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

Round the Clock in Lipa City

Paul from Australia challenged his Lipa Status friends on how he will enjoy Lipa City in 24 hours. Find out how and where he spent his day and night in Lipa.

Most Favorite Lomi House In Lipa

Lipa City is a true home to authentic & delicious thick noodles and sauce with variety of toppings known as Lomi. It started in 1968 when To Kim Eng, a Chinese who came to live in Lipa, became so fond of cooking lomi for his friends and he became known for it.

We conducted a survey in Lipa City Philippines group, currently the biggest dedicated group for Lipa with more than 35K filtered members, to pulse the top most favorite lomi house in the city. Here's the result:

1. Lipa City Panciteria/ Lomi King
The mother of all lomi houses in Lipa is still the most favorite by Lipeños. Owned by To Kim Eng himself or better known as "Timing" with his wife Natalia. We included Lomi King along Lipa City Panciteria since both is owned by the same family.
Lipa City Panciteria is located in A. Mabini Street near Lipa public market while Lomi King is infront of De La Salle Lipa.

2. Liam's Lomi House
Located in Sabang infront of Limcoma, Liam's started as a small nipa hut type restaurant and eventually became bigger after it attracted more customers. Their lomi has several toppings to choose from like asado, chicken, and lechon. They also serve other Filipino dishes like sisig, chopsuey, barbecue, goto etc.

3. Benok's Lomi House
They have branches in Marawoy infront of baranggay hall which is open 24 hours and another one at the back of Lipa City Cultural center. Similar to Liam's, they have several toppings to choose from.

4. Renfel
They have branches in Sabang near SSS and the other one near Lipa public market.

5. Bee Gee's Lomi
Located in Levitown along the highway in Marawoy.

6. Traveller's Lomi House (Pangao)
7. LBN Lomi House (Marawoy)
8. 5 Brothers' Lomi
9. Lomi (Lodlod) note: no specific name just lomi
10. LDC Lomi (Antipolo del Norte)

Other lomi houses to visit are Centro, Rose, Sizzling Lomi, Japong's, LGB, MGM, Etring, Lomian ni Ate Gemma, and SheLomi. There were few other lomi houses in every baranggay in Lipa that were not voted during the 3 days survey.

If someone asked you where he or she can bring her visiting friend for a lomi treat, the above list may help.

source: Lipa City Philippines group survey from Sep 18-20 2015, wowbatangas.com
photo credits: marizedelrio.files.wordpress, rovingrani.files.wordpress, willyforfood.net