Experience the blast of happenings at SM City Batangas with its line up of fun and entertaining activities in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

JOY LIM MALL TOUR (Feb. 5). Know what’s in store for you this year of the metal tiger as one of the country’s top feng shui expert shares her tip.Joy Lim mall tour is on Feb. 5, 4pm at the Foodcourt Area.

LUCKY ANG PAO TREE GRAND LAUNCHING (Feb.6). Shoppers get to enjoy freebies from SM City Batangas as they celebrate chinese new year with us. Every Php 300 single or accumulated receipt purchase from participating tenants give shoppers a chance to pick an ang pao from the Lucky Ang Pao Tree with a surprising freebies and wish of good luck inside. Lucky Ang Pao Tree Grand Launching is on Feb. 6, 10am at the mall’s 2nd Atrium.

DRAGON AND LION DANCE (Feb.14). Enjoy watching the very entertaining Dragon and Lion Dance as they chase away negative energies and bring in success to all of us. Dragon and Lion Dance will start at 10am on Feb. 14 at the mall area.

So come and visit SM City Batangas now and have a great deal of fun and entertaining celebration of the Chinese New Year.

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI everyone!

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Batangas Province Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and the Provincial DTI joined forces in supervising the private sector component of the BPCCI Trade Fair. This trade fair is a pet project of Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto for the Batangas province foundation celebration.

Business establishments and representatives of different municipalities of Batangas are now here at the Batangas Capitol open grounds where trade booths are set up for each of them. This trade fair will run starting today, Dec. 4, until Dec. 8 which is Batangas Province’s Foundation Day.

The celebration of Batangas Foundation Day and this Trade Fair are both under the supervision of the Provincial Tourism Office headed by Mr. Pancho Lardizabal.

Batangas Province Trade Fair 2009 Image Gallery

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Lipa City was awarded as the Most Outstanding Accounting Office, Local Governance Sector, for adopting decentralized accounting system(city level) for year 2008.

The award received by Lipa City Accountant Ma. Belen Villanueva, recognizes the exemplary performance of the city in the criteria of Accuracy,Timeliness, Reliability and Compliance to Accounting Rules and Regulations set by the Commission on Audit(COA).

Together with other Lipa delegates, the City Accountant, Mrs. Villanueva received the prestigious award from AGAP,Inc. held at the L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City last Ocotber 12-15, 2009.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her message sent to AGAP congratulated the winners of the Outstanding Accounting Offices and members of AGAP, emphasizing that as public accountants, they are in the best position to help the country in coping with the global economic downturn and that by guaranteeing transparency, reliable and cost-effective accounting services to their clients, the reforms that the government has taken over the past years can be safeguarded.

In an interview with Mrs. Villanueva, she pointed out that because of prudent spending by the present administration, the LGU was able to grant its employees the 10% increase in salaries in 2007 and another 10 percent increase in 2008. With the Local Chief Executive effective fiscal management, not only the LGU employees were benefited but also the constituents of Lipa through the appointment of additional funds for other significant projects in the areas of health,education,peace and order and infrastructure as the closing of books posted some P68 million surplus for the year 2008.

Technorati Tags: Lipa City, Batangas, Lipa, Batangas City, Batangas Province, LGU, local government of Lipa, Mayor Oscar Gozos, Oscar Gozos, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Governor Vilma Santos Recto, Capitol, Lipa

SM Land, local governments through Nasugbu municipality and civil society through the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines joined forces to protect the natural coastline resources in Batangas and to ensure all stakeholders can build a greener environment in the province.

Considering that Nasugbu has been subjected to environmental stresses caused by illegal methods of fishing, this move is very timely. Joel Palma of WFF said that they have identified three sites with the biggest potential of being declared marine protected areas (MPAs) because of their biological attributes. The three coves declared MPAs by the municipal council of Nasugbu, Batangas, are Pico de Loro, Santelmo and Etayo found within SM Land’s Hamilo Coast.

Meanwhile, Hamilo Coast is a pioneering residential leisure destination in Nasugbu that is being developed by SM Land. The 5,800-hectare property is an exclusive development that will host master-planned communities amid a rich natural environment. Out of these 5,800 hectares, only 1,800 hectares will be developed, leaving the rest of the property untouched and preserved for environmental sustainability.

Part of the charm of the property is the expansive natural setting, which includes 13 majestic coves situated along the coastline of Nasugbu. These coves add a unique character to this leisure destination and residential haven. Each cove is blessed with mountain ranges, unending views of the South China Sea, and teeming marine and terrestrial life. These also form part of the Verde Passage, which is known as the center of marine biodiversity in the world. This means that the area contains the most number of fish species globally within the Coral Triangle.

