Batangas is a region known to its popular and finest dive locations and world’s lowest volcano. A flourishing province which thrive as a tourist objective because of the existing beaches, protected coves, profound caves and docks and the conserved legacy of valiant men in history.
Bragged by the province are various dive sites which are perfect for thrusting around and watching marine creatures which makes macro photography very interesting. Unmatched assortments of nudibranchs. During night time, engage on a dive is very nice because at this time explorers could be able to perceive unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes, blue-ringed octopus, mandarin fishes, and snake eels. Also the coral-covered cathedral is stunning at night. Among the gorgeous dive sites in the province, Sepok offer a very nice coral gardens and vertical wall.
Southern Luzon’s pride in terms of attraction is Taal Lake and Volcano within the province. Taal volcano is the world’s smallest volcano in the world lies within an islet within a lake within a crater within a volcano. The municipal of Taal leads as one of the two most ethnically conserved locations of the Spanish colonial epoch the other is Vigan in Ilocos Sur. The village in Taal conforms to the old town layout combining the municipal hall, school, church, and houses.
Pilgrimage tours, scuba diving, heritage tours, shopping, swimming, snorkeling, mountain climbing and trekking are the popular tourism activities perform in the province. Batangas is located only 110 kilometers south of Metropolitan Manila, and is very accessible from the national capital by land.
EXPLORATIONS
Apolinario Mabini Shrine
The Mabini Shrine is situated in Barrio Talaga around 7 kilometers away from the town proper of Tanauan. Or, from the STAR highway take the Sambat, Tanauan exit, and move towards the Talisay - Tagaytay route. The Mabini shrine is about 5 minutes drive from the toll plaza.
It is a memorial to the nationalism of Philippine hero Aploinario Mabini, popular as the Sublime Paralytic whose ethical convictions and political principles enlightened the hearts of every Filipino who hunts for national personality. It houses the memorabilia of the late revolutionary hero who was the Brains of the Katipunan, a Filipino movement opposing Spain governance in the year 1896.
Taal Heritage
Among the two most ethnically conserved spots of the Spanish government is Taal Heritage. The community matches to the aged town design combing municipal hall-school-church-houses. Within the heritage are the various tourist appeals namely, the Leon Apacible Historical Landmark, Marcela Mariño Agoncilio Museum and Monument, Basilica of San Martin de Tours, Escuela Pia, and Church of Our Lady of Caysasay.
Taal Church
Known as Basilisa of San Martin de Tours a patron of Taal which honored by a fest is celebrated every November 11. It was initially constructed in the year 1575 by Father Diego Espina in San Nicolas. But because of the eruption of Taal Volcano 1754, the church is reconstructed at its current spot in 1755 but then it was destroyed again by an earthquake in year 1849 and its reconstruction was conducted in year 1856. The church is exceptional in its combination of patriotic, religious, and artistic influence. Writers point to its theatrical excitement. Its surface is flamboyant which consists of a single mass of stone shaped into rich complex models. The church, however, is a fusion of styles with arched openings, alternating segmental canopies and arches of assymmetric shapes.
Gerthel Beach
Among the best beaches of the region situated in the municipal of Lobo. The beach is a widen white sand roughly a stretch of 1 kilometer. Gradually inclining ocean floor around two hundred meters before the drop off.
Matabungkay Beach
The package of having a beautiful sunset, white beach, and the provincial atmosphere made Matabungkay a drive-away beach destination for tourists. The area has little to offer other than swimming and watching the sunset but good enough for an inexpensive trip. Unlike other beaches, Matabungkay offers reasonable options for low-budget vacationers. Families who are unable to afford costly restaurants bring their barbeque sets and cook their food the way they want at the beach or at their rented open cottages. Others spend their day barbecuing on the shaded raft floating several meters off the shore. These floating sheds are rented out by villagers which they remark a purely Matabungkay way of picnicking. For upscale tourists, they can choose from luxurious resorts located along the right strip of the beach.
