Batangas: The Rich Industrial Province Surrounding Taal Lake

bengoeswhere

May 1

As my journey of church visits in the Philippines continues, I felt that I also need to take a glimpse of municipal halls, taste local delicacies and tourist spots they have to offer so I can share to my friends what I've been to and not only to believe on hearsays and stereotypes. Hence, I take one province at a time. After Laguna, Cavite and Rizal provinces (Metro Manila on separate post), I want to embark more on the nearby province. Thus, Batangas province is what comes to my mind since it's just south of Luzon. This province is so vast, that one day isn't enough to visit most of heritage churches. Because of this, I visited them in different dates.

Calabarzon, formally known as the Southern Tagalog Mainland, is an administrative region in the Philippines, designated as Region IV-A. The region comprises five provinces: Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal; and one highly urbanized city, Lucena. The region is the most populous region in the Philippines and is also the country's second most densely populated after the National Capital Region. The name of the region is an acronym of its five component provinces: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas (Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Batangas) (Spanish: Provincia de Batangas), is a first class province of the Philippines located in the southwestern part of Luzon in the Calabarzon region. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north, and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the island of Mindoro and to the west lies the South China Sea. Poetically, Batangas is often referred to by its ancient name, Kumintáng. The name Batangas is derived from the term batangan, which has two definitions: a log found in the Calumpang River, and rafts used to fish in Taal Lake. My 4th Province!

Taal Lake (Tagalog: Lawa ng Taal), formerly known as Bombón Lake, is a freshwater caldera lake in the province of Batangas, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The lake fills Taal Volcano, a large volcanic caldera formed by very large eruptions between 500,000 and 100,000 years ago. It is the country's third-largest lake, after Laguna de Bay and Lake Lanao. Volcano Island, the location of Taal Volcano's historical eruptions and responsible for the lake's sulfuric content, lies near the center of the lake. Up until the 2020 eruption of Taal Volcano there was a crater lake on Volcano Island. It was known as Yellow Lake and Main Crater Lake and contained its own small island, Vulcan Point. Vulcan Point was thought to be one of few third-order islands in the world. The picture above is the Main Crater Lake with small island called Vulcan Point and this was taken January 2016.

In this post, I'll show some tourist destinations I visited in Bulacan thru infographics per municipality/city. I'll post here in my #project81 the articles related to each province.

Batangas comprises 29 municipalities and 5 cities. In land terms, Nasugbu is the largest municipality in Batangas with over 278.51km² while San Nicolas is the smallest municipality with 22.61 km². In population density, Taal is the most densely populated with over 2,066 people per km² but Lobo is the least densely populated with over 230 people per km². I'll update this post soon.

North-West route: Tanauan City-Lipa City-Sta. Teresita-Taal-Lemery-Bauan-Batangas City

Tanauan, officially the City of Tanauan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Tanauan), is a 1st class component city in the province of Batangas, Philippines.
The city is part of Mega Manila resulting from the continuous expansion of Metro Manila. It shares its borders with Calamba, Laguna, to the north, Tagaytay City, Cavite, to the northwest, Talisay to the west, Santo Tomas City to the east, and the towns of Balete and Malvar to the south. It borders on Taal Lake to the west. The town is known for the Old Tanauan Church Ruins, the most important archaeological site in the municipality where human remains from the colonial era have been unearthed. Among those born in Tanauan are revolutionary former Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini and former President José P. Laurel. The name "Tanauan" may have come from the Tagalog word tanaw, which means "to look through [the window]," as it was the site of a lookout tower that provides a view of the Pansipit River on the other side of Taal Lake and of the surrounding lands.

Panaderia Pantoja's yema cake is a soft sponge cake with yummy yema, then sprinkled with cheese on top. Panaderia Pantoja has been around since 1950. The first branch was opened by Aurelio and Celinda Pantoja in Tanauan City

Lipa, officially the City of Lipa (Filipino: Lungsod ng Lipa), is a 1st class component city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It is the first city charter in the province and one of five cities in Batangas alongside Batangas City, Calaca, Santo Tomas, and Tanauan. Batangueños from the early years had their settlement in Bombon Lake and began dispersing to other places when the volcano erupted. While a group of people was moving to another settlement area, the image of St. Sebastian was stolen from them and later on was found on a tree called "lipa." People believed that the patron saint wished to name that place "Lipa".

**The Outlets at Lipa** is one of the largest outlet shopping destinations in Luzon. Sprawling at 9,100 square meters, it offers a lifestyle center with an open-air environment, wide parks, community art spaces, a dog park and an olympic-sized football field.

