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Balayan, officially the Municipality of Balayan ( tgl, Bayan ng Balayan), is a 1st class
municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...
in the
province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions out ...
of
Batangas Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and L ...
,
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 95,913 people. The town is rich among the natural resources of
sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, perennial grass (in the genus '' Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fibrous stalk ...
s,
coconuts The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or t ...
and
corn Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maíz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The ...
. Significant events includes the ''Parada ng
Lechon A suckling pig is a piglet fed on its mother's milk (i.e., a piglet which is still a "suckling"). In culinary contexts, a suckling pig is slaughtered between the ages of two and six weeks. It is traditionally cooked whole, often roasted, in ...
'' (every June 24) and the Feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated annually every December 8. Widely known products originating from the area include the ''Bagoong Balayan''.


Etymology

''Balayan'' is derived from the Old Tagalog word ''balayan

meaning "to walk past the paddy, from a basket to another"Juan José de Noceda and Pedro de Sanlúcar, Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala, (Manila: Imprenta de Ramírez y Giraudier, 1860), 30. and "carry or accomplish anything with the tip of any batten". Other possible source is from the old Tagalog word ''balayang'
which means "wood"


History

Tagalog language, Tagalog literatures in Balayan were lost and destroyed at the coming of the Spaniards. Jesuit Father Chirino testified they found (300) three hundred pre-colonial manuscripts in Balayan but to facilitate them the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith, early
Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...
missionaries destroyed the records. Scholars and historians believed that Tagalog songs: '' Kumintang'' and ''
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. Kundiman was the traditional means of sere ...
'' originated from Balayan. Spanish writer and historian Wenceslao E. Retana recorded the lyrics of a popular Kundiman when he visited Batangas in 1888. Balayan has a close affinity to early history. The towns position on the basin of a good harbour was one of the reasons it became the first lands for local settlements in the
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
, with existing records of local indigenous residents exchanging barter goods with Chinese traders dating back to the mid-14th century. It was once the capital of a Moro Sultanate named ''Bon-bon'' whose area includes
Mindoro Mindoro is the seventh largest and eighth-most populous island in the Philippines. With a total land area of 10,571 km2 ( 4,082 sq.mi ) and has a population of 1,408,454 as of 2020 census. It is located off the southwestern coast of Luz ...
to
Cavite Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite ( tl, Lalawigan ng Kabite; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Located on the southern shores of Manila Bay and southw ...
.The indigenous inhabitants of Balayan has close ties with the Brunei Sultanate of Maynilad under the leadership of
Rajah Sulayman I ''Raja'' (; from , IAST ') is a royal title used for South Asian monarchs. The title is equivalent to king or princely ruler in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The title has a long history in South Asia and Southeast Asia, being attested fr ...
and his uncle Rajah Matanda. There are historical accounts that Rajah Sulayman I stayed on this area when he tried to battle the Spaniards around
Intramuros Intramuros (Latin for "inside the walls") is the historic walled area within the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It is administered by the Intramuros Administration with the help of the city government of Manila. Present-day ...
. In 1578, Balayan covered the modern-day municipality and some areas of
Calaca A calaca (, a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round. Description Tracing ...
, Calatagan, Lian,
Nasugbu Nasugbu, officially the Municipality of Nasugbu ( tgl, Bayan ng Nasugbu), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 136,524 people. Several bus services provide ...
and Tuy. It became the capital of Balayan Province (present-day
Batangas Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and L ...
) from 1597 to 1732. It was the most progressive town of the Province and the traditional center of governance. The eruption of the Taal Volcano destroyed a significant portion of the town, moving the provincial capital to
Bonbon A bonbon is a small chocolate confection. They are usually filled with liqueur or other sweet alcoholic ingredients, and sold wrapped in coloured foil. Ingredients Through the Western world, bonbons are usually small candies but vary by region i ...
(present-day Taal) in 1732 and the name of the province was renamed after that town. Despite the presence of
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
forces protected by the newly built stonefort in nearby Maynilad or
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populated ...
, Fort Santiago and Fort Intramuros
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
, due to its natural harbor, a number of areas around the archipelago were often become launching grounds of counterattacks from the seafaring
Moro people The Moro people or Bangsamoro people are the 13 Muslim-majority ethnolinguistic Austronesian groups of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan, native to the region known as the Bangsamoro (lit. ''Moro nation'' or ''Moro country''). As Muslim-majorit ...
. These events prompted local Spanish officials to set up a fort to prevent yearly Moro counterattacks. From 3rd class municipality in 1992, Balayan jumped to 2nd class municipality in 1995, and to 1st class in July 1996, suggesting the continuous improvement of Balayan's financial status.


