Part 7

BATANGAS PROVINCE.--Batangas Province is immediately south of Cavite Province. It has an irregular coastline and has many important ports, such as Nasugbu, Calatagan, Balayan, Calaca, Lemeri, Taal, San Luis, Batangas, Lobo, and San Juan.

At Laiya on the coast between San Juan and Lobo are the famous Lobo submarine gardens. During fair weather the water here is as clear as crystal and the submarine growth may be seen in all its varied colors.

The valleys and slopes of the province are extremely fertile because of the disintegrated volcanic rock that is carried down from the mountains by the river. Sugar, hemp, citrus fruits, coconut, corn, mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables are grown in abundance. The province is especially noted for its delicious oranges, grown in Tanawan and Santo Tomas. Great herds of horses famous throughout the archipelago as well as carabaos and cattle are raised on the mountain slopes. Bawan and Lemeri are famous for the fine jusi and piña cloths manufactured there and for the knotted abaca that is sent to Japan for the manufacture of hats.

[Historical Incidents]

Throughout the 17th century the coast towns of Batangas suffered greatly from Moro attacks. Stone forts were erected at various points along the coast--in Lemeri, Taal, Bawan, and Batangas--but still the Moros came. In 1754 as many as 38 Moro vessels appeared off the coast. In 1763 the northern part of the province was visited by the British in search of the treasure of the galleon "Philippine." The expedition failed to find the treasure but went as far as Lipa and plundered the town. Batangas was one of the first provinces to start the revolution of 1896. Two of the great leaders of the period were sons of the province, namely, the great lawyer and statesman, Apolinario Mabini, and Miguel Malvar, the famous general.

[Attractions]

Among the attractions are the old picturesque buildings of Lipa and Taal, the San Juan sulphur springs, the Bawan hot springs, and the Rosario fresh water spring. There are also several caves and grottos. The two largest are found in the slopes of Mount Pulan, Suya, and Kamantigue of San Juan. One of the caves has an opening of 40 meters in circumference. Issuing therefrom is an underground river which empties into Lake Taal. Along its course are extensive galleries and chambers lined with fantastically shaped stalactites and stalagmites. At the approach of an eruption of the Taal Volcano nearby, the cave emits a weird sound, audible at great distances.

[Taal Volcano]

Taal Volcano is the great scenic asset of the province. Almost at the doors of Manila it is easily reached with practically none of the discomfort which a trip to nature's wild spots usually involves. The volcano is commonly known as the "cloud maker" and "the terrible." How long this volcano has been emitting sulphurous smoke is not known; all that is known is that back in the geologic past, volcanic outbursts of enormous magnitude disturbed the regions about it. In the 18th century the volcano erupted several times, and ruined many towns in the neighborhood. The last and perhaps the worst eruption occurred in January, 1911.

Then, after a long interval, old Taal, in a paroxysm of volcanic activity, showed that he was still lusty and capable of making a huge disturbance. In addition to the steam which had been coming from the crater more or less continuously, the volcano began throwing out mud. This activity increased, and culminated in a great explosion at about half past 2 on the morning of January 30th. The hot water, mud, and ashes completely devastated about 90 square miles of country; while some mud and fine ashes fell over an area of more than 800 square miles. Many villages were destroyed and the official estimate of the dead was 1,335. The spasm of activity died away until the volcano again assumed its normal state about February 8th. Since then it has been very quiet, though a small mud geyser has started up along the old fault line which extends from Taal to the coast. This is located on the beach at the village of Sinisian.

Before the eruption the floor of the crater stood about five feet above the level of Lake Bombon. In it were four prominent features: Two small lakes of hot water, one green, the other more or less red; near the center a gas vent five or six feet in diameter, from which the hot gases roared as from a blast furnace; and just a little distance away a triangular obelisk of hard volcanic rock. During the eruption all of the material in the bottom of this crater, to a depth of about 230 feet, was heaved up and spread broadcast over the country. Later on, this hole filled up with water, which seeped in from the lake almost up to the level of the old floor, or about that of the lake itself. There is now one large body of steaming water in place of the former features, but the old obelisk still stands defiantly in its place.

The volcano consists of an active crater near the center of a low island not over 5 1/2 miles in its longest diameter. The island is situated at the center of Taal Lake (Bombon) which is about 17 miles long and 10 1/2 miles wide. The lake is 10 meters deep and is 2.5 meters above sea level.

A small launch carries those who would look down into the crater across the lake to the island from which the volcano rises. The volcano is about a thousand feet in height and is fairly easy to climb.

TAYABAS PROVINCE, the second largest, is on the Pacific coast of the Philippine Islands. The province is noted for its copra, abacá and corn which are raised for export. Mineral resources are abundant in the Bondoc Peninsula where gold, coal, and petroleum are found. Aside from agriculture and mining, however, there are other industries such as hat-making and lumbering. There is a lumber camp at Guinayañgan and a modern saw and planing mill in Lucena. The Botocan Falls, where a stream 40 feet wide makes a leap of 190 feet, could supply the entire province with light and power for all its needs.

