MATABUNGKAY BEACH
MOUNT MACULOT
MOUNT MACULOT
SOMBRERO ISLAND
TAAL BASILICA
TAAL VOLCANO
TAAL VOLCANO CRATER
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THE PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
General Information
Founded in 1581, Batangas used to be a bigger province composed of the present Batangas, Mindoro, Marinduque, and the southeastern portion of Laguna. It used to be called Balayan, with this town as the capital. In the beginning of the 17th century, Marinduque and the 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.
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 land area of 316,580 hectares. The terrain is generally rolling. 50% of the total land area has grade of less than 15 degrees. The rest are mountainous and hilly.
BATANGAS MUNICIPALITIES
Agoncillo Ibaan Sta. Teresita Nasugbu - Alitagtag Laurel Sto. Tomas Padre Garcia -
Balayan Lemery Taal Rosario - Balete` Lian Talisay San Jose - Bauan Lobo Tanauan San Juan - Calaca Mabini Taysan San Luis - Calatagan Malvar Tingloy San Nicolas -
Cuenca Matas na Kahoy Tuy San Pascual
Anilao is the spot for divers and snorkel. There are several diving centers here where you can arrange trips to diving spots in Balayan Bay near Cape Bagalangit and near Sombrero and Maricaban Islands. Snorkeling is good off Maricaban's Cemetary Beach, Red Palm Beach, and around Sepok Point. Although the beach at Anilao is not really good for swimming, you can rent thatched bamboo rafts with tables and benches at the Anilao Beach Resort and other resorts there.
The beaches in Nasugbu are also worth visiting. There is White Sands and the other beaches at Natipuan, which can be reached by outrigger boat. If you're looking for a place to stay, you can go to White Sands Beach Resort, Maya-Maya Reef Club (there's a dive shop here), and Fortune Island. Day trips to Fortune Island can be arranged at negotiable rates. If you want to go camping, you can stay overnight at Munting Buhangin.
Batangas is the characterized by elevations such as Mt. Makulot where the trainee pilots of the Philippine Air Force Flying School in Lipa City practice their maneuvers. The blue waters of Anilao Beach can prove alluring to swimmers. The well-preserved town of Taal boasts of its old churches, handicrafts, and historical landmarks. Batangas is the home of one of the country's national heroes, Apolinario Mabini who is known as the "Sublime Paralytic".
INTERESTING PLACES
The General Malvar Museum and Library in Sto. Tomas serves as a memorial to the last Filipino general to surrender to the American forces. The Mabini Shrine in Tanauan houses the remains and personal belongings of the revolutionary hero, Apolinario Mabini, the "Brains of the Katipunan." Tanauan is also the site of the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Library, which contains the personal property of the late President.
The Taal Heritage Village rivals Vigan for the best-preserved relics of the Spanish colonial era. Attractions in the village include Leon Apacible Historical Landmark, Marcela Marino Agoncillo Museum and Monument, the Basilica of San Martin de Tours and the Church of Our Lady of Caysasay, which houses priceless relics of the colonial period.
Anilao is the main departure point for some of the mosrt spectacular dive sites in the Philippines. These incloude Ligpo Island, Caban Cove, Sombrero Island, Batalan, Merriel's Rock and Verde Island.
Other natural attractions of the province are the white sand shores of Gerthel Hugon, Matabungkay Beaches and Calijon Falls. Nasugbu is popular seaside resort area. The recent discovery of the remains of the Spanish Gelleon "San Diego," which yielded priceless artifacts such as Ming Dynasty jars, is regarded as one of the most important archeological finds of the 1990's.
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