Wikipedia

Taal, Batangas

For the lake, seeTaal Lake.For the volcano, seeTaal Volcano.

Taal[ta'ʔal],officially theMunicipality of Taal(Tagalog:Bayan ng Taal), is a 3rd classmunicipalityin theprovinceofBatangas,Philippines.According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 61,460 people.[3]

Taal
Municipality
Municipality of Taal
Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours
Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours
Official seal of Taal
Seal
Map of Batangas with Taal highlighted
Map of Batangas with Taal highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Taal is located in Philippines
Taal
Taal
Location within thePhilippines
Coordinates:13°53′N120°56′E/ 13.88°N 120.93°E/13.88; 120.93
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceBatangas
District 1st district
FoundedApril 26, 1572
Barangays42 (seeBarangays)
Government
 [1]
• TypeSangguniang Bayan
•MayorFulgencio I. Mercado
•Vice MayorMichael Rey A. Villano
•RepresentativeJoseph Eric R. Buhain
•Municipal Council
Members
•Electorate38,386 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
• Total
29.76 km2(11.49 sq mi)
Elevation
63 m (207 ft)
Highest elevation
194 m (636 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
(2020 census)[3]
• Total
61,460
• Density2,100/km2(5,300/sq mi)
•Households
14,977
Economy
•Income class3rd municipal income class
•Poverty incidence
9.45
% (2021)[4]
•Revenue₱ 185 million (2020), 88.3 million (2012), 9.149 million (2013), 104.3 million (2014), 117.3 million (2015), 132 million (2016), 146.5 million (2017), 154.7 million (2018), 168 million (2019), 188.7 million (2021), 259.1 million (2022)
•Assets₱ 364.6 million (2020), 168.8 million (2012), 148.5 million (2013), 154.7 million (2014), 191.9 million (2015), 226 million (2016), 256.7 million (2017), 293.5 million (2018), 310.6 million (2019), 340.5 million (2021), 479.7 million (2022)
•Expenditure₱ 142.2 million (2020), 83.53 million (2012), 36.12 million (2013), 88.7 million (2014), 96.59 million (2015), 106.2 million (2016), 115.9 million (2017), 110.5 million (2018), 129.9 million (2019), 166.6 million (2021), 212.2 million (2022)
•Liabilities₱ 59.95 million (2020), 58.86 million (2012), 38.92 million (2013), 37.22 million (2014), 58.77 million (2015), 72.68 million (2016), 60.75 million (2017), 53.81 million (2018), 46.01 million (2019), 42.96 million (2021), 73.12 million (2022)
Service provider
• ElectricityBatangas 1 Electric Cooperative (BATELEC 1)
Time zoneUTC+8(PST)
ZIP code
4208
PSGC
0401029000
IDD : area code +63 (0)43
Native languagesTagalog

Taal is famous for its oldancestral houses,one particular ancestral house (now a museum) where Marcela Coronel Mariño de Agoncillo grew up in Taal, Batangas built in the 1770s by her grandparents, Don Andres Sauza Mariño and Doña Eugenia Diokno Mariño. Itspoblacion(town proper) is designated as a National Historical Landmark.[5]The municipality is known as thebalisongandbarong tagalogcapital of thePhilippines.The town is home to hundreds of heritage structures dating from the Spanish colonial period. Scholars have been pushing for its inclusion in theUNESCOWorld Heritage List.

Etymology

The name "Taal" may have come from:[6]

  • The archaicTagalogwordtaal,possibly meaning pure or unadulterated;
  • The Tagalog wordtaad,which refers tosugarcanecutting used in planting;
  • A wild palm tree calledtal-anortaal-anor possibly after the tala palm (Borassus flabellifer), hence the nametala-anmeaning “the place where the “tala grows”; and
  • The ipil tree (Intsia bijuga), which is also known astaalin some areas of the Philippines.

History

Ruins of the old site of Taal Basilica in San Nicolas.

