:''This article is about the province. For the city, see
Batangas City.''
:''For the bay, see
Batangas Bay.''
:''For the knife, see
Balisong (knife).''
'Batangas' is a
province of the
Philippines located on the southwestern part of
Luzon in the
CALABARZON region. Its capital is
Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of
Cavite and
Laguna to the north and
Quezon to the east. Across the
Verde Island Passages to the south is the island of
Mindoro and to the west lies the
South China Sea.
Batangas is one of the most popular tourist destinations near
Metro Manila. The province has many beaches and famous for excellent diving spots only a few hours away from
Manila. Some of the more notable ones are Anilao in the Municipality of Mabini, Matabungkay and Punta Fuego in the Municipality of
Nasugbu, the Municipality of Calatagan and Laiya in the Municipality of San Juan.
Found in the province is world-known
Anilao (Mabini) and its many dive sites that are ideal for observing marine life, and outstanding for macro photography. Located only 110 kilometers south of Metropolitan Manila, it is very accessible by land or by sea.
Batangas is also where
Taal Volcano, one of the
Decade Volcanoes is located. The volcano has a water-filled crater and sits on an island in the center of
Taal Lake, which
geologists believe is an ancient
caldera.
The town of Taal is famous for its hand embroideries, knives, and sausages; and it reigns as one of the two most culturally preserved sites of the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines.
Batangas is also generally accepted by linguists as the 'Heart of the
Tagalog Language'. Poetically, Batangas is often referred to by its ancient name
Kumintang.
Name
The first recorded name of the Province was 'Kumintang'. Later, the Spaniards went to settle the present day
Balayan, then the most progressive town of the Province. The name of the Province was changed into 'Bonbon'
The capital of the province was transferred to
Taal, since being near the lake, it is an easy commercial centre. The Spaniards chose to transfer the capital, now in its present capital the Town of Batangan. Later Batangas City, and the Province changed its name once more after the Capital. in 1889, Batangas City became the country's 8th city.
The term ''batangan'' means a raft, the people used so that they could fish in the nearby Taal Lake.
The name "Batangas" was derived from the word "batang," which is a term of the natives for the numerous
logs found in the
Calumpang River, the body of water that runs through the northeastern portion of the town and assumes the shape of a tuning fork.
People
Batangas is the 'Heart of the
Tagalog Language' as the dialect of Tagalog spoken here closely resembles the Tagalog spoken before the arrival of the Spanish. Therefore, a strong presence of the
Tagalog Culture is clearly visible until now.
Linguistically Batangueños are also known for their unique affectation of often placing the particles ''eh'' or ''ga'' (equivalent of particle ''ba''
Filipino), usually as a marker of stress on the sentence, at the end of their spoken sentences or speech; for example: "Ay, oo, eh!" ("Aye, yes, indeed!"). Some even prolong the particle 'eh' into 'ala eh', though it really has no meaning in itself.
In the recent years, waves of migration from the Visayas had brought significant number of Visayans to the province. There are also a few who can speak Spanish, since Batangas was an important centre during the colonial period.
The province of Batangas also has one of the highest literacy rates in the country at 96.5%, wherein the males have a little higher literacy rate at 97.1% than females with 95.9%.
Culture
Maria Kalaw Katigbak, a
Filipino historian, was quoted to call the Batangueños the ''Super-
Tagalogs''. This is because these group of people belonging to the
Tagalog stock is the paramount example of what one can expect from this
ethnolinguistic group. And indeed, when you ask someone to overact a Tagalog, they would imitate the Batangueños.
One particular custom in the Batangan culture is the so called ''Matanda sa Dugo'' (lit. ''older by blood'') practice wherein one gives respect not because of age but of consanguinity. During the early times, the custom of having very large families are very common. Thus, it may be expected that the someone's uncle could be of the same age, or even younger than himself. In this case, the older one would call the younger one in an honorary title (such as ''tiyo'' or simply ''kuya'' if they can no longer establish the relationship), not the other way around. This often draws confusion to those from other provinces who are not accustomed to such practices.
Batangueños are very regionalistic. When one learns that a person in the room is also from Batangas, expect them to be together until the end of the event. It is also expected that those in office would favour their fellow Batangueños as long as the rules could allow it. Thus the running joke, the ''Batangas
Mafia'' came to existence.
They also tend to live in a large extended family. It is but common that a piece of land remains undivided until the family connection becomes to far-off related. Marriages between relatives of the fifth generation is still restrained in the Batangan culture even if
Philippine laws allow it.
