By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS

 

For city dwellers looking for a quick seaside getaway, Batangas should be a definite consideration. The first class province is a favorite among beach lovers, divers, coffee addicts, and adventurous spirits.

 

Drew Arellano and the 'Biyahe Ni Drew' (BND) team drove to the municipalities of San Juan and Lobo to check out what they have to offer.

 

Biyahero tip #1: Visit Marimar

 

Named after a nickname given to its owner who had long, wavy hair during her youth, Marimar is a restaurant that boasts of hot, tasty meals. Its bestsellers include bulalo and caldereta that people come back for every so often because of its tenderness and tastiness. BND reports that the the boiling of beef begins very early in the morning for the influx of people at lunch time.

 

Biyahero tip #2: Enjoy the wide variety of beach activities

 

Batangas has some of the best, most accessible beaches in the Philippines. Fitting for vacations among family and friends, its resorts offer activities such as fat biking, volleyball, football, and obstacle courses. Day end wind down activities include sitting by the bonfire and getting a massage in cabanas by the beach.

 

Biyahero tip #3: Go snorkeling and/or diving

 

Immerse in the rich marine biodiversity in Batangas through snorkeling or diving. In the words of professional traveler Drew, "[The] underwater world in San Juan [Batangas] will not disappoint you."

 

Biyahero tip #4: Bask in the natural wonders of the province

 

The Naambon Falls in San Juan, and the Tulay na Busog, Lagadlarin Mangrove Forest, and Jaybanga Rice Terraces are some of the many destinations that will leave you in awe of Batangas' beauty.

 

Biyahero tip #5: Enjoy Batangueño dishes and barako coffee

 

Cafeño in Poblacion, San Juan cannot be missed by coffee lovers who are in Batangas. The gas station turned café and restaurant is famous for tulingan strips, tapang Batangas, sweet tamales, moist chocolate tablea cake, homemade vanilla ice cream with barako espresso shot and kapeng barako ice cream.

 

Alegrado’s Catering Services in Lobo, meanwhile, offers a wide variety of Batangas favorites. They take pride in their tasty dishes including pinais na dolong, sinaing na tulingan na inadobo sa gata, bulanglang (fresh mixed vegetables boiled in camias or tomatoes), and ginataang kungo or mangrove crabs.