The town of Taal was founded byAugustinianfriars in 1572.[7]In 1575, the town transferred later to the edge of Domingo Lake (nowTaal Lake) in 1575. In 1732, it became the provincial capital ofBatangas.In 1754,Taal Volcanoerupted, endangering the town of Taal which stood at present-day San Nicolas. Threatened by the new danger, the townspeople, together with the Augustinian Francisco Benchucillo, sought refuge in the sanctuary of Caysasay.[8][9]The provincial capital was also transferred to the then-town ofBatangasin the same year.[10]

Territorial changes

Taal used to encompass a much more extensive area. In 1596, the former barrio ofBauanwas established as a parish, effectively separating it from Taal.[11]

Following the 1754 Taal Volcano eruption, the northern shoreline ofTaal Lakethat was previously part ofTanauanwere annexed to Taal as Tanauan transferred from the lake's northwestern Tanauan Bay to Sala, its present-day barangay. It later became part ofTalisayupon its establishment in 1869.[9]

In 1861, the southern parts of Taal were separated to form the new municipality ofSan Luis.[12]A year later, the northern and western parts of Taal were also separated to form the municipality ofLemery,which also consists the present-dayAgoncillo.

In 1903, San Luis and Lemery were returned to Taal; San Luis'spoblacionwas reverted to its old name Balibago.[13]In 1904, the western Tanauan barrios of Balaquilong (Balakilong), Bayuyungan, Binirayan (Berinayan), Bugaan, and San Gabriel were annexed to Taal by virtue of Act No. 1244;[14]these barrios would eventually be returned to Talisay and become barangays of present-dayLaurel.[15][16]Lemery and San Luis were once again separated from Taal and reconstituted as independent municipalities in 1906 and in 1918, respectively.[12][17]

In 1955, the northern barrios of San Nicolas, Gipit, Bangin, Pansipit, Calangay, Sinturisan, Talang, Abilo, Balete, Bancora, Saimsim, Maabud, Mulawin, Tambo, Calumala, Alasas, Calawit, and Pulangbato were separated from Taal to form the new municipality ofSan Nicolas.[18]In 1961, the eastern barrios of Sambat, Sinipian, Bihis, Calayaan, Irukan and Cutang Cawayan were separated from Taal to form the new municipality ofSanta Teresita.[19]

Geography

According to thePhilippine Statistics Authority,the municipality has a land area of 29.76 square kilometers (11.49 sq mi) [20]constituting0.95% of the 3,119.75-square-kilometer (1,204.54 sq mi) total area of Batangas.

It covers an area of 270 square kilometers (100 sq mi) and is drained byPansipit Riverdown into Balayan Bay. Pansipit is one of the major ecological highways that allow migration of two fish species:maliputo(Cranx ignobilis) andmuslo(Cranx marginalis) which are unique to lake Taal. Adult fish migrate to the sea from Taal Lake viaPansipit Riverand Palanas River inLemery.Thetawilis(Harengula tawilis) is a freshwatersardinealso endemic to Taal Lake.

Climate

Climate data for Taal, Batangas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82) 		30
(86) 		31
(88) 		33
(91) 		32
(90) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		30
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68) 		20
(68) 		20
(68) 		22
(72) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		22
(72) 		21
(70) 		22
(72)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 11
(0.4) 		13
(0.5) 		14
(0.6) 		32
(1.3) 		101
(4.0) 		142
(5.6) 		208
(8.2) 		187
(7.4) 		175
(6.9) 		131
(5.2) 		68
(2.7) 		39
(1.5) 		1,121
(44.3)
Average rainy days 5.2 5.0 7.4 11.5 19.8 23.5 27.0 25.9 25.2 23.2 15.5 8.3 197.5
Source: Meteoblue[21]

Taal has two seasons: dry from November to April, and wet during the rest of the year. The lowest minimum temperature does not drop below 20 °C (68 °F) while the highest maximum temperature of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) occurs from March to July of each year.