Most Batangueños are either farmers or fishers who sell their own products in the market. Although most of them has also finished a degree, a lot of the people not to use what they have studied and put up their own small businesses instead. This is perhaps due to the subconscious idea that he who has no land to cultivate or trade to make is a lazy person.
Since Batangas has long been declared a tourism area by late
President Ferdinand Marcos, people from other places could find a very hospitable culture in the Batangueños. They will feed you more than the usual with the food they eat. Actually, these folks would appreciate it greatly if they see that you are trying to be one of them.
Batangueños are heavy drinkers. Men, and sometimes women, could spend long hours of drinking sessions as if there would be no more work the next day. This is specially true if you are to visit the far-flung
barangays.
Aside from drinking too much liquor, Batangueños like sweet food. Perhaps this is because there has never been a shortage of sugar in the province due to the presence of the Central Azucarera Don Pedro, the current largest producer of sugar in the whole archipelago.
And if they like their liquors strong and their foods sweet, Batangueños also like their coffee strong. During the early 1900s, Batangas was the largest producer of
coffee in the whole of
Asia. In the barrios, the people would drink brewed coffee, which the locals call ''kapeng barako'', translated as the ''stud's coffee''. At present, steps are being made, especially in the city of
Lipa to regain the title of having the largest coffee production in
Asia.
Language
Main articles: Batangas Tagalog
Perhaps, there is no better way to describe a Batangueño than the language he or she speaks. Batangueños, being mainly descendants of the ancient Tagalogs, speak a dialect of the language with a very strong accent. Indeed, one can easily recognize a Batangueño the moment he opens his mouth.
Though generally intelligible to speakers of other dialects, such as the Manila and Tayabas dialects, the vocabulary of the Batangan Dialect is more closely related to the ancient Tagalog. Rarely do Batangueños use Taglish, as the custom in Manila. In fact, when you ask someone from the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino to describe the Tagalog spoken in Batangas, it will easily be labelled 'makaluma' (old style.)
Although much can be said about the way a Batangueño speaks his or her Tagalog, the high literacy of the locals means English is also widely spoken in the province. Spanish is also understood up to some extent. In fact, some towns like
Nasugbu, Taal and Lemery still have a significant minority of Spanish speakers.
Visayan is also spoken by a significant minority due to the infulx of migration from the Southern Philippines.
Mythology and Literature
According to scholars, the mythology of Batangas is closely related to the mythology of the
Oaxacan Tribe of Mexico. A clear proof is the presence of story ''Why the Firefly is Noisy?'' and ''The Race of the Carabao and Tortoise'', both having their counterparts in Mexico.
Scholars also identified that the ancient Batangueños, like the rest of the Tagalog Tribe, worship the Supreme Creator, known as
Bathala. Lesser gods like
Mayari, the goddess of the Moon and her brother Apolake, god of the sun, were also present. And although people would not easily connect it with mythology, the Northeast Monsoon is still called Amihan, while the Southwest Monsoon is called Habagat.
For literature, Padre Vicente Garcia came to be known when he wrote an essay to defend
José Rizal's
Noli Me Tangere.
In 2004, the Province of Batangas gave its Son
Domingo Landicho (familiarly called Inggo be Batangueños) the ''Dangal ng Batangas Award'' (Pride of Batangas) for being the ''Peoples' Poet''. He, together with Ambassador
Lauro Baja, former Executive secretary
Renato de Villa, Current Executive Secretary
Eduardo Ermita, Supreme Court Justice
Renato Corona, and Transport Secretary
Leandro Mendoza received the award in a ceremony which highlighted the celebration of the 423rd year of the founding of the Province.
Music
:''See
Filipino folk music for full discussion.''
When a foreigner visits the Philippines, he or she always remark on how musical the Filipinos are. The Batangueños are no exception. Batangueños have always been visible in the Philippine music scene, whether it is in the field of traditional music, popular music or even popular music.
Musicologists identified Batangas as the origin of the 'kumintang', and ancient war song, which later evolved to become the signature of Filipino love songs the 'kundiman'. From the ancient kumintang, another vocal music emerged, identified as the 'awit'. The 'huluna', a psalm-like lullaby, is also famous in some towns, especially Bauan. And during the Lenten Season, the Christian passion-narrative, called 'Pasyon' by the natives, is but expected in every corners of the province.
Debates may also be done while singing. While those from the Province of Bulacan are known for their 'Balagatasan' (a form of debate done in poetry), Batangueños are famous for the 'duplo' (a sung debate where each lines of the verse must be octosyllabic) and the 'karagatan' (a sung dabate where each lines of the verse must be dodecasyllabic.) The latter, whose literal meaning is the 'ocean', got its name from the opening lines. Always, the karagatan is opened by saying some verses that alludes the depth of the sea and comparing it to the difficulty of joining the debate. And as mentioned above, the debate must be sung.
