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The amazing beauty of Balayan is its close affinity to history
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: None
Date: 2002-03-31
 
The amazing beauty of Balayan is its close affinity to history





Balayan is one of the oldest towns in Batangas province. Bound by Tuy on the north, Calaca on the east, Lian and Calatagan on the west and by Balayan Bay on the south, it has a total land area of more than 20,000 hectares, which is planted mostly to sugarcane, coconut and corn. It has a total population of 67,170 as of the 2000 Census, and is considered to be one of the most prosperous and historical towns in the province. It is also popular for its bagoong Balayan, a unique delicacy that is specially manufactured here.







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.





The area of Balayan figured greatly in Chinese records as the center of the country they called Mai-I, which was derived from the ancient word “Bai,” meaning “house.” Over time, the name shifted to “Balay,” after the Visayan, until the final name of Balayan was coined.





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.





With much of the town’s life steeped in Spanish colonial culture, starting with the coming of Franciscan friars in 1572, it is not surprising that it values this part of its past.





When I was in Balayan town a few weeks ago, the sight of old houses reminded me of a visit years ago during the celebration of Tourism Day of Balayan. I was with collector Terry Baylosis, who took me along to see the town’s old houses. These old houses were opened to the public in observance of the day’s event.





We went to the house of Sixto Castelo Lopez, whose house is the oldest in Balayan. Lopez was one of the richest men in the town, owning vast tracts of sugarcane fields. We had lunch here.





Terry and I were awed by the way the home owners managed to keep their belongings intact and in perfect condition. The furniture were in good condition and seemed to have survived the passage of years.





Of the belongings in that house, one was most important. It was a picture of Lopez with Jose Rizal, who was a classmate at the Ateneo. Also in the picture was an ancestor of the Escudero family from Tiaong, Quezon.





From the Lopez house, we moved on to the Luansing house, where we had merienda. Most of the houses we visited in Balayan then were endorsed by the National Historical Institute.





During our walk around the town, we bumped into the grandchildren of Sixto Lopez, socialite Diana Jean Lopez, mother of model Claudia Bermudez and Maribeth Lopez de Leon, mother of Nikki Prieto Teodoro whose husband is the son of former Tarlac Rep. Mercedes Cojuangco Teodoro, sister of business magnate Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco. We were all raves about the house of Balayan, and wished that more old towns in the country would hold similar open houses.





When I visited Balayan, I went to Balayan Church to pay my respects to the Immaculate Conception.





Balayan Church was first erected in 1579 under the administration of the Franciscan friar Fr. Francisco de Sta. Maria. It was then built of inferior material. In 1591, the parish’s management was turned over to the Jesuits, with Fr. Pedro Chirino named as parish priest. The church structure was finally made with stone in 1749. In 1753, its administration was given to Spanish secular priests, to Recoletos fathers in 1876, and to Filipino secular priests in 1908 when its administration was transferred to the Archdiocese of Manila. It was later turned over to the Diocese of Lipa.





Balayan is lucky to have nationalist sons. These include: Don Manuel Arellano, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Dr. Galicano Apacible, who held a number of positions in the government, including the posting as the first Ambassador to the United States; and Don Sixto Lopez, the Grand Old Man of Balayan, who never recognized American sovereignty.





A tour around Balayan is a worthwhile experience down memory lane, with its many antique houses a vivid reminder of the town’s colonial past.







* * *





Many thanks to Rosalinda B. Latina, Librarian II at the Balayan Municipal Library, for helping us research on facts about Balayan, Batangas.



 

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