Batangas
From WikiPilipinas: The Hip 'n Free Philippine Encyclopedia
- 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 is 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.
Batangas is also the location of Taal Volcano, one of the Decade Volcanoes. 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".
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[edit] 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.
Some time later, the capital of the province was transferred to Taal, since being near the lake, it is an easy commercial center. After the transfer, the leaders of the province decided to name the province after its capital.
Still later, the Spaniards chose to transfer the capital for the third time, to its present seat in the town of Batangan, later Batangas City. The province changed its name once more after the capital. In 1889, Batangas City became the country's 8th city.
The term "batangan" refers to a type of raft people used to fish in the nearby Taal Lake. It was derived from the word "batang," a native term 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.
The term "Batangueño" or "Batangueña" is generally an adjective that describes something or someone from Batangas. However, in the recent revival of provincial identitity among the natives of Batangas, these terms is more commonly being used nowadays to mean a native of the province. On the other hand, the old term "Batangan" is being revived to describe something that is of Batangas flavor.
[edit] People and culture
Maria Kalaw Katigbak, a Filipino historian, called Batangueños the "Super-Tagalogs". This is because they are a paramount example of what one can expect from this ethnolinguistic group. If you ask someone to overact a Tagalog, they would imitate a Batangueño.
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 early times, large families were very common. Thus, it was to be expected that one's uncle could be of the same age or even younger than oneself. In this case, the older one would call the younger one by an honorary title (such as "tiyo" or simply "kuya"). This often causes confusion among those from other provinces who are not accustomed to such practices.
Large extended families tend to live together. It is common for a piece of land to remain undivided until the family connection becomes too distant. Marriages between relatives of the fifth generation is still frowned upon in the Batangan culture even if Philippine laws allow it.
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 favor their fellow Batangueños as far as the rules allow. This practice has been jokingly referred to as the "Batangas Mafia".
Most Batangueños are either farmers or fishers who sell their own products in the market. Although most of them have also finished a degree, many choose to put up their own small businesses instead of pursuing a career in their field of study. This is perhaps due to the subconscious cultural belief that he who has no land to cultivate or trade to make is a lazy person.
Batangueños are known to be very hospitable to outsiders. Visitors will be fed more than what the hosts usually eat. These folks greatly appreciate it 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 were no work the next day. This is especially true if you 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. In the barrios, people would drink brewed coffee, which the locals call kapeng barako, translated as the stud's coffee. During the early 1900s, Batangas was the largest producer of coffee in the whole of Asia. At present, steps are being taken to reclaim this position, especially in the city of Lipa.
[edit] Language
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, which is 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).
Batangueños are also known for their unique affectation of often placing the particles "eh" or "ga" (equivalent of particle "ba" in Tagalog), 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 has no meaning in itself.
[edit] Grammar
The most recognisable difference is the use of the passive past tense (in Standard Filipino) in place of the present progressive. In Manila, this is done by inserting the infix -um- after the first syllable then by repeating the first syllable.
Example 1:
- root word: kain (to eat)
- ka-in (syllabication)
- k-um-a-ka-in (eating)
Example 2:
- root word: tawag (to call)
- ta-wag (syllabication)
- t-um-a-ta-wag (calling)
In the Batangan dialect however, this form is done by attaching the prefix na- to the word.
Example 1:
- root word: kain (to eat)
- ka-in (syllabication)
- nakain (eating)
Example 2:
- root word: tawag (to call)
- ta-wag (syllabication)
- natawag (calling)
This conjugation of the verb becomes funny because as mentioned above, Manileños would hear it as the passive past tense. When someone asks "Nasaan si Pedro?" ("Where is Pedro?"), one might answer "Nakain ng isda," which in Batangan translates as "He's eating fish." However, to those unfamiliar with this kind of usage, the statement would mean "He was eaten by a fish." (Just imagine how big the fish must be.)
Also, stand alone verbs ending in -an bencomes -si, especially in the command form. However, when another word is put after it, Batangueños would revert to the use of the -an form.
Example 1:
- Person A: May kumakatok sa pinto. (Someone is knocking at the door.)
- Person B: Aba'y, buksi! (Then open it!)
However:
- Person A: May kumakatok sa pinto.
- Person B: Aba'y, buksan mo!
