Mabini, Batangas

Mabini
Municipality
Official seal of Mabini Seal
Nickname(s): Diving Capital of the Philippines
{{#property:P242}} Map of Batangas showing the location of Mabini
Mabini Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	[[{{#property:P17}}]]
Region	CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province	[[{{#property:P131}}]]
District	2nd District
Founded	1923
Barangays	34
Government
• Mayor	Nilo M. Villanueva
• Vice Mayor	Elmar A. Panopio
• Councilors	List of councilors Nelson A. Hernandez Trinidad C. Villanueva Ritchie C. Panopio Gil G. Guerra Alfredo B. Escalona Nonato E. Manibo Nancy M. Homoroc Alexander B. Basit
Area
• Total	44.47 km2 (17.17 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	44,391
• Density	1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	{{#property:P281}}
Dialing code	{{#property:P473}}
Income class	1st class

Mabini is a first class municipality in the Province of Batangas, Philippines. It is located on the Calumpang Peninsula between Batangas Bay to the east and Balayan Bay to the west. According to the 2010 census, Mabini has a population of 44,391 people. It is named after Apolinario Mabini, a Filipino revolutionary hero.

Mabini is known for its diving and snorkeling sites.

History

Legend states that the first Malay settlers to inhabit the vast fertile land bordering the two bodies of water now known as the Batangas Bay and the Balayan Bay, first found anchor along the shores of the land protruding down Southwest ward known geographically as the Calumpan Peninsula.

These Malay settlers found the land fertile and agriculturally appropriate and the sea rich in marine resources. They established their settlement in this once vast unknown land. As more Malay settlers arrived from distant lands, more settlements were founded until even the upland regions of the peninsula were settled. The inhabitants had their own form of village government. They were ruled by a headman, a datu, or a sultan, in case of big encampments. Malay civilization began to take roots. Rapid increase of population brought about the settlements of all the neighboring regions, that it did not take long before eastward, northward, and southward of these known regions were inhabited to comprised later on the whole province of Kumintang, better known later as Batangas.

It was also mentioned among the folklore of this community that a Chinese explorer and geographer whose name could no longer be recalled, first landed on the shores of this peninsula in one of his trips to the island of Mai which is now known as Mindoro. Chinese, Indonesians and other races found haven for their trade along the shores of this peninsula during the pre-Spanish era. During the Spanish times, a certain galleon of the Spanish government, plying between this country and Mexico, was attacked, plundered and sunk by the Moro pirates riding in glittering vintas along the shores of this peninsula. It can also be said in passing that the Malay settlers were subjected to the uttermost cruelty and vandalism done by the Moro pirates who wantonly attacked the villagers along the coasts. These Moro forages caused hardships and other difficulties to the inhabitants, resulting in their formation of stronger measures to counteract the Moro depredations. This menace to the lives and properties during the pre-Spanish era continued during the Spanish times, and for purposes of administrative expediency, there were created political subdivisions-the insular territories to provinces, the provinces to municipalities or "pueblos", the “pueblos” or municipalities to barrios and lastly to sitio.

It came to pass then that the Calumpan Peninsula was made a part and parcel of the pueblo or municipality of Bauan, in the province of Kumintang, now Batangas .The same peninsula territory of Bauan was subdivided into barrios, namely: Mainaga, Pulong-Niogan, Pulong-Balibaguhan, Anilao, Solo, Pulong-Anahao, Bagalangit, Nag-Iba, Malimatoc, Saguing and Talaga. For more than three hundred years, while the Archipelago was under Spanish domination, this peninsula remained a part of the “pueblo” of Bauan and even in the early part of the American occupation. The people of this peninsula, like other people of other regions, suffered untold hardships under the Spanish rule. The yoke of the Spanish tyranny was thrown off after the gallant uprising of 1896. The revolution emancipated the people from the tyrants of Spain. In that revolutions, the people of this peninsula were not found wanting in courage, as the cream of the youths of the community joined the revolutionary forces, and even during the fight against the American forces they did not withdraw their support of the insurgents’ cause. Foremost of the heroic young men was Don Francisco Castillo, known as Apian Kiko, who led the fight for freedom in this peninsula. In this glorious revolution, many valiant heroes, hailing from the different places of the peninsula, offered their lives to the altar of the motherland.

