| MOUNT BATULAO
LOCATION: Batangas Province
ELEVATION: 811 meters above sea level
LEVEL: Minor Climb, Level II, Moderate
JUMP OFF POINTS: Nasugbu Batangas
INFORMATION:
The view of Mt. Batulao’s Twin Peaks when you are on
your way to Batangas via Tagaytay, is somewhat majestic. It
looks different from the usual Philippine Mountains because
it resembles the European Alps though a much smaller version.
This is due to its tree-less peak covered with cogon grass
making it look more like a snow-capped mountain. Mt Batulao
is a famous camping ground for scouts and ROTC trainees. This
was due to the fact that it is close to Manila and has wide
camping and training grounds.
Climbing Mt. Batulao is one exciting experience. The view
of the Taal Lake, the Batangas province, the South China Sea
and the surrounding mountains like Talamitam and Pico de Loro
will definitely fulfill your visual senses. The small open
summit will also encourage you to shout, "I am on top
of the word!" Batangas that is. Atop the summit, an image
of the Blessed Virgin Mary is firmly erected similar to the
one on top of Mt. Talamitam.
LEGENDS:
The name Batulao was derived from an annual phenomenon observed
by the locals. From the town of Balayan, one can see twin
mountains to the east that appear quite distant from each
other. But the same scene viewed from Batulao is curiously
different. The same mountains seem to move closer. More fascinating
is the fact that some time between December 22 and 28 every
year, when the sun nestles right in between the two peaks.
It creates a scene described by natives as "ilaw sa dalawang
bato" (light in between two rocks) or "bato sa ilaw"
(light in a rock), from which derived the term Batulao.
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