Barangays

Taal is politically subdivided into 42barangays.[22]Each barangay consists ofpuroksand some havesitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[23]
041029001Apacay 3.4% 2,117 1,955 ▴ 0.80%
041029002Balisong 5.0% 3,097 2,839 ▴ 0.87%
041029003Bihis 1.1% 702 572 ▴ 2.07%
041029004Bolbok 1.8% 1,131 1,027 ▴ 0.97%
041029005Buli 6.6% 4,033 3,460 ▴ 1.54%
041029006Butong 8.0% 4,926 4,627 ▴ 0.63%
041029007Carasuche 1.2% 766 669 ▴ 1.36%
041029008Cawit 3.5% 2,150 1,843 ▴ 1.55%
041029009Caysasay 1.0% 610 577 ▴ 0.56%
041029010Cubamba 1.5% 904 772 ▴ 1.59%
041029011Cultihan 3.2% 1,948 1,812 ▴ 0.73%
041029012Gahol 2.0% 1,202 1,060 ▴ 1.26%
041029013Halang 2.3% 1,410 1,250 ▴ 1.21%
041029014Iba 4.8% 2,962 2,633 ▴ 1.18%
041029015Ilog 1.9% 1,183 1,113 ▴ 0.61%
041029016Imamawo 1.1% 700 615 ▴ 1.30%
041029017Ipil 1.3% 796 712 ▴ 1.12%
041029018Luntal 2.1% 1,315 1,186 ▴ 1.04%
041029019Mahabang Lodlod 2.0% 1,218 1,089 ▴ 1.13%
041029020Niogan 0.7% 411 341 ▴ 1.88%
041029021Pansol 1.4% 881 819 ▴ 0.73%
041029022Poblacion11 0.5% 294 355 ▾ −1.87%
041029023Poblacion 1 0.7% 419 401 ▴ 0.44%
041029024Poblacion 10 1.1% 700 760 ▾ −0.82%
041029025Poblacion 12 0.5% 283 249 ▴ 1.29%
041029026Poblacion 2 0.5% 280 323 ▾ −1.42%
041029027Poblacion 3 1.2% 760 918 ▾ −1.87%
041029028Poblacion 4 0.5% 284 395 ▾ −3.24%
041029029Poblacion 5 2.9% 1,805 1,710 ▴ 0.54%
041029030Poblacion 6 1.4% 858 828 ▴ 0.36%
041029031Poblacion 7 0.3% 158 258 ▾ −4.78%
041029032Poblacion 8 1.7% 1,036 761 ▴ 3.13%
041029033Poblacion 9 1.6% 977 925 ▴ 0.55%
041029034Pook 2.1% 1,316 1,077 ▴ 2.02%
041029044Seiran 4.9% 2,995 2,678 ▴ 1.12%
041029045Laguile 4.5% 2,790 2,544 ▴ 0.93%
041029046Latag 1.6% 960 950 ▴ 0.10%
041029047Tierra Alta 1.6% 963 893 ▴ 0.76%
041029048Tulo 4.4% 2,717 2,370 ▴ 1.38%
041029049Tatlong Maria 2.1% 1,287 1,159 ▴ 1.05%
041029050Poblacion 13 0.8% 477 449 ▴ 0.61%
041029051Poblacion 14 0.8% 506 529 ▾ −0.44%
Total 61,460 51,503 ▴ 1.78%

Demographics

Population census of Taal
YearPop.±% p.a.
190317,525—
191821,155+1.26%
193923,004+0.40%
194826,044+1.39%
196023,000−1.03%
197024,907+0.80%
197526,705+1.41%
198029,699+2.15%
199034,925+1.63%
199538,722+1.95%
200043,455+2.50%
200751,459+2.36%
201051,503+0.03%
201556,327+1.72%
202061,460+1.73%
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[24][23][25][26]

In the 2020 census, Taal had a population of 61,460.[3]The population density was 2,100 inhabitants per square kilometer (5,400/sq mi).