Batangas is also the origin of the 'Balitao' (although Cebuanos may argue.) Aside from being a form of vocal music, the Balitao is also a form of dance music. The Balitao, together with the 'Subli' is the most famous form of dance native to Batangas.
In the field of serious music, no one can underestimate the contribution of Batangas. Batangas is the birthplace of the famous Filipino
soprano 'Conching Rosal', dubbed as the First Lady of the Philippine Operatic Stage. 'Lorenzo Ilustre', a local composer, also became famous for his wide array of religious and liturgical music.
On the other hand, the Maestro of Philippine Music,
Ryan Cayabyab is no less than a Batangueño, whose mother
Celerina Pujante was in her own right a well sought operatic
soprano in the 1950s, about the same time as Rosal.
Ogie Alcasid, known to fans as Mr. Composer, also hails from this province.
The famous Musical Family Of the Laurels are also one of Batangas' finest musical and political family.
:''Check http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/filipino_folk_music/ for some soundclips.''
The Batangueña
The Batangueña is the subject of numerous traditional songs from Batangas. Perhaps the most famous of all is the ''Princesa ng Kumintang'', which tells about the pursuit of a very beautiful woman. The singer sings:
:'Kay ganda mo hirang, Princesa ng Kumintang!'
: (''How lovely art thou, my Dear, Princess of the Kumintang'')
:'Sa ala-ala ko ay di ka mapaparam.'
: (''In my memory, thou canst be effaced.'')
:'Sa kalungkutan ko'y tanglaw ka ng aking buhay,'
: (''To my sorrow, thou art the guiding life of life,'')
:'Ang iyong pagsinta'y langit ko, Princesa ng Kumintang!'
: (''Thine love is my heaven, Princess of the Kumintang!'')
Another song, the ''Mutyang Batangas'', says that she is a pearl that is as beautiful as the and whose love is pure. However, she hates a lazy man, who always gambles and drinks because this would mean that she will be a battered wife. In the second part of the song, the singer says that you cannot easily fool her. She may appear dainty but she's fearless if she would need to protect her purity. The lyrics go like this:
:'Ang Mutyang Batangas, sing-ganda ng Rosas'
: (''The Pearl of Batangas, as lovely as the Rose'')
:'Pag-ibig sa puso niya ay wagas'
: (''The love of her heart is pure.'')
Then the lady replies what she hates from a man:
:'Ayaw na ayaw ko sa lalaking tamad, sugarol at lasinggero at nambubugbog'
: (''Oh! Indeed I detest a man who is lazy, a gambler, a drunkard and a batterer'')
:'Pagdating sa kanila, pabalibaligtad, ang pobreng asawa ang siyang binababag'
: (''When he comes home, he justs lies on the floor, and the poor wife is being battered'')
Then the singer sings of her virtues again saying:
:'Ngunit ang mga Mutyang Taga-Batangas, di maloloko ng ganyan'
: (''However, the Pearl from Batangas is not easiliy fooled'')
:'Mahinhin ngunit Ay! Matapang sa pagtatanggol sa karangalan.'
: (''She is dainty by she is also fearles when she's to defend her honour'')
On the other hand, the song simply entitled ''Batangueña'' says that should someone want to find happiness, he would simply has to choose a Batangueña for a wife. This is because she always is dainty and would be with you no matter how hard life would become. The song progresses by saying that her smiles would bring you hope. she's a beautiful pearl, who loves purely. she is likened to a bright star, even though her heart is breaking. However, the common warning is that you must be careful not to make a fool of her or you'll end up with trouble.
:'Batangueña, Mutyang Marilag, sa pagsuyo ang puso'y tapat'
: (''Batangueña, a Beautiful Pearl, her Heart is true for the one she loves'')
:'Katulad niya'y talang nagniningning, kahit na ang puso ay naninimdim'
: (''she is like a star shining brightly even though her heart is breaking'')
:'Lagi nang may panghalina sa pagsinta'
: (''Always has she a charm for lovers'')
:'Kung ang hanap mo ay ligaya umibig na sa Babaeng Batangueña'
: (''If it is bliss that you are searching for, go on be a lover to the Batangueña'')
:'Ngunit huwag kang magkakasala, magsalawahan at mapapahamak ka'
: (''However, don't you dare sin against her, be an adulterer and you will soon be in trouble'')
:'May taglay na hinhin sa twina at matiisin kahit na nagdurusa'
: (''Forever is she sweet-mannered and she'll not complain even if she's having pain in her heart'')
:'May ngiti ng sigla at pag-asa, yan ang Dalagang Batangueña'
: (''A smile and hope she'll have forever, that is the Batangueña Maiden'')
Until now, the role of the Batangueña is never secondary. While the men are the ones in charge of governance and other related matters, the women are the queen of the homes. She will always have the final say on all domestic matter. And no one would dare revoke the woman's words.
