Monday, February 4, 2019

Things You will Love in Lipa

1. Weather 
Nestled between two mountains with elevation of about 1,025 ft above sea level, Lipa is enjoying a lower temperature all year round than average Philippine climate. Feel the icy like water when taking a bath and chilled blow of wind in the months of November until March.
2. Kapeng Barako
The first coffee tree was introduced in Lipa by Spanish Franciscan monk in 1740. During that time, Lipa became the coffee capital of the Philippines and one of the world's major supplier of coffee bean. Up to this time, coffee industry is still alive with Cafe de Lipa as front runner. You can also buy Kapeng Barako in public market at very low price.
3. Lomi
Believed to be first cooked in Lipa by To Kim Eng in 1968, a Chinese who married a Filipina and lived in Lipa. To Kim Eng used to cook lomi for his mahjong friends and it became famous which the To couple turned into a business. Lomi became popular snack not only among Lipa people but in the entire Batangas. Anywhere you go in Lipa, you will easily find a store to eat lomi. Among the popular lomi resto in Lipa are Lomi King, Lipa Panciteria, and Liam's.
4. Goto
Another popular dish in Lipa is "goto" but this is not the usual goto in Manila or other places outside Batangas which is similar to congee or "lugaw". Goto in Batangas is soup with beef's liver, intestine, and meat in broth flavored with ginger, onion and other spices. It is a popular breakfast which is usually served with rice and cold drink. Popular "gotohan" in Lipa are Tessie's, Gotohan sa Barangay, and Lhino's.
5. Lipa Cathedral
San Sebastian Cathedral or Lipa Metropolitan Cathedral is the most popular landmark of Lipa. The century old cathedral has magnificent dome with beautiful paintings. Lipa is attributed by Department of Tourism as Little Rome of the Philippines because of its multiple religious houses and Catholic tourists may complete Visita Iglesia inside the city alone.
Along with these churches, Lipa people are known to be very faithful in their religion and for having strong family ties.
6. The Farm
The Farm at San Benito is the world's award winning and very popular holistic medical wellness destination among celebrities. The place is not only promoting clean living but also nurture peace of mind and soul.
photos: Arven Bravo, The Farm at San Benito, Jason Sales de los Reyes (goto)
sources: Philcoffeeboard, Wikipedia