Taal Lake & Volcano
Taal Lake and Volcano is the Southern Luzon’s major tourist attraction. It is the portal for most visitors is through Tagaytay City, from the ridge where a panoramic view of Volcano Island can be seen. The volcano is known to be the smallest in the world. Surrounded by a lake, it is situated on an 8.8-kilometer islet, lapped by the 27-kilometer-long lake. Both the lake and the volcano are situated on the crater of an extinct volcano. Volcano Island is also ideal for trekking.
Mt. Maculot
Among the most admired mountaineering destinations south of Manila. It is preferred due to its well-established trail, wide campgrounds, fine views atop and enough scale of complexity. Its major tourist appeal is the Rockies, a rocky outcropping overlooking Taal lake and its popular little volcano. It takes a bit of rock climbing skills to reach the top of the Rockies, but definitely the effort is well rewarded by the breathtaking vista above it.
The campsite is situated atop the mountains shoulder. Winds can be strong to moderate and it can be quite chilly at night. The summit is another hour away from the campsite, although an alternative trail (the grotto trail) can be taken, traversing the mountain from the other side and then descending to the shoulder campsite. Views from the summit are obscured by forest growth and there is minimal camp space available.
Mt. Maculot’s reputaion has regrettably results a distressing levels of pollution up its slopes. Too much loose and immature camping has produced a bountiful garbage left all over the campgrounds. Refuse such as empty gin bottles to abandoned fire rings litter the place. Little is being done to address this environmental concern.
Calijon Falls
This falls is situated at Barangay San Gregorio previously known as Barangay Calijon around 4.5km east of Malvar, Batangas. Its waters come from natural springs just right above it which is reputed to be a very good source of fresh, sparkling drinking water. A well-known national distributor of bottled drinking water actually taps the springs above as its source of mineral water. The water from the falls is interestingly warm and pleasant to bathe in. The falls can be reached by taking a short hike from the barangay road and about 300 steps down the concrete pathway.
Mainit Hot Springs
Mainit Hot Springs is located in the Municipality of Caibiran in the island of Biliran. The local government has developed this place by constructing three small pools that will hold the flowing hot water coming from the islands' active volcanic and mountainous areas. The temperatures in the pool are classified as warm, hot and very hot - but these are all safe for a relaxing dip. In fact, I spent sometimes there just dipping alternately in those three pools.
The stones in the stream can be quite slippery because of the sulfuric residue that the hot springs produce. It should also be noted that the place seem to have only few visitors that whenever there are tourists to this place, flocks of local from the neighborhood suddenly appears and seem to be amused with the new faces they see. No need for concern thou 'coz these are friendly folks and they offer ready smiles for you.
Ilijan Lagoon
An exceptional waterfalls with water originate from a huge spring on top of a mountain and elegantly streaming from one bowl to another. It has seven huge stone bowls carved naturally out of the mountainsides and beautifully arranged like a flight of stairs.
Sombrero Island
On the surface, this island resembles a hat underwater, so its profile makes the name Sombrero quite appropriate. It could be access by banca southwest across the Maricaban Straight up to northwest of Sombrero Island. Gorgonians, black coral shells, turtles, rays grunts, snappers and a great variety of soft corals are abundant. Streams are normally strong and squally on the surface. Visibility can reach up to 80 feet, and average depth is 33 feet.
Mapating Rock
This open reef is for experienced divers only and its exploration may require assistance from a local dive guides. It could be accessed by banca southwest across the Maribacan Strait and around the northwest end of Maribacan Island. The rock itself is bounded by a fairly shallow area at about 35 feet, ending in a series of drop-offs running down to about 60 feet. The area is huge and the currents are ferocious. Marine life is abundant with different species of fish and quite a few pelagic varieties. Grey reef sharks and white tip reef sharks are occasionally seen in the area.
The Cathedral
Around 60 to 90 feet south of Bagalangit Point lay a giant rock formation that looks like a roofless underwater amphitheater. Between is a small cross planted at 50 feet by now ex Philippine President, Fidel Ramos and blessed by Pope John Paul II. It’s a Marine Park Sanctuary and the best-known Philippine dive sites. Unfruitful, the Cathedral has been seeded with corals from other sites. Flocks of fish eagerly congregate around the divers, waiting to be fed. Diving conditions is generally calm, but can have some strong currents. Visibility can reach 80 feet, and the site is best dived at neap tide.
