Balayan, Batangas
Encyclopedia
Balayan is a 1st class municipality in the Province of Batangas, Philippines
. According to the latest census, it has a population of 79,407 people in 13,843 households.
Balayan is bounded by Tuy
on the north; Calatagan and Lian
on the west, Calaca
on the east and the Balayan Bay on the south which had a total of at least 100 km² (38 mi²). The town is rich among the natural resources of sugarcane
s, coconuts
and corn
. Significant events includes the Parada ng Lechon
(every June 24) and the Feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated every December 8 of the year. Widely known products originating from the area include the Bagoong Balayan.
Tagalog literatures in Balayan were lost and destroyed at the coming of the Spaniards. Jesuit Father Chirino testifies to it that they found three hundred manuscripts in Balayan but believing them to contain pagan elements, and to facilitate them in the propagation of the Christian faith, the early missionaries burned them.
Scholars and historians believed that Tagalog songs: kumintang and kundiman
originated from Balayan. In fact, the Spanish writer and historian Wenceslao E. Retana recorded the lyrics of a popular Kundiman when he visited Batangas in 1888 .
Part of Balayan’s beauty is its close affinity to history. The town was one of the first settlements in the Philippines
, with existing records of local residents exchanging barter goods with Chinese
traders dating back to the mid-14th century. It was also once the capital named Bon-bon whose area includes Mindoro
to Cavite
and even some parts of Metro Manila
. The capital was later moved to Batangas City
(the present capital of Batangas
). The Oldest Chapel in Asia
is also located in Balayan at Brgy. Ermita, Balayan, Batangas
.
Despite the presence of Spanish
forces in the Philippines
, a number of areas around the archipelago were often plagued by attacks from Muslims. In the mid-18th century, Muslims were able to take over the town, keeping it under their control for two months. When they left, they burned the whole town. The event prompted local officials to set up a fort to prevent further Muslim
attacks.
Much of the town’s life is steeped in Spanish
colonial culture, starting with the coming of Franciscan
friars in 1572.
. Public schools includes the Balayan East Central School, Balayan West Central school and Balayan National High School
. Private schools are the Immaculate Conception College, Blessed Christ Child Montessori Foundation, Balayan Colleges, Saint Paul College Balayan and Schola Nazaria Inc.
s.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the latest census, it has a population of 79,407 people in 13,843 households.
Balayan is bounded by Tuy
Tuy
Tuy may refer to:Places:*Ocumare del Tuy, a city in the Miranda State in northern Venezuela* The Tuy river in Venezuela*Santa Teresa del Tuy, a city in the state of Miranda, Venezuela...
on the north; Calatagan and Lian
Lian
Lian may refer to:*Gao Lian , a character in the Water Margin series of novels*Jia Lian, a character in the novel Dream of the Red Chamber*Lian, Batangas, Philippines*Lian, Norway*Lian , a given name...
on the west, Calaca
Calaca
A calaca is a figure of a skull or skeleton commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round. Tracing their origins from Aztec imagery, calacas are frequently shown with marigold flowers and foliage...
on the east and the Balayan Bay on the south which had a total of at least 100 km² (38 mi²). The town is rich among the natural resources of sugarcane
Sugarcane
Sugarcane refers to any of six to 37 species of tall perennial grasses of the genus Saccharum . Native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of South Asia, they have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar, and measure two to six metres tall...
s, coconuts
COcOnuts
COcOnuts is the second album released by Jane, comprising Animal Collective member Panda Bear, and Scott Mou. It was originally self-released on CD-R's, but later became the first album released by Psych-o-path Records in 2005. The Psych-o-path version was remastered by Rusty Santos and Edik Kleyner....
and corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
. Significant events includes the Parada ng Lechon
Lechon
Lechón is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically Spain and its former colonial possessions throughout the world. The word lechón originated from the Spanish term leche ; thus lechón refers to a suckling pig that is roasted...
(every June 24) and the Feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated every December 8 of the year. Widely known products originating from the area include the Bagoong Balayan.
History
Balayan was derived from Old Tagalog word balayan, which means walk past the paddy from a basket to another and carry or accomplish anything with the tip of any batten. Other possible source is from the Old Tagalog word balayang, which means wood, as old natives used to call this town up to the present.Tagalog literatures in Balayan were lost and destroyed at the coming of the Spaniards. Jesuit Father Chirino testifies to it that they found three hundred manuscripts in Balayan but believing them to contain pagan elements, and to facilitate them in the propagation of the Christian faith, the early missionaries burned them.
