tHe HiStoRy
Natures Wonder
tHe pRovInCe pRide
Batangas as an Industrial and Commercial Spot
How to reach Batangas?
|
B |
atangas province bearing the same name for its capital, Batangas City was composed of 32 towns. The province is continuously developing its nature given gifts and beauty, and improving its industrial and economical share for the country.
The name Batangas was derived from the word “BATANG” which is a term of the natives for the numerous logs found in Calumpang River, the body of water that runs through the northeastern portion of the town and assumes the shape of tuning pork.
Batangas was a province of heroes, among the first of the eight (8) Philippine provinces to revolt against Spain and also one of the placed under martial law by the Spanish Governor General Ramon Blanco on August 30, 1896. Many outstanding Batangueños made names in history. Most notable of them are Apolinario Mabini known as “the sublime paralytic” and “brains of the revolution”. Marcelo Agoncillo who made the present Philippine flag, and General Miguel Malvar who was recognized as the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans. It was also a province of well known nationalist politicians, Jose P. Laurel president of the wartime Republic and Claro M. Recto senator and civil liberties advocate.
Beaches or any body of water can be found in almost all towns of Batangas, known for having lots of beautiful, clear and clean beaches and islands in the Philippines. It ranges from white to black fine sand, having a good diving spot and snorkeling, with hundreds of variety of different kinds of fishes and other living creatures under the sea. Breathtaking falls, ranging from 300 steps before reaching the view. Mountains that is good for hiking or trekking. Lakes and volcanoes that gives wonderful experienced to the visitors and tourists all over the world.
Taal volcano the smallest active volcano in the world; is now one of the major tourists destination in Batangas. Its crater created from its eruption now becomes an attractive attraction to the tourists and to the people of Taal as well. Aside from its variety of products proudly made and originated in Taal, its lake when viewed on top will provide a kind of view everyone would like to see.
The province also offers Islands and virgin falls to everyone. Mabini is well known for good diving spot and snorkeling in the province. One of them is in Anilao Mabini, Batangas. Even without using gaggles or any equipment for snorkeling everyone could see the world and creatures under the sea. The El Sombrero Island, from Mabini also derived its name from the description of the people that it looks like a hat. The clear and clean seawater is also good for diving and snorkeling. It will take only 45 minutes from the land proper of Bauan, Batangas riding a boat.
The Calijon Falls in Malvar, Batangas consisting of 300 steps before being able to see and feel the clear, fresh and clean water coming from the top of the mountain, surrounded with trees, and plants and being kept from any commercial development that might destroy the natures wonder. Reaching the ground of the mountain and seeing the beauty of its falls will make the journey worth it.
There are lots of choices in beaches. Some are still virgin and not yet being developed for any commercial purposes and still free to the public. Laiya in San Juan, Batangas can be said as late bloomers. But I can say it is one of the beautiful, clear and clean beaches Batangas province could offer. Reservations to resort are often required because of the capacity of people who wants to book to them. The sand ranges from white to black, rock or fine sand. Now there are lots of resorts being developed to improve more and reserved the nature’s beauty of its seas. Fresh fishes from the market can be assured since it was all catch from its seas. San Juan to Laiya could be easily reached with roads that are cemented and only some are rough.
Churches are also an attraction in this province Lipa City was the sight where the miraculous shower of rose petals occured year 1948. The place where fresh roses fell was now the Carmelite Church in Lipa City. Run by the Carmelite nuns.
The church of Our Lady of Caysasay, houses the priceless relics of the colonial period. Churches are mostly Spanish inspired, big and gotique style inside.
Taal Batangas offers most of the well known product of Batangas province, in this town originates the famous “Balisong” making or fan blade, knife that could be folded and be kept in the pocket, it is one of the most popular product of the province like “samurai” in Japan, here we have “Balisong” that can ranges from large to the smallest size of a keychain.
It is also the center of embroidery of “piña”, “jusi” and other Muslims clothes. The public market is just in front of the Church of Our Lady of Caysasay. People from other towns or from Manila visit this place for embroidery of there gowns especially wedding gowns, becauses of the fine embroidery here of piña. Taal heritage village rivals Vigan for the best preserved relics of the Spanish Colonial Era. From big houses to roads made of bricks.
San Juan’s pride is the “Tuba” or coconut wine, was also a proud product of Batangas. It came from coconut juices that is kept in a storage called “tapayan” or a jar made of clay. The longer you kept it the more it becomes delicious and can be transformed for a period of time to a yellow vinegar. That is the most sour vinegar I know.
Balayan, “bagoong” or “patis” or fish sauce, “panutsa” or peanuts baked in brown sugar, and the famous “parade of lechon baboy or roast pig” to honor St. John the Baptist feast on June 24, are some of the products and activities held in this town.
Batangas as an Industrial and Commercial spot
Batangas is not only for tourists spot, adventures and wonders. It provides also industrial and commercial opportunities to businesses and other establishments. Competing with the economical development of the province.
Business establishment are continuously growing and improving, the new SM (Supermarket) Batangas at Brgy Gulod Batangas City, overlooking the same year opened 2005, of the new Hotel Ponte Fino, one of the most in demand hotel now in Batangas City, including also Days Hotel, La Corona de Lipa are some. Companies like JG Summit Petrochemical Corp, Shell Pilipinas and different power plant, like the Korean company KEILCO, German company SIEMENS, and the natural gas from Palawan was also transported here through tubes made under the sea.
The new International port of Batangas was developed more to compete the other international port in the country. It can be now considered as one or the most clean and beautiful port in the Philippines. This lucrative port which serves as an essential transshipment point of commercial and industrial activities.
The new capitolio or the provincial office has now resemblance to the Malacanang of the President of the Philippines, parks and other government buildings were renovated to make it more beautiful and clean.
Universities that continuously are competing in other schools and universities in Manila, in different level of studies. One of it is the Batangas State University (formerly Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology-PBMIT) known for providing top notchers in engineering especially in Mechanical Engineering, placing the school in the top five (5) participating schools in the Philippines in board exams in engineering. It also accommodates exchange students to other Asian countries for additional knowledge on both part.
Travelling to Batangas from Makati will take only at least two (2) hours using the new Star Tollway, an expressway from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lipa City. But if tourists or visitors choose the national highway it will probably take atleast three (3) hours depending on the traffic that might be encountered on the way. The means of transportation here can be done through busses, jeeps, and tricycle. The busses that routine in the Batangas are the following: Jam transit, Dela Rosa transit, RRCG, and ALPS. Bus terminals are available in Alabang, Lrt Taft, and Cubao.