A province that is famous for excellent dive sites and the world’s lowest volcano, Batangas is going nowhere but up. It is a thriving tourist

destination replete with open beaches and sheltered coves, subterranean caves and deep harbors, a preserved heritage and brave

men in history.

Found in the province is world-known Anilao and its many dive sites that are ideal for poking around and observing marine life, and outstanding for

macro photography. Multi-hued crinoids are prolific. The variety of nudibranchs is unmatched. Night dives are especially nice and often reveal unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes,

blue-ringed octopuses, mandarin fishes, and snake eels. The area’s best known dive site, coral-covered Cathedral is spectacular at night. One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall.

Taal Lake and Volcano in Batangas is Southern Luzon’s centerpiece attraction. Known to be the smallest in the world, it is a volcano within an islet within a lake within a crater within a volcano. The town of Taal reigns

as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era;

the other is Vigan in Ilocos Sur. The village in Taal conforms to the old town layout combining the municipal hall, school, church, and houses.

Among the multitude of popular tourism activities to be had in the province are heritage tours, pilgrimage tours, scuba diving, shopping, mountain

climbing and trekking, swimming, and snorkeling. Batangas is located only 110 kilometers south of Metropolitan Manila, and is very accessible from the

national capital by land.

Founded in 1581, Batangas used to be a bigger province, which was composed of the present Batangas, Mindoro,

Marinduque, and the present southeastern portion of Laguna. It used to be called Balayan, with the town of

Balayan as the capital.

In the beginning of the 17th century, Marinduque and Mindoro were made into separate provinces. In 1732, the

capital was transferred to Taal. Finally, in 1754, the capital

was transferred to Batangas and the province was thereafter named after the new capital town.

Batangueños are known for being adventurous, business-minded, industrious, friendly, and hospitable. They also happen to have a long-standing reputation for bravery, owing to the Balisong, a Philippine handmade fan-knife native to the province. To add to the perception, Lipa in Batangas, known as Coffee Granary of the Philippines,

produces the popular Kapeng Barako, strong coffee considered fit only for strong men.

The province of Batangas is bounded on the north by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, on the south by the Verde Island passage, on the east by the provinces of Quezon and Laguna, and on the west by the South China Sea. It has a

total land area of 316,580 hectares, 50% of which has a grade of less than 15 degrees. The terrain is generally

rolling while the rest are mountainous and hilly.

Batangas has a naturally cool climate. It experiences two types of seasons: dry from November to April and wet for

the rest of the year. Mean annual rainfall is at its maximum in July, at 1.5 to 2.5 meters. March is the driest month. Mean monthly temperature is 82 degrees Fahrenheit. February is the coldest month, averaging 69 degrees Fahrenheit, while

May is the hottest, at 96.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

Batangueños are bilingual, with Tagalog and English as the basic languages used in business, government, schools, and everyday

communication.

The population of the province totals 2,377,395 as of May 2010.

Southern Luzon’s centrepiece attraction is Taal Lake and Taal Volcano in Batangas. The gateway for most visitors is through

Tagaytay City, from the ridge where a panoramic view of Volcano Island can be seen. The volcano is known to be the smallest in the world. Surrounded by a lake, it is situated on an 8.8-kilometer islet,

lapped by the 27-kilometer-long lake. Both the lake and the volcano are situated on the crater of an extinct volcano. Volcano

Island is also ideal for trekking.

Foundation Day of Batangas ProvinceA program and the selection of “Mutya ng Batangas City” are the

main activities during the celebration.

History and Culture Consciousness WeekA celebration depicting the history and culture of the Batangueños, it includes a photo exhibit, on-the-spot painting competition, and

“Paligsahan sa Kasaysayan.”

Stations of the Cross/PenetensiyahanIt provides a glimpse of the 14 stations at the foot of the mountain

at Poblacion Rosario, Batangas. Christian devotees hold pilgrimages to this place during the Lenten Season.