During the ancient times, a form of government called gynecocracy was believed to be prevalent in Batangas. Women had equal rights to succession should there be no male to lead the clan. This practice is clearly seen until now, wherein strong family clans tend to be more matriarchal in character.
Today, the wife of the town or city mayor is called the ''Mayora''. And whenever the mayor is not around, the mayora is expected to do his duties.
Architecture and Sculpture
As shown in its ancient churches, Batangas is home to some of the best architectures of the country. Along with
Vigan City,
Ilocos Sur, Batangas has the best preserved colonial architectures. This is very evident when one visits the Municipality of Taal.
Though not as popular as the carving industry of Laguna, Batangas is still famous for the sculptures engraved on the countless furniture that came from their Province. Often, altar tables coming from Batangas was called the 'friars' choice' because of its delicate beauty.
According to Milagros Covvarubias-Jamir, another Filipino scholar, the furniture that came from Batangas during the colonial times was comparable to the beautiful furniture from China. The built of the furniture was so exquisite, nails of glues was never used. Still, the Batangueños knew how to maximize the use of hardwoods. As a result, furniture made about a hundred years ago are still found in many old churches and houses even today.
Museums
★ 'Apolinario Mabini Shrine'
★
:Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark,
:Barangay Talaga, Tanauan City, Batangas
★ 'Miguel Malvar Hospital'
★
:Leon Apacible Historical Landmark,
:Sto. Tomas, Batangas
★ 'Museo ng Batangas at Aklatang Panlalawigan'
:Dr. Jose P. Laurel Library,
:Tanauan City, Batangas
Tourist Information and Assistance
★ 'Batangas Tourism Office'
:Batangas Museum and Provincial Library Bldg.,
:Batangas City 4200, Tel. No.: (63-43) 723-0130
★ 'Office of the Governor'
:2nd Floor, Provincial Capitol Bldg., Batangas City 4200
:Tel. No.: (63-43) 723-1905, Fax (63-43) 723-1338
Products
The world famous
balisong from batangas.
Aside from tourism, Batangas also has other industries that makes it famous not only in the country but also in the world. More than anything else, Batangas is known for its fan knife, called '
balisong' by the natives. This industry has become so famous that an
urban legend exists about every Batangueño carrying a ''balisong'' everywhere they go. This is also the reason why most Filipinos would warn never to mess with a Batangueño.
Pineapples are also common in the province. Aside from the fruit, the leaves are also useful that it becomes an industry of its own. In the Municipality of Taal, pineapple leaves are being processed to be a kind of cloth known as the 'gusi'. This is further processed to become the '
Barong Tagalog', the National Costume of the
Philippines. In fact, the Barong Tagalog that was used by the heads of states in the last
Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation in 1995 was from Batangas.
Princess Diana Spencer was also known to posses a scarf made of gusi.
Batangas is also known for its livestock industry. Cattle from Batangas is widely sought throughout the country. In fact, the term 'Bakang Batangas' (Batangas Cow) is actually synonymous to the country's best species of cattle. Indeed, the cattle industry in Batangas is so famous, that every Saturday is an auction day in the Municipalities of San Juan and Bauan.
Being near the sea, it is only expected that fishing plays a very important part of the Batangan Economy. Although the
tuna industry in the country is mainly centred in
General Santos City, Batangas is also known for the smaller species of the said fish. The locals even have their own names for the said fish. Some of them include the term,
Tambakol,
Tulingan,
Bonito and another spicies also called 'Bonito' but actually the
Gymnosarda unicolor. There is also an important industry for the
Tanigue.
Aside from the
South China Sea,
Taal Lake also provides a source of
fresh water fishes to the country. The lake is home to ''
Sardinella tawilis'' or simply '
tawilis', a species of freshwater sardine that is endemic to the lake.
Taal Lake also provides farmed ''
Chanos chanos'' or 'bangus'. There is also a good volume of ''
Oreochromis niloticus niloticus'' and ''
Oreochromis aureus'', both locally called 'tilapia'. It is ecologically important to note that neither 'bangus' nor 'tilapia' are native to the lake. Thus they are considered
invasive species to the lake.