[Lucena and Atimonan]

The spin to Lucena and Atimonan, both in the Province of Tayabas over the South Road, is a favorite one. On the east are the little town of Binañgonan de Lampon, a celebrated port in the sixteenth century in the galleon trade, and the landlocked harbor of Hondagua, destined to be the direct port of call of steamers coming from the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada.

On the way, stop can readily be made at the town of Calamba, Laguna, about 37 miles from Manila. This is the birthplace of the Filipino author, and patriot Dr. Jose Rizal. Although the house where he was born is no longer standing, the site can easily be found opposite the church and market. Calamba has an added importance in that the town has a modern sugar central, which the traveler should not fail to visit.

[Los Baños]

A short detour can readily be made also at Los Baños ("The Baths"), a town which owes its name and its importance to the hot mineral springs which abound in the neighborhood and have been found to be of great medicinal value especially for the treatment of certain skin diseases and rheumatism. The springs have been known for a great length of time. Even during the Spanish days the town was a much frequented resort, a hospital with pools and vapored rooms having been built as far back as 1571.

[College of Agriculture]

A short distance from Los Baños, and occupying an extremely picturesque side are the palms and buildings of the College of Agriculture of the University of the Philippines, an institution which trains young Filipinos in a calling which must for many years to come be the foundation of the economic prosperity of the islands.

THE BICOL PROVINCES.--Farther south, are the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon, known as the Bicol Provinces, because inhabited by Bicolanos. All four provinces are noted for their beautiful mountain views and extensive plantations of coconut and hemp. In Albay the forests are extensive, providing timber, rattan, pili-nuts, and gum for export. Gutta-percha and Para rubber trees are extensively cultivated. There are wide pasture grounds for horses, cattle, carabaos, goats, and sheep. The temperature is even and the nights are cool and refreshing. There are also salubrious mineral springs, the best known being the Tiwi Hot Sulphur Springs in the town of Naga.

The Province of Catanduanes abounds in gold, copper, and iron. The Batan coal mines which are being operated are supplying several manufacturing and gas plants. There are quarries of marble in Pantaon; gypsum deposits in Ligao; and lime in Guinobatan and Camalig.

Camarines Norte is rich in mineral resources. Gold is found in many places, exploitation being actually carried on in Paracale. There are also deposits of iron, silver, lead, and copper.

Camarines Sur, on the valley of Bicol River and the Caramoan Peninsula, is noted for its rattan industry. Hemp planting and fishing and coconut growing are the other principal industries.

Sorsogon occupies the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula. The largest indenture in its irregular coast is the gulf of Sorsogon, a land-locked body of water and one of the finest harbors in the Philippines. The land is mountainous and covered with excellent lumber suitable for ship-building and furniture making. In the forests rattan grows in abundance and is exported to all the provinces. The chief products are abaca and coconuts.

Sorsogon, the capital, located on the gulf, is an important commercial town. Pilar is noted for her shipyards; ships, lorchas, and boats are built here from the fine timber grown nearby.

[Sceneries]

Among the sceneries are the Guinulajon waterfalls, near the capital, the wild vegetation and the cataracts along the Irosin River, the medicinal hot springs of Mombon, Bujan, and Mapaso, together with the beautiful panorama from the Bulusan Volcano are especially striking. Like Mount Vesuvius, Mount Bulusan has an old crater, and a new cone that has appeared on the slopes. Inside the crater, about 500 feet deep, are two pools of hot water which form the basin from which the Irosin River rises.

A great event in the history of Sorsogon was the invention of a hemp-stripping machine by a priest named Espellargas, about 1669. The invention was made in Bacon, where it seems hemp then abounded. The contrivance was ingeniously constructed and was quite well adapted to local conditions.

[Historical Incidents]

Many of the galleons that the Spanish Government used in the Manila-Acapulco trade were built in Sorsogon, especially on the Island of Bagatao, at the entrance of Sorsogon Bay. Many of these ships were wrecked while navigating the waters of Sorsogon, because they laid their course for Mexico via the San Bernardino Strait, a passage which abounds in dangerous currents, shoals, and rocks. The galleon San Cristobal was wrecked in 1733 near the Calantas Rock. In 1793, the galleon Magallanes also ran aground at this place. Other vessels went down in this neighborhood from time to time, as the Santo Cristo de Burgos, in 1726, near Ticao, and the San Andres, in 1798, near Naranja Island.

[Volcanoes]

Peerless Mayon of the perfect cone is in Albay, the volcano of Isarog in Ambos Camarines, and Bulusan in Sorsogon.