HaranaIt is a typical practice of courting a woman in the rural area. The

man relays his message to his beloved through songs.

National Arts MonthIt is an annual activity aimed at showcasing the talents of

Batangueños in singing, dancing, painting, and photography.

Birth Anniversary of Late President Jose P. LaurelIt is a yearly celebration commemorating the birth of the late

President Jose P. Laurel.

Pabasa ng PasyonIt is a traditional celebration of reading the “pasyon” that depicts

the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Carera de PasoIt is held during Lent, on Holy Wednesday, in the poblacion at

Calaca, Batangas. It is different from the province’s other racing competitions because only local horses from the different

barangays of Calaca may join the competition.

Foundation Anniversary of LoboActivities include street dancing, float parade and contest, the

selection of Mutya ng Lobo, and cultural shows.

Birth Anniversary of Gen. Miguel MalvarIt is a commemorative event to honor the birth anniversary of the

last general to surrender to the Americans.

Buwan ng WikaIt is a month-long activity to campaign for the use of the Filipino language, as promoted in streamers and during a short program.

Tapusan Festival (May; Alitatag, Batangas).It is an impressive festival during which the Holy Cross is honored

on the last of May. Flowers are offered during the afternoon ceremonies, before an old cross in the town church. The

observance peaks on the 31st of May with a colorful procession, during which the cross is mounted on a gaily decorated float,

together with other floats bedecked with flowers carrying other Marian images. All the floats are radiantly lighted and drawn along

the principal streets of the town.

Paskuhan sa MaraykitThe traditional yuletide celebration at Maraykit, San Juan, Batangas, includes the “juego de anillo,” lantern making competition, and search for the best decorated house.

Salubong/Holy Cross FestivalIt is a festive celebration involving the meeting of the Holy Cross of

Bauan and the Holy Cross of Alitagtag at Binukalan Shrine come 8:00 A.M. The celebration is highlighted by a program and the

singing of praises to the Holy Cross, accompanied by street dancing. Finally, come 2:00 P.M., the Holy Cross of Bauan is

brought back to the Parish Church of Bauan, where the jubilation culminates.

Subli-an sa Batangas(July 23; Batangas City, Batangas). It is held in line with the city’s

Foundation Day. The festival, a brainchild of the Batangas City Cultural Affairs Board, aims to revive the centuries-old tradition of

dancing the Subli, a dance indigenous to Batangas. The festival has evolved to include street dancing.

Parada ng Lechon (June 24; Balayan town, Batangas)The celebration coincides with the feast of St. John the Baptist.

Lechons, or roast suckling pigs, coming from each barangay of the town are paraded, dressed in accordance with the theme of the

fiesta. The parade is capped with a grand viewing of the lechons at

the plaza. After the parade, the townspeople and guests partake of the fare as well as engage in water dousing.

Anihan FestivalThe festival showcases the various products of the different

barangays in the town of Lobo. The barangay representatives go street dancing, dressed in beautiful costumes made out of the products harvested. A search for the best costume is mounted,

with fabulous prizes at stake for the winner.

Fluvial Procession at Pansipit River (December 8-9) The Taaleños begin the celebration of their two-day town fiesta by converging at the bank of Pansipit River, where several bancas are

anchored. The image of Our Lady of Caysasay is carried by the devotees in a fluvial procession on the river, through the streets of Taal, and finally, to the Basilica of Taal. On the following day, the

images of Our Lady of Caysasay and St. Martin de Porres, the patron of the basilica, join the evening-long procession. During the procession,

girls dressed in white stop at street corners and hail the Virgin Mary by reciting “luwa,” or praises, until the procession rends at the basilica, where it is welcomed by spectacular fireworks and different bands.

Coffee FestivalThe festival was conceived to showcase the long reign of Lipa as the coffee granary of the Philippines. It includes a trade fair and

tiangge, the Karera ng Tiburin, a search for the Barako ng Bayan, and parlor games.