The first census in 1903 recorded a total population of 17,525. The 2007 population was 51,459 growing at 2.44% annually over the previous 7 years, with 7,961 households. By 2010, the population slightly increased to 51,503.

Economy

Taal Public Market

Poverty incidence of Taal

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2006
10.00
2009
4.14
2012
6.96
2015
5.45
2018
8.84
2021
9.45

Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]

Cultural events

  • The EL PASUBAT Festival, celebrated annually during the month of April, is the conglomeration of the trademarks of Taal. "EL PASUBAT" stands forEmpanada,Longganisa,Panutsa,Suman,Balisong,barong tagalog,Tapa,Tamales,Tawilis,Tulingan— the delicacies and crafts that Taal is known for.[35]
  • The Feast ofSt. Martin of Toursis held November 11 every year. Celebrations are in the form of prayer, hymns, declamation, flower offerings and big religiousprocessions.Most families celebrate with food and drinks for visitors thereafter.
  • The Feast ofOur Lady of Caysasay,the well-knownmiraculousimage of theImmaculate Conception,is celebrated every December 8. A joint town fiesta celebrated on December 9 honoring both Our Lady of Caysasay and Saint Martin of Tours.
  • Luais a traditional declamation in the vernacular recited by a maiden to honor the Virgin Mary or a boy in praise of a male saint like Saint Martin of Tours. In the procession, young girls and ladies in their pretty gowns make up thehila(pull), so called because they are supposed to pull the cord of lights originating from the Virgin'skarosa(procession carriage) bedecked with flowers.

Local products and delicacies

Plaza and heritage houses in Taal

Since the Spanish period, the people of Taal lived by farming and commerce. The main produce arecotton,cacaoand sugar which are made through the use of crude sugar mill calledtrapeche.Weavingandembroideryofbarongandcamisa(blouses) made frompiñaare popular home industries. Local embroidery businesses later expanded their products to include curtains, piano covers, pillowcases, tablecloth, table napkins and bed covers, adding more fame already earned by Taal embroidery.

Other products produced in the town arebalisong(butterfly knife) and various food treats such as thepanocha(peanut brittle candy) andsuman salehiya(a sweetsuman),tapa(cured pork) and the locallongganisa,all of which are available at the public market. Popular Taal dishes includeadobo sa dilaw(yellowadobo) andsinaing na tulingan(bonita fishsoup).

