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

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.

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.

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.