A balisong, otherwise known as a butterfly knife or a Batangas knife, is a Philippine folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotating around the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the handles. In the hands of a trained user, the knife blade can be brought to bear quickly using one hand. Manipulations, called flipping, are performed for art or amusement.
While the meaning of the term "balisong" is not entirely clear, a popular belief is that it is derived from the Tagalog Language words baling sungay (literally, "broken horn") as the original balisongs were made from carved animal horns. These knives are also referred to as "fan knives" or "click clacks."
The use of the balisong is so popular in the Philippines that an urban legend exists about every Batangueño carrying it everywhere he goes. They are a pocket utility knife used by people of Filipino society. They have also been used to fight duels over matters of honor, although such practices have been discontinued for decades.
Balayan
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.
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.
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.
Bauan
The mission of Bauan was founded as a visita of Taal in 1590. It was administered by the Augustinians from 1596 --- when the first church was built at the slope of Mt. Maculot along the southern shores of the Taal Lake --- until the end of the 19th century. Another church was built in 1667 probably under the supervision of Fr. Jose Rodriguez (OSA) when it was relocated to Durungto. The church was again relocated in Lonal (or Loual) in 1671 by Fr. Nicolas de Rivera (OSA) who probably had a new structure built. The last relocation was in 1692 (or 1690) in its present site during the administration of Fr. Simon Martinez (OSA) who probably had a new church built that was damaged during the typhoon of 1694. Fr. Ignacio Mercado (OSA) had this rebuilt from 1695 to 1697. The church again suffered damages and was replaced by a stone structure during the administration of Fr. Blas Vidal (OSA) from 1700 to 1710. Fr. Jose Vitoria (OSA) --- who also introduced the cultivation of indigo in Bauan --- initiated building the present church in 1762 that was continued until 1856 during the administrations of Fr. Jose Trevino (OSA) and Fr. Hipolito Huerta (OSA). It was completed under the supervision of Fr. Felipe Bravo (OSA) in 1881. From there until 1894, final decorations were supervised by Fr. Moises Santos (OSA) and Fr. Felipe Garcia (OSA). The church is said to be the most artistically built in the province of Batangas during that time. Father Bravo was also an imminent botanist who put up a museum of natural history and collected rare books that were lost when the church was razed by fire during the Philippine revolution against Spain in 1898. The church was probably rebuilt and again destroyed by fire in 1938. It has been restored since then.
Lipa City
The City of Lipa (Filipino: Lungsod ng Lipa) is a first class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It is one of the three chartered cities of Batangas province (the others being Batangas City and the City of Tanauan). It is situated 78 kilometers south of Manila. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 218,447 people in 41,962 households.
Lipa City is bounded by the town of Santo Tomas in the northeast, San Pablo City of Laguna and San Antonio of Quezon in the east, the municipalities of Padre Garcia and Rosario in the southeast, the municipalities of Ibaan and San Jose in the southwest, the municipaltities of Cuenca and Mataas Na Kahoy and Taal Lake in the west and the municipalities of Balete and Malvar in the northwest.
The city's location, in a valley located between two mountains - Mount Malarayat and Mount Makulot - makes it a low risk area. These two mountains serve as a wind breaker in times of typhoon. Mount Makulot at the western portion also served as shield of the city in times of eruption of Taal Volcano.
Lipa City is a major recreational, religious, commercial, industrial and educational center in central Batangas province, as shown with the presence in the city of entities like Nestle Philippines, De La Salle Lipa, The Nazareth School, the San Sebastian Cathedral (seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa), The Mabini Academy which was founded in 1922, the Carmelite Convent, Robinson's Place Lipa Mall, Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club, Summit Point Golf and Country Club and SM City Lipa Mall. The City is also home to the Fernando Air Base, the former headquarters of the Philippine Air Force's 100th Training Wing and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) which is known in military circles as the Baguio of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Lipa City is bounded by the town of Santo Tomas in the northeast, San Pablo City of Laguna and San Antonio of Quezon in the east, the municipalities of Padre Garcia and Rosario in the southeast, the municipalities of Ibaan and San Jose in the southwest, the municipaltities of Cuenca and Mataas Na Kahoy and Taal Lake in the west and the municipalities of Balete and Malvar in the northwest.
The city's location, in a valley located between two mountains - Mount Malarayat and Mount Makulot - makes it a low risk area. These two mountains serve as a wind breaker in times of typhoon. Mount Makulot at the western portion also served as shield of the city in times of eruption of Taal Volcano.
Lipa City is a major recreational, religious, commercial, industrial and educational center in central Batangas province, as shown with the presence in the city of entities like Nestle Philippines, De La Salle Lipa, The Nazareth School, the San Sebastian Cathedral (seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa), The Mabini Academy which was founded in 1922, the Carmelite Convent, Robinson's Place Lipa Mall, Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club, Summit Point Golf and Country Club and SM City Lipa Mall. The City is also home to the Fernando Air Base, the former headquarters of the Philippine Air Force's 100th Training Wing and Air Education and Training Command (AETC) which is known in military circles as the Baguio of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Padre Garcia
Padre Garcia is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 34,504 people in 6,334 households. It has 20,087 registered voters as of 2004.
Padre Garcia's old name is Lumang Bayan as it is the former seat of government of the neighboring town of Rosario.
Padre Garcia is one of the 32 municipalities of Batangas Province, situated in the eastern part of the province. It is bounded on the north by Lipa City, on the east by the Municipality of San Antonio, Quezon, south by Rosario and on the west by Lipa City and Rosario.
The name of the town is derived from one of its most famous sons, Padre Vicente Garcia, a native of Brgy. Maugat. He is one of the first defender's of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. He and Dr. Rizal are friends during those times when they are fighting for the Philippine's independence from Spain.
Every December 1 which is the Foundation Day of Padre Garcia, Garciano's Tribe in cooperation with the local government holds the KABAKAHAN FESTIVAL. During this day, Garcianos troop to Poblacion to watch different schools and youth groups perform in the Street Dancing Competition. KABAKAHAN Festival is not only with regards to having the largest and biggest livestock auction market in the country. It is also a celebration of the history of Padre Garcia and the way of living and culture of the Garcianos.
Padre Garcia's old name is Lumang Bayan as it is the former seat of government of the neighboring town of Rosario.
Padre Garcia is one of the 32 municipalities of Batangas Province, situated in the eastern part of the province. It is bounded on the north by Lipa City, on the east by the Municipality of San Antonio, Quezon, south by Rosario and on the west by Lipa City and Rosario.
The name of the town is derived from one of its most famous sons, Padre Vicente Garcia, a native of Brgy. Maugat. He is one of the first defender's of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. He and Dr. Rizal are friends during those times when they are fighting for the Philippine's independence from Spain.
Every December 1 which is the Foundation Day of Padre Garcia, Garciano's Tribe in cooperation with the local government holds the KABAKAHAN FESTIVAL. During this day, Garcianos troop to Poblacion to watch different schools and youth groups perform in the Street Dancing Competition. KABAKAHAN Festival is not only with regards to having the largest and biggest livestock auction market in the country. It is also a celebration of the history of Padre Garcia and the way of living and culture of the Garcianos.
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