', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people. The town is rich among the natural resources of sugarcanes, coconuts and corn. Significant events includes the Parada ng Lechon and the Feast of Immaculate Conception celebrated annually every December 8. Widely known products originating from the area include the Bagoong Balayan.
Etymology
Balayan is derived from the Old Tagalog word balayan, meaning "to walk past the paddy, from a basket to another" and "carry or accomplish anything with the tip of any batten". Other possible source is from the old Tagalog word balayang .
History
literatures in Balayan were lost and destroyed at the coming of the Spaniards. Jesuit Father Chirino testified they found three hundred pre-colonial manuscripts in Balayan but to facilitate them the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith, early Jesuit missionaries destroyed the records. Scholars and historians believed that Tagalog songs: Kumintang and Kundiman originated from Balayan. Spanish writer and historian Wenceslao E. Retana recorded the lyrics of a popular Kundiman when he visited Batangas in 1888. Balayan has a close affinity to early history. The towns position on the basin of a good harbour was one of the reasons it became the first lands for local settlements in the Philippines, with existing records of local indigenous residents exchanging barter goods with Chinese traders dating back to the mid-14th century. It was once the capital of a Moro Sultanate named Bon-bon whose area includes Mindoro to Cavite and even some parts of Metro Manila. The indigenous inhabitants of Balayan has close ties with the Brunei Sultanate of Maynilad under the leadership of Rajah Sulayman I and his uncle Rajah Matanda. There are historical accounts that Rajah Sulayman I stayed on this area when he tried to battle the Spaniards around Intramuros. Despite the presence of Spanish forces protected by the newly built stonefort in nearby Maynilad or Manila, Fort Santiago and Fort Intramuros Philippines, due to its natural harbor, a number of areas around the archipelago were often become launching grounds of counterattacks from the seafaring Moro people. These events prompted local Spanish officials to set up a fort to prevent yearly Moro counterattacks.
Geography
Balayan is a lowland town in western Batangas. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the has a land area of constituting of the total area of Batangas. Balayan is bounded on the north by Tuy, west by Calatagan and Lian, east by Calaca, and south by the Balayan Bay. Distance from Manila, the country’s capital, is about and approximately from Batangas City.
Topography
Balayan is strategically located at the center of western Batangas. The town is bounded on the north by Tuy, north-east by Nasugbu, east by Calaca, west by Lian, south-west by Calatagan, and south by Balayan Bay.
Balayan is politically subdivided into 48 barangays. The largest barangay in town is Patugo while the smallest is District 12.
Demographics
In the, had a population of. The population density was. The main language used by the people in Balayan is Tagalog but some can still speak and understand basic Spanish. Literate people can speak English but it is often used in formal occasions or events only.
Religion
Churches:
Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Ermita Church
Jesus the Peace Maker Christian Church
Jesus Is Lord Church
Economy
Phil Steel Corporation – manufacturer of coated steel sheets, coils and irons
Batangas Sugar Cane Central – the mother company of Muscuvado Food Sugar Corp. and processes sugar cane
Balayan BayWalk Park – On January 2009, Balayan renovated a mini park which will provide locals and tourists a view of Balayan Bay similar to what is seen in the country’s capital.