As mentioned in the section of culture, Batangueños are indeed fond of drinking. This is of no surprise as it lies in what is called the 'coconut belt' that is the raw material for the local
liqueurs, the
lambanog (with 90% proof) and the
tuba (which is mae of 5.68%
alcohol and 13%
sugar).
Sugar is also a major industry. As a matter of fact, after the
Hacienda Luisita, the country's former largest sugar producer, was broken-up for land reform, the Municipality of
Nasugbu has been the home of the current largest sugar producing company, the
Central Azucarera Don Pedro. This also means that Batangas is also a home for a wide industry of sweets. Rice cakes are also a strong industry.
Although Batangas has already lost its distinction as
Asia's largest producer of
coffee, this industry is still thriving, especially with the boost of coffee shops all over the country.
Blankets and mosquito nets are also widely available anywhere in the province. If you are lucky enough, you can buy it from peddlers.
And as the mythology of the
Philippines say that from the
bamboo came men and women, Batangueños learned to make a living out of it. Some towns (those that are adjacent to
Laguna) have a very prosperous bamoo based industry. Here, you can see houses that are made of bamboos, furnitures made of bamboos, and even food cooked in bamboos. Natvies say that food cooked in bamboo have an added scent and flavour.
But if the locals cook in bamboos, some also eat bamboos. Baby bamboos to be exact. In these towns also, '''labong''' or the baby bamboo is cooked with coconut milk or even with other ingredients to make a truly Batangas delicacy.
One must also remember that the Capital City of Batangas hosts the second most important international seaport in the Island of Luzon. Next only to that of Manila International Port, Batangas International Port is a primary entry point of goods not only coming from the Southern part of the country but from everywhere in the world.
Geography
Political
Together with the provinces in the Island of
Panay,
Ilocos Sur and
Pampanga, Batangas was one of the earliest encomiendas made by the Spaniards who settled in the country. It was headed by
Martin de Goiti and since then it became one of the most important centres of the Philippines, not only the Tagalogs. Batangas first came to be known as Bonbon. It was named after the mystical and fascinating Taal Lake, which was also originally called Bonbon. Some of the earliest settlements in Batangas were established at the vicinity of Taal Lake. In 1534, Batangas became the first practically organized province in Luzon. Balayan was the capital of the province for 135 years from 1597-1732. In 1732, it was moved to Taal, then the flourishing and most progressive town in the province. It was in 1889 that the capital was moved to the present, Batangas City.
Batangas is also known in the Philippine History as the 'Cradle of Noble Heroes', giving homage not only to the heroes it produced but the statesmen the came to lead the country. Among the luminaries of Batangas politics are
Apolinario Mabini,
Jose Laurel,
Claro M. Recto,
Felipe Agoncillo and Don
Apolinario Apacible.
Key Officials
The current governor of Batangas is fmr.
Lipa City Mayor and movie/television actress
Vilma Santos-Recto, who toke oath on
June 30th,
2007 as the first lady governor of the province. She replaced the controversial
Arman Sanchez. It was under Sanchez's watch that the Provincial Capitol has undergone numerous reconstruction and evident beautification.
For the third time, Eduardo "Eddie" Dimacuha is once again elected as Mayor of Batangas' Capital City, while
Lipa City, the province's religious center, chose their out-going 4th District Representative, Oscar 'Oca' Gozos, to take-over the post of Governor Santos-Recto after serving three terms.
Current Officials
★ 'Governor': Vilma Santos-Recto
★ 'Vice Governor': Jose Antonio "Marc" Leviste II
★ 'Board Members':
'''1st District:''' Benjamin Bausas & Manny Calingasan
'''2nd District:''' Godofredo Berberabe Jr., Florencio De Loyola & Joel Atienza
'''3rd District:''' Rodolfo Balba & Chona Maloles-Dimayuga
'''4th District:''' Marieta Igarta, Amado Carlos Bolilia & Mabelle Virtusio
'Elected Representatives'
'''1st District:''' Elenita Ermita-Buhain
'''2nd District:''' Hermilando Mandanas
'''3rd district:''' Victoria Hernandez-Reyes
'''4th District:''' Mark Leandro Mendoza
Cities and Municipalities
Batangas is subdivided into 31
municipalities and 3
cities.
Physical
Batangas is a combination of plains and mountains. Not to mention the wide shoreline, being at the Southwest of the Philippines' biggest island. It is very just fitting that the writers of yore called it the ''Land of the Rolling Hills and Wide Shorelands''(anu un saan un????)
