This Week in Batangas (October 03 to 09, 2016)

The recently opened Levitown night market in Marawoy, Lipa City is like a structured food park sans the fancy food names and pretty plating. While this is not a replacement to the closed night market at P. Torres in Poblacion, Lipa City, the night market which is located, at the back of Jollibee, offers the same epicurean enjoyment experience to food lovers from all classes. The food tastes delectable, and the prices are affordable and negotiable either in terms of price or serving. The night market serves Batangas food like lomi, gotong Batangas sinaing at ginataang tulingan, and ginataang kuhol and sinaing tawilis as well as streetfood like isaw, kwekkwek, tokneneng, balot, penoy, adidas, and kakanin like puto, kutsinta, and sapinsapin.

The weather will be generally hot during the week, while the possibility of rain is 20% to 60% . Rain will likely occur in the afternoon. Monday, which only has a predicted 20% chance of rain, is the only day that can likely expect clear skies throughout the day. Whether it is sunny or cloudy, those heading outside are advised to bring an umbrella.

The fruit is called sugar apple, sweetsop, or custard apple in English. But it is simply called atis in Filipino. Atis abounds at this time of the year in Batangas, especially in Lobo, which is known to be the atis capital of the Philippines. It can be bought for as low as PhP40 per kilo in Lobo and its nearby towns. The fruit looks like a pine cone but its sweet taste is reminiscent of custard. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and fiber, and has antioxidant properties. It can be readily bought from fruit stands and markets.

Whether the reason is spiritual, cultural, or plain curiosity on the Marian devotion of the Catholics, a Marian pilgrimage to Batangas is worth the distance traveled. Common denominators in these Marian sites are the aura of solemnity, fine architecture, and the nurturing nature.

The first two stops are located in Malabanan, Balete, Batangas accessible from Manila through ACTEX-STAR.

First stop: Marian Orchard as the name suggests is more than a chapel. It is a Catholic prayer park with Stations of the Cross and a tower that resembles Brazil’s Christ The Redeemer, among others. Marian Orchard charges a PhP25 entrance fee.

Second Stop: Hermitage of Our Mother is where one can have the best of both worlds. It is an adoration place that has several small chapels for vigils. It has a view deck that gives a magnificent view of Taal Lake and Volcano.

The last two stops are located in Antipolo del Norte, Lipa City, the Little Rome of the Philippines

Third Stop: Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a popular pilgrimage destination as this is the site of Marian apparitions and rose petal showers that happened on September 12, 1948.

Fourth Stop: Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace has a Spanish-Mediterranean design. It is named as such “in reverence to her distinctive status at the host barangay, Antipolo del Norte,”^[1] where Our Lady of Mount Carmel is.