TRENDING: Lipa Local Restaurants

Other than food chains, "goto" and "lomi", there's another trending topic among Foodies in Lipa and surprisingly its our local restaurants not serving lomi and goto.

While Lipeños are excited for the newly opened & incoming restaurants and food chains like Dominos Pizza, Bon Chon, Cabalen, Tornado Peri Peri Chicken and Burger King, we have lots of local restaurants to choose from that are equally popular & are getting more patrons both within and outside Lipa City. With a budget between 65 - 295 pesos you will have a sumptuous and well presented food of your choice. The best sellers are specialty hamburger, pasta, sisig, kare kare, liempo etc.

Among the local restaurants I already tried are Big Mike's Grill, Lipa Grill, Dae Jang Gum, Bimbim's, Serenity, LBN Restaurant, Hayden's Pizza and Pasta (BigBen), Fat Grill (La Salle), Ardiz Restaurant, and Bojoks. I have yet to try Irori Japanese Restaurant, Casa Marikit Italian Restaurant, Clemente Cuisine, Dreamland, Burger X Brand, Big Belly's, Colosos Giant Burger and others. Also, what makes some of these restaurants different & will likely make you to go back is their stylish and pleasant ambiance. Facebook "Check In" and photo sharing of these local restaurants help them a lot to be noticed and visited.

OPINION: Lipa Traffic Solutions

With the influx of low to high cost subdivisions, multinational companies, international and national shops, and schools, Lipa City is drawing more people & vehicles and is creating a growing issue on TRAFFIC.

In unofficial survey in skyscrapercity forum, it is believed that Lipa City is already ahead of Batangas City in terms of population and will continue to be on top as the year passes by if growth rate in the past years will remain the same or pattern will continue to increase.

The once peaceful and in order City of Lipa is fastly becoming a highly urbanized and important City of CALABARZON with enormous economic developments in the last 15 years. With these progression, it seems that Traffic has never foreseen or if it was there has never been any rightful solution yet that was implemented.

To step back, in Mayor Santos-Recto's term the so called "Ayala Highway" has been upgraded into a modern highway with landscape, bright lights, and express way for trikes and single motors with tight implementation of towing vehicles illegaly parked and no jay walking. When Mayor Gozos stepped in, CCTV cameras has been scattered in major streets of Lipa. Between 2009 and 2010, Ayala Highway has been reconstructed to 8 lanes with barriers in the middle and later on, the rest of JP Laurel Highway of Lipa followed.

With the latest development on the streets and highways, Traffic today is still an issue and getting worse but concentrated on commercialized areas of Lipa such as in the vicinity of SM, Robinsons, Poblacion, Puregold, Tambo, LIMA and Fiesta Mall.

I am not a traffic expert and not even a driver but in my opinion through my observation, the following would help:
1. Traffic Lights - it will allow maximum vehicle efficiency at intersections and will eliminate agressive drivers.
2. Footbridge - Lipa has 2 ongoing construction of footbridges in City Hall and Big Ben areas. This will reduce or eliminate people passing the road via pedestrian lanes. The City and Private institutions should also consider footbridges in other crowded areas.
3. High Definition CCTVs - a close and real time monitoring will capture street offenders through Traffic Marshalls and will give drivers idea that the local government is serious in implementing its traffic rules.
4. Loading and Unloading Zones - its about high time to designate areas for Loading and Unloading passengers. Both passengers and drivers should strictly follow the designated areas or sanction will be given similar to developed cities.
5. If Alone Use Public Vehicles - private car owners if driving alone should take public vehicles to help reduce the volume of vehicles in the street other than helping the environment.

In general, the local government must invest on the rightful and long term solutions that will benefit the general public, after all Lipa is earning billion in taxes. While us the people of Lipa should learn how to respect and follow the street ordinances.

Videos of Lipa City

for more videos click this link: Lipa City Videos

Lambanog from Lipa Gets Gold from Monde Selection

photo from Martin Tarnate

Philippine "lambanog" is now one of the world’s top drinks.

Lakan Extra Premium Lambanog was recently awarded a seal of quality by Monde Selection International Quality Institute, the first and one of the most prestigious international quality-certifying bodies.

The institute gave Lakan Extra Premium Lambanog the Gold Award after submitting it to the 53rd World Selection of Spirits and Liquors 2015. The announcement was made through a quality award certification sent by its chair, Patrick de Halleux, on April 9, 2015.

The Gold Quality Award, which is the second highest award, was given to Lakan Extra Premium Lambanog after it got an average score of 80-89 percent from a series of evaluation and tasting sessions.