Some the most famous mountain in the province is the world's smallest volcano,
Mt. Taal with an elevation of 600 meters. It is at the centre of the
Taal Lake, famous for its endemic fish, the ''tawilis''.
Other important peaks are Mt. Makulot with an elevation of 609.6 m, Mt. Talamitan with 700 m, Mt. Pico de Loro with 664 m, Mt. Batulao with 811 m, Mt. Manabo with 830 m, and Mt. Daguldol with 672 m. All of these mountains are considered level 1 mountains, meaning one can easily climb them with little training.
The Municipality of Nasugbu is the home of the plantation of Central Azucarera Don Pedro, the Philippines' largest producer of sugar and other sugarcane products.
Batangas is also known for its many islands, which include the municipality of Tingloy, Fortune Island of the Municipality of Nasugbu, and Sombrero Island in the Province of Mabini. And of course, Mt. Taal itself is an island.
Being at the southwest of
Luzon, a lot of
sea turtles visit the place. but due to the massive hunting that takes place, the Provincial Government has passed a law prohibiting the killing of this marine reptile.
Flora and Fauna
Although attached to the big
Island of
Luzon, Batangas boasts of
flora and
fauna that is distinctively theirs. The local tree 'malabayabas' is endemic to the province alone while the endangered
flying fox thrives there without fear. Batangas is also home to the 'kabag', one of the world's smallest
fruit bat. In the Municipality of
Nasugbu, wild deers are still inhabiting the remote areas of Baranggay Looc.
But although Batangas has these land flying
mammals,
marine wildlife remains to be the province's crowning glory. In fact, in the second half of 2006, scientists from the
United States discovered that the
Sulu-
Sulawesi Triangle has its centre at the
Isla Verde Passage, a part of the province. According to this study, made by the
American Marine Biologist Dr. Kent Carpentier, Batangas Seas host more than half of the world's species of coral reefs. It is also home to
dolphins and once in a while, a passage of the world's biggest fish the
whale shark or the 'butanding', as the locals call it. The Municipality of
San Juan, as a matter of fact, has a resident
marine turtle or 'pawikan'.
Pawikans were also prevalent in the Municipality of Nasugbu during the 1970s.
History
The Prehistoric Batangan
Long before the arrival of the
Spaniards in the Philippines, large centers of population already thrived in Batangas. Native settlements lined the
Pansipit River, a major waterway. The province had been trading with the
Chinese since
Yuan Dynasty until first phase of
Ming Dynasty in the 13th and 15th century. Inhabitants of the province were also trading with
Japan and
India.
The present Batangueños are descendants of the
Bornean datus, Datu Dumangsil and Datu Balensusa, who sailed from Borneo to
Panay Island as far as
Taal Lake. They organized the first Malay settlement at the mouth of Taal River. They eventually set up their own settlement in the place and founded the town of Taal in 1572 . The towns of Balayan, Lipa, and Batangas were founded later.
Archeological findings, show that even before the settlement of the Spaniards in the country, the
Tagalogs, especially the Batangueños, had a very high level of civilization. This was shown by some jewelry, made from a chambered nautilus' shell, where some tiny holes were drilled by some tube. The way it was drilled shows that early Batangueños had an idea of what is beautiful.
Later, the pre-historic Batangueños was influenced by India as shown in some ancient potteries. In fact, a Buddhist image was reproduced in mould on a clay medallion in bas-relief from the Municipality of Calatagan. According to experts, the image in the pot strongly resembles the iconographic portrayal of Buddha in Siam, India and Nepal. The pot shows Buddha Amithaba in the
tribhanga pose inside an oval nimbus. Scholars also noted that there is a strong
Mahayanic orientation in the image, since the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara was also depicted.
One of the major archeological findings happened last January 1941, where 2 crude stone figures were found in Palapat in the Municipality of Calatagan. It was later donated to the National Museum. Unfortunately, one of it suffered a bad fate and was destroyed during the holocaust of the
World War II.
Eighteen years later, a grave was excavated in the nearby Punta Buaya. Once again, it showed that early Batangueños have an appreciation of art, since pieces of brain coral were carved behind the heads of the 12 remains that were found. The site was named 'Likha' (meaning 'Creature'). The remains were accompanied by furniture that could be traced as early as the 14th century. Potteries, as well as bracelets, stoneware and metal objects were also found in the area, suggesting that the people who lived there had an extensive contact with people from as far as China.
The presence of believed also suggested that prehistoric Batangaueños believed in the idea of life-after-death, since someone might need a plate where he would eat or chalices where he could drink. This also related the Batangueños to its neighbors in Asia, where it was a custom to bury some furniture with the dead.