When Don Galo de los Reyes was the governadorcillo of Lipa, he introduced the cultivation of coffee. The seeds of the Arabica species were said to be of two chupas brought in from Mexico by an Augustinian missionary. The coffee industry so flourished and made Lipa the richest municipality in the country with an annual income of P4,000,000.00 that on October 21, 1887, the Queen regent Maria Christina, acting for the young King Alfonso XIII, signed a decree elevating Lipa to a city known as "Villa de Lipa", and later authorized to use a coat of arms by the Royal Overseas Minister Don Víctor Balaguer.

Lipa is the home of lomi. According to history, this is primarily due to the influence of early Chinese settlers. Lomi is cooked using raw noodles, cassava mixed with water, beaten egg, salt and pepper, meat, liver and other ingredients that make it tasty. Eventually, there are countless of variations of Lomi these days. The lomi house is a very common place found in every barangay. However, there are a few recognized by the Lipenos, like Renfel, Kids Lomihouse, LBN, Beegees, Liam's to mention a few. Lomi King: Located at J.P. Laurel Highway in Lipa City, this restaurant, founded by To Kim Eng's eldest son, offers a variety of Lomi options for discerning palates. Notably, it is well known for its award-winning Lomi that attracted celebrities.

Suman Tamalis is not the same with the kind of Suman in Manila. The Suman Tamalis is rectangular in shape and is wrapped in a banana leaf. It;s cooked steamed and usually has a pack of cocont flakes and coco jam sauce. This kakanin is one of the favorites in Batangas.

Santa Teresita, officially the Municipality of Santa Teresita (Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Teresita), is a 5th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Santa Teresita is derived from Spanish for its patron saint, Thérèse of Lisieux, who is also known as St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.

Taal, officially the Municipality of Taal (Tagalog: Bayan ng Taal), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Taal is famous for its old ancestral houses, one particular ancestral house (now a museum) where Marcela Coronel Mariño de Agoncillo grew up in Taal, Batangas built in the 1770s by her grandparents, Don Andres Sauza Mariño and Doña Eugenia Diokno Mariño. Its poblacion (town proper) is designated as a National Historical Landmark. The municipality is known as the Balisong and Barong Tagalog Capital of the Philippines. The town is home to hundreds of heritage structures dating from the Spanish colonial period. Scholars have been pushing for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The name "Taal" may have come from the archaic Tagalog word taal, possibly meaning pure or unadulterated. The EL PASUBAT Festival, celebrated annually during the month of April, is the conglomeration of the trademarks of Taal. "EL PASUBAT" stands for Empanada, Longganisa, Panutsa, Suman, Balisong, Barong Tagalog, Tapa, Tamales, Tawilis, Tulingan — the delicacies and crafts that Taal is known for.

The Minor Basilica and Parish of Saint Martin of Tours (Filipino: Basilika Minor at Parokya ni San Martin ng Tours; Spanish: Basílica Menor y Parroquia de San Martín de Tours), also known as the Taal Basilica, is a minor basilica in the town of Taal, Batangas, within the Archdiocese of Lipa. It is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, standing 88.6 meters (291 ft) long and 48 meters (157 ft) wide. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of Taal, whose feast is celebrated every November 11.

Lemery, officially the Municipality of Lemery (Tagalog: Bayan ng Lemery), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Lemery is a growing urban center in western Batangas. The municipality was named after Captain Roberto Lemery, a commanding officer of the local garrison. He took command of the local military outpost until his death in 1856. The municipality also serves as a provincial urban center for its surrounding rural municipalities including Taal, San Nicolas, Agoncillo and San Luis.

Bauan, officially the Municipality of Bauan (Tagalog: Bayan ng Bauan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Bauan derived its name from the following Tagalog words: bauang that means "a close or concealed and rugged mountains;" or bawang that translates to garlic that farmers were planting near Taal Lake when they were asked by a Spanish official about the name of the place, not what they were planting as they thought to be. Since then, the place's name was registered as Bauang, which was later renamed to Bauan.

Batangas City, officially the City of Batangas (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Batangas), is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Batangas, Philippines. Batangas City is classified as one of the fastest urbanizing cities of the Philippines, and is known as the "Industrial Port City of Calabarzon". It is home to the Batangas International Port, one of the busiest passenger and container terminals in the Philippines. It also hosts one of the largest oil refineries in the country, three natural gas power plants, and several other major industries. In addition, the city also serves as the educational, industrial and the transportation center of the province. The first Spanish missionaries arrived in Batangas City in 1572 due to group migration. Finally, in 1581, Spanish authorities governing the Philippines created a pueblo in the area which included the hill (now Hilltop) where the present Provincial Capitol of Batangas stands after the formal end of the Coumintang Kingdom. The town was named "Batangan" because huge logs, locally called "batang", abounded in the place.