Geography

Balayan is a lowland town in western Batangas. According to the
Philippine Statistics Authority The Philippine Statistics Authority ( Filipino: ''Pangasiwaan ng Estadistika ng Pilipinas''), abbreviated as PSA, is the central statistical authority of the Philippine government that ''collects, compiles, analyzes and publishes statistical in ...
, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Batangas. Balayan is bounded on the north by Tuy, west by Calatagan and Lian, east by
Calaca A calaca (, a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round. Description Tracing ...
, and south by the Balayan Bay. Distance from
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populated ...
, the country's capital, is and from
Batangas City Batangas City, officially the City of Batangas ( fil, Lungsod ng Batangas), is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 351,437 people. Batangas City ...
, the provincial capital.


Topography

Balayan is strategically located at the center of western Batangas. The town is bounded on the north by Tuy, north-east by
Nasugbu Nasugbu, officially the Municipality of Nasugbu ( tgl, Bayan ng Nasugbu), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 136,524 people. Several bus services provide ...
, east by
Calaca A calaca (, a colloquial Mexican Spanish name for skeleton) is a figure of a skull or skeleton (usually human) commonly used for decoration during the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, although they are made all year round. Description Tracing ...
, west by Lian, south-west by Calatagan, and south by Balayan Bay.


Climate

Balayan falls under the first type of climate:
Dry season The dry season is a yearly period of low rainfall, especially in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which moves from the northern to the southern tropics and back over the course of the year. The ...
from November to April and
Wet season The wet season (sometimes called the Rainy season) is the time of year when most of a region's average annual rainfall occurs. It is the time of year where the majority of a country's or region's annual precipitation occurs. Generally, the sea ...
from May to October. Balayan's Atmospheric Temperature is 28.5 inches – 29.8 inches (English Mercurial Barometer Scale). The average annual temperature in Balayan is . The Average Annual Rainfall is .


Barangays

Balayan is politically subdivided into 48
barangay A barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as barrio (abbreviated as Bo.), is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. In metropolita ...
s. The largest barangay in town is Patugo while the smallest is District 12.


Demographics

In the 2020 census, Balayan had a population of 95,913. The population density was . The main language used by the people in Balayan is Tagalog language, Tagalog but some can still speak and understand basic
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
. Literate people can speak
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...
but it is often used in formal occasions or events only.


Religion

Churches: * Immaculate Conception Parish Church (Balayan) *Ermita Church *Jesus the Peace Maker Christian Church *Jesus Is Lord Church


Economy

*Phil Steel Corporation (Steelcorp) – manufacturer of coated steel sheets, coils and irons *Batangas Sugar Cane Central – the mother company of Muscuvado Food Sugar Corp. and processes sugar cane *ProGreen Distillery (Emperador) *Waltermart Balayan (Community Mall)


Government


Incumbent officials

*Mayor – Emmanuel Salvador "JR" Fronda *Vice Mayor – Atty. Efren R. Chavez *Councilors: *Raquel Aniwasal *Raymund De La Vega *Joebert Mapalad *Jhun Santos *Alfred Solis *Demet Hernandez *Bernardo Pantoja *Elmer Del Carmen


Tourism

Balayan BayWalk Park – In January 2009, Balayan renovated a mini park which will provide locals and tourists a view of Balayan Bay similar to what is seen in the country's capital.


Healthcare

Hospitals in Balayan include: *Medical Center Western Batangas *Balayan Bayview Hospital and Medical Center *Don Manuel Lopez Memorial District Hospital *Metro Balayan Medical Center


Education

Balayan has several schools, institutions and university both public and private located within and outside the
Poblacion ''Poblacion'' (literally "town" or "settlement" in Spanish; ) is the common term used for the administrative center, central, downtown, old town or central business district area of a Philippine city or municipality, which may take up th ...
. Public schools include: *Balayan East Central School *Balayan West Central School * Balayan National High School *Batangas State University – Balayan Campus Private schools include: *Immaculate Conception College *Blessed Christ Child Montessori Foundation *Balayan Colleges *Balayan Kiddie Learning Center *Our Lady of Miracles Learning Center * STI College – Balayan *Kim Harold Computer and Technical School (Fraternidad St.) *Core Science Academy *Saint Paul College Balayan *Schola Nazaria Inc. *Kiddie Learning


Notable personalities

* Sixto C. López
propagandist Propaganda is communication that is primarily used to influence or persuade an audience to further an agenda, which may not be objective and may be selectively presenting facts to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded ...
and negotiator for Philippine independence from the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
* Leo Martinez - actor, comedian, and director * Kim de Leon - winner of 7th season of '' StarStruck''


References


External links

* *
Philippine Standard Geographic Code The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balayan, Batangas Municipalities of Batangas Former provincial capitals of the Philippines