| Batangas Wedding Destinations
Batangas – Coffee
Capital of the Philippines
With its distinct taste when
brewed, the kapeng barako (Batangas coffee) has amazed both
local and foreign palate. Locally grown in the fertile lands
of Batangas, the kapeng barako has become one of the most popular
things associated with the province. But aside from coffee,
the province of Batangas is home to some of the best beaches
and resorts in the country these natural wonders can be found
in the towns of Nasugbu and Anilao. Also, Batangas is the cradle
of Philippine heroes and nationalists such as Apolinario Mabini
and former president Jose P. Laurel.
Demographics
1.Population – 2,245,869
(as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 3,119.7 sq. km
3. Capital – Batangas City
4. Language/Dialect – Tagalog, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (3)
- Batangas City
- Lipa City
- Tanauan City
Municipalities (31)
- Agoncillo
- Alitagtag
- Balayan
- Balete
- Bauan
- Calaca
- Calatagan
- Cuenca
- Ibaan
- Laurel
- Lemery
- Lian
- Lobo
- Mabini
- Malvar
- Mataas Na Kahoy
- Nasugbu
- Padre Garcia
- Rosario
- San Jose
- San Juan
- San Luis
- San Nicolas
- San Pascual
- Santa Teresita
- Santo Tomas
- Taal
- Talisay
- Taysan
- Tingloy
- Tuy
Famous For ...
Taal Lake and Volcano
This volcano within an islet within a lake within a crater within
a volcano is said to be the smallest in the world.
Balisong
The balisong is a handmade fan knife or butterfly knife made
by local blacksmiths. Although its origins are vague, this local
utility weapon has received recognition by appearing in local
and international movies.
Mt. Maculot
It is one of the highest and most prominent mountains in the
province. The mountain is said to be the last stronghold of
the Japanese forces during the World War II.
Beaches, Resorts, and Dive
sites
Due to its wide shoreline, Batangas boast of several beaches,
resorts and dive sites.
Parada ng Lechon
Held every June, several lechons, or roast suckling pigs are
paraded throughout the town of Balayan. These mouthwatering
native delicacies are dressed in accordance to the theme of
the fiesta
Delectable Food
Take a bite or sip in some of Batangas’ well known dishes,
drinks and desserts
1. Kapeng Barako – a coffee bean variety that emits a
strong taste when brewed.
2. Lambanog – local coconut wine or coconut vodka
3. Bulalo – boiled beef bone marrow and shank
4. Lechon – roast pork suckling
5. Nilupak – pounded cassava with grated coconut, sugar,
condensed milk and margarine
6. Suman¬ ¬– rice cake made of glutinous rice,
coconut milk, brown sugar and salt. It is usually served with
hot tablea chocolate.
Places of Interest
Cultural
Museo ng Batangas
at Aklatang Panlalawigan
Location: Batangas City, Batangas
This museum and library rolled into one houses several artifacts
and memorabilia of the history of Batangas and its rich cultural
heritage. It was created by Executive Order no. 30-93 signed
by then Batangas Governor Vicente A. Mayo on March 3, 1993.
Casa de Segunda
Katigbak
Location: 198 Calle Real, Lipa City, Batangas
This is the ancestral house of Segunda Katigbak and her family.
Segunda is known as the first love of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The
ancestral house has been transformed into a museum.
Ilagan Ancestral
House
Location: Marcela Agoncillo St., Taal, Batangas
Still used by the descendants as their residence, this ancestral
house is only open upon special arrangement with then owners.
Historical
Apolinario Mabini
Shrine
Location: Tanauan, Batangas
Born in Barangay Talaga in Tanauan, Batangas, the “Sublime
Paralytic", and “Brains of the Revolution”
wrote the first constitution of the Philippines and in Asia.
The shrine houses some of his prized possessions and works.
General Malvar Museum
and Library
Location: Gen. Malvar St., Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Gen. Miguel Malvar is known as the last Filipino General who
surrendered to the American forces in April 13, 1902. Among
the items inside the museum are his personal items and books
he read.
Nasugbu Landing Memorial
Location: Nasugbu, Batangas
Like the Leyte Landing Monument, the bronze memorial replicates
the arrival of Gen. Douglas Macarthur and the rest of the Liberation
forces during World War II.
Marcela Agoncillo
Historical Landmark
Location: Marcela Agoncillo St., Taal, Batangas
This is the birthplace of Marcela N. Agoncillo, the maker of
the first official Filipino Flag. The other flags of the country
are displayed here as well.