Like the nearby tribes, the Batangan or the early Batanueños were non-aggressive people. Partly because most of the tribes in the immediate environs are related to them by blood. However, when there is no choice but to defend your life, Batangans would use the ''bakyang'' (bows and arrows), the ''bangkaw'' (spears) and the ''suwan'' (bolo).
Another proof of civilization from the Batangans was the presence of religion. Though it was highly superstitious, such as the use of ''amuret'' (witchcraft), it showed that these people believed in the presence of higher beings and other things unseen. Thus, there is a strong connection between the Batangans and nature.
Although it is widely accepted that the term Tagalog came from the word 'Taga-Ilog' o river Dwellers, (referring to the Pasig River), Wang The-Ming pointed out in his writings that Batangas was the real centre of the
Tagalog Tribe, which he then identified as ''Ma-yi''. According to this Chinese Annals,
Ma-yi had its centre in the Province and extends to as far as
Cavite,
Laguna,
Rizal,
Quezon,
Bataan,
Bulacan,
Mindoro,
Marinduque,
Nueva Ecija, Some parts of
Zambales and
Tarlac. However, many historians interchangeably use the term Tagalog and Batangueño.
Henry Otley Beyer, an American archaeologist, also showed in his studies that the early Batangueños have a special affinity with the precious stone known as the jade. In fact, the named the Late Paleolithic Period of the Philippines as the 'Batangas Period' in recognition of the multitude of jade found in the excavarted caves in the province. Beyer identified that the jade-cult reached the Province as early as the year 800 BC and lasted until 200 BC.
The Pre-Hispanic Period
According to legends, Datu Balensucla founded the his own kingdom in 1934. When it was inherited by Datu Kumintang, the Kingdom was named after its chieftain. During that time, the island of Luzon was identified as May-I in the Chinese annals. The former province was composed of the many municipalites of the present day Batangas,
Laguna,
Cavite,
Quezon Province, and even strech as far as the present day
Bicol Region.
The Spanish Colonization
In 1570, Spanish generals
Martin de Goiti and
Juan de Salcedo explored the coast of Batangas on their way to Manila and came upon a Malay settlement at the mouth of
Pansipit River. In 1572, the town of
Taal was founded and its convent and stone church were constructed later.
Officially, the Province of Bonbon was founded by Spain in 1578, through Fr. Estaban Ortiz and Fr. Juan de Porras. It was so named after the name that was given to it by the
Muslim natives who inhabited the area.
In 1581, the Spanish government abolished the Province of Bonbon and created a new province which came to be known as the Province of Balayan. The new province was composed of the present provinces of Batangas,
Mindoro,
Marinduque, southeast
Laguna and
Camarines. After several devastating eruptions of Taal Volcano, the old Taal town site was buried. The capital was eventually transferred to Batangas (now a city) in 1754 where it has remained to date.
The history of Batangas as a province can never be separated from the history of the Christianization of the Islands. In the same yeas that de Goiti and Salcedo visited the province, the Franciscan missionaries came to Taal. The place later became the first settlement of the Spaniards in Batangas and one of the earliest in the Philippines. In 1572 the Augustinians founded Taal in the place of Wawa, now San Nicolas, and from there began preaching in Balayan and in all the big settlements around the lake of Bombon (Taal). Indeed, the Augustinians did a very good job. Not only did they make Batangas the second most important religious centre of the Archipelago, they did it in a mere 10 year period. In fact, up to now, Batangas remains to be one of the most ''Christianised'' and even the most ''Catholic'' Province in the
Philippines.
The first missionaries in the diocese were the Augustinians, and they remained until the revolution against Spain. Among the first missionaries were eminent men like Alfonso de Albuquerque, Diego Espinas, Juan de Montojo and others.
The first centers of faith were established in Taal, then in Balayan, Bauan, Lipa, Sala, Tanauan, all around the lake of Bombon (Taal).
The first missionaries were extraordinary men. And during the first ten years, the whole region around the lake of Bombon was completely Christianized. It was done through the preaching of men who had learned the first rudiments of the language of the people. At the same time they started writing manuals of devotion in Tagalog. What is more, they wrote the first Tagalog grammar that served other missionaries who came.
The year of foundation of important parishes follows: 1572 the Taal parish was founded by the Augustinians; 1581 the Batangas parish under Fray Diego Mexica; 1596 Bauan parish administered by the Augustinian missionaries; 1605 Lipa parish under the Augustinian administration;1774 Balayan parish was founded; 1852 Nasugbu parish; and 1868 Lemery Parish.
