Batangas City
(the past, the present and the future)
I have lived my thirty-five years of my life in Batangas City. And make it thirty-six comes June 3. I was born at the Maternity House just a few steps away from the Basilica of Immaculate Conception. And this article is all about the city I have loved the most. The city that transformed itself from the past into the present and beyond the future. The city of the brave, the Batangueno barako. Batangas City.
From wikipedia, the city has this entry;
Batangas City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Batangas) is the largest and capital city of the Province of Batangas, Philippines. Known as the “Industrial Port City of CALABARZON”, Batangas City is currently classified as one of the fastest urbanizing cities of the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 305,607 people.
Batangas City is politically subdivided into 105 barangays.[3] Pagkilatan was formerly a sitio of Matoco.[4] Malalim was formerly the “southern portion of the barrio of Sirang Lupa, the northern portion of the barrio Mahabang Dahilig, and the eastern portion of San Isidro” “together with the sitio of Malalim”; this territory became a barrio (barangay) in 1954.[5] In the same year, sitio Malitam, formerly part of barrio Libjo, was elevated as a barrio.[6] San Antonio was constituted from the sitios of Ilaya, Labac, Matalisay, Pajo and Cacawan, from the barrio of San Agapito.[7] In 1957, the barrio of Talumpok was divided into two. Sitios Romano, Poyesan, Bondeo and Latag were constituted into Talumpok Silangan, while sitios Ginto, Duhatan, Kulingkang, Piit and Cuaba were constituted into Talumpok Kanluran .
The Past
As the saying goes we must look in the past in order to look forward in the future is very much true in this wonderful city. The past linked us to the present as well as have a glimpse in the distant future. And being the center of commerce and trade a century ago, this city is still reigning as the economic hub of the entire Batangas province. (three photos are from History of Batangas Group in Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/groups/batanguenyo/
The Abandoned
The abandoned building used to be a drug store ( Mercury Drugs Store) a botika in Tagalog. As the city progressed and many botika has been opened this branch has been forced to shut it down. And look at it now, an abandoned structure in the middle of the bustling city.
Just near P.Burgos St this old building used to be a movie theater. But now it is converted into some store and badminton areas. However in the 1990's this theater was home for the old Filipino movies since no bigger moviehouses were available that time. Most of the films being shown were rated R back then. But in the 1970's and 1980's when the Philippine Cinema was at its peak this place was a haven for good and high-caliber movies.
This building is just facing the Alpa Hotel a few kilometers from the downtown. This abandoned building used to be the home of AMA learning center ( a computer school). And until now it is abandoned despite the fact that it is still usable.
The Present and the Future
And the present and future of this city is very certain; to be the leading economic city of the entire Batangas Province as well as the entire Region IV-A. It is very achievable because of the presence of this magnificent international port ( I have worked for almost five years in the construction of that port) and the flourishing heavy industry of the city.
The city has two mega power plants; Kepco Ilijan and the Sta Rita First Gas. The city has one big refinery, Shell and one huge petrochemical plant, JG Summit. And its bay is home for several oil and gas terminals. Still the city is attracting many direct investments in terms of plants and heavy industries because of its international port and available manpower.
And of course my present employer, Kepco Ilijan Corporation located at Barangay Ilijan, Batangas City.
The city is very hopeful that in the near future more and more industries will flock to this great metro. However despite the influx of many heavy industries, the government and private sectors are trying their best to not harm the environment but saves the vast biodiversity of the Batangas Bay.