Merriel’s Rock
The scuba diving site can be accessed by banca southwest across the Maricaban Strait and around the northwest tip of Maribacan Island. Severe streams may be experienced in this cluster of shallow reefs. Visibility can reach 80 feet, and average depth is 60 feet. The site is rich with a lot of different species. And there are numerous types of coral formations enough to fascinate a marine biologist. Divers are advised to dive in the morning, as it can get rough in the afternoon because of the wind.
Layag-Layag Reef
Located at the northwest corner of Caban Island. Layag-Layag can be reached by banca or boat from Eagle Point pier southwest across Maricaban strait. On the south side of this open-water area, is a ledge drop to about 90 feet from the surface. Big jacks swim to within a few feet of the surface, although the larger fish tend to be somewhat coy. Scuba diving conditions is calm with medium to fierce currents. It is considered to be a good snorkeling site. Average depth is 33 feet and visibility can reach 100 feet.
Ligpo Island
Location is 40 minutes north by banca and west of Ligpo Point. Diving conditions is generally serene but could have some ferocious currents that change rapidly. Novice divers are warned not to dive when currents are running. Average depth is 90 feet and visibility can reach 80 feet. Corals of different types and colossal gorgonians bound in the vicinity. The eastern shore has all the reef fishes, but when the current is running countless pelagic species can be seen out in the deep. Ligpo is a fine night dive at neap tides.
Malajibomanoc Island
The scuba diving site is 50 to 70 feet with a flat bottom and rational to harsh current. The major attraction is a hot spring in a hollow from 60 to 70 feet. It is being noted that when Taal Volcano has an increase in activity, the area releases fine hot bubbles. Diving conditions is generally calm with powerful currents, but could be very turbulent. Visibility can reach 80 feet and average depth is at 60 feet. Fish life is abundant with groupers, trumpetfish, moray eels, pufferfish and parrotfish. Even a Blacktip Reef Shark is often seen in the area.
ACCOMMODATION
SM Travelodge
Is a traveler’s refuge in Batangas City where spending a night is a fortune. Offers a Filipino Batangueno hospitality that best expresses comfort, tranquility and affordability. Experience enjoyable accommodation with 41 rooms to choose from. Introducing our stylish De Luxe Suites with mini bars, cable television programs and shower station that gently massage your aching muscles. Encounter interesting Executive and Junior Executive Rooms with auxiliary living/ dining area and gratifying jacuzzi in spacious bathrooms. Not to forget our Standard rooms that offer basic hot water, fully air conditioned domain, cable tv and intercom services that will relax and rejuvenate our weary guests.
CSI Events Centre
A Lipa's premiere destination for small and large functions. It does not matter if you expect only 10 or 500 persons for your event or if your event is a formal wedding ceremony and reception or an informal high school class reunion or children's party, we have the perfect venue for you!
Rosegold Beach Resort & Hotel
Facing the South China Sea near Cape Santiago and Palo Bandera Pt., where inter-island and ocean-going vessels pass through, are the white sand beaches of Calatagan, Batangas. Here lies Rosegold Beach Resort & Hotel, home to one of the few overwater aircon cottages in Luzon group of islands, Philippines. From unforgettable romantic affairs, luau dinners by the bonfire, or any corporate activity from a small seminar to a group of more than 5,000 people, you can assure that we have what it takes to make it memorable and truly relaxing.
Acuatico Beach Resort
A traveler’s and a vacationist’s ideal refuge. Soak your moments of leisure under its magic charms and exotic beauty. Its balmy tropical setting and the deep-blue crystalline waters of the sea. Enjoy the majestic Mt. Daguldul whose lush virgin forest remains undefiled by human exploitation.
And because of Laiya’s unique climate, characterized by less rainfall, ACUATICO is an excellent getaway for beach and nature lovers, even for those who simply want to spend a brief moment of relaxation, anytime of the year.