For those who love mountain climbing, the ascent to the peak of Mayon Volcano should not be missed.

The actual ascent, though arduous, is perfectly practicable. It requires from a day and a half to two days from Albay. By leaving the latter place on horseback at noon it is possible to ride one-third of the way up before dark. Leaving the horses at the camping place, the summit can be reached and the return trip made to Albay on the following day. A vivid description of the trip, written by Dr. Paul C. Freer, Director of the Bureau of Science, follows:

"This great volcano rises from the seacoast, between Legaspi and Tabaco, in the form of an almost perfect cone--the white houses and church towers of the surrounding settlements and the deeper-colored verdure of the trees at its base, higher up the brilliant green of the bare glass streaked here and there by old lava flows, and still higher a grayish black cinder and ash cone tapering to the peak, with a small plume of steam escaping apparently from the extreme summit. The ascent is interesting, but may, if proper precautions are not taken, be dangerous. The rise of the land in the first part is scarcely perceptible, the road winding through forest interspersed with great plantations of manila hemp; above, as it becomes steeper, the latter give way almost entirely to tropical jungle; and finally the path emerges into cogonal, which extends as far as the angle of the slope will permit. Here and there the entire slope is cut by deep ravines, indicating old lava flows. The way up the cone at first invariably lies in one of these ravines, but now and again the mountain climber is compelled to cross rolling cinder beds only a few inches deep, and lying upon a harder base, almost invariably with an abrupt descent below. The angle is so great that every precaution must be taken, as a slip would prove fatal. A good steelshod alpenstock is practically indispensable. The last five hundred feet are along the perpendicular lava and tuff crags of the summit, the ambitious climber clinging to the latter with hands and toes, wherever support is possible and slowly working his way to the edge of the crater. Finally, standing upon the rotten foothold afforded by the latter he looks down into what appears to be a deep dark well from which small quantities of sulphur-laden gas escape. Around him on the margin jets of steam arise; the ground on which he stands is hot, the boys carrying the canteens are far below, the dry breeze helps the evaporation, and he realizes that he is very, very thirsty. However, the view from the top repays all effort. The entire southern portion of Luzon is visible, stretching away in a succession of fields, forests, and diminutive villages, to the straits of San Bernardino, across which Samar may be seen, and even Leyte, on a clear day. The lake of Bato, the interisland waters, and finally Burias are seen to the west; to the north there appears apparently one unbroken stretch of land with here and there a glimpse of the sea; and the Gulf of Albay with the towns of Legaspi, Tabaco, and Daraga, as well as the smaller islands to the east, seem to be almost within a stone's throw. I have been high up on the slopes of Etna, at the entrance to the Val del Bobe, from which many travelers maintain the finest in the world is to be obtained, but I certainly think that from the summit of Mayon the vista surpasses the one from its sister volcano in Sicily.... Mayon Volcano is decidedly one of the show places of the Philippines, and the wonder is that many of our visitors do not take the opportunity to make the ascent."

BULACAN PROVINCE is named from the Tagalog word "bulac" meaning "cotton" which was once the principal product of the region. Together with the Provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija, the province forms what is commonly known as the region of Central Luzon.

[Description and History]

The soil, which is of alluvial and volcanic origin, is rich. Rice, corn, sugar, pineapples, bananas, betel nut, mangoes, and all sorts of vegetables are raised in the well irrigated and low-lying lands. The nipa swamps which supply most of the nipa thatches, vinegar, and alcohol are the principal stand-by of a great many people. The forests cover over 89,980 hectares and yield good commercial timber and many minor forest products.

Aside from agriculture and mining, the industries of the province are making hats (Baliuag) and silk textiles, weaving, tanning, fish breeding, distilling alcohol, and furniture-making. Baliuag, Meycauayan, Obando, Polo, Hagonoy, and San Miguel are the centers of these industries.

In the events which followed the arrival of the British in 1762, the province figured conspicuously, serving as a center of resistance during British occupation of Manila. The Spanish Governor, Anda, just before the capitulation of Manila escaped to this province where he organized a government of his own to carry on hostilities against the British and to hold the country in its loyalty to Spain. In the encounters, however, between Anda's forces and the British, Anda's resistance was overcome, and Bulacan like the other provinces fell into British hands.

Some of the most notable events in the Philippine revolution took place in Bulacan Province. It was at Biac-na-Bato, in the mountains of Bulacan, where in December of 1897 the famous Pact of Biac-na-Bato was concluded, and the town of Malolos was for some time the capital of the Philippine Republic. Here, in the historic church of Barasoain, the Congress which drafted the Constitution of the Republic held its sessions. Conspicuous figures of the revolution like M. H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce whose names are connected with the period of propaganda are sons of this province.

