Balayan, Batangas

Balayan
—  Municipality  —
Seal
Map of Batangas showing the location of Balayan
Balayan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°56′N 120°44′E / 13.933°N 120.733°E / 13.933; 120.733Coordinates: 13°56′N 120°44′E / 13.933°N 120.733°E / 13.933; 120.733
Country	Philippines
Region	CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province	Batangas
District	1st District
Founded	1571
Barangays	48
Government[1]
• Mayor	Emmanuel Salvador O. Fronda
Area[2]
• Total	108.73 km2 (41.98 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	81,805
• Density	Bad rounding here750/km2 (Bad rounding here1,900/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4213
Dialing code	43
Income class	1st class

Parada ng Lechon in Balayan.

Balayan is a first class municipality in the Province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2010 Philippine Census of Population and Housing, it has a population of 81,805 people.^[3]

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. The town is rich among the natural resources of sugarcanes, 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.

History[edit]

Balayan was derived from Old Tagalog word balayan, which means walk past the paddy from a basket to another^[4] and carry or accomplish anything with the tip of any batten.^[5] Other possible source is from the Old Tagalog word balayang, which means wood,^[4] 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.^[6] 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.^[7]

Scholars and historians believed that Tagalog songs: kumintang and kundiman originated from Balayan.^[8] In fact, the Spanish writer and historian Wenceslao E. Retana recorded the lyrics of a popular Kundiman when he visited Batangas in 1888 .^[9]

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.

Barangays[edit]

Balayan is politically subdivided into 48 barangays.

Education[edit]

Balayan has several schools and institutions both public and private located within the Poblacion. Public schools include the Balayan East Central School, Balayan West Central School and Balayan National High School. Private schools include the Immaculate Conception College, Blessed Christ Child Montessori Foundation, Balayan Colleges, Our Lady of Miracles Learning Center, STI-Balayan, Saint Paul College Balayan and Schola Nazaria Inc.

Local government[edit]

Current elected officials:

• Mayor: Manny Fronda III
• Vice-Mayor: Joel Arada

• Councilors: Rodel Macalindong

Rita Abiad, Nilo Pamintuan, Jasmin Andal, JR Fronda

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Balayan.

• Balayan | Parada ng Lechon
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information

		Tuy	Nasugbu
	Lian		Calaca
		Balayan
	Calatagan	Balayan Bay

v t e Province of Batangas Municipalities Agoncillo Alitagtag Balayan Balete Bauan Calaca Calatagan Cuenca Ibaan Laurel Lemery Lian Lobo Mabini Malvar Mataas na Kahoy Nasugbu Padre Garcia Rosario San Jose San Juan San Luis San Nicolas San Pascual Santa Teresita Santo Tomas Taal Talisay Taysan Tingloy Tuy Component cities Batangas Lipa Tanauan