Leon Apacible Historical
Landmark
Location: Marcela Agoncillo St., Taal, Batangas
Tour Days: Monday – Saturday
Tour Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free
This was originally the ancestral home of Don Leon and his wife,
Doña Matilde Apacible. Here, visitors can find antique
items used by the family including an 18th century old chandelier
and the abaniko (fan) used by Doña Matilde during the
wake of her husband.
Batangas Memorial
Foundation Museum and Library
Location: V. Ilustre Street, Taal, Batangas
This 18th century house underwent two major renovations in 1870
and 1940, before it attained its present form.
Jose P. Laurel Monument
Location: Sto. Tomas, Batangas
This 6-foot tall bronze statue was unveiled during the 85th
birth anniversary of President Laurel in 1976. The unveiling
was attended by former President Ferdinand Marcos and First
Lady Imelda Marcos.
Jose P. Laurel Memorial
Library
Location: A. Mabini Ave., Tanauan City, Batangas
Library Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free
This personal property of late President Laurel was donated
to the Philippine government to be converted to a public library.
The library has a wide collection of book, including Laurel's
works.
Hamilo Cove Wreck
Location: Nasugbu, Batangas
The wreck is a Japanese freighter that sunk during the liberation
of the Philippines by the US Forces in 1945. Batfish, stonefish
and lion fish are a common site at the wreckage.
Pastor House
Location: Tirona St., Batangas City, Batangas
William Howard Taft who served as governor general during the
American occupation almost died in this due due to an assassination
attempt by an unknown sniper. To this day, the bullet is still
embedded in one of the doors of the house.
Natural
Taal Lake and Volcano
Location: Taal, Batangas
Found in the crater of an extinct volcano, Taal Volcano is considered
the smallest volcano in the world. The volcano is situated on
an 8.8-kilometer islet and surrounded by a 27-kilometer-long
lake.
Mount Maculot
Location: Cuenca, Batangas
The mountain once served as the last stronghold of the Japanese
forces during World War II. Evidence of this battle are found
inside the tunnels built the Japanese during the war. Now, Mt.
Maculot has become a favorite destination for hikers an trekkers.
Matabungkay Beach
Location: Lian, Batangas
This two-kilometer white sand beach faces the South China Sea.
Swimming, boating, yachting, fishing and skin diving are some
of the most commonly enjoyed activities in the area.
Submarine Garden
Location: Lobo, Batangas
It is called a submarine garden because corals near the shore
can be clearly seen during early morning when the water is clear
and the tide is low.
Hugon Beach
Location: Brgy. Hugon, San Juan, Batangas
The stretch of the sea floor is covered with white sand and
smooth rocks. Snorkeling is advised when visiting the area.
Munting Buhagin Beach
Location: Nasugbu, Batangas
This small cove has become a favorite haunt with locals and
tourists,and offers water enthusiasts with a fine stretch of
powdery white sand beach fringed with foamy blue water
Natipunan Beach
Location: Nasugbu, Batangas
Natipuan Beach bears a resemblance to Munting Buhangin,with
off-shore sands and refreshing waters. It is located in another
cove which is similarly accessible.
Sombrero Island
Location: Anilao, Batangas
Resembling a hat, the shoreline extends long way underwater.
Gorgonians, black coral, shells, turtles, rays, grunts, jacks,
snappers, and a great variety of soft corals are scattered all
over the place. Currents are normally strong during the full
moon.
Bulalacao Falls
Location: Brgy. Bulaklakan, Lipa City, Batangas
IT is composed of three falls enclosed in a canyon, the highest
of which is about 10 feet high with water coming out of the
mouth of a small cave.
Calijon Falls
Location: Brgy. Calijon, Malvar, Batangas
The attraction consists of two major falls and two smaller ones.
One of the bigger falls is about ten feet high with a great
volume clear water gushing down to a shallow pool, while the
other one (also about ten feet high) braces the rock where the
water flows look like a bridal gown.
Tingga Falls
Location: Batangas City, Batangas
The falls is about 30 feet high with a pool made into a swimming
area at its base. It is semi-developed with concrete steps built
for access.
Ilijan Falls
Location: Batangas City, Batangas
Ilijan is a unique waterfalls with water coming from a big spring
at the top of a mountain gracefully flowing from one bowl to
another. It has seven huge stone bowls carved naturally out
of the mountainsides and beautifully arranged like a fl flight
of stairs.
Religious
Basilica of San Martin
de Tours (Taal Basillica)
Location: Taal, Batangas
Built in 1575 by Father Diego Espina, the church was originally
situated in San Nicholas but was moved to Taal when the former
was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1754. It was rebuilt
at is present site in 1755 but was badly damaged after an earthquake
in 1849. Construction of the present church, measuring at 96
meters long and 45 meters wide, started in 1856. The tabernacle
is made of silver and its facade is similar to the St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome.