The Minor Basilica and Parish of the Immaculate Conception (Filipino: Basilika Menor ng Kalinislinisang Paglilihi; Spanish: Basílica Menor de la Inmaculada Concepción), alternatively known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Niño de Batangan (Filipino: Pangdambanang Arsidiyosesis ni Santo Niño ng Batangan), is a minor basilica in Batangas City, Philippines. It was made an independent parish in 1614 under the advocation of the Immaculate Conception. It is one of the oldest churches in Batangas.

South-East Route: San Jose-Padre Garcia-Rosario-San Juan-Ibaan

San Jose, officially the Municipality of San Jose (Tagalog: Bayan ng San Jose), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. The municipality is bounded in the north and north-east by Lipa, east by Ibaan, south by Batangas City and San Pascual, and west by Cuenca and Alitagtag. Established on April 26, 1765, as the town of San José de Malaquing Tubig, it once formed part of Bauan, and in the new town's establishment, it originally included the land that now makes up the Municipality of Cuenca. San Jose is well known for growing good varieties of coffee, lanzones, and black pepper. It is where a great number of poultry and piggery animals are grown and sold, especially to Metro Manila, where it supplies a significant percentage of poultry products. Most of the San Jose workforce is either directly or indirectly involved in farming. There are also numerous feedmill corporations within its jurisdiction which include WhiteGold, Everlast, Busilac, Wincom, New Golden Mix.

Padre Garcia, officially the Municipality of Padre Garcia (Tagalog: Bayan ng Padre Garcia), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Padre Garcia's old name is Lumang Bayan, as it is the former seat of government of the neighboring town of Rosario. The name of the town is derived from one of its most famous sons, Padre Vicente Garcia, a native of Barangay Maugat. He was one of the first defenders of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. He and Rizal were friends during the time when they were fighting for the Philippines' independence from Spain. It is bounded on the north and northwest by Lipa City; east by San Antonio, Quezon; and south and southwest by Rosario. In 1952, the town council founded the cattle market or bakahan. This was in direct competition to the established livestock market of neighbouring Rosario, which resulted in rivalry, intimidation, and violence at times. But the market succeeded and developed into the biggest auction market in Southern Tagalog. Cattle trade happens during every Friday of the week.

Rosario, officially the Municipality of Rosario (Tagalog: Bayan ng Rosario), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Rosario is considered among the interior municipalities of the Batangas Bay region, comprising eleven municipalities and two cities whose catchment areas drain into Batangas Bay. The town is also dubbed as "The Rice Granary of Batangas". Santo Rosario was razed to the ground during the Philippine–American War. In the early American military occupation of Santo Rosario, a cavalry officer, Captain Daniel H. Boughton, came upon the big spring at the foot of Tombol Hill. He decided to relocate the town west of the spring, where Rosario's population center is now.

San Juan, officially the Municipality of San Juan (Tagalog: Bayan ng San Juan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 114,068 people.
The town is known for its baroque church, ancestral houses, the Pinagbayanan excavation, the most important archaeological site in the municipality, and the famous Laiya Beach.

San Juan used to be called **Bolbok** during the Spanish colonial period up to the 1920s. In the years 1698 until 1836, it was just a barrio of the large town of Rosario located in the eastern part of Batangas. It was only in 1848 when the Spanish government officially recognized the independence of San Juan from its mother town of Rosario and was given the name San Juan de Bocboc. In the early years of 1920, Bolbok was then renamed as **San Juan**, in honor of **San Juan Nepomuceno**, the town's patron saint.

Laiya Beach is a beach destination in San Juan, Batangas, Philippines. It is one of the most visited beaches in the country. The beach's sand is composed of weathering-formed crushed shells. Banana boat and jet ski services are offered to people staying in resorts. Fishing boats are also frequently seen near the shores; most of the catch of the fishermen are sold directly to resorts. Vendors roam the beaches, selling souvenir items such as bracelets and butterfly knives (Batangas Tagalog: balisong).

Pacombo - coconut sweetmeat served and packed in dried banana bark. The tender meat of young coconut is scraped into strands then boiled in buco juice (coco water) and sugar till thick and the meat looks translucent and almost dry bukayo (young coconut sweetmeat).

