A Petal of Rose Called Lipa City

Lipa City is a component city of Batangas and is one of the four cities of the province. Since its founding in 1702, Lipa has undergone a lot of transformation through the years...keeping up with development, of course.

Lipa City has always been busy since the olden days. People doing their own business as well as vehicles plying its streets have been usual sights since way back then. The Casa de Segunda, which was a favorite hang-out place of our national hero Jose Rizal, is still up and standing.

Local government leaders, from the past to the present, made and make sure that Lipa City maintains its good image and excellent peace and order situation. True to their  motto of Virtud and Trabajo, Lipenos value work with virtue.

Being a center for commerce and education, Lipa City is a host to many educational institutions. It has its own city college and other public colleges and universities. It is also home to high standard schools such as De La Salle-Lipa.

A big and busy city such as Lipa will not be complete without the modern-day amenities of malls. SM City Lipa and Robinsons Place Lipa have large malls that cater to the needs of its populace as well of those from neighboring towns.

The city has a booming economy. Aside from malls, business establishments are scattered in the city. In fact, the traffic problem is one thing that the local officials are trying to solve. New roads and highways have been constructed for the ease of the riding public.

Despite the busy-ness of the modern atmosphere, Lipa City exudes a homey feeling. My parents once owned a farm there and they spent their weekends in our property. Believe it or not, I was not able to visit the place before they gave it up. Unlucky me...

Lipa City is known for its lomi and the kapeng barako. It is a must to eat lomi when in the city. Liam's Lomi House is a favorite among Lipenos. They usually bring their visitors to try this delicacy. Whether night or day, savor their delicious concoction of a Filipino comfort food.

Twice, I was invited by Lipa City tourism office and museum president Minnie Atienza and fashion designer Rey Lazaro of the Designers Circle Philippines to judge in their annual Miss Lipa Tourism held at the Lima Park 0/0utlets. It is a sprawling area of outlet stores and it also has a hotel called Lima Park Hotel which, for me, is the best this side of Batangas.

Other hotels will not be left behind in terms of accommodations. Lipa City is always ready to welcome local and foreign visitors with open arms. After this pandemic, I hope that visitors will put Lipa City in their itinerary.

Filipinos being a religious lot, Lipa City is home to a cultural heritage church which is the San Sebastian Cathedral. In this city, you will also find the Mt. Carmel Church which is said to be the venue where a rose petal shower miracle happened in 1948 after an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

 But despite the skepticism of some people, Lipa City can be aptly called a petal of rose.

 Credit to the owners of the photos.