One could also notice the use of the absolute degree of an adjective, something that is not heard anywhere else. It is roughtly the equivalent to the use of "issimo" or "issima" in the Spanish and Italian languages, something absent in the other dialects. This is done by putting pagka- in front of the word.
Example 1:
- Pagkaganda pala ng anak ng mag-asawang are ah!
- The child of this couple is indeed beautiful!
Example 2:
- Pagkatagal mo ba.
- You move so slow.
Another noticeable characteristic of the Batangan dialect is the use of the dual number for pronouns. Although this hasn't completely disappeared in some other areas, this form is almost never used in the Manila dialect.
Example 1:
- (Batangan Tagalog) Kita na! (Let's go!)
- (Manila Tagalog) Tayo na!
Example 2:
- (Batangan Tagalog) Buksan mo nga ang telebisyon nata. (Please open our TV.)
- (Manila Tagalog) Buksan mo nga ang telebisyon natin.
This grammar structure is a remnant of the ancient Tagalog grammar that persisted with very little change in the province for centuries.
Also, intonations more often than not tend to rise, especially to express extreme emotions.
[edit] Phonology
Another noticeable trait is the usage of the closed syllable, a practice that has completely disappeared in the Manila dialect. The town of Tanauan is actually pronounced [tan-'a-wan] whereas it would be pronounced as [ta-'na-wan] by other Tagalogs. This is also true with words like "matamis", pronounced "matam-is".
Also, as mentioned above, the dialect spoken in Batangas is more closely related to the ancient Tagalog. Thus the merger of the phonemes [e] and [i] and the phonemes [o] and [u] are prevalent. Also absent in other dialects is the use of the 'shcwa' sound. This is simply because the Batangas dialect is spoken faster compared to other dialects.
The use of the sounds [ei] and [ow] is prevalent. However, unlike its English counterpart, this diphthong is sounded mainly on the first vowel and very rapidly only on the second. This is very similar to the [e] in the Spanish word "educaciòn" and the first [o] in the Italian word "Antonio".
[edit] Vocabulary
Locative adjectives are ire or are (this) and rine or dine (here).
Vocabulary is also divergent. Funnily enough, the Batangueño dialect has more translations for the word 'slip', depending on how the person falls. He may either be nadulas (simply slipped), nagtingkuro (lost his balance), or worse, nagsungaba (fall on his face.)
People from Manila are also often confused why a student comes home when it's not yet time, when the teachers earlier announced that they would have to go to school. The student will just answer, "May pasok, pero walang klase." This simply means that they would have to go to school and have their attendance checked but there is really no class to attend.
To the confusion of other Tagalog speakers, the Batangueños also use the phrase, "Hindi po ako nagyayabang!" to mean "I am not telling a lie!", whereas Manileños would simply say "Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling!". For them, the former statement means, "I am not boasting!"
A panday is a handyman in Batangas whereas it means a smith in Manila. An apaw is mute (pipi in Manila). La-ang is equivalent to lamang (only) in Manila. And when they don't believe you, they would exclaim "anlaa!"'
(for more of the Batangas vocabulary you could refer to http://ibaan.net/kwento_ni_lolo.php?kwento=4)
[edit] Respectful language
Though it has largely disappeared in the Manila usage, the Batanguños still use the plural forms of the pronouns to show politeness. Normally, this is used to show respect to one who has authority either by age or by position. Batangueños have a choice to either use to second-person plural or third-person plural to show this respect.
Example 1:
- Case: Someone is knocking at the door and you want to know who the person is.
- [Manila Tagalog] Sino iyan? (Who is that?)
- [Batangan Tagalog] Sino sila? (Who are they?)
Example 2:
- Case: You pass an older person who is a family friend.
- [Manila Tagalog] Kumusta na po? (wherein the particle po is the signifier of respect)
- [Batangan Tagalog] Kumusta na po kayo? or Kumusta na po sila? (wherein kayo and sila are the second and third person personal pronouns, respectively)
But the use of the plural form is not limited to those of lower ranks. Those of authority is also expected to use this pluralisatrion, this time by using the first person plural "tayo", which functions like the "royal we".
This usage is very common for government officials or those who hold an important position over a certain territory like a priest or a bishop.
And of course, one cannot belittle the use of "po" and "opo" to show respect. However, the Batangueños tend to replace this with "ho" and "oho", a typical morphophonemic change. Nevertheless, Batangueños also understand and appreciate if you use the "po" and "opo" variant of the other Tagalog regions.