Notable personalities

Felipe Agoncillo

Philippine Revolution

Modern Taaleños

See also

References

  1. ^ Municipality of Taal|(DILG)
  2. ^"2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density"(PDF).Philippine Statistics Authority.Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016.ISSN0117-1453.Archived(PDF)from the original on May 25, 2021.RetrievedJuly 16,2021.
  3. ^abcdCensus of Population (2020)."Region IV-A (Calabarzon)".Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay.Philippine Statistics Authority.RetrievedJuly 8,2021.
  4. ^"PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates".Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024.RetrievedApril 28,2024.
  5. ^NHCP Historic Preservation Division."Portion of the Town of Taal".National Registry of Historic Sites & Structures in the Philippines. Retrieved on July 3, 2013.
  6. ^Buhay Batangas."4 Different Versions about How Taal Got Its Name".Batangas History, Culture and Folklore.RetrievedMarch 2,2018.
  7. ^Worcester, Dean C. (April 1912). "Taal Volcano and Its Recent Destructive Eruption".The National Geographic Magazine.
  8. ^Galende, O.S.A, Pedro G.; Javellana, S.J, Rene B. (1993).Great Churches of the Philippines.pp. 46–47.
  9. ^abHargrove, Thomas (1991).The Mysteries of Taal: A Philippine volcano and lake, her sea life and lost towns.Manila: Bookmark Publishing. pp. 24–34, 145–148.ISBN9715690467.
  10. ^"Brief History".Official Website of the Province of Batangas.RetrievedJuly 5,2023.
  11. ^"History of Bauan".Municipality of Bauan.RetrievedJuly 6,2023.
  12. ^ab"History".San Luis Batangas.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
  13. ^Act No. 708 (March 28, 1903),An Act Reducing Thirteen of the Municipalities in the Province of Batangas to Five,retrievedJuly 5,2023(Full text via Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources Bureau.)
  14. ^Act No. 1244 (October 7, 1904),An Act Anne xing the Barrios of Bayuyungan, Bugaan, Balaquilong, San Gabriel, and Binirayan, Now a Part of the Municipality of Tanauan, Province of Batangas, to the Municipality of Taal, in the Same Province,retrievedJuly 5,2023(Full text via Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources Bureau.)
  15. ^Act No. 1514 (July 23, 1906),An Act Increasing the Number of Municipalities in the Province of Batangas From Fifteen to Sixteen, by Separating From Tanauan the Former Municipality of Talisay, Reconstituting the Latter as a Municipality, and Giving to Each the Territory Which It Comprised Prior to the Passage of Act Numbered Seven Hundred and Eight,retrievedJuly 5,2023(Full text via Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources Bureau.)
  16. ^Republic Act No. 5689 (June 21, 1969),An Act Creating the Municipality of Laurel in the Province of Batangas,retrievedJuly 3,2023(Full text via The Corpus Juris.)
  17. ^Act No. 1549 (October 25, 1906),An Act Increasing the Number of Municipalities in the Province of Batangas From Sixteen to Seventeen, by Separating From Taal the Former Municipality of Lemery, Reconstituting the Latter as a Municipality, and Giving the Same the Territory Which It Comprised Prior to the Passage of Act Numbered Seven Hundred and Eight.,retrievedJuly 5,2023(Full text via Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources Bureau.)
  18. ^Republic Act No. 1229 (June 1, 1955),An Act Creating the Municipality of San Nicolas, Province of Batangas,retrievedJuly 5,2023(Full text via The Corpus Juris.)
  19. ^Executive Order No. 454, s. 1961 (December 28, 1961),Creating the Municipality of Sta. Teresita in the Province of Batangas,retrievedJuly 5,2023(Full text via theOfficial Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.)
  20. ^ "Province:".PSGC Interactive.Quezon City, Philippines:Philippine Statistics Authority.RetrievedNovember 12,2016.
  21. ^ "Taal: Average Temperatures and Rainfall".Meteoblue.RetrievedMay 5,2020.
  22. ^"Municipal: Taal, Batangas".PSGC Interactive.Quezon City, Philippines:Philippine Statistics Authority.RetrievedJanuary 8,2016.
  23. ^abCensus of Population and Housing (2010)."Region IV-A (Calabarzon)"(PDF).Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay.National Statistics Office.RetrievedJune 29,2016.
  24. ^Census of Population (2015)."Region IV-A (Calabarzon)".Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay.Philippine Statistics Authority.RetrievedJune 20,2016.
  25. ^Censuses of Population (1903–2007)."Region IV-A (Calabarzon)".Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007.National Statistics Office.
  26. ^ "Province of".Municipality Population Data.Local Water Utilities AdministrationResearch Division.RetrievedDecember 17,2016.
  27. ^"Poverty incidence (PI):".Philippine Statistics Authority.RetrievedDecember 28,2020.
  28. ^"Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines"(PDF).Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  29. ^"2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"(PDF).Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  30. ^"City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009"(PDF).Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  31. ^"2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates"(PDF).Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  32. ^"Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015".Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  33. ^"PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates".Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 22,2022.
  34. ^"PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates".Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024.RetrievedApril 28,2024.
  35. ^"El Pasubat".Taal Tourism Office. Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2020.RetrievedMay 16,2014.
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