Unravelling Batangas’ enigmatic sites
20. Nov, 2010 
29 Comments Posted by Renz Marion Katigbak
by: Renz Marion D. Katigbak – WOWBatangas Tours
Last Thursday, November 17, 2010, the Batangas Provincial Tourism Office, headed by Mr. Pancho L. Lardizabal, conducted a familiarization tour of some of the province’s potential and newly discovered attractions. Tourism office representatives from Lipa City, Lobo, Taal and even from Laguna, Cavite and Rizal participated in this event. Media partners from WOWBatangas and Business Mirror were also there to cover the event. Also, with the group was the stunningly beautiful Mutya ng Batangan 2009, Ms. Disayrey Sayat.
Selected faculty members from well-known educational institutions in Batangas: De La Salle-Lipa, Lipa City Colleges, University of Batangas, Lyceum of the Philippines University- Batangas, and Batangas State University likewise gave their support in the activity. According to Mr. Lardizabal, he invited members from the academe so they could consider offering these new attractions to students as part of their educational tours. Also for them to personally see the beauty of the undiscovered part of the province.
The itinerary featured different points of interest in the towns of Taal, Balayan, Nasugbu, Lian, and Calatagan.
TAAL
Taal, the Heritage town of the province, mainly features churches and ancestral houses that are reminiscent of the Spanish Colonial Era. Upon arrival to Taal, Mr. Dindo Montenegro, a Taal Native, a Heritage Advocate and one of SLAM (Southern Luzon Association of Museums) board of directors, welcomed the group to the Minor Basilica of St. Martin de Tours. This grandiose church is said to be the biggest in the Orient constructed in the late 18th century by the Augustinians and designed by the famous Architect Luciano Olivér. It took a century to achieve its perfect grandeur. As Mr. Montenegro said the construction was a “Saga of Love and Sacrifice”.
So as to save time, after a brief discussion on the history of the church, Mr. Montenegro continued his “guidespeak” while on a rolling tour passing by the magnificent ancestral homes of the town. He also joined the tour together with his protégés.
BALAYAN
Balayan, also a historical town, is known to be the first capital of the Batangas Province dating back from the pre-colonial era. After passing the towns of Lemery and Calaca, the tour group stopped at the Lopez Ancestral House, former home of Don Sixto Castelo-Lopez – Dr. Jose Rizal’s friend and loyal supporter. During the Philippine’s uprising against Spain, it was Don Sixto who privately gave personal and financial aid to Rizal and his works, and who later introduced and circulated Rizal’s books in the Philippines. When Rizal was arrested, he was also hunted down for incarceration on the ground that he was “Rizal’s most active agent”.
Moreover, he was a very patriotic man and considered as an unsung hero because he never pledged allegiance to the USA after the freedom from Spain. Certainly, this was the reason why he was deliberately omitted from most history textbooks written in the early years of US occupation.
The Tourism Officer of Balayan, Mr. Ellao, welcomed the group. He talked about Balayan’s rich history. Afterwards, the participants were lucky to have the presence of Ms. Vicky Lopez –Tuason who happens to be the grand niece of Don Sixto Lopez. She informed the group of the refurbishment plans of their ancestral home and a bit of its historical value. Ms. Vicky is now spearheading the restoration of the ancestral house for its public viewing tentatively scheduled on January 2011. Recently, the Lopezes donated their heritage house to the National Historical Commission.
Another interesting info the group learned is that Leo Martinez, the famous comedian, is a Balayan Native and has their ancestral house adjacent to the Lopez’s home.
NASUGBU
Nasugbu is blessed with beautiful mountain ranges and alluring beaches. After embarking on a historical journey, it was time to explore the leisure spots in Nasugbu. The first stop was the tantalizing Canyon Cove Residential Resort. Currently, the resort opened the site for walk-in visitors who could avail their day tour rates. The resort’s white sand beach front area and its beautiful scenery were really astounding. The pool’s design caught also the group’s attention. Truly, the resort lets you enjoy the perfect blend of recreation and relaxation. Moving on, the participants had a facility tour of 3 of the 208 luxurious rooms of the resort.