 Lakan Extra Premium Lambanog is the only other Filipino brand to be given the prestigious Gold Award under the Liqueur and Spirits Category.

This young brand, introduced just six months ago, is a product of more than 10 years of perfecting and modifying the age-old process of distilling lambanog to make Lakan the Filipino counterpart of Japan’s sake and Korea’s soju, with the hope of living up to its tagline as “The True Filipino Spirit.”
Lakan is sold exclusively at various Duty Free Store branches and through www.philippinedistillers.com.

The people behind by Philippine Craft Distillers, Inc. (PCDI) are entrepreneurs committed to drive the coconut farming industry to higher levels of productivity. PCDI’s distillery is in Bo. Bulaklakan, Lipa City, Batangas. PCDI harvests coconut nectar from plantations in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Marinduque.
Read full stories here from Philippine Daily Inquirer: http://business.inquirer.net/190854/filipino-lambanog-gets-gold-from-international-body#ixzz3YOoC2m9f

Miss Lipa City Won Best in Cultural Costume in Ms Earth Philippines 2015

photo from Paris Silva's Facebook account

Miss Lipa City, Paris Silva, won Best in Cultural Costume in 2015 Miss Earth Philippines held in MOA. Her gown is highlighted by the image of San Sebastian Cathedral or also known as Lipa Cathedral. She was also included in the Top 15 competed by 40 other beauties representing their cities or municipalities.

This was the first time that a representative from Lipa City has entered the semi finals and won Special Award in the said pageant. During preliminary competition, Paris also won a special award presented by Pagudpud local government.

Miss Manila won the 2015 edition of Ms Earth Philippines to represent the Philippines in Miss Earth where venue is yet to be announced.

Good Old Days of Lipa

My father side is from Lipa and I grew up in Lipa. Wherever I go, I am proud to talk about my city and what it can offer to visitors. I'm 80s baby and seen closely the changes in the streets of Lipa.
Maybe some of our members here will have no idea what Brownies and Mama Bears were. They were our Mc Donald's and Jollibee in the 80s until Greenwhich put up its branch in Lipa in 1988.

That time Greenwhich is not as popular as it is today. At the same time, "Ayala" highway was not yet commercialized where both sides of the dusty road were covered with high grasses. Then came Dunkin Donuts (downtown) and Mc Donalds (JP Laurel /Ayala highway) in the early 90s. Both are the first branch in Batangas. South Supermarket opened in mid 1990s which became a big hit to shoppers of Batangas.

In the latter part of the 90s, Max's, Texas Chicken (Big Ben), Kenny Rogers, and RACKS (Big Ben) opened its branches in Lipa which were/are also their first branches in Batangas. It was the same time when Fiesta mall, first full service mall in Batangas, opened. I could still remember how many people were shopping that time in Fiesta mall from different parts of Batangas, Mindoro, Laguna and Quezon. Manila bars were opened as well in the late 90s such as Jazz Rythms (Fiesta Mall), Ten Years After (KPointe), & Goodfellas (KPointe).

It was in 2003 when Robinsons Place opened and right before SM City opened its branch in Lipa in 2006, Robinsons had its annex building completed. It was also in 2006 when "Ayala" highway was well lit and beautifully landscaped.

Photos below are some of the transformation in the City (credits to the owners of some of the photos used which were randomly picked from the net)

QUICK FACTS about BPO Industry in the Philippines and in Lipa City

Business Process Outsourcing or BPO started in the Philippines in 1999 when Cyber City set up an outsourcing facility at the former USAF base in Clark and has been followed by many more. When you say outsourcing it means outside resourcing of companies in countries like USA, Canada, Australia, UK etc. to other countries like India and the Philippines. Example is an American customer of Verizon (equivalent to Smart or Globe in the Philippines) will call their customer service number in the US and then the call will be routed to the Philippines to be answered by a Filipino customer service representative. Calls can be as simple as balance inquiry on credit card to as complex as trouble shooting on defects of a gadget. BPO involves payroll, human resources, accounting, information technology, customer call center relations etc.

Today, BPO industry in the Philippines has jumped from $1 billion to $18 billion and is expected to earn $25 billion in 2016. Making BPO the biggest contributor to the Philippines gross domestic product or GDP and by 2017, BSP and PSE have projected that BPO will overcome the value of remittances from OFWs. As of Aug 2014, The Philippines has overtaken India as the largest hub for call center in the world with more than 1 million Filipinos working in the industry. BPO also created more opportunities to other industries like fashion, food, commercial buildings, gadgets etc.

