Batangas City History-WPS Office

Batangas City
Batangas City is the largest and capital city of the Province of Batangas,
Philippines. The city is also known as the “Industrial Port City of
CALABARZON” and is currently classified as one of the fastest urbanizing
cities of the Philippines.
History of Batangas City
Due to migration, the first Spanish missionary first came to Batangas. It

was in the year 1581 that the Spanish authorities created a pueblo in the
area. The town was then named as “Batangan” because of huge logs,
locally called as “batang”, which abounded in the place. The first
governadocillo was an appointee of the Spanish government by the name
of Don Agustin Casilao.
When the Americans came in the early of 1900s, local civil government of
Batangas was organized. Jose Villanueva was elected as “Municipal
President” July 4, 1901.
However, when the Japanese came and when the war broke up, Batangas
was among those who didn’t escaped the distruction. The city was severely
damaged during the Japanese A6M Zero bombardment with the Batangas
Airport totally destroyed. December 12, 1941 a man with the name of
Roman L. Perez was appointed by the Japanese authority to be the Mayor.
A number of settlers of Batangas were recognized at the area of Taal Lake.

During this time Batangas was known to be Bonbon. Named after the
supernatural and captivating Taal Lake.
Before the Spaniards disembarked, there are a number of inhabitants'
presences in the region. Taal, Balayan and Nasugbu are the most common
settlements during the time.
American archaeologist Robert C. Fox disclosed that the province has

been trading with the Chinese since the Yuan Dynasty until the early part of
the Ming Dynasty. The people had relations with China but also with
merchants from Japan and India, during the 13th - 15th century.
Towards the end of the 14th century, Datu Puti of Borneo together with his
companions settled along the edge of Taal Lake. The first Malay village was
shaped and structured with their families in the mouth of Taal River.
Balayan was the first capital of Batangas from 1597 to 1732. But due to the
progressiveness of Taal, the capital was then transferred to Taal.
Two Spanish Generals, Martin de Goiti and Juan Salcedo discovered the
shore of Batangas in 1570. The two Generals met the Malay settlers at the
mouth of Taal River, and ultimately settled in the place and founded the
town of Taal in 1572. The towns of Batangas, Balayan and Lipa were
discovered afterwards.
Taal Volcano had a numerous destructive eruptions and Taal was covered
up with the eruption of the volcano. The capital in due course was
transferred to Batangas in 1754, and up to the moment the capital of the
province of Batangas, which is called Batangas City today.
Originally, Batangas was made up of the present provinces of Batangas,
Mindoro, Marinduque, southeast of Laguna and Camarines, and was
discovered in 1581.
The name "Batangas" was obtained from the word "batang," which is a
term of the natives for the abundant logs in Calumpang River. The body of
water that goes through the northeastern section of the municipality and
simulate the figure of a tuning fork.
Batangas was one of the areas placed in martial law by Spanish Governor
General Ramon Blanco, and among one of the eight Philippine provinces to
rise up in opposition to the Spanish rule.
Many Batagueños made honour in our history during the Spanish-American

War. Apolinario Mabini is one batagueño known as the sublime paralytic
and “Brains of the Revolution”. General Miguel Malvar the last Filipino
general to relinquish to the Americans. Marcela Agoncillo who custom-
made the current Philippine flag. Thus Batangas was known as the "cradle
of heroes and nationalists."
Batangas Festivals, Feast & Traditions
The Philippines is generally a festive nation, and Batangas festival is one

good example. Maybe because of the Spanish influence during the 16th –
18th century the Philippines was colonize by the Spaniards. According to
the old Filipinos, the Spanish in the early days where the one’s who
initiated the festive mood in the Philippines.
These festive celebrations do exist in the province of Batangas. In the
month of May, most of the barrios do celebrate the barrio fiestas. I still
remember when an employee of mine takes a vacation leave, because it
was their barrio fiesta. This is a celebration that the batangueños can’t
miss.
The fiesta should be celebrated rain or shine. And most of the people will
make their own way to celebrate the event. If they don’t have the money,
they are willing to take a loan, or sell their farm animals just to celebrate the
one’s a year fiesta.
Most of the people, specially the old one’s believe that celebrating their
patrons saint day, will give them luck. This is why they are willing to stake
their last earned money for a one-day celebration.
If you have a chance to experience this fiesta, you will notice that
everybody is invited. You don’t need to know your host to enter one’s
house. They will accommodate you even this is the first time you have met.
And treat you as a long time friend.
One Batangas festival I recommend you must experience is the Parada ng

Lechon (roasted pig parade) in Balayan Batangas. This event is celebrated
every June 24. This event coincides with the feast day of San Juan.
 Balayan, Batangas Parada ng Lechon

Another religious festival batangueños are known for is the Tapusan
Festival in Alitagtag. The Tapusan honors the holy cross, and is celebrated
May 31 every year. The parade is one of a kind. Floats garlanded with
flowers including the image of the Virgin Mary, parade the streets of the
town.
 Flores de Mayo and Tapusan Festival
The Tinapay Festival (Bread Festival) in Cuenca, considered the bakers of

Batangas province. It is held annually from February 7 to 13. The patron
saint of Cuenca, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is being honored for
abundant living and thanksgiving.
 Fluvial Procession at Taal

 Sublian Festival
Additional Batangas Festival
 Salubong Festival – April 16 in the towns of Alitagtag and Bauan.

 Anihan Festival – September 24 to 29, in Lobo.
 Coffee Festival – December 11 to 16, in Lipa City
 Kinulob Festival - April 21 to 25, in Mabini
 Paskuhan Sa Maraykit - December 2, in San Juan
 Tinapahan Festival - April 29 to May 1, at Lemery
Christmas Celebration
The Philippines a country recognized that celebrates the longest Christmas

season. Christmas carols are played as early as September and the bash
last up until the Three Kings, which is the first Sunday of January.
Batangas Traditions
Batangas wedding tradition make a beautiful and exciting feast.

Batangueños has high regard for the sanctity of marriage making the event
a lengthy and grand occasion.
Holy Week is a solemn religious tradition celebrated annually in Batangas

and most parts of the Philippines. A nation where majority of its people are
Roman Catholics and taken possession by Spain for three centuries.
 Read More of Holy Week Tradition
Traditional games are usually played during fiestas and festivals and held
in tuklong (chapel) or at the municipal ground. Furthermore these
indigenous games usher the children back to field games and make them
healthier.
References:
https://philippinescities.com/batangas-city-batangas/
https://www.batangas-philippines.com/batangas-history.html
https://www.batangas-philippines.com/batangas-festivals.html

Batangas City History-WPS Office

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Batangas City History-WPS Office

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Batangas City

History of Batangas City

Due to migration, the first Spanish missionary first came to Batangas. It

A number of settlers of Batangas were recognized at the area of Taal Lake.

American archaeologist Robert C. Fox disclosed that the province has

Many Batagueños made honour in our history during the Spanish-American

Batangas Festivals, Feast & Traditions

The Philippines is generally a festive nation, and Batangas festival is one

One Batangas festival I recommend you must experience is the Parada ng

 Balayan, Batangas Parada ng Lechon

 Flores de Mayo and Tapusan Festival

The Tinapay Festival (Bread Festival) in Cuenca, considered the bakers of

 Fluvial Procession at Taal

Additional Batangas Festival

 Salubong Festival – April 16 in the towns of Alitagtag and Bauan.

The Philippines a country recognized that celebrates the longest Christmas

Batangas wedding tradition make a beautiful and exciting feast.

Holy Week is a solemn religious tradition celebrated annually in Batangas

 Read More of Holy Week Tradition

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