After the exhilarating tour of Canyon Cove, the participants went to the Nasugbu Beach Park, a government owned resort. What’s interesting here is the Landing Marker of the Nasugbu Liberation, resembling that of the landing marker of Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte. On January 31, 1945, the four-kilometer strip on Nasugbu Beach became the site of a historic landing that helped turn the tide of war in favor of American forces in the Philippines against the Japanese forces. Lt. Gen. Robert Eichelberger, Commanding General of the US Eight Army, personally led the landing of 8,000 men of the 11th Airborne Division commanded by Major Gen. Joseph Swing. In 2007, the National Historical Commission declared the site as one of the historical landmarks of the Philippines.
LIAN
Starving from the exhausting yet wonderful tour, the group set foot to Talamahi for lunch. This relaxation and leisure spot is situated along the idyllic beach of San Diego, Lian, Batangas. The resort got its name after the world-famous “Mahi-Mahi” or Dorado Fish abundant in the waters of San Diego. The design of the site also captured the excursionists. Talamahi has a theme that combines the cozy tropical elegance of Filipino-Hispanic colonial touches. Its scenic gardens and pool area facing the beach became perfect backdrops for picture taking.
CALATAGAN
Calatagan is well-known for its pristine beaches and rural appeal. Currently, efforts are in progress to develop the town’s potential as a tourist destination likewise maintaining the fine balance between development and environmental conservation and preservation. While many visit Calatagan for its white sand beaches, not many people know about its rich history. Before the Spaniards’ conquest, Calatagan was an active trading port, as proven by the wealth of artifacts and relics excavated from numerous grave sites during the famous Calatagan Excavations in the 1950s.
During the Spanish period, the town was known as Hacienda de Calatagan and was owned by the Roxas de Ayala family. In 1912, it became an independent municipality. In 1931, the hacienda was sold to the renowned Familia Zobel. The hacienda then became known as Central Azucarera de Calatagan. To this day, sugarcane remains one of the major crops of Calatagan. In 1957, the Land Tenure Administration bought the hacienda land from the Zobel Clan and apportioned the land among the inhabitants. Presently, the Zobel de Ayalas are still the landed gentry of Calatagan –owning vast tracts of estates in the town.
After a hearty meal at Talamahi, the group got ready for another voyage, this time to Calatagan. The first stop was at Ang Pulo. Going to that place was really an adventure. On the way to Barangay Quilitisan (the jump off point to Ang Pulo), the tour bus passed a very narrow and undeveloped road. Upon arrival to Quilitisan, the group was warmly welcomed by the volunteer guides. They led the group on their way to the “balsas” that took them to the main site. While riding the balsas, the volunteers serenaded and entertained the participants. Finally, the group entered and got astounded with Ang Pulo. It is a lush protected eco-park, home to different species of mangroves including the Avicennia, Rhizophora, Bruguiera and Ceriops which significantly play a very crucial role in maintaining the balance of biodiversity in the area. The forest park was recently established last January 2010 through the efforts of Conservation International, Sangguniang Barangay and the Local Government of Calatagan.
After the adventurous trail to Ang Pulo, the group was supposed to go to Faro de Cabo de Santiago, a turn of the Century Spanish lighthouse that is still operational today and a declared national historical landmark. However, due to time constraints it was postponed. Another fantastic site visited was STILTS Beach Resort (formerly Rosegold Beach Resort & Hotel). The resort’s unique features included the eight cottages suspended on stilts over water. This theme was an inspiration from the pre-colonial times – when natives used to construct their houses on stilts above the waters of Balayan Bay. Overlooking the South China Sea, each cottage has a private veranda where one can enjoy the gentle breezes and picture perfect views of the sea.
The exploration tour’s last stop was at the EZobel Foundation Inc. Office. Don Enrique Jacobo Emilio Olgado Zobel, a philanthropist, founded this institution in 1990. Through several partnerships with different government and private organizations, the EZobel Foundation provides livelihood and education programs to help the impoverished people of Calatagan uplift their lives. As part of their livelihood projects, the EZobel staff showed the group several candle products intricately designed and handcrafted by the women of Calatagan. On display were Christmas candles perfect for this holiday season. Before going home, the delegates brought with them simple mementos, the mini replica candles of the Santiago Lighthouse, courtesy of Calatagan Mayor Sophia Palacio.