Scholars and historians believed that Tagalog songs: kumintang and kundiman
Kundiman
Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the Kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals...
originated from Balayan. In fact, the Spanish writer and historian Wenceslao E. Retana recorded the lyrics of a popular Kundiman when he visited Batangas in 1888 .
Part of Balayan’s beauty is its close affinity to history. The town was one of the first settlements in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, with existing records of local residents exchanging barter goods with Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
traders dating back to the mid-14th century. It was also once the capital named Bon-bon whose area includes Mindoro
Mindoro
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
to Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
and even some parts of Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
. The capital was later moved to Batangas City
Batangas City
- Foreign Rule :The first Spanish missionaries arrived in Batangas City since 1572. Finally on 1581 Spanish authorities governing the Philippines created a pueblo in the area which included the hill where the present Provincial Capitol of Batangas stands after the formal end of the Coumintang...
(the present capital of Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class 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...
). The Oldest Chapel in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
is also located in Balayan at Brgy. Ermita, Balayan, Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class 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...
.
Despite the presence of Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
forces in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, a number of areas around the archipelago were often plagued by attacks from Muslims. In the mid-18th century, Muslims were able to take over the town, keeping it under their control for two months. When they left, they burned the whole town. The event prompted local officials to set up a fort to prevent further Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
attacks.
Much of the town’s life is steeped in Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
colonial culture, starting with the coming of Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
friars in 1572.
Education
Balayan has several schools and institutions both public and private located within the PoblacionPoblacion
A Poblacion or Población, literally "town" or "Population" in Spanish, is the name commonly used for the central barangay or barangays of a Philippine city or municipality. Common features of the poblacion include a town plaza, church, market, school and town hall. It is sometimes shortened to...
. Public schools includes the Balayan East Central School, Balayan West Central school and Balayan National High School
Balayan National High School
The Balayan National High School is a school in Balayan, Batangas, Philippines. It was founded in 1985 and was originally called Balayan Municipal High School, changing the Municipal to National in 1989. Over 4,000 students are enrolled annually....
. Private schools are the Immaculate Conception College, Blessed Christ Child Montessori Foundation, Balayan Colleges, Saint Paul College Balayan and Schola Nazaria Inc.
Barangays
Balayan is politically subdivided into 49 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
| Barangay | Captain | SK Chairman | Area (km²) |
Population (2000) |
Pop. density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baclaran | |||||
| Barangay 1 | |||||
| Barangay 2 | |||||
| Barangay 3 | Virgilio Sale | ||||
| Barangay 4 | Resty Andal | ||||
| Barangay 5 | Eulogio Bautista | ||||
| Barangay 6 | |||||
| Barangay 7 | |||||
| Barangay 8 | Mar Ramos | ||||
| Barangay 9 | Ricardo Gaa | ||||
| Barangay 10 | |||||
| Barangay 11 | Julian de Roxas | ||||
| Barangay 12 | |||||
| Calan | |||||
| Caloocan | |||||
| Calzada | |||||
| Canda | Gil Perez | ||||
| Carenahan | |||||
| Caybunga | |||||
| Cayponce | |||||
| Dalig | Rodrigo Ali-Ali | ||||
| Dao | |||||
| Dilao | Gregorio Carcabuso | ||||
| Duhatan | |||||
| Durungao | |||||
| Gimalas | |||||
| Gumamela | |||||
| Lagnas | |||||
| Lanatan | |||||
| Langgangan | |||||
| Lucban Putol | |||||
| Lucban Pook | Gitolio Arroyo | ||||
| Magabe | |||||
| Malalay | |||||
| Munting Tubig | |||||
| Navotas | Kapitan Abak | ||||
| Patugo | |||||
| Palikpikan | |||||
| Pooc | Pedro Bawit | ||||
| Sambat | Bernie Pantoja | ||||
| Sampaga | Rene Comia | ||||
| San Juan | |||||
| San Piro | |||||
| Santol | |||||
| Sukol | |||||
| Tactac | |||||
| Taludtod | Eulalio Marquez | ||||
| Tanggoy |