In Lipa City, TeleTech in Robinsons Lipa with corporate headquarter in Denver, Colorado became a pioneer call center in Batangas Province which started to hire on June 2006 and followed by ACS now Alorica in SM City Lipa with corporate headquarter in Irvine, California. Last April of this year, The Results Company with corporate headquarter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida opened in Fiesta World Mall. These three major call centers in Lipa, comprising of about 4,000 employees, put Lipa City in top 10 Next Wave Cities in the Philippines along with Baguio City, Davao City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City, Metro Bulacan (Baliuag, Calumpit, Malolos City, Marilao, and Meycauayan City), Metro Cavite (Bacoor City, Dasmariñas City, and Imus City), Metro Laguna (Calamba City, Los Baños, and Sta. Rosa City), Metro Naga (Naga City and Pili), and Metro Rizal (Antipolo City, Cainta, and Taytay).

What do you think is the next major BPO company to invest in Lipa?
sources: asiabriefing, inquirer, bworldonline, bpoc.uk

Lipa City Philippines Group Profile

Lipa City Philippines or LCP with tagline "proud Lipeños living in values" is a Facebook group created on Jan 2009 which originally intented to serve as a medium for Lipa people to post their comments and suggestions on establishments in Lipa City. The idea was out of a restaurant experience in Lipa of Arven Bravo, Joe Anne Masajo, Ronna Acar and Helen Maya who eventually became the pioneer members of the group.

After 2 years, membership has grown to more than 7,000 and then advocacy was changed to converge people of Lipa from around the world, support City tourism, provide City updates, and to serve as library of photos & stories related to Lipa. It became more popular in 2013 where its membership went up to more than 15,000. It was about to be launched as social group on March 2013 but had issues with partnered venue.

Lipa City Philippines continue to provide inspiring news and stories until its selected membership has reached to more than 26,000 at the beginning of 2015. It was in February 28 2015, when Lipa City Philippines was finally launched in Corner Route Resto Bar as a social functioning group with the support of different private institutions & individuals who believe in the advocacy of the group. It was also on the same date when LCP Core Team was presented to the public such as Sheila Mendoza, Raul Goco, Altar Olan, Liz Herrera, & Roneliza Cruzada who serve as additional leaders to the growing membership. 

On the same occasion, the group recognized and gave the LCP Community Awards for Integrity to both Kimberly Macalalad (a student who received thousands of likes and comments for returning a wallet with documents and cash) & Sonny Silva ( a tricycle driver who earned respect and media exposure through LCP for his fair way of collecting fees to his passengers).
On April 18 2015, LCP had a summer activity in 3Cs Place Resort in Sto Niño, Lipa City where several kids and adult attended.

It was on April 20 2015 when LCP was invited at the Sangguniang Panglungsod regular session to talk about the top issues and concerns of LCP members where Arven Bravo spoke of the issues like garbage, traffic, illegal parking, cleanliness, street lights, cctv cameras, peace and order, tourism, plants & trees in major roads etc. It was recorded live and broadcasted in community channel. After a week, Sangguniang Panglungsod released Resolution 152 commending LCP and 3 other Lipa groups on its services to Lipa City. It was a joint motion by Hon. Leonilo Catipon, Hon. Aries Mendoza and Hon. Don Linatoc.

On May 23 2015, LCP donated school supplies, cleansing equipments, trash cans etc to Sto Niño Elementary School where funds came from individuals, Lipeño Tarpaulin and supported by Lipa Motorcyle Club.

At present, LCP has more 31,000 selected membership and remains to be the widest and biggest social media group in Lipa City since it started which earned respect and praises from its members and visitors on its advocacy.