[edit] Languages other than Tagalog
Although much can be said about the way a Batangueño speaks his Tagalog, the high literacy rate 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 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.
[edit] Examples of Batangan vocabulary
[edit] A
- Abuhan -- Wood Stove
- Ala (or Ala eh) --then... (as in conclusion )
- Algagahumat-- unnecessary stuffs (collections, etc)
- Anlaa! -- An expression of disbelief
- Anlarakas -- extra stuff; unnecessary stuff
- Apanas -- Small red ants
- Apaw -- (accent on the first syllable) full; ex. apaw na baso (filled glass)
- Apaw -- (accent on the second syllable) mute
- Apuyan -- Matches
- Ardaba -- Padlock
- Are -- This
- Asbag -- Egoistic
- Asbar -- To be hit by parents
- Aspike -- To be hit relentlessly by parents
- Away -- A fight
[edit] B
- Babag -- Fight
- Bagting -- String used for marking
- Bagul -- penny
- Bahaw -- Rice that has already gone cold
- Bakas -- Share in food or property
- Baksa -- A small scarf used by scouts
- Balagbag -- In the most awkward position
- Balagwit -- To carry something very heavy using bamboo sticks put above the shoulders
- Balisbisan -- House perimeter
- Baliw -- Fierce (as in a fierce dog); note that this word means "insane" in Manila
- Banas -- Humid weather
- Banaw -- Batangas shandy made by mixing wine and local lemons
- Bang-aw -- Mad dog or fool person
- Baraka -- Market day, generally Saturday
- Barako -- Brave
- Barik -- To drink liquior
- Barog -- To wrestle
- Basaysay -- House
- Bastag -- One of the two numbers one must bet for jueteng
- Baysanan -- A wedding ceremony
- Bihasa -- Expert
- Biling -- Directionally confused
- Biloy -- Dimples
- Binit -- Slingshot
- Bugok -- Rotten eggs
- Bulak or Sulak -- To boil
- Bukana -- Entry; ex. bukana ng (mouth of the cave)
- Bulanglang -- A way of cooking meat using the water from the rice wash
- Buntal -- Moderate hitting by parents
- Burbur -- Something eaten with the lihiya ricecake
- Busa -- A local sweets, rice pops
- Busilig -- Eyes
[edit] D
- Dag-im -- Cumulus clouds, dark sky
- Dagok -- To hit from behind (especially the back)
- Damusak -- Mess up real bad
- Dawit -- Finger wrestling using the middle finger
- Dine (or rine) -- Here
- Dito -- another word for dine, which also means here
- Dukwang -- To peep outside the window with almost half of your body
- Dumalaga -- A chicken which is soon to be a mother hen
[edit] G
- Gahol -- Lack of time
- Gawa (ng) -- Because; note that this means "made of" in Manila meaning
- Giliran -- A dipper for bathroom use
- Gugo -- Shampoo; generally refers to something made from coconut bark used for washing one’s hair during early times.
- Gulok -- Filipino katana
- Guyam -- Small ant
[edit] G
- Ga -- A question particle, equivalent of ba in Manila or baga in other dialects
- Ganire -- Like this!
- Gawi -- Manner
- Gay-on -- Like that! ex. Gay-ong gawi po lamang. (In that manner, please.)