The present generation of this community failed not to reciprocate the great deeds of those who fell in the dark of the night, when under popular subscriptions, headed by no less than Dr. Laureano Castillo, son of the famed leader, Kapitan Kiko and the then Municipal President Julian Bautista, Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, of the drive, they honor to the men who died for their country with a monument constructed in front of the old presidencia building. Although it was built primarily to erect the image of the Great Sublime Paralytic, Apolinario Mabini, it now also serves as a repository for the bones of the thirteen martyrs of this place who died in the memorable battle of Mahabang-Dahilig, during the Philippine–American War namely: Tirso Sumadsad, Juan del Espiritu Santo, Ramon Ilagan, Julian Matulin, Bernardo de los Reyes, Enrique Castillo, Zacarias Castillo, Francisco de Claro, Moises Maramot, Nicolas Adalia, Pantaleon Panopio, Serapio Aspi and Gavino Garcia upon the advent of the American rule, the same peninsular territory of Bauan remained with the mother municipality, until, after great efforts had been exerted by the proponents of establishing a new municipality, independent of the town of Bauan, fortunately for this peninsula, such men as Don Regino Marasigan, then Municipal President of Bauan, and such illustrious sons of this community, namely: Don Francisco Castillo whose gallantry had been mentioned above; Ignacio Leynes, who later on became the father-in-law of the famed revolutionary leader, Tomas Castillo, Indalecio Calangi, Anselmo Sandoval, Marcelino Castillo, Epifanio Abrigonda, Andres Castillo, Nicomedes Guia, Venancio Castillo, Esteban Castillo, Juan Dolor, Pedro Manalo, Bartolome Jusi, Agaton Axalan and many many others that cannot be mentioned for lack of space, left no stones unturned, and in the end, found the good graces of the then Governor General Leonard Wood and the great leader of our country, then Senate President Manuel L. Quezon, resulting in the declaration of the new municipality, comprising the eleven (11) barrios of the Calumpan Peninsula and the whole of the Maricaban Island, as an independent municipality, with the name of MABINI, derived from the great name of that Sublime Paralytic, Brain of the Revolution and Premier Adviser to the president of the erstwhile Philippine Republic, Gat Apolinario Mabini.

The new-born municipality of Mabini province of Batangas, was inaugurated on January 1, 1918, with Captain Francisco Castillo, known as the founder of the town, as the first appointive Municipal President. With him to form the local officials of the newly inaugurated town were: Marcelino Castillo as Municipal Vice-President; Esteban de Joya as Municipal Secretary; Jose Generoso as Municipal Treasurer and Tomas Cuevas as Justice of the Peace. Appointed Municipal Councilors were Tomas Castillo, Pedro Manalo, Epifanio Abrigonda, Valeriano de Chavez, Tranquilino Buenviaje, Nicomedes Guia, Fermin Buenviaje and Juan Castillo. To form the local police force, Esteban Castillo was appointed Acting Chief of Police, and Messrs. Julian Bautista, Nicomedes Aguila, Policarpio Axalan, Marcos Panopio, Marcelo Reyes and Nazario Manalo, as policemen.

Barangays

Mabini is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.

3

Mabini Municipal Hall

Barangay San Juan was formerly the sitios of Nag-ilong and Lugay in the barrio (barangay) of Mainaga, constituted into a separate and independent barangay by virtue of Republic Act No. 212, approved June 1, 1948.

Demographics

Population census of Mabini
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	30,474	—
1995	33,499	+1.79%
2000	37,474	+2.43%
2007	40,629	+1.12%
2010	44,391	+3.28%
Source: National Statistics Office

Tourist attractions

Ribboned Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia), Anilao

Anilao

Anilao is popular with budget divers and snorkelers. There are several diving centers where trips can be arranged to diving spots in Balayan Bay near Cape Bagalangit and near Sombrero and Maricaban Islands. Snorkeling is available off Maricaban's Cemetery Beach, Red Palm Beach, and around Sepok Point. Although the beach at Anilao is not recommended for swimming, thatched bamboo rafts can be rented with tables and benches at the Anilao Beach Resort and other resorts. This one of the beaches named SM Anilao Beach, Sea Mountain Beach Resort.

Mainaga

Mainaga is the business area of Mabini. During the Spanish time, it was called "may narra", which changed to Mainaga. It is home to companies like Suntrak Corp., CKU Steel Corp., PNOC, and Petron, with some shops like Chechu Mart, PRAB Foodhaus, and Mainaga Multipurpose Cooperative Mart, catering grocery items.

Mt. Gulugod-Baboy

Gulugod-Baboy is the general term that describes the hills that traverse Calumpang Peninsula. It has three peaks: Gulugod Baboy, Pinagbanderahan, Tore. It is reached through several passages: Anilao, Panay, Bagalangit, Ligaya, Laurel and Malimatoc I. It is 525 meters above sea level and at its peak, you can see, from east to west: Janao Bay, Maricaban Strait which bears Sombrero and Maricaban Islands, a distant, faint blue Mindoro, Verde Island (SW) and Batangas Bay. The city and port of Batangas is visible on the west, following a farther Mt. Daguldul. To the north is Mt. Maculot, and even Mt. Batulao and the Tagaytay highlands.

It is popular among hikers during the Holy Week.

Transportation

Jeepneys and tricycles are the main means of transportation around the town. Currently, there are two piers that serve the area: Anilao Pier and Talaga Pier, mainly catering for motor bancas going to and from the nearby island-town of Tingloy.

Hospitals

• Mabini General Hospital
• Zigzag Hospital

Educational institutions

College

• Mabini College of Batangas

High School

• Anselmo A. Sandoval Memorial National High School
• Mabini College of Batangas
• St. Francis Academy
• Mabini National High School
• Apolinario National High School

Elementary/Pre-Elementary

• Private
  • Jesus; Flock Academy-Anilao
  • Lady Fatima Montessori School
  • Santa Fe Integrated School
  • St. Lucresia's School
• Public
  • Malimatoc Elementary School(Malimatoc I-II, Mabini, Batangas)
  • Mabini Central Elementary School

External links

• Mabini official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code