[Attractions]

Among the other attractions are the Mineral Baths at Marilao, on the Manila north road, and Sibul Springs near San Miguel de Mayumo. This is a popular health resort only about three hours ride from Manila. The water of the springs have enjoyed a considerable reputation for a long time. They are very beneficial in diseases of the intestinal tract, especially those of a chronic and catarrhal nature. Owing to the gases which the water contains the baths are most refreshing.

PAMPANGA PROVINCE is said to be the lowest and most level of all the provinces. It is the chief sugar raising province in Luzon. Some of the islands' modern sugar centrals are there. Besides farming, sugar making, lumbering, and fishing, the people are engaged in several other industries such as distillation of alcohol, buri hat making, and pottery.

[Historical Incidents]

About the middle of the seventeenth century, two great rebellions broke out in the province. The first of these took place in 1645 as a result of the injustices connected with the collection of tributes. It spread quickly and extended to Zambales. The second revolt took place fifteen years later as a result of the forcible employment of natives in the work of cutting timber and of the failure of the Government to pay for large amounts of rice collected in Pampanga for the use of the royal officials. The leader of the rebellion was Francisco Maniago. It spread rapidly among the inhabitants of the towns along the banks of the Pampanga River, and was only suppressed after drastic measures were taken by Governor-General de Lara.

Pampanga was one of the first provinces to start the Revolution. During the early part of the war Mariano Llanera commanded the Revolutionary forces. Later Tiburcio Hilario took possession of the province as governor in the name of the Revolutionary Government.

[Attractions]

Among the attractions are the sugar centrals, Camp Stotsenberg, one of the principal Army posts and an airplane station of the United States, dome-shaped Mount Arayat, about 3,300 feet in height and fairly easy to climb, and San Fernando, the capital, with its handsome capitol and school buildings grouped about the pretty plaza.

Arayat, a picturesque village lying at the foot of the mountain of that name is an ideal spot for those desiring to camp out. Nearby is the little barrio of Baño where there is an ancient tile bath constructed by the Spanish Friars. It consists of a tile lined tank some forty feet in length and of varying depths, filled by a crystal-clear spring which gushes into it from a grassy bank just above.

Mount Arayat is a perfect cone that rises majestically from the immense plain of Central Luzon, and is visible for miles around, presenting the same conical shape no matter from what direction viewed.

Several trails lead to the top of the mountain from where a wonderful panorama can be seen. It was an insurgent stronghold during the war, but its heights were scaled by American troops and its defenders dispersed. Scientists state that the mountain is an extinct volcano and local tradition has it that the original town of Arayat was destroyed by an eruption and covered by ashes.

TARLAC PROVINCE is also in the central plain of Luzon. The province has two distinct geographical areas. The northern and eastern parts consists of an extensive plain while the rest is covered with mountains which abound in timber suitable for building material and furniture making. The minor forest products are anahaw, palasan, rattan, honey and bojo for sawali.

There was an uprising in this province somewhere in 1762 headed by Juan de la Cruz Palaris. In 1896 the province was one of the original eight provinces where a state of war was declared to be in existence against the Spaniards. When Malolos was evacuated by the Philippine Revolutionary Government, the town of Tarlac became for a time the central headquarters.

Among the attractions are the medicinal springs in O'Donell in the municipality of Capas and those of Sinait.

NUEVA ECIJA PROVINCE is the rice granary of the Philippine Islands, being first in the production of the cereal, Pangasinan coming second. The rolling hills towards the mountains are suitable for pasture lands. The mountains are thick with untouched forests that yield fine wood and other minor products. In the mountains and rivers gold is found. The province was one of the first eight provinces to raise the standard of revolt in 1896. It has a number of flourishing towns at present, due to the continuous boom in the rice market. There are many mineral hot springs, the ones at Bongabon and Pantabañgan being the most important. Among the attractions are the irrigation system in San Jose which supplies water over an extensive territory and the Government Agricultural School at Muñoz which is attended by many students from all the provinces, and which is noted for its unique method of practical instruction.

[Attractions]

BATAAN PROVINCE occupies the whole of the peninsula lying between the China Sea and Manila Bay. It is a province of various peculiar phenomena. Northwest of Dinalupihan is a small conical mountain, 250 meters high, which has a fresh water lake at the top. In the neighborhood of Malasimbo are a few shallow marshes, the shores and waters of which are tinted red by dust said to be formed from the remains of microscopic animalculæ. Near Orani is a bed of iron hydride which the people of the region used to make into paints for walls and carriages. There are also deposits of clay of which "pilones" are made. There is also a large deposit of shells which are burned for lime used in the indigo and sugar industries. On the shores of Orani is a fresh water spring that rises from a spot covered daily by the tides. Near the town of Orion is a quaking bog, impassable by either man or beast. Another, smaller one, is found in Ogon, Balanga.

[Historical Incidents]