The best part: It is close to Manila, just two to three hours away. Here are 12 destinations you might want to check out the next time you plan a quick getaway!
Rising in the middle of Taal lake, Taal Volcano is often called an island within a lake within an island. But wait, there’s more. It has a crater lake and at its center is a small rock islet, which makes it an islet within a lake within an island within a lake within an island.
Taal is one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world. Yes, it is little but, mind you, it is very, very active. In fact, it is one of the few Decade Volcanoes in the world.
Another heritage town and former capital is Balayan. Its history can be traced back to the early 13th century. They say that way before the Spaniards came, Balayan was already a booming settlement and a busy trade center.
The town is dotted with a number of ancestral houses that offer a peek at the past. At the center of the poblacion stands the Church of the Immaculate Conception, one of the oldest churches in Batangas and in the Southern Tagalog region (if not the oldest).
Balayan celebrates the Feast of St. John the Baptist (San Juan de Bautista) every June 24th in a wet and wild way. The Parada ng Lechon happens on this day and visitors are invited to participate in the celebration!
Most of the attractions here fall under three categories: churches, historical sites, and food.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian is among the most visited for its grand design. Casa de Segunda epitomizes a well-preserved Spanish colonial ancestral house.
Long and wide, the coast of Brgy. Laiya Aplaya is sparkling with white powdery sand. More popularly called as Laiya, it has risen as a major beach destination in Batangas.
Batangas has two lighthouses manning its coasts. One of them stands proudly at Malabrigo Point in the sleepy town of Lobo. Victorian-inspired, the Malabrigo Lighthouse was designed by Guillermo Brockman in 1891 and was constructed by Chinese contractor Jose Garcia in 1896. The Victorian-inspired structure is cylindrical, made of bricks, and has a metal staircase. It was declared as a National Historical Landmark on 27 November 2006.
The other Batangan lighthouse mans Cape Santiago in equally sedating town of Calatagan. The Cape Santiago Lighthouse stands on top of a cliff by the shore. Built in 1890, it is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Philippines that continue to function. Calatagan is also famous for its many dive sites.
In Lian, there’s Matabungkay. If locals are to be believed, Matabungkay was “rediscovered” in the early 1950s by Germans who were looking for a go-to paradise within proximity to the bustling Manila. Since then, Matabungkay transformed from a simple fishing village into a tourism destination.
Take a blast from the past and visit some of these museums in Batangas. Have a look at some of the historical artifacts and artworks from our ancestors and see what's the Filipino culture is made of. Learn what and how the past life of and what are the traditions of the Batanguenos. I'm sure you'll really love it.