The road back to Batangas

“It’s all here, it’s so near.” This tourism tag line best captures the allure of this so-called barako province with its diverse terrain, exciting bodies of water, rich cultural heritage, lush marine life, mouth-watering cuisine, world-class hotels, and the all-too familiar Taal Volcano. Small wonder, it netted some 12.2 million visitors in 2019, the third highest in the country according to the Department of Tourism. Of this figure, over 10 million are day trippers who drive to Batangas for volcano trips, play golf, get spa treatment, do pilgrimage, or sip steaming bulalo.

A major casualty of the recent Taal Volcano eruption is the tourism industry due to the advisories which seem to have created an impression against traveling to the rest of the province. Truth be told, southern Metro Manila is closer to the volcano than many parts of the province, particularly the beach colonies.

Batangas is a veritable paradise of 30 municipalities and four cities spread out in 3,120 sq. km. of land area, and despite the closure of portions of the lakeshore area, the options for road tripping is still infinite. Tourism stakeholders and government officials assert that in addition to the relief goods being brought them, well-meaning people should begin trooping back to the province to help revive the local industry and create income opportunities.

Pit Stop 1: Laiya. This coastal barangay in San Juan town is an under-the-radar getaway with its powdery sand and crystalline water, dating back to the 1980s. Situated by Tayabas Bay, its seafront now is dotted by star-rated resorts for those who love to bask in the sand, sea, and sun, and everything in between.

At a corner of this stretch is Hugom Rock Formation and Fish Sanctuary which lies beside the 7-hectare La Luz, a beach resort known for its cozy lodging, spa services, and watersports recreation.

Interestingly, Laiya will be the takeoff point of the 20th Philippine Hobie Challenge today, regarded as Asia’s most extreme regatta which will sail to Mindoro, Romblon, and Boracay in the next few days. Organized by the Philippine Inter- Island Sailing Federation (Phinsaf), this unique sailing tournament is retracing its original route in 2000, and will do community outreaches along the way.

Its volume of tourists has caught the attention of big property firms which are eyeing the area as a marina for wind-powered sailboats and yachts, as well as residential and tourism estates.

Pit Stop 2: Anilao. This port village in Mabini town is synonymous to scuba diving, being the birthplace of this underwater recreation. Divers refer to the entire dive area around Balayan Bay as Anilao, which is at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the center of world’s marine diversity.

With 48 dive sites teeming with rare soft coral, diversity of corals, reef fish, pelagic fishes, critters, sea turtles, and nudibranchs, it is acclaimed as the planet’s second top macro diving destination which lures the top underwater photographers.

If you’re not a scuba diver, you can snorkel, kayak, paddle board, cove hop on a glass bottom boat, trek Mt. Gulugod Baboy, or learn mermaid swimming, freediving or windsurfing. Mabini is also ideal for staycation and food trip with the scores of dive resorts serving Batangueño favorites, international fare, and bar spirits.

Pit Stop 3: Nasugbu. Back in the day when airfares were prohibitive, this town was the top-of-mind excursion destination due to its proximity. Over the decades, this proletarian getaway has evolved into high-end properties which offer more than the typical beachfront room.

The bay has become a playground for sailing, triathlon and aquasports of the big players such as Punta Fuego, Hamilo Coast, Kawayan Cove, and Canyon Cove, among others. The home-grown resorts are still around and still wax the nostalgia of its old glory days.

Out into the bay is the Greek-themed Fortune Island where the Spanish galleon-turned-warship sank in the 1600s in an encounter with the Dutch navy. Meanwhile, the town’s coast is the site of United States troop landings in 1945 during World War II to liberate the province from Japan, and war remnants still stand on its shores.

Inland, Mt. Pico de Loro remains a favorite for newbie mountaineers with its iconic towering Parrot’s Beak summit. Meanwhile, guests of the Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club can trek the Pico and Santelmo Eco-trail within the sprawling Hamilo Coast forest.

A new hotspot is Domescape, tucked in the greeneries of Bgy. Tumalim, which takes glamping or glamor camping to the next level with its airconditioned dome tent with hotel room amenities.

Pit Stop 4: San Jose. This quaint town is the province’s capital of egg production and farm tourism, and is home to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Joseph the Patriarch which is reminiscent of the grandeur of Augustinian-built churches.

A must-visit is Milea Bee Farm which is dedicated to the propagation of honey-producing bee species. Its “Beesita sa Bukid” tour gives guests insights on Apiology 101 and the importance of bees in maintaining the balance of the plant ecosystem. This DOT-accredited farm tourism establishment also has a store and mini-resto featuring organic honeybee health and food products.

Beyond these pit stops is a plethora of attractions unaffected by ashfall, which the provincial government will push at a tourism stakeholders assembly this week, and serve as an invitation for us to hit the road back to Batangas.