Taal reigns as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the

Spanish colonial era; the other is Vigan in Ilocos sur. The village conforms to the old town layout combining municipal hall-school-

church-houses. It consists of a number of tourist attractions, namely, the Leon Apacible Historical Landmark, Marcela Mariño

Agoncilio Museum and Monument, Basilica of San Martin de Tours, Escuela Pia, and Church of Our Lady of Caysasay.

Batangueños have a long-standing reputation for bravery, owing to the Balisong, a Philippine handmade fan-knife native to the

province. Balisongs are an excellent buy from the myriad of shops that litter the province, showcasing the artistry of Batangueños.

It is not only ideal for poking around and observing marine life but also outstanding for macro photography. Multi-hued crinoids are prolific. The variety of nudibranchs is unmatched. Night dives are especially nice and often reveal unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes, blue-ringed octopuses,

mandarin fishes, and snake eels.

The area’s best known dive site, Cathedral, is two large mounds with a cross in between at 50’. It is a well-established fish feeding

station. Covered with corals, the site is spectacular at night. Sombrero has a shallow wall of about 60’ with some good coral

growth; offshore but nearby are Beatrice Rock and Bajura. Schools

of triggerfishes and sometimes jacks and surgeons swim by, and they appear to have the market on anthias.

One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall. Devil’s Point Twin Rocks, Coral Gardens, and

Mainit are shallow dives with a wide array of invertebrates, especially nudibranchs. Bonete, Arthur’s, and Koala offer good dives for novices, with most to see above 50’. There is a good

selection of hard and soft corals, anemones, and clown fishes, and goblin fishes at Arthur’s.

General Malvar Museum and LibraryA national landmark, it serves as a repository of the

memorabilia of the last Filpino general who surrendered to the Americans. It also houses a collection of oil paintings.

Apolinario Mabini Shrine

The national shrine is a memorial to the nationalism of Philippine hero Apolinario Mabini, known as the Sublime

Paralytic, whose moral convictions and political principles illuminated the Filipinos in their search for national identity. It

houses the remains and personal belongings of the late revolutionary hero who is also considered as the Brains of the Katipunan, the 1896 Filipino revolutionary movement against

Spain. The shrine is located in Barrio Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas.

Punta de Santiago LighthouseBuilt in 1890, it is one of the earliest lighthouses that still

functions to date.

Museo ng Batangas at Aklatang PanlalawiganNot merely a repository of Batangas memorabilia, the museum

is also an active entity engaged in keeping alive the cultural wealth and traditions of Batangas and the Batangueño spirit that has animated the fields of arts and the sciences, politics,

economics and society in the country.

Batangas Memorial Foundation Museum and Library

Relics of a glorious past are displayed in the 18th century house on V. Ilustre Street. Taal. The house contains the

Batangas Memorial Foundation Museum and Library. It endured two world wars and underwent two major renovations in 1870 and 1940, before it attained its present form. Its heavy doors, black and white marble tiles, and hardwood panelling are all

reminiscent of 18th century architecture.

Jose P. Laurel Memorial LibraryThe personal property of the family of the late President Jose P.

Laurel, it was donated to the Philippine government as a historical site and public library. The library is open daily from

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

San Sebastian Library of the ArtsThe library opened its doors on February 10, 1996 on the

ground floor of SLD Bldg. on P. Torres St., near the Mt. Carmel Convent in Lipa City, starting with a modest collection of art

books donated by Mr. Danilo L. Dolor.

Marcela N. Agoncilio Historical LandmarkThe site marks the birthplace of Marcela Agoncilio, who made the first official Philippine Flag during the Philippine Revolution

against the Spanish authorities. The different flags of the revolution are also prominently displayed on-site.

Casa de Segunda KatigbakThe ancestral home of the Katigbaks, a prominent Batangas family, the Casa is a typical “Bahay na Bato.” It is Spanish colonial yet tropical in style. It was named after Segunda

Katigbak, reputed to be the first love of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine national hero. The Casa has been declared by the

National Historical Commission as a heritage house for having harbored generations of artists, poets, and persons of learning

and distinction.