[edit] H
- Habi -- get out of the way
- Hantik -- A big ant
- Halika -- to come
- Hawot (in full: tuyong hawot) -- Dried fish
- Hiyip -- A tube used to blow soots out of an old earthen stove
- Hikap -- Vagabond
- Huho -- to pour turning the container upside-down
- Humba -- Left over from a festivity
- Huli -- Senile
- Hunta -- A small talk with someone
[edit] I
- Imis -- To clean
- Ineng -- A sweet pet name for a young girl
- Ipud-ipod -- To move
- Ire -- This
[edit] K
- Kahanggan -- Neighborhood, neighbors
- Kalis -- Limbs, reach
- Kalamaghati -- Coconut jam
- Kalamunding -- Calamansi
- Kalpe -- Wallet
- Kampag -- Awkward, slow
- Kaputa -- a celebration or event that is half-done
- Karibok -- Minor mayhem
- Kasaw -- Scrambled eggs
- Kasilyas -- Toilet
- Kawa -- A big cauldron
- Kibal -- String beans
- Kitse or Tapon -- Cork
- Kuloong -- Deep well
- Kutal -- A very heavily soiled piece of cloth
[edit] L
- La-ang -- Only (equivalent of lamang in Manila)
- Lakit -- dark sky
- Lamira -- Mess up something, like food
- Lako -- To peddle
- Libag -- Body dirt
- Liban -- To cross the street
- Liban -- Absent
- Lintik -- Lightning, but has become a curse word
- Lipana -- Prevalent
- Lipol -- To annihilate
- Liting -- A string
- Lublob -- To soak in water
- Luklok -- To sit
[edit] M
- Maas -- Stupid
- Malimit -- Often
- Mamitig -- To have cramps
- Mamulong -- Part of courtship when a man formally asks a woman's parents for permission to marry
- Mangimay -- To lose sensation (like the feeling when anaesthesia is applied)
- Manlilipa -- Red ants with really nasty bites
- Manggagaltang-- Arboreal red ant
- Maunti -- Small
- Minandal -- Afternoon snack
- Mura -- To be scolded; also interpreted as cheap price
[edit] N
- Nagawi -- To be accidentally somewhere, ex. Bakit ka ga nagawi rine? (What brought you here?)
- Nuno -- Ancestors; also a mythical being believed to reside in anthills
[edit] P
- Pagakpak -- Motorbike
- Pagka -- If (kapag in Manila)
- Panday -- Handyman
- Patak -- fall (papatak - will fall)
- Patikar -- To run
- Patuto -- Lot/land boundary
- Perper -- Cut firewood into pieces
- Pihol -- To turn
- Pilansik or Tilamsik -- To squirt
- Pirme -- Always
- Pulangga -- A kind of bird
- Pusit -- A small bird; usually hummingbirds
[edit] S
- Salta -- To climb, to arrive
- Salikungkung-- A simple kite
- Samlang -- One who works or eats unneatly
- Sibi -- A temporary table set for festivities
- Simbar -- To target from a bird’s eye view
- Sinturis or Sintunis -- A citrus fruit
- Sipit -- Tongs
- Sipol -- To whistle
- Sumba -- Something put into the back of a kite for it to fly higher/hum like a plane
- Sungaba -- Fall flat on the face
- Sutil -- Stubborn
- Sya na! -- Enough! or Alright!
[edit] T
- Taking -- A young boy
- Tagay -- A young girl
- Talsik -- To be thrown
- Tangwa -- The edge, especially where someone or something can fall
- Tari' -- A wedge attached to the claws of a cock for the cockfight
- Tiping -- A kind of bread
- Tubog -- A stream
- Tukil -- Bamboo node cut for utility
- Tuklong -- A chapel
- Tulad' -- To copy, as in homework
- Tulyase or Talyase -- Something like a kawa but of bigger scale
- Turok/Turol -- Male erection
- Tubal -- Dirty clothes
[edit] U
- Ulbo -- Pig pen made of square bamboo pile
- Umay -- To get sick of a particular food or activity
- Umis -- Smile
- Usngal -- Misplaced tooth
- Utoy -- A pet name for a young boy
- Uyayi -- Lullaby, also a suspended cradle
[edit] W
- Wari -- To one’s understanding
[edit] Y
- Yabang -- To tell a lie
[edit] 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 stories "Why the Firefly is Noisy" and "The Race of the Carabao and the Tortoise", which both have counterparts in Mexico.
Ancient Batangueños, like the rest of the Tagalog Tribe, worshiped 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.
In the field of 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 Domingo Landicho (familiarly called Inggo be Batangueños) the Dangal ng Batangas Award 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 anniversary of the founding of the province.
[edit] Music
- See Filipino folk music for full discussion.
Musicologists identified Batangas as the origin of the kumintang, an ancient war song which later evolved into kundiman. From the ancient kumintang, another vocal music emerged, known 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 expected in every corner of the province.
Debates may also be done while singing. While those from the province of Bulacan are known for their Balagatasan, 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 got its name (literally "ocean") from its opening lines -- the karagatan always opens with some verses that allude to the depth of the sea and comparing it to the difficulty of joining the debate.
Batangas is also the origin of the Balitao (although Cebuanos may argue). Aside from being a form of vocal music, it 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.
Maestro of Philippine Music Ryan Cayabyab is also a Batangueño, whose mother Celerina Pujante was a sought-after operatic soprano in the 1950's, about the same time as Rosal. Ogie Alcasid, known to fans as Mr. Composer, also hails from this province.
