A Guide to the Rich Batangas Province

The allure of Batangas is not quite new to many. In fact, this rich province always tops travel guides when people want accessibility, beauty, and nature. Itis home to one of the most majestic volcanoes in the Philippines, the Taal Volcano, and magnificent coral reefs located in Anilao, which continue to dazzle professional divers and amateurs alike. It is also known for its strong and aromatic barako coffee If you’re planning to have a quick getaway not far from Metro Manila, here’s our top picks of destinations in Batangas.

WELLNESS: THE FARM AT SAN BENITO LIPA, BATANGAS

An escape is what we’re all craving for, especially after these lockdowns. At The Farm at San Benito, get ready to be pampered while in the midst of nature. The Farm offers medically-supervised holistic programs—Health Optimization Programs, Executive Health Programs, Cellular Health Programs, Aesthetic Programs, and Special Treatments. These treatments allow visitors to recuperate and be re-energized to face another week of hustling in the city.

DIVING: SALTITUDE RESORT MABINI, BATANGAS

If you’re one for water adventures and thrilling experiences, then Saltitude Beach Resort is for you. Located along the coastal waters of Mabini, Batangas, the resort allows you to explore Batangas’ famous coral reefs. While here, try out the different water adventures —from diving, wind-surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling. If you’re up for a more leisurely afternoon, boat rides can bring you to the beach’s most scenic spots.

FOOD: CORCOLON’S LOMI HOUSE SAN JOSE, BATANGAS

They say that some of the most delicious food don’t always come from fancy restaurants. Sometimes, it can be found in simple, hole-in-the-wall eateries or even a karinderya. Egg noodle soup, famously known as “lomi,” is a must-try dish when you visit Batangas. Here, you’ll find a number of restaurants that stand out from the rest. One of these is Corcolon’s Lomi house, located in San Jose, Batangas. This lomi house has been around for more than 20 years, and was first called Tess Lomi House, named after the owner, Maritess Lopez. Tita Maritess hails from Bulacan, and she developed her famous lomi recipe with her Batangueño husband. Their distinct lomi showcases the two different flavors and cooking techniques of Batangas and Bulacan, perfectly merging them to create a truly mouthwatering dish.

SOUVENIR SHOP: ONA’S BATANGAS BLADES TAAL, BATANGAS DESSERT: GINATAANG PININDOT

Ginataang Pinindot is a sweet dessert usually served at celebrations such as birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Believed to bring good luck, this dessert dish is made with small spheres of glutinous malagkit rice, sweet potato, jackfruit, and sago, cooked in coconut milk and sugar. Since most Batangueños are accustomed to making their own recipe of Ginataang Pinindot, it can be found at almost every restaurant.

It is also the perfect dessert to pair with Batangas’ signature barako coffee. Batangueños are fierce by nature. And, in fact, this city has produced a great number of warriors. So it’s pretty obvious why this town is known as the “balisong” capital of our country. Balisong, or butterfly knives, are the Batangas version of the Kris knives—a weapon used by the Malaya-Polynesians in 800 AD. It is a handmade blade, which holds great cultural and historical significance. You can find these works of art at Ona’s Batangas Blades in Taal. This blade shop is one of the oldest stores in the area, and is owned by Diosdado Ona, famously known as Mang Ona, who’s also the maker of these polished balisongs.

DESSERT: GINATAANG PININDOT

Ginataang Pinindot is a sweet dessert usually served at celebrations such as birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Believed to bring good luck, this dessert dish is made with small spheres of glutinous malagkit rice, sweet potato, jackfruit, and sago, cooked in coconut milk and sugar. Since most Batangueños are accustomed to making their own recipe of Ginataang Pinindot, it can be found at almost every restaurant. It is also the perfect dessert to pair with Batangas’ signature barako coffee.

MATABUNGKAY BEACH RESORT

Located in the seaside town of Lian, Matabungkay Beach Hotel is an iconic resort that has entertained locals and tourists for over 30 years. Guests of all ages will enjoy the resort’s three pools and the private beach. But that is not all that Matabungkay offers. Guests can relax in the Solea Spa or enjoy a couple of drinks while playing darts or singing on the karaoke in the Wave Sports Bar. Those looking to get more action and adventure can rent the jet ski, banana boat, or kayak. The resort also offers helmet diving and beach cove hopping. With all these amenities and relaxing accommodations, staying in the famous resort guarantees a fun, memorable vacation for your family and friends.

TRAVEL APP: RICH BATANGAS

The Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs (PTCAO) launched "Rich Batangas," last December 8, 2020, to promote Rich the province's tourism. The goal of Balangas this app and website is to provide an accessible and convenient way to learn about Batangas-its history, culture, and attractions. On the app and website, you can browse the travel guide e-books, online PTCAO registration, PTCAO Newsletters, PTCAO chat, and Batangas E-Museo Tour. The app is available for download on both Android and iOS. To know more about the app and the site, you can visit www.richbatangasph.com.

COFFEE AND LOCAL DISHES: TIMPLADO BY CIRCA 1740, LIPA BATANGAS

Barako coffee is always top of mind among coffee lovers when they come to visit Batangas. Barako coffee is distinct in that it has a strong, unique aroma and has an equally bold and smooth taste. Its beans are of the Liberica variety—a rare and exotic type of coffee that can only be grown in three out of around 70 coffee-producing countries in the world.

While this Barako coffee can easily be found in local markets and groceries nationwide, only a few roasters sell high-quality beans that maximize the flavors of the Barako bean and which abide by a fair-trade system. Timplado by Circa 1740, a food and beverage company founded by Kath Manto, Aries Asilo, and Allan Bautista, is one of these roaster-retailers that take great pride in producing world-class quality Barako roasts. The name Circa 1740 came from the year when coffee was first brought to Batangas by the Spaniards, while the country was still a colony. Coffee-farming and roasting eventually became a source of livelihood for many generations of local farmers.

Enjoying a cup of perfectly roasted Barako can be done using only a pot, cup of water, and Barako beans—just like what the locals do in Batangas. But for those who would like to explore different blended coffee flavors, Timplado by Circa 1740 offers numerous exciting choices. Their coffee flavors include Gabriela Dip Coffee (Pure Black), Teresa Dip Coffee (White Chocolate), Melchora Dip Coffee (Sweet), Marcela Dip Coffee (Peanut), Josefa Dip Coffee (3-in-1), and Gliceria Dip Coffee (Chili), which are all locally sourced from Batangueño farmers.

Aside from the blended Barako coffee, Timplado also offers tasty desserts like sapin-sapin and suman. In their restaurant in Lipa, you can also indulge in their mouthwatering dishes such as their best-selling Timplado Pork Tomahawk, Baby Back Ribs with Timplado Tablea Sauce, Apo Pizza with Timplado Tapa, Timplado Prime Beef Steak, and Timplado Baked Rosemary Chicken. The ingredients they use for their dishes are 100% local produce, bought directly from farmers and local producers. Know more about their cause and products on www.timplado.com.ph.