Nasugbu became a very important centre of trade during the Spanish occupation of the country. So important was this town that the first recorded battle between two European Forces in Asia was in Fortune Island,
Nasugbu, Batangas. In the late part of the 20th Century, the inhabitants of Fortune Island discovered a sunken galleon that contained materials sold in the
Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Today, the Galleon stands majestically in the islands as a reminder of the grandeur of Batangan Past.
Batangas was also among the first of the eight Philippine provinces to revolt against Spain and also one of the provinces placed under Martial Law by Spanish Governor General Ramon Blanco on
August 30,
1896. This event was given distinction when
Marcela Agoncillo, also a native of the province, made the Philippine Flag. Indeed, the official Philippine flag has a sun with eight rays to represent these eight provinces.
Another notable hero from this era is
Apolinario Mabini, also known as the sublime paralytic and "Brains of the Revolution.
The American Colonization
The struggles of the Batangueños did not end when the Spaniards left the Philippines. Batangas was also in the watch-list of the Americans when they occupied the Islands.
When the Americans forbade the Philippine flag from being flown anywhere in the country, Batangas was one of the places where the revolutionaries chose to propagate their propaganda. Many, especially the revolutionary artists chose Batangas as the place to perform their plays. In an incident recorded by Amelia Bonifacio in her diary, the performance of 'Tanikalang Ginto' in the province led not only to the arrest of the company but all of the audience. Later, the play was banned from being shown anywhere in the country.
General
Miguel Malvar is recognized as the last Filipino general to surrender to the
United States in the
Philippine-American War.
The Post-American Period
After
Douglas Mcarthur made his famous landing in the Island of
Leyte, he came next to the town of
Nasugbu to mark the liberation of
Luzon. This historic landing is remembered by the people of Batangas every last day of January, a holiday for the Nasugbugueños. And if
Leyte is proud of the bronze statues of McArthur, Batangas can is also proud of their own version of that.
After the Philippines was freed from America, the Batangueños once again entered the picture. Statesmen from Batangas became famous in the government. These include the legislators
Felipe Agoncillo,
Galicano Apacible (who later became the Secretary of Agriculture),
Ramon Diokno,
Apolinario R. Apacible,
Espedito Leviste,
Gregorio Katigbak,
Teodoro Kalaw,
Claro M. Recto, and
Jose Laurel.
Most of these legislators became well known not only in the country but also in the world as many of them held executive offices afterwards. some of them were even sent as Philippine Envoys to other countries.
It is also notable that when Quezon left the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese government in the Philippines chose the Batangueño
Jose Laurel to the
de jure President of the Puppet Republic.
The 1985 People Power Rovolution to the Estrada Controversy
The 1985
People Power Revolution in
EDSA marked another time where Batangueños enter the picture. When
Corazon Aquino was proclaimed president by the Supreme Court, the Batangueño
Salvador Laurel is no less than her
Vice-President.
She also appointed
Renato de Villa as the Chief of Constabulary and Director-General of the Integrated National Police, and later the Chief of Staff of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. It was under his leadership that the Military remained loyal to
Aquino despite the many
coup d'etat attempts of
Gregorio Honassan. He was also one of the influences behind the Second People Power in 2001 .
During the Presidency of
Joseph Estrada, he also chose four Batangueños to be his closest advisers. The group was comprised of Domingo Panganiban (
Department of Agriculture), Benjamin Diokno (
Department of Budget and Management), Dong Apacible (Legislative Liaison), Tony "Lepili" Leviste (Board of Investments Governor), and Ped Faytaren (Economic Intelligence Chief). This is not to mention Dennis Hernandez, special assistant to Alfredo "Dirty Harry" Lim of the
Department of Interior and Local Government.
The 2001 Second People Power Revolution
The 2001 Second People Power also became an important event for the Batangueños. After
Joseph Estrada was thrown off from power,
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo replaced him and chose
De Villa as her executive Secretary. He was replaced by
Eduardo Ermita, another Batangueño, whom she first appointed as Secretary of the
Department National Defence.
Three other Batangueños were in the Original the Arroyo Cabinet namely,
Noel Cabrera from the Office of the Press Secretary,
Renato Corona who was the Presidential Spokesman then later became a Supreme Court Justice, and Hernando B. Perez who was the Secretary of the
Department of Justice.
Leandro Mendoza, who was also chief of the Philippine National Police, was appointed Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication upon his retirement, while
Lauro Baja, former Undersecretary of the
Department of Foreign Affairs was appointed the Philippine Envoy to the
United Nations.
External links
★
Batangas Now
★
Batangas Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry
★
Government of Nasugbu
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