Pastor HouseStill a private residence of the Pastor family, it is an example of

turn-of-the-century residential design. It was originally owned by Mr. Alejo Acosta, the Barrio Captain of Batangas in 1883.

Flights of Steps, TaalConnecting the Taal Church and Caysasay Shrine is a flight of 123 rough-hewn marble steps. A path branches off the steps that lead to the Santa Lucia wells, where water is believed to be medicinal.

Msgr. Clemente G. Yatco MuseumThe museum was built in memory of the late parish priest who

started to work for the creation of the museum. It is found within

the compound of the Basilica, located at the city proper.

Santa Lucia WellsAbout 500 meters off the Flights of Steps past a dried creek and gloomy undergrowth are the twin wells of Sta. Lucia in Taal. The

present wells used to be a brook, the site of which is said to be one of the places where the Virgin of Caysasay performed her miracles. The

people built a church near the well area but an 18th century earthquake caused the church to sink, although its façade, half

immersed, remained intact. After the quake, spring water gushed out of the twin doors.

Ilagan Ancestral HouseIt is a well-preserved residential structure constructed in the late

Spanish period. It is still used by the descendants as a private residence. Visitors are accommodated only by special arrangement

with the present-day owners.

Marcela Mariño Agoncilio Museum and Monument

This ancestral house belonged to Marcela Agoncilio, the distinguished Taaleña matron who helped sew the first Philippine flag.

Leon Apacible Historical LandmarkA national landmark, the ancestral house of Leon Apacible houses the

family collection of relics and memorabilia.

Taal HeritageTaal reigns as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the

Spanish colonial era; the other is Vigan in Ilocos sur. The village conforms to the old town layout combining municipal hall-school-

church-houses. It consists of a number of tourist attractions, namely, the Leon Apacible Historical Landmark, Marcela Mariño

Agoncilio Museum and Monument, Basilica of San Martin de Tours, Escuela Pia, and Church of Our Lady of Caysasay.

Escuela PiaThis centuries-old Spanish edifice used to be an educational

institution in Hispanic times. It is now an imposing architectural legacy left standing in the plaza compound.

Hugon BeachThe white sand of Hugon Beach is one kilometer long. Some parts of the sea floor have smooth rocks but most are sandy. There is a

sudden drop-off of about ten meters from the beach. The waters of the beach are also good for snorkelling.

Church of Our Lady of CaysasayThis church is one of the province’s distinct cultural artifacts for

some of the priceless relics of the Spanish colonial period. Among the relics are the 27-centimeter image of the Virgin which was

fished out of the waters in 1603, the Augustinian emblems engraved on the communion rails, the ornately carved holy water

receptacle, and the few baroque motifs which remain on the external frieze. The church has been renovated but many interesting details of period art can still be appreciated.

Basilica of San Martin de Tours / Taal ChurchSan Martin de Tours is the patron of Taal, in whose honor a fest is

celebrated every November 11. The church was first built by Father Diego Espina in 1575 in San Nicolas. It was destroyed when Taal volcano erupted in 1754, rebuilt at the present site in 1755,

and once more destroyed by an earthquake in 1849. Construction of the present church was started in 1856. Once noted to be the biggest in South East Asia, the church is unique in its combined

patriotic, religious, and artistic influence. Writers point to its theatrical exuberance. Its façade is baroque and consists of a

single mass of stone shaped into rich complex designs. The church, however, is a fusion of styles with arched openings, alternating

segmental canopies and arches of asymmetric shapes.

Gerthel BeachLocated in the town of Lobo, it is one of the finest beaches of the

area. The approximately one-kilometer stretch of white sand beach has a gradually sloping ocean floor of up to about two hundred

meters before the drop off.

