Arman Sanchez

Armando Sanchez is a Filipino politician. He is a former two-term mayor of Sto. Tomas, Batangas and one-term Governor of the Province of Batangas. During his term as Batangas Governor he was also the treasurer of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.

After two terms as mayor of Sto. Tomas, Arman Sanchez decide to run as Batangas Governor.He ran as the Liberal Party official candidate during the 2004 elections. His opponents includes former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, former Board Member Dennis Hernandez and former Nasugbu Mayor Rosario Apacible.

One of his projects during his term was the beautification of Batangas Capitol Grounds. He facilitated the relocation of national government agencies and squatters who occupy a portion of the Capitol Grounds.

La Virginia Hotel & Resort

La Virginia Hotel and Resort in Batangas - Set in 6 hectares of secluded grounds yet only 2 hours from downtown Metro Manila, La Virginia offers one of the largest privately-owned natural getaways in Batangas, with the clean elegance of Philippine and modern architecture. Decompres from life's pressures in the healing tranquility of an environment that truly feels "away from it all". If you have ever spent time at a tropical plantation, you know what we mean. If not, come and discover a refreshingly different experience.

The La Virginia Hotel and Resort boasts of several attractions that will surely keep you busy the whole day. Our infinity pool, picnic tree house, hanging bridge, pagoda, chapel and many more, all within walking distance in the resort, will definitely bring lots of fun to both young and old folks alike. Enjoy all these attractions with a scenic backdrop view of the Taal Lake and the many colorful flora all around the resort.

Verde Island or Isla Verde

Verde Island is located along the bodies of the Verde Island Passage found between the provinces of Batangas and Oriental Mindoro, Luzon, Philippines. Verde Island has been a regular destination for tourist and divers in Batangas City since 1999, after the Pastor clan opened an P80 Million world-class resort at Brgy. San Antonio.

Verde Island seats south of Brgy. Ilijan, Batangas City. It takes 45 minutes by a boat or 25 minutes by a ferry boat from Batangas City Pier to reach the island.

Date backs in 1988 when a small village was created by a European project using technologies like solar panels for the islands' self-sufficiency. The Philippine Tourism Authority then proclaimed the declaration of Verde Island as one of the country's marine reserves.

The island is known for having resorts like the one which is located in Brgy. San Antonio owned by the Pastor clan. A small tip of its coastline called Mahabang Buhangin, a kilometer-long stretch of white sand beach is famous in the island. Further south, Cueva Sitio boast a unique caves leading to the other side of the island. Meanwhile, the Liponpon Hill located in Brgy. Liponpon is situated at the center of the island.

Eat in Batangas

Ask the locals about their "kilawin", it is fresh fish soaked in vinegar and acidic juices like lemon, lime, or the local kalamansi, with lots of tiny chopped onions, fresh garlic, and hot peppers, its really good when the fish is still very fresh, as in just caught and straight ahead to the chopping board.
Fried longganisa and Tapang Taal with Atchara
Beef Kaldereta and Beef Tadyang at the A & M Restaurant
Hamburger at the Hungry Hippo in Batangas City
Gotong Batangas at Gotohan sa Barangay in Lipa City
Crispy Pata at The Only Place / The Other Place Restaurants
Pritong Tilapia caught fresh from Taal Lake
Maliputo is a delicious fish found only at Taal Lake
Tawilis is another delicacy - small fishes caught only in Taal Lake
Pancit Tikyano (red stir-fried noodles) from Letty's in Batangas City
Hot Chocolate in a roadside stand en route to Mabini and Anilao
Kapeng Barako, the coffee that made the province famous
Bulalo and Halo-Halo at Almarius Grill in Lipa City
Lomi Noodles at Lomihan sa Bario in Ibaan Batangas

Anilao, Mabini

Anilao, Batangas is the name of two barangays in the Philippines: Anilao Proper and Anilao East. They are located in the municipality of Mabini, Batangas, which is south of Manila on the large island of Luzon.

With its niche popularity among divers, Anilao is no longer as difficult for visitors to get to as in the past. It is accessible by sea or land. From Manila, one can typically get to Anilao by taking a bus bound for Batangas City (Buendia terminal) and asking the conductor for drop off at the Mabini/Bauan jeepney terminal. By request, a Mabini jeepney driver will then take passengers to the Mabini dock area. From the Mabini docks, visitors can hire a driver to any one of the resorts.

The northwest shore of the Calumpang Peninsula, from Anilao to Bagalangit, is lined with local resorts that cater primarily to local tourists. Although the beach at Anilao is not recommended for swimming, thatched bamboo rafts, rustic cabins and picnic cabanas are available for rental at local resorts. From these resorts, you can also rent a boat for island hopping and visit the diving spots, coves, and islands like the Sombrero and Maricaban islands.

Anilao is about three hours from Manila and is popular with divers and snorkelers. The waters surrounding the area are teeming with marine life, plenty of corals and amazing diversity of fishes.

Antonio Leviste

Gov. J. Antonio Leviste is a distinguished member of an illustrious Batangas family reowned in both business and politics. He served as the youngest governor of the province of Batangas from 1972 to 1980 and, until recently, as Governor of the Board of Investments.

He graduated at The Lyceum Of The Philippines In 1959 and was the President Of Batangas Varsitarian,a prestigious organization for Batangueno college students.During his term as Governor of Batangas, he was elected member of the Batasang Bayan chairman of the Regional Development Council, Vice President of the League of Governors and City Mayors, and chairman of the Program for Forest Ecosystem Management.

He was a staunch advocate of the environment. He initiated a forest ecosystem management program which today continues to be a model in reforestation that made him earn the coveted "Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines" (TOYM) award for Public Administration.

He was chosen the "Realtor of the Year" by the Business Writers Association of the Philippines and served as the director in various government agencies, including the People's Homesite and Housing Corporation (now the NHA), Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation, Semirara Mining Corporation and the Philippine Tourism Authority. He was co-founder of the Pasay Board of Realtors and the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards. He also served as Chairman of the Philippine Leisure and Retirement Authority. He holds the rank of Lt. Commander in the Philippine Navy Reserve Force and is the Honorary Consul General of the State of Palestine.

Today, he is a pillar of the Philippine tourism and real estate industries. He is the charter president of the Resort Association of the Philippines and co-founder of the Tourism Council of the Philippines. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Leviste Group of Companies, real estate firm with a proven track record of more then 50 years engaged in housing, subdivision, condominium and resort development.