Beautiful Philippines: A Handbook of General Information

by Philippine Islands. Commission of Independence

BATANGAS PROVINCE.—Batangas Province is immediately south of Cavite Province. It has an irregular coastline and has many important ports, such as Nasugbu, Calatagan, Balayan, Calaca, Lemeri, Taal, San Luis, Batangas, Lobo, and San Juan.

At Laiya on the coast between San Juan and Lobo are the famous Lobo submarine gardens. During fair weather the water here is as clear as crystal and the submarine growth may be seen in all its varied colors.

The valleys and slopes of the province are extremely fertile because of the disintegrated volcanic rock that is carried down from the mountains by the river. Sugar, hemp, citrus fruits, coconut, corn, mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables are grown in abundance. The province is especially noted for its delicious oranges, grown in Tanawan and Santo Tomas. Great herds of horses famous throughout the archipelago as well as carabaos and cattle are raised on the mountain slopes. Bawan and Lemeri are famous for the fine jusi and piña cloths manufactured there and for the knotted abaca that is sent to Japan for the manufacture of hats.

Historical Incidents Throughout the 17th century the coast towns of Batangas suffered greatly from Moro attacks. Stone forts were erected at various points along the coast—in Lemeri, Taal, Bawan, and Batangas—but still the Moros came. In 1754 as many as 38 Moro vessels appeared off the coast. In 1763 the northern part of the province was visited by the British in search of the treasure of the galleon “Philippine.” The expedition failed to find the treasure but went as far as Lipa and plundered the town. Batangas was one of the first provinces to start the revolution of 1896. Two of the great leaders of the period were sons of the province, namely, the great lawyer and statesman, Apolinario Mabini, and Miguel Malvar, the famous general.

Attractions Among the attractions are the old picturesque buildings of Lipa and Taal, the San Juan sulphur springs, the Bawan hot springs, and the Rosario fresh water spring. There are also several caves and grottos. The two largest are found in the slopes of Mount Pulan, Suya, and Kamantigue of San Juan. One of the caves has an opening of 40 meters in circumference. Issuing therefrom is an underground river which empties into Lake Taal. Along its course are extensive galleries and chambers lined with fantastically shaped stalactites and stalagmites. At the approach of an eruption of the Taal Volcano nearby, the cave emits a weird sound, audible at great distances.

The church at Taal, Batangas Province, said to be the largest in the Islands

Taal Volcano Taal Volcano is the great scenic asset of the province. Almost at the doors of Manila it is easily reached with practically none of the discomfort which a trip to nature’s wild spots usually involves. The volcano is commonly known as the “cloud maker” and “the terrible.” How long this volcano has been emitting sulphurous smoke is not known; all that is known is that back in the geologic past, volcanic outbursts of enormous magnitude disturbed the regions about it. In the 18th century the volcano erupted several times, and ruined many towns in the neighborhood. The last and perhaps the worst eruption occurred in January, 1911.

Then, after a long interval, old Taal, in a paroxysm of volcanic activity, showed that he was still lusty and capable of making a huge disturbance. In addition to the steam which had been coming from the crater more or less continuously, the volcano began throwing out mud. This activity increased, and culminated in a great explosion at about half past 2 on the morning of January 30th. The hot water, mud, and ashes completely devastated about 90 square miles of country; while some mud and fine ashes fell over an area of more than 800 square miles. Many villages were destroyed and the official estimate of the dead was 1,335. The spasm of activity died away until the volcano again assumed its normal state about February 8th. Since then it has been very quiet, though a small mud geyser has started up along the old fault line which extends from Taal to the coast. This is located on the beach at the village of Sinisian.

Before the eruption the floor of the crater stood about five feet above the level of Lake Bombon. In it were four prominent features: Two small lakes of hot water, one green, the other more or less red; near the center a gas vent five or six feet in diameter, from which the hot gases roared as from a blast furnace; and just a little distance away a triangular obelisk of hard volcanic rock. During the eruption all of the material in the bottom of this crater, to a depth of about 230 feet, was heaved up and spread broadcast over the country. Later on, this hole filled up with water, which seeped in from the lake almost up to the level of the old floor, or about that of the lake itself. There is now one large body of steaming water in place of the former features, but the old obelisk still stands defiantly in its place.