The tour was a blast. It was really more than WOW to see such amazing places in this one great province. Why go to Manila and other places? When it’s all here, it’s so near here in Batangas!
Technorati Tags: taal, calatagan, balayan, nasugbu, EZobel Foundation, Lopez Ancestral House, lian, stilts beach resort, ang pulo, st.martin de tours basilica, Santiago Light house, Canyon Cove Resort, Talamahi Resort, Nasugbu Landing Marker
great post! =)
thanks ms. gerlie!
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nice places do you have like a tour shedule iam interested will be home dec 6.
WOW na WOW talaga sa Batangas!
talagang sobrang WOW na WOW beyond any doubt!
Those houses on the water…where is it? I have friends from Canada who will visit our province. That place is perfect for them. Please…advise about the place. Thanks!!!
Stilts Beach Resort in Calatagan Batangas
Hi we are license tourist company here in metro manila…we are willing to market your place, for our educational tour…
Thank you so much, Batangas is really a good place for educational tours.
Please coordinate with us so we could help you with the good places to visit.
Renz Marion Katigbak
Marketing Associate for WOWBatangas Tours
tours@wowbatangas.com
Great shots Renz! Good Work!
Thanks Sir Alexis! Uwi na po kayo ng Pinas and join us as we explore Batangas!
….proud to be batanguena…….:)
konti pa lang places ang nakapost here, try to come and explore, you will enjoy and amaze sa lahat na inyong makikita….specially the beaches, the private pools. Thanks sa nag post those pictures…..We Bantanguena are proud to be BATANGUENA
may bayad po ba ang entrance sa ibang lugar na featured dito?
@Dzein: of course for the resorts may day tour rates sila ino-offer para sa walk-in visitors. The Taal Church is really open for public viewing and 3 ancestral houses in Taal: Marcela Agoncillo, Apacible and Dela-Rosa House.
The Lopez Ancestral House in Balayan is still under restoration and hopefully mag-open siya sa public by january according to ms.vicky lopez.
@tours-salamat po..we’re planning to include those places po kasi sa thesis namin for virtual tour.
Ang Pulo, i think there is a complimentary donation for the maintenance of the place.
gusto ko talagang mapuntahan ang calatagan, nkapunta n ksi ako sa taal,nasugbu,balayan at Lian,.
ang sarap balik balikan mga lugar na to…WOW NA WOW TALAGA ANG BATANGAS…Thanks sa nagpost..try to visit our place here in anilao, mabini,batangas….
Lobo native ako, pero living here in Seattle for almost 22 years na. sa nakita ko very panoramic talaga ang dati’y Batangas Province. Baka nga nasa atin din ang bahagi ng National Treasures, maraming wonders of the World. Wow talaga, Pag uwi ko next time, pasyal kami diyan. Salamat sa posting, very interesting and educational. Marami akong natutunan.
thanks ms. carol for your very nice comment. We might also feature LOBO soon…just stay tuned!
Lehitimong taga Batangas ako and currently living here in San diego CA at thanks sa pag-promote n’yo ng ating lalawigan.Pagbutihin pa ninyo ang promotion sa probinsiya natin at I will go around in our province when i got home for vacation..MABUHAY KAYO..at ang mga BATANGUENO…
Archie..
Golden Bell Express
(door to door cargo to the Philippines)
858-635-2148
Maraming Salamat po sa inyong npakagandang comment! Inaasahan po namin ang pagbabalik bayan nyo!
i want to be part of a tour na ganyan sa batangas. how can i do that? lalo na sa taal! and ung mga places na may masasarap na food.
We’ll inform you Maam as soon as we have arranged a tour for Taal. thank you for visiting our website.
Hi, we want to explore batangas! How mush is the tour package? Can you send us your itinerary?
Hi Ms. Cheska
We could offer you an exclusive barkada batangas tour if your group will be composed of at least 20-30 people. The package will cost P950.00 and additional 150.00 (if with lunch). But would it be ok if we open a tour and you’ll be joining other groups as well?