Click this link to join---> Lipa City Philippines

Top Characteristics and Traits of Lipeños

1. Religious - early Lipeños were Buddhist in religion and Indian in civilization but with Spanish colonization, Lipeños were forced to embrace the Catholic faith where at present is still the dominant religion in Lipa. Lipa is the center of Catholic faith in Batangas. Regardless of religion, Lipeños are known to be intact with their faith. Lipa hosts National Pilgrimage every year and known in the Philippines as Little Rome.
2. Hardworking - this can be traced way back in 18th century when Lipa ancestors were awarded the coat of arms from Spanish government for its hardwork to become the richest municipality in the Philippines during that time. After the glorious days with coffee, cacao, sugarcane and citrus fruit became the alternative sources of income for people of Lipa until at present time where Lipeños excel & became famous in different fields of industry.
3. Elegant - early Lipeños are known to be elegant, glamorous & stylish. This was because of the rich coffee industry. According to history, Calle Real (now CM Recto) was once a royal road where you can find the best shops and no other places in the Philippines can be compared to it. Today, Lipeños are still in style and glamour not only within their selves but also in their properties like house and cars. There's a lot of food and clothing shops that can only be found in Lipa within Batangas.
4. Family Oriented - family is the most important unit in Lipa as influenced by its faith. Lipeño family can always be seen together in church, malls, picnics etc. It is believed that very small percentage of families in Lipa are broken.
5. Dignified - most Lipeños still observed delicadeza. There are still many Lipeños who will think twice before making any decision that may affect their faith and honor. It is not in the character of Lipeños to protest in the street or use gun in politics or disputes.
6. Hospitable - it is one of the most popular traits of not only Lipeños but the entire Filipino people. We are usually friendly and welcoming to our guests.
7. Peaceful - Lipeños love peaceful environment and living. There are several churches, chapels, and other religious houses everywhere in Lipa to remind us of our faith and commitment to establish a peaceful & unified community. For the longest time, Lipa was once considered as the most peaceful and has low crime rate in the country.
8. Adaptability and Resiliency - Lipeños are persistent to get back on their feet even without assistance from local government. This can be traced from how early Lipeños survived from Taal eruptions in 17th century.
9. Modest & Respectful- Lipeños being polite and reserved are influenced by faith and strong family ties. Even with progressive & modern environment, both young and old Lipeños are still different from modern people in terms of style, behavior and preference.
10. Attractive - Lipeños are attractive both inside and outside. Many have found their true love in Lipa or a Lipeño visiting a foreign land will easily captive the heart of someone in that location. Moreover, many have felt inlove with not only Lipeños but Lipa itself.

Top Ten Places to Visit in Lipa City

1. San Sebastian Cathedral or Lipa Cathedral to many could be the most visited location in Lipa City. It is centuries old building but with proven solidity and great proportions. To protect from earthquakes, it was made of hewn stone and tiled roof. Inside it has chandeliers and artistically painted ceiling. The church also features an attracting grand baroque designed pipe organ which is the only one in Batangas Province and one of only 59 units in the Philippines.
2. Mount Carmel Church - became famous because of the Apparition and shower of rose petals in 1948 and later in 1991. It also features Carmel Monastery and the garden where the Lady Mediatrix of All Grace is believed to appear before Teresita Castillo.
3. Mount Malipunyo or Malarayat - known as "Mutya ng Lipa" is included in the list of mountaineers and nature lovers to visit. The mountain is cool, forested and verdant for the most part, even the summit. The mountain also protects the City of Lipa during strong typhoons. It also serves as a major attraction to most resorts and golf courses in Lipa.
4. Plaza Independencia - it was renovated by Mayor Recto's administration into a relaxing public place with beautiful landscapes with water falls and lights. It features new born child as a symbol of life and Museo ng Lipa beside it.
5. Casa De Segunda - the most popular of the few centuries old houses in Lipa because of Segunda Katigbak's affair with Jose Rizal, our national hero. Rizal visited the house and was invited to grace the occasion of Lipa's elevation to a Villa (City) by Spanish government in 1888. Rizal composed a song Himno Al Trabajo for the Lipeños who are willing to work hard for the country. Several movies and tv shows have been taped in this location.
6. The Farm at San Benito - the world class and world renowned wellness resort. It is huge and beautifully landscaped that provides healthy diets and excercise for the improvement of body and mind. It is one of a kind wellness resort in Asia.
7. Mount Malarayat Golf Club & Residential - features world class facilities and beautiful landscapes. It has hotels, spa, pavilions, pools, golf course, lounge, activity centers and residentials. It was awarded as Best Golf Course in the Philippines.
8. Summit Point - it is the other one of the only 2 exclusive golf course in Lipa. It offers the first class amenities and the best sport and leisure facilities available.
9. BluRoze Farms - is one of the most favorite place to hang out by families and groups. It features pool, garden maze, life sizes statues, mini zoo, playground, camping site, church, sleeping rooms and function rooms.
10. Leviste Equestrian Park - a 10-hectare world class Equestrian facility dedicated to the care and welfare of the horses. It is also a favorite location for movies and tv shows.
Before you finally end your visit in Lipa, do not miss the chance to taste the best and authentic Lipa Lomi and savor the freshness and aroma of Cafe de Lipa. There are few more horse farms, resorts and religious places that can be visited around Lipa City which are equally beautiful and relaxing.

