Lungsod, John Jericho

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

BACKGROUND
Batangas is just 94 kilometers away from Manila. Its just 2 hours away from
Manila. It is known for its beaches and world-class diving sites. Mabini, Batangas is
considered as the birthplace of scuba diving in the country. There are also ancestral
houses in the heritage town of Taal, Batangas. This heritage town is a national historical
landmark according to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Batangas
is also the Barong Tagalog capital of the country.
PEOPLE
Feliza Diokno owns the Feliza Taverna y Caf. She was the personal secretary of
Emilio Aguinaldo for more than 40 years.
Marcella Agoncillo hand sewed the first Philippine flag in an ancestral house
turned museum in Calle Agoncillo.
Ramon Orlina is an award-winning sculptor who has an ancestral home called
Galeria Orlina.
PLACES

Batok diving site in Anilao

This is a must-try diving site. The name Batok came from its position which is
behind Sombrero Island. We all know that behind the sombrero is the batok or nape of
the neck.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Batok diving site is a favorite of underwater photographers due to its corals and
rich machine life. Its maximum depth is 20 meters or 70 feet. Fishes like clownfish,
moorish idol, yellowtail puller, parrot fish, lizard fish, and blue ribbon eel can be seen.

Manta Ray Dive Wing

This is a water sport wherein the person holds on to a board shaped like a Manta
Rays pectoral fin or wing while a jet ski tows the person. Tilting up and down will take
you beneath or above the waves. After this is the Advanced Manta Ray Dive Wing where
flipping over or swimming side to side can be done.

Feliza Taverna y Caf

This ancestral house turned caf dates back to the 1890s. They offer SpanishAmerican-inspired food as well as traditional Taal food like Longganisang Taal and
Tapang Taal.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Goco Ancestral House

This ancestral house turned restaurant was built by Katipunero Juan Goco and
has stood for 145 years. The meals that are being served here are by appointment.

Paradores del Castillo

This ancestral house turned bed-and-breakfast place has a back patio with a bar.
So, it is considered as a small luxury hotel.

MGM Ranch and Farm Resort

This resort offers real ancestral houses for rent. This would make guests feel that
theyre living in the 1800s. It is a 14-hectare land that has 3 ancestral houses for rent
and a caf. They have houses on stilts as well as bahay na bato. The main living
quarters can be found upstairs like the houses in the 19th century.
Calle Agoncillo
In this single street is where ancestral houses are lined up. One of the oldest
houses there is the Marcella Agoncillo Museum.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Marcella Agoncillo Museum

This is where the first Philippine flag was hand sewn. The original main living
quarter is preserved on the second floor.

Leon at Galicano Apacible Museum

This is the first ancestral house that was turned into a museum in Taal, Batangas.
The original main living quarter is also preserved on the second floor.

Galleria Taal
Its a museum made just for shutterbugs. This is the first and only vintage camera
museum in the country. It has a collection of cameras dating back to the late 1800s.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Galeria Orlina and Villa Tortuga

Galleria Orlina is where masterpieces of Ramon Orlina are displayed openly to
the public, which is quite literal as it has no walls facing the street.
Beside it is Villa Tortuga, a place where you can dress up as a Filipino in the
Spanish era with a variety of Barot Saya and Barong Tagalog to choose from.

Casa Corazon
This is a museum in Lemery, Batangas which is perfect for motorcycle
enthusiasts. This is the only motorcycle museum in Asia, with a collection of around 200
motorcycles and vintage cars that started in 1986. All are in working condition but they
are drained of fluids like gas and oil.

Barangay Balisong

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Instead of having a line of ancestral houses, Barangay Balisong has stores of

balisong lined up on a street. All kinds of balisong are being sold, from those with wood
handles to those made up of horse bone or deer horn.
TRADITIONS
Convertion of Ancestral Houses
Ancestral Houses have been converted into cafs, restaurants, as well as
museums.

Own delicacies
Taals very own delicacies such as Longganisang Taal, Empanadang Taal,
Sumang Taal, and Panutsa or peanut brittle can be purchases in their central market.
Batangueos secret spices
Their Longganisang Taal has a strong garlic flavor that comes from Batangeos
secret spices.
Tapang Taal
Their tapang taal is made of pork instead of beef. Thats their traditional way.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Barong Tagalog
This handmade Barong Tagalog was made from Cocoon, a fabric that is a higher
quality than Pia.
FESTIVITIES

Parada ng Lechon
This event is celebrated every June 24. This event coincides with the feast day of
San Juan.

Sublian Festival

Tapusan Festival
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.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Tinapay 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.

Tinapahan Festival
April 29 to May 1, at Lemery
ITINERARY (BUDGET and ACCOMMODATION)
Transportation
One can go to Batangas for only P200. Just go to a bus station in Metro Manila
such as Buendia, Cubao, Kamias, Lawton, Ortigas, and more.
Feliza Taverna y Caf
A dish starts at P200 only.
Paradores del Castillo
An overnight stay costs P2500.

BIYAHE NI DREW BATANGAS

Barong Tagalog
Made-to-order and ready-to-wear Barong Tagalog starts at P3000.
Balisong
Balisongs are sold at P300 and above while key chains cost P100.
FEEDBACK
Right now, I am so proud of Batangas. I was surprised that it is such a famous
place not only for its beaches. Being the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines, it
surely offers world-class diving sites. Having a heritage town which is considered a
national historical landmark for its ancestral houses is amazing. Its like theyre really
preserving their history. And converting them into cafs, restaurants and museums is
such a wonderful idea so that people visiting there would really feel that theyre living in
the past. Batangas has many achievements. Its also the Barong Tagalog capital of the
Philippines. Batangas is really a place that not only Batangueos can be proud of, but
the whole Philippines because Batangas is the only one that has a motorcycle museum
in Asia. I want to give a big applause for Batangas for being such a place in our country
where we, Pinoys, can be proud of. I would love to visit Batangas soon! Diving sites
would be one of the places where I would go because I appreciate nature a lot. I will
surely visit the first and only motorcycle museum in Asia if I would be given a chance
because I know that I would enjoy there. But of course, I would be happy if I could visit
all places that were mentioned above.