Balayan, Batangas

Balayan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 67,170 people in 13,843 households.

Balayan has several schools both private and public located within the poblacion:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
* Balayan East Central School
* Balayan West Central school
* Balayan National High School

PRIVATE SCHOOLS:
* Blessed Christ Child Montessori Foundation
* Immaculate Conception College
* Balayan Colleges
* Saint Paul School of Balayanand many more...

Land area : More than 100 km²

Natural resources : sugarcane, coconut and corn

Famous product : Bagoong Balayan

Highlight events : Parada ng Lechon - June 24

Fiesta of Immaculada Conception - Dec. 8

Location : North - Tuy

East - Calaca

South - Balayan Bay

West - Calatagan & Lian

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.

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.

Barangays

Balayan is politically subdivided into 48 barangays.

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.balayan.net Balayan Community Website]
* [http://www.balayan.gov.ph Official Website]