Sta. Lucia Wells
Location: Taal, Batangas
Found near the Flight of Steps, the twin wells used to be a
brook where, according to stories, the Virgin of Caysasay performed
her miracles. The locals built a church in the area but was
destroyed by an earthquake which caused the church to sink.
The only evident portion of the structure is its facade.
Transfiguration Chapel
(Caleruega Chapel)
Location: Brgy. Kaylaway, Nasugbu, Batangas
The chapel is a replica of the Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega,
Spain. The seal of the Dominican Province of the Philippines
is depicted in stained glass in the upper portion of the chapel’s
façade. The main altar is a carved tree trunk representing
the “stem of Jesse,” mentioned in the Book of the
Prophet Isaiah.
Church of Our Lady
of Caysasay
Location: Taal, Batangas
It houses the miraculous Our Lady of Caysasay that was found
by a fisherman at sea. Documented accounts states that the Virgin
Mary herself wanted her image to stay in Caysasay, where it
was first found. Aside from the image of the Our Lady, other
artifacts in the church include a carved holy water receptacle
and Baroque motifs that are well preserved.
Church of San Jose
Location: San Jose, Batangas
Built in 1812, the church has a large one-aisle interior and
is remarkable for its restored main altar, ceiling frescoes,
and flowery capital on the columns. The church is an interpretation
of Baroque architecture in the Philippines, and combines this
with the neo-classical lines of the adjacent convent.
Church of the Immaculate
Conception
Location: Bauan, Batangas
The altar has a tri-centered arch, with a niche containing the
statue of the Virgin Mary. The façade of the church features
both geometric and circular forms. It has a bell tower, which
is hexagonal, and rests on a base decorated with coupled columns.
San Sebastian Cathedral
(Lipa Cathedral)
Location: Lipa City, Batangas
Built in 1865, it went massive reconstruction when it was damaged
during World War II. The domes of the church and the bell tower
have intricate moldings and arched stained-glass windows. The
church also features a winding stairway to the choir loft.
Carmelite Convent
of Lipa
Location: Lipa City, Batangas
The convent of the contemplative order of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
was the site of several apparitions and miraculous events brought
about by the Virgin Mary from 1948 – 1991. The most notable
miracle happened in January 24, 1991 when rose petals fell from
the sky. Few days later six children who were playing on the
convent grounds saw the image of the Virgin Mary come to life.
Man-Made
Punta de Santiago
Lighthouse (Cape Santiago)
Location:Calatagan, Batangas
This lighthouse, built in 1890, is one of the oldest and still
operational lighthouse in the province. It was named after Don
Santiago Zobel who donated the property to the government for
the construction of the lighthouse. It is made from brick and
mortar.
Flight of Steps
Location: Taal, Batangas
This 123-marble steps connects the Taal Cathedral and the Chapel
of Our Lady of Caysasay.
Festivals
Parada ng Lechon
Place: Balayan, Batangas
Date: June 24
Celebrated in honor of St. John the Baptist, several lechons,
or roast suckling pigs are paraded throughout the town dressed
in unique clothing based from the theme of the festival. Water
dousing commence after the parade.
Tapusan Festival
Place: Alitagtag, Batangas
Date: May 31
The festival venerates the Holy Cross through a special procession
where the Cross, along with Marian images are mounted on gaily
decorated floats and are paraded throughout the town.
Subli-an sa Batangas
Place: Batangas City, Batangas
Date: July 23
The festival is celebrated with the Foundation day of the city.
It highlights the Subli, an indigenous dance of the Batanguenos.
Tinapay Festival
Place: Cuenca, Batangas
Date: February 7 - 13
The Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is being honored for abundant
living and thanksgiving. With the flourishing industry of bread
making, locals showcase breads of varying shapes and sizes and
parade their work throughout town.
Anihan Festival
Place: Lobo, Batangas
Date: September 24 - 29
The fiesta serves as the town's thanksgiving for the bountiful
harvest for the year. During the event, locals dress up in colorful
costumes inspired by local produce such as sugar apple (atis),
tamarind, rice, buli fabrics, seashells, corn kernels and dried
tree bark, among others. The festival is also in honor of the
town's patron saint, Saint Michael Archangel.
Coffee Festival
Place: Lipa City, Batangas
Date: December 11 - 16
The festival was created to honor the city of Lipa as the 'Coffee
Granary of the Philippines”. The event features trade
fair, market bazaar, traditional "Karera ng Tiburin"
race, Barako ng Bayan contest and parlor games.
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