SM Land Senior Manager said that Hamilo is dedicated to the preservation of the environment, and it is this type of setting that they aim to provide as a community for our residents. The rehabilitation of Hamilo and the coastal community is so important. Being near Metro Manila, a clean and green Hamilo would help in making neighboring areas more viable through livelihood, sustainability and food security.

Technorati Tags: Hamilo, Nasugbu, Batangas, WOWBatangas, Batangas province, Hamilo coast, World Wide fund for Nature, WWF, SM, SM Land, biodiversity, marine life, Nasubu town, SM Group, livelihood, sustainability, food security, rehabilitation, protection, Nasubgu Batangas, Joel Palma

Yes Folks! Dane, a beauty queen from Ibaan and Regine, an adorable chic from Batangas City are our new WOWBatangas Models! With their captivating smiles, you are sure fall for these two certified Batanguena models.

Just this weekend, WOWBatangas team steeled up for Dane and Regine’s preliminary pictorial. For this shoot, the team explored Villa Crisanta Garden Resort’s Pavilion to further define this month’s pictorial theme.

Check out the following photos and see how those antique furniture and the remarkable architecture perfectly blend with the modernity and elegance of our models in their dresses and casual outfits. The last two photos by the way were taken at Villa Crisanta’s pool and garden respectively. It seemed like the weather and the nature were all with us during the photo shoot as they provide the team with just fine sun lighting and colorful flowers on their full blooms for nice backgrounds.

Every month, WOWBatangas feature at least two Batangueno models on models.wowbatangas.com, it just happened that we weren’t able to have photo shoot last September for there were series of events that kept the team busy like WOWBatangas grand EB at SM City Lipa and the Internet Marketing for SMEs and Micro businesses Seminar that WOWBatangas team organized. And so to pay off, we’ll double up the shoot this month and give you the first batch of male models by the end of October.

P.S. To know more about WOWBatangas Models’ gigs, add us up on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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National Disaster Coordinating Council or NDCC declares that Bagyong Ondoy death toll as of September 29, 2009, has risen from 140 yesterday to 240. Meanwhile, 37 are still missing and damages to properties rose to 1.4 billion pesos.

Help Hotlines and contact numbers:
PAGASA- 4338526
Caloocan – 3866568
NDCC – 9122112
Coast Guard -5278487
MMDA-5277481
DSWD-9318101
Meralco- 6311111
PAG-IBIG -7244244
SSS – 9206446
GSIS -4793645
DILG – 9250343
SAGIP Kapamilya – 4132667

Class Suspension – September 29, 2009
From the office of Gov. Vilma Santos – No classes in all levels in the province of Batangas. Classes in all levels both private and public schools in Batangas province will still be suspended tomorrow, September 29, in accordance to DEPED and CHED declaration in Southern Tagalog areas. – acting Batangas Gov. Mark Leviste (0918-888-8732 / 043-7239889) (ABSCBN news)

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“Our job is not just to be a service provider. it is also my job to be an economic manager. We have to create an environment that is conducive to economic growth and development so that business and industries in our province can flourish. Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos, kung hindi ngayon, kelan pa?” – Governor Vilma Santos Recto

Watch the following video and see how our Governor aim for a better Batangas.

If you find landscapes truly amazing, then you might as well be awed by the world we have under – under the sea. Here in Batangas, we have one of the most popular diving spots located at Anilao, Mabini, Batangas.

According to reviews from expert divers, the diving conditions in Anilao are ideal for beginners up to advanced divers. The water temperatures are very comfortable year-round, ranging from about 26-28C during summer to 22-26C during the winter, allowing for diving in skin suits or 3mm wetsuits. The visibility is very good, about 60ft. on average, and underwater currents can vary from virtually non-existent to strong, although the surface tends to remain relatively calm. Divers also recommend diving enthusiasts to scuba dive during the months of November to June, (the summer months) – when there is higher visibility as compared to stormy months.

Here is the sneak peak of Anilao’s greatest treasures under.

This video is from JCDIVER and he said “This video is an underwater shots at various dive site of Anilao, The Philippines. I used to shot by a digital camera. This is my 1st time using a video cam under water. So forgive me for all those shakings and flaws but concentrate on the beauty of nature. And with the greatest thank to my friend i922 for producing this clip for me. Also, the better night shots were filmed by my friend Caminu.”

By the way, if you would like to have a hassle free visit at Anilao, Mabini, Batangas, you may check out this.

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With Governor Vilma Santos Recto as the highest ruling woman in the province of Batangas, she believes that continuing her advocacies called the H.E.A.R.T.S., will somehow uplift the quality of lives of us Batanguenos.

