Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas
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Mataas na Kahoy is a 5th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 308 by the then Governor General of the Philippines on March 27, 1932. It has 16 barangays (smallest political unit) and a total population of 27,246 (2006). Its total land area is 2,376 hectares. It is bounded by Balete and Lipa City with Taal Lake limiting its western side (Lat 13.9603; Long 121.1158). The name Mataas na Kahoy literally means "tall tree". The town is known for its cool climate due to its high elevation (379 meters {1246 feet} above sea level).
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[edit] Agriculture
Its economy is primarily agricultural with coffee, coconut and banana as the major crops. Fish culture, with milkfish and tilapia being the major culture species, is also practiced in the coastal barangays of Nangkaan, Lumang Lipa and Kinalaglagan. Piggery and poultry farms from backyard to large scale operation represent a big part of the town's economy. Supporting the town's agribusiness are two feed mills namely, MAGICORP and AICOM.
Several banks (Mataasnakahoy Rural Bank, Lipa Development Bank, Savings and Loan Association of Mataasnakahoy) serve the townspeople. Small businesses like stores and groceries abound and the town center has a flea market (talipapa or tiangges) where fresh fish, meat and vegetables are available daily. Several small garment factories partly fuel the town's business activity. Telephone service and internet access are already available.
[edit] Resorts
Several resorts are in operation in different barangays and the town is starting to be known for these resorts. Shercon Resort, the first one which ventured in this line of business, is located in Barangay San Sebastian. Subsequently, El Madero in Barangay II and Galilee Place (Barangay San Sebastian) started operation. Very recently, Villa Virginia in Barangay Manggahan was also inaugurated and opened. As of this writing, another resort is being developed in the vicinity of the boundary between Barangay IV and Calingatan.
[edit] Fiesta and Religious Celebrations
Mataasnakahoy celebrates its town fiesta every 3rd of January. The series of activities leading to the celebration starts several days before the actual fiesta and this would consist of sporting events, singing contests, street dancing competitions and the likes. The actual feast would be observed with food (not to mention, alcoholic drinks) in almost every household where everybody is welcome especially relatives and friends from other towns. The celebration is almost a sort of annual reunion among relatives and friends. Marching bands, usually hired or sponsored by the barangay officials, go all over the town with their music adding to the already reverberating songs and sounds from rented videoke machines (machine consisting of a control box and a monitor with attached microphones which will provide the needed musical accompaniment and lyrics for anybody wanting to sing) of some households. The celebration is usually concluded by a variety show in the town plaza with invited performers and popular names in the show business and this would usually last till early morning of the next day.
The town also celebrates various religious feasts with mass and processions. The Holy Week (week before Easter Sunday) is observed solemnly by the townsfolks. Religious families usually sponsor a "pabasa" which relates the passion of the Christ in hymns (in agonizing and melodramatic tempo) usually with loudspeakers. Several processions are also conducted within this week. Easter Sunday concludes this celebration.
All Saint's Day (November 1) is observed by throngs of people going to cemetery to visit the burial site of the departed relatives. Flowers, candles and prayers are brought to each burial site by the living relatives who are sometimes even coming from far places.
The feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (December 8), the town's patron saint, is also a well observed celebration. There is usually a mass and a procession around town with elaborate fireworks. There will also be food in the church for the religious and the parishioners.
Of course, as is everywhere in the Philippines, the town celebrates a very long Christmas Season. This starts with the elaborate Christmas decorations being displayed as early as November 2 and lasting until early January. There will be lanterns, posters, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, Christmas lights and any decor imaginable helping to boost the festive atmosphere. On Christmas Day (December 25), kids will be going around asking for their godparents' and relatives' blessings which can also be interpreted as asking for Christmas gifts.
[edit] Officials
Mayor -Danilo Sombrano
Vice Mayor - Roy Landicho
[edit] Education
The town is home to several secondary schools namely La Purisima Concepcion Academy (Barangay II), Holy Trinity School (Barangay IV), Mataasnakahoy National High School (Barangay IV),and Bayorbor National High School (Bayorbor).
[edit] Religion
The people is predominantly Roman Catholic but the town also hosts other religious groups like Iglesia ni Cristo, Baptist and Jehovah's Witnesses.
[edit] Residential
Residential subdivisions (Victomar, Crisanta Homes, Immaculate Conception Village, Sinforosa and Monte Vista among others) have started real estate development in the town. Gawad Kalinga (a free house and lot project for the poor sponsored by the religious organization-Couples for Christ) is also established in Barangay Bubuyan.
[edit] Sports
The people enjoy several sports like basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess, dama, taekwondo, swimming and very recently, scuba diving (a NAUI dive instructor resides in the town).
[edit] Famous Individuals
- Gen. Efren Abu - Former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
- Aga Muhlach - Famous Actor
[edit] Transportation
The town is easily accessible via Lipa City though passenger jeepneys plying the route from dawn (4:00 AM) till night (9:00 PM). It is also accessible via the national road through a two-kilometer concrete road along the southern boundary of Fernando Air Base. Tricycles are available for going around town and the innermost barangays.
[edit] Barangays
Mataas na Kahoy is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.
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