Submarine Garden

The garden consists of living corals near the shore of one of the beaches of Lobo. It can be clearly seen during the early mornings,

when the water is clear and the tide is low.

Mahabang Buhangin BeachLocated in the town of San Juan, the area has white sand and a

living colony of corals.

Tingga FallsThe 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

easy access.

Munting Buhangin FallsThis small cove has become a favorite haunt of local and foreign

tourists, and offers water enthusiasts with a fine stretch of powdery white sand beach, fringed with foamy blue waters.

Natipuan BeachIt bears a resemblance to Munting Buhangin, with its off-white sand

and refreshing waters. It is located in another cove, which is similarly accessible.

TinalunanThis is a spot where wind-tossed waves surge and slam against the

rocky cliff supporting a long plateau. From atop the plateau, one can catch a breath-taking view of the seascape, especially when

the weather is fine.

Mt. MaculotOne of the highest and most prominent mountains in the province, Mt. Maculot is one of the favorite sites of mountain trekkers. It is said that the mountain was the last stronghold of the Japanese in the province before they were defeated. Several tunnels built by the Japanese soldiers are present in the area. The name Maculot,

meaning kinky, was derived from the curly-haired aborigines found in the place.

Matabungkay BeachIt is a two-kilometer long white sand beach situated in the town of Lian, facing the China Sea. The area is ideal for water sports, such

as swimming, boating, yachting, fishing, and skin diving. Dotting the shoreline are several summer cottages.

Mahabang BuhanginLocated on Isla Verde, Mahabang Buhangin has an extensive

stretch of shoreline with a vast ribbon of fine white sand.

Bulalacao FallsThe area has about three small 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 FallsThis tourist attraction consists of two major falls and two smaller ones. One of the bigger falls is about 10 feet high, with a great

volume of clear water gushing down to a shallow pool. The other one, also about 10 feet high, resembles a bridal gown. One of the two smaller falls is shower-like while the other forms a series of small cascades. All the falls are located in an area of about 300

square meters.

Mainit Hot SpringThe spring offers therapeutic waters and a refreshing dip for

bathers. The spot is ideally located at the foot of a huge mountain with thick vegetation.

Cueva SitioThe site is an ideal place for picnics. Its main attraction is a rock

shelter that has always provided a cool shade for visitors.

Taal Lake and VolcanoSouthern Luzon’s centerpiece attraction is Taal Lake and Volcano in Batangas. The gateway for most visitors is through Tagaytay

City, from the ridge where a panoramic view of Volcano Island can be seen. The volcano is known to be the smallest in the world. Surrounded by a lake, it is situated on an 8.8-kilometer islet, lapped by the 27-kilometer-long lake. Both the lake and the

volcano are situated on the crater of an extinct volcano. Volcano Island is also ideal for trekking.

Sepok PointLocated on the southwestern part of Maricaban Island, Sepok Point

has white sand and shores typical of a tropical cove. It is a good

place for swimming and snorkelling.

Ilijan FallsIt is a unique waterfalls with water coming from a big spring on top of a mountain and gracefully flowing from one bowl to another. It has seven

huge stone bowls carved naturally out of the mountainsides and beautifully arranged like a flight of stairs.

Basilica of Saint Martin de Tours/Taal ChurchReputed to be the largest in Asia, Taal Church stands 96 meters long and 45 meters wide on a plateau in the heart of Taal. The

Augustinian Missionaries started construction in 1756, and it took a century for the church to achieve its present form. The façade

resembles that of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Its tabernacle is made of silver, the only one of its kind in the Philippines.

Church of San Guillermo of TalisayThe construction of the church was begun by the Spanish friars in 1892

but it suffered heavy damage in 1898. Restoration has enabled the structure to be functional until today.

Church of the Immaculate Conception of BauanFirst constructed in 1700, it was built around neo-classical lines,

with its walls broken by the Gothic lancet windows. 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. Topped by a campanile,

the church is arcaded with capiz shell windows on the upper level.