HEALTH

One of Governor Vi’s priorities for Batanguenos is providing health care acess among her people. Part of this are the following: rehabilitation of district hospitals, the buildings, facilities and equipment, in which are all being refurbished and upgraded to be able to meet the constituents’ medical requirements; the release, to the district hospitals in the province; and the issuance and distribution of, to date, 67,185 Philhealth cards to indigent Batanguenos, prudently identified and selected through the Provincial Social Welfare Office. Parallel to this, the Voluntary Service Responders (VSR), composed by, among others, Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars, were accorded honorarimus in recognition of their invaluable involvement in the delivery of health services to intended beneficiaries.

In addition to this, last February 10 the Philippine American Medical Mission of Metropolitan Washington, D.C (Mission of Mercy, USA), a group initiated by Filipino- American medical practitioners, conducted medical and dental procedures at the Lipa City District Hospital. A total of 1,169 patients were treated in the 2-day health assistance project. 12 major operations were performed relative to hernia and thyroid disorders, among others. while 62 inor surgeries were done, including cleft palate and cleft lip repair.

EDUCATION

Governor Vi is now on a mission of enhancing our education. One of the agenda is the construction of 84 new classrooms and renovating 24 existing school buildings, as declared in her HEARTS program of governance. Likewise, day care centers in the province are set to be elevated to Montessori level, the method characterized by an emphasis on self- directed activity on the part of the child.

Moreover, Governor Vi’s educational project has launched at Rosario last February 19. on the whole, almost 7,586 Project Vi Workbooks are given at two school district at Rosario Batangas.

AGRICULTURE

Focus of this program is, likewise, set to fortify Farmer Field School for Rice, Corn and Vegetables, which provides technical and hands-on trainin to farmers; and the Provincial Demo Farm Development, showcasing organic/botanical-based agricultural practices and produce. consolidated efforts are similarly being employed to ensure the success of the Pilot Seaweed Production Project in Balayan, and the release of tilapia fingerlings in rivers and creeks, underscoring the cleanliness of most of the province’s natural waterways.

ROADS

H.E.A.R.T.S project includes the concreting and maintenance of all roads spanning the four districts of the province, particularly the farm-to-market thoroughfares.

TOURISM

Mabini Batangas and Bauan are one of the blessing of nature in Batangas. Best diving sites and the popular Taal Volcano, are here in our province. This program aims to develop and enrich tourist in our province.

 SECURITY

H.E.A.R.T.S targets to improve the peacefulness of Batangas. They seek to strengthen the peace and public safety measures that we have in place through regular and explicit interactions with the Philippine National Police and other related agencies. To have a safe community for Batanguenos, and foster an idea haven for tourists ans bussiness people alike.

by: Kimberly Ann P. Catibog

source: batangas.gov.ph

Long before the Spaniards came, large centers of population already thrived in Batangas. Native settlements lined the “Pansipit river”, a major water way. Mr. Robert C. Fox, an American archeologist, revealed that based on archeological findings particularly in Calatagan Peninsula, the province has been trading with the Chinese since Yuan Dynasty until first phase of Ming Dynasty in the 13th to 15th century. Inhabitants of the province were also trading with Japan and India. Historians believed that the present Batangueños were descendants of the Bornean Datus, Datu Dumangsit and Datu Balensusa who sailed from Borneo to Panay Island as far as Taal Lake.

Taal Basilica

Batangas was founded in 1581. Originally, Batangas was composed of the present province of Batangas, Mindoro, Marinduque, Southeast of Laguna and even as far as Camarines. The province was called Bonbon and later renamed as Balayan, the first capital of the province. Twice the capital has been moved in 1732; the capital was transferred to taal in 1752, then moved from Taal to Batangas were it has remained to date.

The named “Batangas” was derived from the word “ Batang “ which the natives called the numerous logs found in the Calumpang river, the body of water that runs through the Northeastern portion of the town and assumes the shape of a Tuning Fork.

Batangas was one of the first eight Philippine provinces to revolt against Spain and also one of the provinces placed under Martial Law by Spanish Governor General Ramon Blanco on August 30, 1896.

The province of Batangas is known as the “Cradle of heroes and Nationalists”. This is supported by the fact that several revolutionary Leaders came from the different towns of the province and half contributed much to the Philippine Libertarian Movement during the latter half of 19th century. Among these Nationalists are Miguel Malavar, Felipe Agoncillo, Marcella M. Agoncillo, General Nicolas Lantin Gonzales, Apolinario Mabini and the Families of the Laurels, Rectos, and Levistes.

Batangas is Proud of its Historico- Cultural heritage and the most significant of them are the Talaga Mabini Shrine, the site of the replica of Mabin’s house and the mausoleum which keeps the publication of and about the hero. The Spanish – Filipino heritage among Batangueños is the Best Reflected in the vicinities of Taal. The town is not only famous in Historical Leaders but also in Historic sites and Structures, depicting centuries of Hispano-Filipino civilization as well as American and post American periods.

source: Calabarzon Magazine, 2006

By: Ferlyn C. Pagkaliwagan