Ibaan, officially the Municipality of Ibaan (Tagalog: Bayan ng Ibaan), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Ibaan is located 96 kilometers (60 mi) south of Manila. It is bounded on the northwest by San Jose, the northeast by Lipa City, the east by Rosario, the southeast by Taysan, and the southwest by Batangas City. Ibaan is derived from a Tagalog word which means "the town where Iba flourishes." According to historians, the present-day municipality was greatly forested with Iba trees (Averrhoa bilimbi). Ibaan is known as the home of the "kulambo" (mosquito net), as its production and trading has become one of the most profitable businesses in the locality. Ibaan is also known for its tamales that are wrapped in banana leaves. The town celebrates its foundation day every February 11, with a simple festival called "Les Kuhliembo Festival", featuring their products: tamales, kulambo, habi, liempo, and tubo (sugar cane).

Below are some of the towns and cities I visited on recent years:

Balayan, officially the Municipality of Balayan (Tagalog: Bayan ng Balayan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. The town is rich among the natural resources of sugarcanes, coconuts and corn. Significant events includes the Parada ng Lechon (every June 24) and the Feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated annually every December 8. Widely known products originating from the area include the Bagoong Balayan. Balayan is derived from the Old Tagalog word balayan, meaning "to walk past the paddy, from a basket to another" and "carry or accomplish anything with the tip of any batten". Other possible source is from the old Tagalog word balayang which means "wood".

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de la Inmaculada Concepción), also known as Balayan Church, is a parish church in the town of Balayan, Batangas in the Philippines, within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa. The church is listed as a National Cultural Treasure as its construction was supervised by Filipino Seculars during the Spanish Colonial Period.

The world-famous ***"Parada ng Lechon"*** originated in the old thanksgiving custom of the working class in what used to be the poor and depressed area of the Kanluran district (western Poblacion) of Balayan, Batangas.
During the Spanish and American regimes, families who were fortunate enough to receive some significant blessings during the past year would parade a lechon in the town plaza every June 24 – the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist. To the poor people of Balayan, the parading of lechon in the plaza, where the Roman Catholic Church is at the center, is the best show of thanksgiving and veneration to their patron saint.
Even during those early times, the sight of people parading lechons – coupled with the centuries-old practice of water dousing in places where St John the Baptist is the patron saint -was quite a spectacle to behold.
As the years passed, as more and more poor people from the Kanluran district received blessings or became successful, more and more lechons were paraded every June 24.

Bagoong Balayan (Anchovy) production, a small-scale industry in Batangas, is one commodity Batangueños can be proud off. And the town of Balayan is where the best tasting anchovies are produced. There are close to a dozen of backyard producers of anchovies, making it a profitable business in Balayan. Every manufacturer has its own special secret mixture in creating the anchovy sauce. Most of these surreptitious formulas are century old, which was passed through generations. It is a saline product achieved by partial fermentation. Brownish in color and cheese like in taste with a fishy scent. Fish and salt are blended together and stored in containers called tapayan (large earthen jar). Intermittent mixing is essential to sustain an even absorption of salt in the mash. It is stored for several months for at least 4 to 6 months of fermentation. There are two varieties of anchovy in Balayan. The special bagoong are made from dilis (a fish, Stolephorus commersonii) while the ordinary bagoong are made from galunggong (a fish Decapterus macrosoma).

Sto.Tomas, officially the City of Sto.Tomas (Filipino: Lungsod ng Sto.Tomas), is a 1st class component city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. The city is part of Mega Manila resulting from the continuous expansion of Metro Manila. It borders the cities of Calamba to the north, Los Baños to the north-east, Alaminos to the east, Tanauan and Malvar to the west, and Lipa to the south.
Santo Tomas is the hometown of Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War hero Miguel Malvar, the last Filipino General to surrender to the Americans. Santo Tomas got its name from Spanish for Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Catholic saint whose patronal feast day is celebrated every March 7.

The city is well known for an entire strip of *bulalo* (bone marrow soup) restaurants located at Maharlika Highway. This one is just located at poblacion.

I haven't visited the town center of Lian, Batangas but I put here below the beach I visited (also on my cover photo):

Matabungkay Beach – a white sand beach of Lian, Batangas accessible to Manila 120 kilometres (75 mi) that was originally 'discovered' to be a great weekend or daytrip destination in the early 1950s, allegedly by sun starved German residents of Manila. It was soon a popular target for holiday-lovers, and permanent cottages (even deluxe beach houses) were built along the beach in the early 1960s by rich Manila folk. The quaint barangay of Matabungkay is known for its wide beach, clear waters, creamy sand and the Balsa (bamboo beach raft).

For detailed posts about visita iglesia in Batangas, click on below link: