Another Lipeño drafted in PBA

Chrisantoni dela Peña is the 3rd Lipeño to shine in PBA as he was drafted recently for Blackwater Elite.
Previous known PBA players from Lipa City were Melchor "Toying" Teves in 1983 for Sta Lucia and Aristeo "Aris" Dimaunahan who played for Ginebra Kings in 2002.

437th Batangas Foundation Day celebration set

Great food, art, music, and a lot more cultural extravaganza await Batangueños as the Province of Batangas kicks off its 437th Founding Anniversary celebration on December 8.

With the theme “Live, Study, Work and Have Fun in Rich Batangas,” this year’s foundation anniversary will celebrate Batangas’ rich cultural, social, and economic resources being one of the largest and oldest provinces in the country.

The whole-day celebration, which will be hosted at The Outlets at Lipa inside Lima Technology Center, Lipa-Malvar, Batangas, will start with a eucharistic mass at 9am followed by the Culture, Arts and Environment Awards with Batangas Province Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas gracing the event.

This will be followed with the opening of the Art Walk, a display of Batangueño art pieces curated by Gruopo Sining Batangas and Batangas Shoppes, showcasing different products from various clusters and farm tourism groups in the province.

Highlight of the celebration will be the hourly street and stage performances starting at 1pm by the different solo artists and performing groups in Batangas. Capping off the day-long celebration is the BRAVE (Batangas Rave) Party featuring DJ Tom Taus and DJ Jennifer Lee hosted by FAITH Colleges and Lima Park Hotel.

Formerly known as Comintang, Batangas was officially recognized as a province under Spain in 1581, according to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The province is now composed of 31 municipalities and three cities, with Batangas City as its capital.

The 437th Batangas Province Founding Anniversary celebration is presented by the provincial government of Batangas and the Batangas Provincial Tourism, Culture, Arts Office (PTCAO), in cooperation with the Batangas Tourism Council, and in partnership with The Outlets at Lipa and Lima Park Hotel, with FAITH Colleges as the foundation day secretariat. This is also made possible with the support of Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation, Science Park of the Philippines, Universal Robina Corporation, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Hamilo Coast, Liberty Builders and Development Corporation, and Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc.

Lipa Community Heroes Awardees for 2018

Every year, Lipa City Philippines or LCP takes pride in carefully choosing and awarding the unsung heroes of Lipa community. They are individuals who gave extra ordinary contribution to the community of Lipa and became a good example to the rest by showing honesty, compassion, and strong moral principles. 

For 2018, the following were chosen (in order as shown in photo):
Susan Panem of Granja, she did not think twice in saving a dog which was left in heavy rains overnight & severely wounded near a public market. After the photo has been posted in LCP last June, Susan immediately picked and sent the dog to the nearest vet clinic and took care of her.

Ronald Toledo of Muntingpulo, he took care and fed the lost child. Families and relatives of the lost child was so worried last August on where the kid has gone. After reading the post in LCP, Ronald together with his team in STAR Tollway located the house of the kid and brought him home safely.

Liezl Malabanan of Lodlod, just recently a photo of suffering dog near Robinsons Lipa was posted in LCP looking for owners and assistance. The dog seemed to be hit by a car and in few hours Liezl came to rescue him and sent to vet clinic. Liezl paid all the bills and took care of the dog.

Gina Ramos of Sto Nino, she came to help and rescue a person hit by car accident. The family of the person was so thankful for her heroic deed in saving the life of their brother.

Almost daily, you will read a lot of posts appreciating a noble & positive actions in LCP like returning cellphone, wallet, lost pet, etc while some others are posting to look for the owners of the lost items. They are individuals or group of people who are truly gems of Lipa City, should be given appreciation, and even has the full right to be recognized in tarps along the streets of the city more than anything else.

Congratulations and continue to be a good example to the community of Lipa.

::Lipa City Philippines or LCP is the pioneer, most visited, and consistently biggest social media group dedicated to Lipa.

SM City Lipa Opens Christmas Attraction for 2018

SM City Lipa opens this year's Christmas attraction entitled "Greatest Season on Earth" with carnival like production number before unveiling their festive decoration of stage. 

Throughout the months of November and December, there will be a lot of Christmas related activities including their extravagant Christmas Grand Parade on Nov 24 and Dec 28.

Robinsons Place Lipa opens Holiday Infinity Room with Hashtags

Thousands of Hashtags followers spent time waiting since 11am today to watch them sing and dance in this year's Robinsons Place Lipa Holiday treat for the city. 

Along with the event is the mall's annual gift giving to SOS Children's village where they spent time with kids and gave them gifts during the show. The rest of the mall patrons may enjoy the Holiday Infinity rooms, Christmas digital show, Meet and Greet with Santa, Fireworks Display and more this December. See Robinsons Place Lipa page for detailed information about the Holiday events.

The Aristocrat Restaurant Lipa, Batangas: Now Open!

The Aristocrat Restaurant “Home of the BEST Chicken Barbecue in Town”, celebrating generations of Filipino tradition for the past 82 years, is officially open in Lipa, Batangas.

Established in 1936, founded by the late Doña Engracia “Aling Asiang” Cruz-Reyes and her husband, Justice Alex A. Reyes, the Aristocrat has grown into a restaurant serving the same signature flavors and quality home-cooked Filipino dishes by Lola Asiang used 82 years ago to serve her very own children.

Welcoming all Batangeños, the opening celebration on October 25, 2018 at The Aristocrat Restaurant Lipa, Batangas branch will begin with a motorcade along the main streets of Lipa, to be followed by a Mass by Rev. Msgr. Ruben M. Dimaculangan and cutting of ribbon by Hon. Meynardo A. Sabili, Mayor of Lipa, Batangas and Priscila Reyes Pacheco, President of The Aristocrat Restaurant.

Starting October 25, 2018, The Aristocrat Restaurant Lipa, Batangas branch, a fine-dining restaurant along 121 Mataas na lupa, Lipa City, Batangas serves from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. For inquiries and reservations, please call (043) 741-5562 or visit www.aristocrat.com.ph and for deliveries, call us at (043) 741-5562.

The Aristocrat Restaurant now has 15 branches located at Roxas Boulevard in Malate (open 24 hours), Jupiter in Makati (open 24 hours), Robinsons Place Manila, 518 Banawe St., Sta Mesa Heights, Quezon City, Banawe 238, Brgy. Manresa, Quezon City, SM Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM Mall of Asia, Subic Bay, S&R Shaw Boulevard, SM City Dasmariñas, Marcos Highway, Antipolo, Anabu II-D Imus Cavite, Malolos, Bulacan, Lipa in Batangas.

Animal Welfare Awareness Week

RA 8485 or Animal Welfare Act as strengthened by RA 10631 and other laws protecting the welfare of animals, reminds us that it is UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON to do the following:

- TORTURE any animal
- NEGLECT to provide adequate care or shelter to pets
- KILL or cause to procure to be tortured *animals
- subject any dogs or horse for FIGHTS
- MALTREAT or use the same in *research
- TRADE for meat
Report killing or maltreatment incidents your nearest Police Station or Animal Welfare Groups. The person who will be found guilty is subject to IMPRISONMENT of 1-2 years and or FINE of up to 250,000 pesos.

According to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the celebration is aimed to inculcate in the heart and mind of individuals, particularly the youth, to love and be kind to animals, whether domesticated or wildlife. It furthers the aim of enhancing virtues of kindness, justice, and protection of all living creatures as the greatest contributing factor to maintain and restore the country's ecological balance.

Please STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY, ADOPT a PET and SAVE LIFE. Animals have no full capacity like humans do. They have emotions and can recognize but they have no voice that humans will easily understand.

*with exceptions as provided by the Animal Welfare Act
photo: reflectorgsu.com

Lipa ranked #82 in 2018 CMC Index

Lipa City settled at #82 in Most Competitive Cities of the Philippines (All Cities category) developed by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. Lipa City was high at #59 in terms of Economic Dynamism and still low in Government Efficiency, Infrastructure and Resiliency. In previous year, Lipa was at #55.
Neighboring city of Tanauan is on top in this year's ranking among CALABARZON cities. Resiliency category pulled them up where they ranked #1 in the entire country. Binan is now #2 while Antipolo City which was #1 last year came third this year among CALABARZON cities. With the inclusion of Resiliency category, NCC changed the definition of a competitive city.
Overall, Quezon City remained #1 in the entire Philippines while Tagum City is awarded as the most efficient in government services. Similarly, Santo Tomas (Batangas) was awarded #1 in Economic Dynamism among municipalities of the Philippines.
According to National Competitiveness Council, "We believe that with over 100 million people across 7,100 islands, it is important to create more economic engines in the form of local government units to drive long-term economic growth and development. Building these economic engines will disperse investment and job opportunities and spur inclusive growth."

source: cmcindex.org.ph
table is for CALABARZON cities only

Mulberry Farm at Lipa

Mulberry Farm at Lipa Check this alterantive venue for special occassion and events located at Tangway, Lipa City. Aside from various plants and mulberry, their location has a lot of beautiful amenities that will satisty kids and adults.

The New Bluroze

The new location of Bluroze is visible along STAR Toll if coming from Batangas City and before Lipa exit.
The 37 hectare former location of Blueroze in Purok 6, Lodlod was acquired in 2016 by Rockwell Land Corporation of Lopez Group of Companies which also owns ABS CBN.
There is no official announcement yet on opening and we are still to wait if the name & concept will be retained but one thing for sure Lipa is missing Bluroze Farm where families and friends gather for bonding or relaxation with nature.

photos courtesy of Advatech CCTV LIPA located at Ayala Highway, Lipa City

Lipa City Community Park Rehabilitation

Lipa City Community Park located at Granja, Barangay 7 was previously Lipa Sports Complex and converted into a beautifully landscaped park with Olympic size pool, playground, amphitheater, courts and fishpond during the last term of former Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto. 

It was the first of its kind park in Batangas and became a tourist destination of Lipa but due to inconsistency in maintenance and some careless users & visitors, the community park has lost its charm.
Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto heard the call of most Lipenos after about 12 years in reviving the community park. Earlier today, she has presented in her FB page the new look of Lipa City Community Park after its rehabilitation. The construction has started and the first phase will have new grand entrance, glass roof corridor, front landscaping, parkour, racetrack, playground set and skateboard park. In 2019; covered amphitheater, covered pool, floor fountain, mini football field, cabanas and renovated courts will be completed and will have its new modern look.
Based on 3D demo of its architecture and designs; Lipa City Community Park will also be a pet friendly park and should be enjoyed by all ages. According to various health blogs and websites, beautiful & clean parks are necessary in a city to foster mental, physical and spiritual health of individuals & families.
We appeal to future users of renovated park to please stop vandalism & to keep the park clean at all times while local government must strictly penalized all who cannot follow cleanliness.
For more information about the rehabilitation and full 3D demo, check this link: https://www.facebook.com/vsrecto/videos/1904469069605029/

Lipa City awarded Best in Social Service

Lipa City was recognized as best in Social Service category along with Bacoor, Cavite in the recently concluded Manila Times Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities held at Conrad Manila in Pasay City.

Mayor Meynard Sabili and wife Bernadette Sabili headed Lipa delegate in receiving the award.

Davao City and Agoo in La Union are the big winners of the night as they garnered the highest points in all categories of a model city and municipality respectively. Bacolod and Laoag came second and third in city level while Pulilan and Guiguinto (Bulacan) won second and third respectively in municipality level.

Other winners in different categories can be found in this link: http://www.manilatimes.net/davao-agoo-big-winners-in-mod…/…/

source: The Manila Times | JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, TMT on June 20, 2018
photo: Mayor Meynard Sabili FB account

Bubbling Up: S&R in Lipa

It was posted a month ago in Lipa Status Facebook page that activities in a portion of Levitown center is now visible and could be the rumored Membership shopping store. In a public post of Warren Tomias in his Facebook account from Asia Structural Development Corporation, he confirmed that their next project is S&R in Lipa, Batangas after their completion of S&R building in Cabanatuan City. Other Facebook posts and videos from different people in the construction site has confirmed S&R.

At this point, the site has completed its fence and drilling activities are steady but no visible identity of the project. S&R Membership shopping center is owned by Philippine Bank of Communication or PBCom with branch in Lipa at Ayala Highway.

Lipa Social Welfare Village Inauguration

Lipa City Social Welfare Village was inaugurated this morning headed by Mayor Meynard Sabili and wife Bernardette Sabili. Present in the inauguration was DSWD USec Isko Moreno. Other guests includes DSWD and TESDA Officers from both provincial and national office.

The new social welfare village is located at City Park Subdivision in Barangay Sabang. Also inaugurated today was the Lipa City Center for Training and Development in Barangay Uno (1). Both centers are expected to serve its purpose in assisting the needy in terms of skills development and social welfare rights protection.

photo: DWSD USec page

Tara Biyaheng Lipa

Tara Biyaheng Lipa is original music and lyrics by young and talented Naquita Gerald and sung by Ico Litargo and Pearly Ann Mercado (all Lipenos). The song is created to showcase Lipa City's advantage as residential, workplace, and business location.
The video came from the shots of Biyaheng Lipa episodes with contributions from Arven Bravo, Peejay Cueto, Mark Bryan Villanueva and Jonas Byron.
Lipa City is in the heart of CALABARZON region and is currently the most populated and most commercialized city of Batangas. It is known for its lower weather temperature, kapeng barako, lomi (thick egg noodles), multiple religious buildings, and high elevation at 1,025 ft above sea level.
Enjoy singing and watching & spread the advantage of Lipa City!
::Video and song were initiated & created by private individuals out of passion for Lipa.

Colors of Tagbakin

Tagbakin is historically known as the first settlement of Lipa ancestors. It is located in Halang which is the only barangay in Lipa surrounded by a large body of water. From Tagbakin, you will have a nice view of Taal lake and its surroundings.

You can reach Tagbakin via Bagong Pook or Pinagtung Ulan and you will pass through barangay Duhatan. From Halang proper, you need to be very careful in driving down the steep road. As you reach the lake shore, you will be fascinated by picturesque view of Taal lake. It has also a grotto of blessed Mary which is believed by old people of Halang to be the exact location where a meteor fell hundreds of years ago.

For years, Tagbakin lake shore has never been developed or should I say there has been some developments but was never completely fulfilled and managed. If this location will be given priority by the local government, it will be a good alternative for Lipeños as recreational spot for family and group bonding & will create financial resources for the people living in this area.

Lipa being the most populated and commercialized city of Batangas needs quality and beautiful parks.

Ms Lipa City won gold in Ms Earth Ph 2018

Joana Dalangin of Lipa City won gold in Talent competition (dance category) in the ongoing Ms Earth Philippines 2018 competitions.

Ms Earth Ph is a nationwide competition with environmental advocacy and winner is being sent to Miss Earth where about 90 nations are competing. Joana is the first runner up of Miss Lipa City Tourism 2017 and she is hopeful to become the first Lipeña to win in Miss Earth Philippines.

Finals night will be on May 19 at SM MOA and to be aired in ABS CBN the following day.
photo: Miss Earth Philippines page

A New Membership Shopping Center?

Will the activity in a vacant lot in Levitown of Brgy Marawoy finally confirm the long waited construction of idle talk membership shopping center? We will find out in the coming days as fencing and few activities are currently ongoing in the site.

It can be recalled that last year, the news about a popular membership shopping chain is set to open in Lipa but eventually did not materialize.

Modernized Electric Vehicle in Lipa City

Lipa City witnessed samples of Electric Public Utility Vehicles or E-PUV paraded during the city fiesta where foreigners were on board to promote modern and environment-friendly transportation.

The Mandaragit E-PUVs were presented by Tojos Motors in partnership with Lipenos Transport Cooperative. The modern vehicles are first class PUV-standard set by DOTr with auto-fare collection system via tap payment engineered by 8D Digital Asia and Maxbank, GPS, Wifi, and CCTV. It has also a driver-controlled door system, emergency exit, and in also in the pipeline is the access ramp for PWD.

The 18 units are expected to be running by the end of second quarter of this year. As per directive of the government, interested owners should become a member of the transport cooperative operating the route. They should coordinate with the head of the cooperative, Mr. Peter Loyzaga.

Photo: Peejay Cueto
Source: Evan Quinay

Lipeños Cup of Lipa City National High School is Philippines' 4th Best School Paper

Lipeños Cup, the official school-community publication of Lipa City National High School, won Fourth Best High School Publication (English) in the Philippines for the second straight year.

Lipeños Cup was chosen as one of the best from about 170 competitive school publications from 17 regions of the country. The competition was held in Siliman University, Dumaguete City. Other awards won by the group are as follows:

4th Place — Best School Paper
1st Place — Best Layout and Page Design
6th Place — Best News Section
7th Place — Best Sports Section

Additionally, Forerunner (official school organ of San Jose Elementary School) also won two awards in the elementary category of the NSPC such as:

2nd Best Layout and Page Design
7th Best Features Section

photo: Leo Atienza

The Brahman's Journal: Back to Back Best Campus Magazine

The Brahmans' Journal, the official student publication of University of Batangas in Lipa City bested other campus magazine and was hailed once more as the Best Campus Magazine in the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference. The competition was held in Baguio City last Feb 28 until March 2 2018 at Supreme Hotel.

The Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference is one of the prestigious contests on journalism in the country which includes regions 1 to 7 with some participants from Visayas and Mindanao.

The winning magazine of Brahman's this year was entitled LIPA, featuring the city itself and what's with Lipa that makes it one of the most developed and culture-rich city in the Philippines. From it's ancient history up to the living present and to its possible future; Lipa City keeps on moving and will still be moving.

Last year, they also brought home the same honor for their Humans of Batangas issue which includes Raphael Mijeno of SALt Lamp, Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan, Arven Bravo of Lipa City as Contemporary Patriot, among others.

Global East Asia Medical Center – Lipa

Global East Asia Medical Center will soon open in Lipa City and will be the first of its kind hospital in Southern Luzon. It will cater a multi-disciplinary subspecialty like Heart, Lung, Kidney, and Eye Center to name a few according to the plan.

Global East Asia Medical Center will provide modern and world class buildings and facilities. It will rise in about 12,000 square meters lot with approximately 150 bed capacity along JP Laurel Highway in Banay Banay. The hospital is expected to furnish environmentally friendly site by adopting “green” architecture towards better healthcare services & patient outcome.

The hospital is also advancing to provide medical technology innovation in the country. Also part of the plan, it will have helipad which will be used to transfer patient to and from other location. Long term, it is expected to adopt a renewable technology such as solar panel and rain water capture recycling technology for a sustainable energy source.

This new hospital has no estimated time of construction at this point but will definitely put the status of Lipa City as capital for medical needs in the south.

Expanding Commercial Areas of Lipa

Banay Banay & Levitown in Marawoy will be the next business centers in Lipa City after Toyota in Banay Banay and Jollibee in Levitown opened their branches.

We all know that Downtown of Lipa is the oldest trading center of the city while Uptown is the new lifestyle center of Lipenos and nearby towns along with the emerging areas of Tambo and Sabang.

Jollibee will soon be opening their 8th Lipa branch in Banay Banay that will surely attract other known establishments to follow while Levitown other than presence of private schools seems to have a promising commercial developments in the next 3 years based on social media business forums. Other establishments to watch for are The Outlets in Lipa in LIMA part of Bugtong, Dusit Lipa, and Lipa Town Center in Tambo.

Lipa's commercial area is truly expanding and should be the case to avoid congestion but Lipa Status is more interested on how both the local government and business establishments are working to avoid environmental issues of the city in the future.

Currently, Lipa is the most populated city in Batangas and has the most number of commercial establishments in the province.

2 Dusit Thani hotels to rise in Lipa City & Davao Gulf

2 Dusit Thani hotels to rise in Lipa City & Davao Gulf
Excerpts from Business World, Feb 8 2018

TORRE LORENZO Development Corp or TLDC, together with the Philippine Hoteliers, Inc. (PHI), announced on Wednesday that it will be developing a P1.9-billion Dusit Thani Hotel at Lubi Plantation in Davao Gulf and a P3-billion Dusit Princess Lipa Hotel in Batangas.

The Dusit Princess Lipa Hotel will house 152 rooms. The hotel will be inside a one-hectare complex set to include residential buildings, an international restaurant, and business center.

“There’s too much hype in Tagaytay, when really the growth is in Lipa. The presence in Lipa is in pursuit of our vision to be in fast growing secondary cities in the Philippines, and hopefully Lipa is be the first among many,” TLDC Chief Financial Officer Emmanuel A. Rapadas said in a press briefing in Makati yesterday.

The company looks to finish the project by 2021. Full story here: http://bworldonline.com/2-dusit-thani-hotels-rise-lipa-cit…/
Photo: from Torre Lorenzo website (Lipa Status added logo of Dusit Hotel)

MarLiCa Art Gym: Another First for Lipa

MarLiCa Art Gym is a place where beginner and seasoned artists who are interested in visual arts, come and work on their projects. It is a conducive environment for collaboration and sharing of ideas and skills.
Art Gym located in Inosluban, Lipa City was conceptualized 20 years ago by MarLiCa or Dr Marichu Carstensen who felt that there is no place that gives access to materials, instructions and a nurturing environment to young artists. They offer basic drawing, painting, sculpting, mosaic making, pottery and candle making without shelling out a fortune.
Starting at only 1,900 pesos you or your kids can enroll in Art Gym classes while sponsored membership is available to indigent students, unemployed and others with demonstrated financial need. For more details, please visit MarLiCa Art Gym page https://www.facebook.com/Marlica-Art-Gym-131968740822276/

Downtown BBQ & Grill

Downtown BBQ & Grill is the first Korean Charcoal BBQ in Lipa City. Batangueños and nearby towns will now have the opportunity to enjoy authentic Korean samgyupsal and delicious burgers at affordable prices.
They are located at Dayton Food Park along Ayala highway.
For more information, call 0916 682 6437 or visit their page https://www.facebook.com/pg/downtownbbqandgrill/

Lipa City Fiesta Parade 2018 Video Highlights

Lipa City Fiesta Parade 2018 Video Highlights

Ayala Tambay Night

Lipa's car culture tradition "Ayala Tambay Nights" by CARMAVENS and Auto Nation Transport Show in partnership with SM City Lipa night before Lipa Fiesta.

Nosh Box

Nosh Box serves fresh, healthy & amazingly delicious salads and rice bowls starting at 79 pesos only. 
They are located across De La Salle Lipa college in AMC building or contact 0915 246 7585. Nosh Box is open from 11:30am until 7pm. 
Watch how our Biyaheng Lipa hosts, Melvin and Queenie, enjoyed their Nosh Box bowls.

Cold and Gusty Lipa Weather

It's cold and gusty weather in Lipa City. 
Temperature in Celsius degree as of the posting time from Weather Philippines (SM City Lipa weather station)