Top 12 "Pinaka Marami" in Lipa City

1. Lipa is a true home to authentic Lomi and Goto as backed up by numerous stores around Lipa City like the well known Liam's, Lomi King, Lipa Panciteria, Renfels, Sizzling Lomi, Bee Gee's, Tessie's Goto, Tata Lino, Gotohan sa Baranggay among others. Where ever you go in Lipa there's surely a lomi or goto stores near you.
2. Lipa takes pride to its several local stores that is competing fairly with big food chains and restaurants such as Lipa Grill, Hapag Filipino, Dulcissima Bake Shop, Bojoks, Big Belly's, Fat Grill, Bimbim's, Serenity, LBN, Dreamland, Burger X, Colosso Giant Burger, among others.
3. Lipa has the most number of 7-11 stores in Batangas with current count of 11 followed by Batangas City with 8. There are few more branches on the rise.
4. Lipa has the most number of banks in Batangas with 70 as of 2014 and #2 in CALABARZON.
5. Lipa has the most number of Mc Donald's stores in Batangas with current count of 4 where 2 will soon to be constructed. It is followed by Batangas City with 3. The first Mc Donald's store in Batangas was opened in Lipa.
6. Lipa has the most number of Chow King stores in Batangas with 5 branches followed by Batangas City with 3. Another branch is rumored to open in the new Public Market building.
7. Lipa will soon to have the most number of Jollibee stores in Batangas with current branches of 6 tied with Batangas City. The other 2 is believed to open in the new Public Market building while the other one is somewhere in Levitown area.
8. Lipa has the most number of coffee shops in Batangas such as 3 Cafe De Lipa, 2 Starbucks, 1 Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 1 Taza Mia Coffee and few other local coffee shops.
9. Lipa is a home to food & clothing shops that can only be found in Lipa within Batangas and even in nearby areas such as Dominos Pizza, Cabalen, UniQlo, The Old Spaghetti House, Bread Talk, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Army Navy, Oakley, Tokyo Tokyo, Flavours of China, Seafood Island, Uncle Cheffy, Nike Park, Razons, Gong Cha, Dakasi, Go Nuts Do Nuts, among others and soon Burger King and Krispy Kreme.
10. Lipa is #4 in CALABARZON and #19 in the Philippines (excluding Metro Manila) with the most number of bank deposits.
11. Lipa has 3 International Call Centers branches such as TeleTech, Alorica and The Results. All US based companies supporting American and Australian companies which earned Lipa to be one of the Ten Next Wave Cities in the Philippines.
12. Lipa has the most number of Private Hospitals in Batangas such as Mary Mediatrix, Lipa Medix, Villa Hospital, San Antonio General Hospital and Metro Lipa Doctors Hospital.

Top Ten Historical Facts of Lipa City

1. Lipa became the last Villa (City) of Spanish government during its rule in the Philippines on Oct 21 1887 when Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain recognized Lipa as the richest municipality in the country for its coffee industry.
2. Lipa's current seal is a coat of arms granted by King Alfonso XIII of Spain when Lipa was elevated into a noble villa. It was made public in the Graceta de Manila on Dec 21 1887. It has the Spanish words "Virtud Y Trabajo" which means Virtue and Work.
3. The seeds of the Arabica species planted in Lipa were said to be brought in from Mexico by an Agustinian missionary. The coffee industry so flourished and made Lipa the richest municipality in the Phils.
4. The raising of cacao was introduced in Lipa by an Augustinian priest, Father Ignacio de Mercado, and that was the beginning of its cultivation throughout the Philippines.
5. The first newspaper in Batangas, published in Spanish, was the Lumubog-Lumutang, printed in Lipa in 1889.
6. With the eruption of Taal Volcano in 1724, Lipa ancestors moved to what is now “Lumang Lipa” and, again, in 1754, they moved to Balete where they settled for two years until 1756 when they moved inland to the present site obviously for more security from volcanic eruptions.
7. In modern times, Lipa became famous with what believed to be the apparition of a Lady introduced as Mediatrix of All Grace and shower of rose petals in 1948 then repeated in 1991.
8. Lipa is the first City in Batangas inaugurated on June 20 1947.
9. Lipa is considered to be the 3rd City with highest elevation in Luzon next to Baguio and Tagaytay.
10. Lipa City is attributed as "Little Rome of the Philippines" by Department of Tourism due to its numerous religious houses. It was once called to be "City for all Seasons" when popular actress Vilma Santos became first woman Mayor of Lipa. It is also known to many as "Pilgrimage City" and "Next Wave City".