Church of San JoseThis church was built by the Augustinian friars around 1788. It has

a single-aisle interior, which offers an unobstructed view of the large main altar. The altar is massive, with six rounded columns

encircling the image of St. Joseph. Outside, a multi-tiered belfry stands, which was built in the later 19th century. A bridge offers

passage to the church over the Malaquing Tubig River.

Carmelite Convent of LipaThis convent of the contemplative order of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was the site of a mysterious “shower of petals” to a visionary nun

after World War II.

Church of Our Lady of CaysasayThe Caysasay shrine in Taal is a tribute to the image of the Virgin fished out by a resident from the Pansipit River in 1603. Legend has it that the image enthroned in Taal Church used to wander

through the village, performing miracles. It has become an object of annual pilgrimage, especially among the Roman Catholic

devotees.

Tanauan Church

This church was built in 1881, along the Romanesque lines of churches in Europe, but local builders incorporated neo-classic

lines, especially along the external sides of the church. Rounded arches tapering down to the strong pillars harmonize with

uncluttered lines of the central ceilings. The church is remarkable for its wide-open central naves and circular niches.

San Jose ChurchThis church was built by the Augustinian friar, Fr. Manuel Blanco, in

1812. It 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. The pulpit and canopy are a study in intricate

carvings of local flora.

Lipa CathedralBuilt in the Romanesque tradition with a circular dome, massive walls and balconies, the cathedral is the center of worship in the

historic town of Lipa, Batangas. Lipa Cathedral was originally built to honor St. Sebastian. Its first grand concept was completed in

1865 but, after the devastation of WWII, it underwent massive reconstruction. This beautiful church has architecture in which

columns and light play. The domes of the church and the bell tower have intricate moldings and arched stained-glass windows. The

body of the church is barred-vaulted and now illuminated by modern chandeliers. The church also features a winding stairway

to the choir loft.

Calatagan Golf ClubLauded as one of the best international championship courses in

Southeast Asia, this golf club holds another unique distinction: it it located in an arboretum where over 3,000 trees, local and foreign

species are planted.

Evercrest Golf Club Resort

This golf club and resort features a deluxe hotel, lavished with world-class amenities, including stylish shops and restaurants

Punta Baluarte, CalataganA nature resort set on the rolling hills of hacienda Bigaa, Punta

Baluarte offers first-rate accommodations, world class golf course and facilities.

Mt. MaculotOne of the highest mountains in Batangas, Mt. Maculot has always

been a favorite among mountaineers and trekkers alike. The name of the place was derived from “kulot,” meaning kinky, in reference the

kinky hair of the people who lived in the mountains.

Taal VolcanoThe lowest volcano in the world is surrounded by a lake. It is

accessible by boat from at least seven towns surrounding the lake. Tour agencies as well as some Tagaytay resorts offer tour

packages to the lake. Jump-off point is Agoncillo, Batangas.

Accessible in less than two hours south of Manila, the small town of Tanauan is the skydiving capital of the Philippines. The drop zone, between

Mt. Makiling and Taal Volcano, showcases some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The Skydiving Center in Tanauan has a 1200m airstrip with several aircraft available to take you aloft for jumping. The

standard equipment is state-of-the-art square parachutes, which all have Cypress automatic activation devices fitted for maximum safety.

Air SportsThe Manny Barradas Air Strip is the official jump-off point of the Parachutist

Association of the Philippines. The airfield features a parachuting field measuring a length of 1,800 feet, width of 45 meters, field elevation of 300 feet, and heading of 05 degrees to 23 degrees. Facilities include 11 single engine airplanes, 4 crop sprayers, 2 flying schools, and 5 charter planes.

Airplane types include 6 Cessna 206, 2 Beechcraft Sundowners, and 3 Pipers.

Aquasports

Most resorts offer a wide range of watersports, such as jetskiing, hobbycat, boardsailing, windsurfing, and the like.