[edit] The Batangueña
The Batangueña is the subject of numerous traditional songs from Batangas. Perhaps the most famous of all is 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 never 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 who is as beautiful as the rose 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 needs 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 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 but she is also fearless in defending her honor.)
On the other hand, the song simply entitled Batangueña says that should a man want to find happiness, he would simply has to choose a Batangueña for a wife. This is because she is always dainty and would be with you no matter how hard life becomes. The song goes on to say 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)
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 often expected to do his duties.
[edit] Architecture and sculpture
Along with Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Batangas has the best preserved colonial architecture in the country. 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 its sculpture and engraved furniture. Often, altar tables coming from Batangas were called the friars' choice because of their delicate beauty.
According to Milagros Covvarubias-Jamir, another Filipino scholar, the furniture that came from Batangas during colonial times was comparable to the beautiful furniture from China. The build of the furniture was so exquisite, nails or glue were 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.
[edit] Museums and tourist information
- Apolinario Shrine *
- Marcela Agoncillo Historical
- Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas Landmark, Taal, Batanags
- Miguel Malvar Hospital *
- Leon Apacible Historical Landmark
- Sto. Tomas, Batangas Taal, Batangas
- Museo ng Batangas at Aklatang Panlalawigan
- Dr. Jose P. Laurel Library,
- Batangas City Tanauan, Batangas
- 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
[edit] Products
More than any other product, Batangas is known for its fan knife, called balisong by the natives. This industry has become so famous that according to urban legend, every Batangueño carrys a balisong everywhere he goes. This is also the reason why most Filipinos would warn you never to mess with a Batangueño.
Pineapples are also common in the province. Aside from the fruit, the leaves are an industry of their own. In the municipality of Taal, pineapple leaves are processed into a kind of cloth known as the gusi. This is further processed to become the Barong Tagalog, the National Male Costume of the Philippines. In fact, the Barong Tagalogs that were used by the heads of states in the last APEC Summit in 1995 were from Batangas. Princess Diana 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 with 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 to be 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 tambakol (bigeye tuna), tulingan (Pacific bluefin tuna), and other species also called bonito (but actually the Gymnosarda unicolor). There is also an important industry for the tanigue.
Taal Lake is home to tawilis, a species of freshwater sardine that is endemic to the lake. It also provides farmed Chanos chanos or bangus. There is also a good volume of tilapia. It is ecologically important to note that neither bangus nor tilapia are native to the lake. Thus they are considered invasive species.
As mentioned, Batangueños are indeed fond of drinking. This is of no surprise as the province lies on what is called the "coconut belt" with an abundance of the raw material for the local liquors lambanog (with 90% proof) and tuba (made of 5.68% alcohol and 13% sugar).
Sugar is also a major industry. After the Hacienda Luisita, the country's former largest sugar producer, was broken up for land reform, the municipality of Nasugbu has become the home of the current largest sugar producing company, the Central Azucarera Don Pedro. This also means that Batangas is home to a bustling industry for sweets. Rice cakes are also common.
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 in the province.
The capital, Batangas City, hosts the second most important international seaport in Luzon. Second only to the 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.
[edit] Geography
[edit] 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 has since become one of the most important centres of the Philippines. 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 one of the first organized provinces in Luzon. Balayan was the capital of the province for 135 years from 1597-1732. In 1732, it was moved to Taal, then the most flourishing and progressive town in the province.
In 1889, what was then the Town of Batangas became the Philippine's 8th city, thus making it one of the oldest cities on the islands.
Batangas is also known as the "Cradle of Noble Heroes", giving homage not only to the revolutionary heroes it produced but the statesmen the came to lead the country. Among the luminaries of Batangas politics are Jose Laurel, Claro M. Recto, Apolinario Mabini, Miguel Malvar, Felipe Agoncillo and Don Apolinario Apacible.
[edit] Current officials
- Governor: Vilma Santos
- Vice Governor: Ricky Recto
- Board Members: Consuelo Malabanan; Benjamin Bausas; Sergio Atienza; Godofredo Berberabe Jr.; Florencio de Loyola; Rodolfo Balba; Cecilio Hernandez; Jose Antonio "Mark" Leviste II; Rowena Sombrano-Africa; Lianda Brucal-Bolilia
[edit] Cities and municipalities
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