lowlands offer an experimental farmland where farming methods that have been perfected over the years can be studied.
- The hills are rolling in a smooth curve, which provides natural gradient, which helps to sustain various plant life.
- The foothills of Zambales receive the last rays of the sun set, which form fantastic silhouettes against the sky.
- The fields and adjacent forest edges are where it is possible to find wildlife of deer, birds, and small mammals.
- Seasonal migrations of the butterflies make the plains colourful and the landscape seems like a living painting.
- The rivers in the region flow along the plains forming peaceful places to contemplate and rest for holidays to Hermosa.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- On the 29th of April, the Hermosa Town Fiesta in honour of St. Peter de Verona, they have masses, processions and feasts.
- Festivals of harvesting rice and sugarcane are celebrated with the help of parades where the products and the local craftsmanship are presented.
- The fiesta is also followed by traditional music, dancing and show of colourful floats that lights up the streets.
- There are food booths in the streets, which serve local delicacies that are tempting to both locals and non locals.
- Games and contests all over the town would promote attending events and togetherness within the town.
- Fireworks are happening as dark and the parties have become a memorable event of all ages.