Lipa

Lipa is the second largest city in Batangas, in terms of land area and the economic and religious center of the province. It lies approximately in the middle of the province, surrounded by Malvar to the north, San Pablo and Alaminos (in Laguna), and San Antonio (in Quezon) to the east, Padre Garcia, San Jose and Ibaan to the south, and Cuenca, Mataasnakahoy, and Taal Lake to the west.

Understand
The articles covers Metro Lipa, a minor and unofficial metropolitan area, including nearby municipalities, while independent administratively, are closely dependent to the city. Locals generally speak of Lipa to include the metropolitan area composed of these municipalities.


 * Lipa city proper
 * Balete, to the northwest
 * Mataasnakahoy, to the west

Lipa is a medium-size city, with a population of over 320,000, according to the 2015 Census. The city is undergoing fast urbanization; it has started to see its first high-rise buildings, and overtaken Batangas City in economic development.

Lipa is known for coffee production, introduced by the Spaniards. Kapeng barako production once served an important source of income to locals, but it died out in favor of other agricultural products and commercial developments.

The town of Mataasnakahoy is practically a suburb of Lipa, just behind the Fernando Airbase, and is closer to the city in its growth. Balete does not have much growth as Mataasnakahoy, but can still be considered a suburb, connected by a 11 km national road through the eastern slope of Taal Lake. Their local population rely on fishing and agriculture, and usually travel to Lipa to shop, study, and work.

The city is also known as the "Rome of the Philippines", being the country's answer to Vatican City with its historic cathedral, religious sites, and seminaries. Lipa is the center of Catholicism not only in Batangas (as the seat and namesake of a Roman Catholic archdiocese encompassing the whole province), but also the Philippines.

History
The original town center of Lipa lied in what is now Mataasnakahoy, in the slopes of Taal Lake. The old town center (Lumang Lipa) was destroyed by the 1755 eruption of Taal Volcano, and only a bit of it remains today. The current downtown became the new site of the town center after 1755. Under royal decree, the new Lipa was elevated into a city in 1887.

Lipa sustained heavy damage during World War II, and was almost destroyed by Japanese dive bombers. Lipa also caught international attention in 1948 after the supposed Mary Mediatrix apparition, which has not been confirmed true by the Vatican.

Climate
The climate is tropical, heavily influenced by the monsoon. Daily temperatures can be as high as or low as, and there is less variation in temperature. Precipitation is influenced by the monsoon, and the wet season is from May to December. The city has a very short dry season. Average annual rainfall is comparable to Manila.

Orientation
Lipa is split into 72 barangays, including the 13 barangays in the Poblacion. Some barangays of interest are:
 * Dagatan - The Malarayat Golf Course and County Club and Fiesta World Mall lies in this barangay. International schools are also concentrated around this area
 * Marawoy - Here, you may find the City Hall and SM City Lipa.
 * Mataas Na Lupa - This area has a growing nightlife and a gentrifying environment. Here you can find Robinsons Place Lipa, the Big Ben shopping center, and the city's top educational institution, De La Salle Lipa. You can also go into classy restaurants and cafés on the rise in the area.

Local orientation divide Lipa City proper into two parts, the Downtown and the Uptown. The "Downtown" included the Poblacion area, where Lipa Cathedral and the public market are found. The area along Ayala Highway (Jose P. Laurel Highway, or Route 4) is called "Uptown", a fastly gentrifying section of the city, composed of barangays Mataas na Lupa, Balintawak, and Marawoy. With developments of large malls, commercial space, and development of mid-range restaurants, bars and cafés (e.g. Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Army Navy, Shakey's), the Uptown also houses Lipa's growing nightlife.

By car
Lipa is well accessible from the tolled Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway). Those avoiding tolls may take the Jose P. Laurel Highway.

From San Pablo, Laguna, the main route is the Lipa-Alaminos Road, which mostly takes you through coconut plantations, mountains and jungle. From Quezon Province, take the Batangas-Quezon Road (Route 435), then follow Lipa-Padre Garcia Road (Route 431), which becomes P. Torres Street as it approaches downtown. There is a bypass road being constructed from Route 435 in Padre Garcia to Lipa-Alaminos Road in Dagatan, providing a bypass to Route 431 and Lipa's downtown, but is under construction as of 2020.

By jeepney/UV Express
Lipa is the terminus of regional jeepney routes, coming from Calamba, Rosario, San Juan, and Batangas City.

In addition to the Lipa City Grand Terminal, jeepneys or UV Express (passenger minivans) use these terminals

Get around
Lipa's old downtown, the Poblacion, is characterized by a rough grid of streets, characteristic of Spanish-era town centers. Many streets are narrow, more suited for pedestrian traffic than cars. With the exception of large shopping malls, the downtown hosts most local businesses and the public market, a staple of Philippine city/town centers. Car travel is inadvisable in the Poblacion, as parking is hard to find, and pedestrians practically cross everywhere. Most parts of the city can be reached by jeepney and tricycle.

The towns of Mataasnakahoy and Balete can be reached by jeepney. There is frequent service to Mataasnakahoy from the Robinsons mall, but services to Balete, from the terminal at Marawoy, are rather infrequent.

Festivals

 * Lipa City Festival (January 20) - Celebrates the city's founding anniversary.
 * Coffee Festival (December 11-16) - Showcases the city's barako coffee industry.

Drink
The city proudly serves its local drink: barako coffee; many local restaurants serve them in their menu.

If seeking a drink to spend the night, Ayala Highway (or the "Uptown") has numerous bars serving Lipa's growing nightlife and middle class.



Stay safe
Lipa is rather safe compared to Manila, but it has a share of common urban problems. The downtown can be pretty unsafe: jaywalking is everywhere, traffic is slow, unlicensed tricycle drivers may scam you, and beggars are enough to irritate you. Illegal drugs are another problem, but you will rather find them in residential areas.

Stay healthy
 Hospital 

Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, President Jose P. Laurel Street, Open 24 Hours, +63437736800

Lipa Medix Medical Hospital, President Jose P. Laurel Street, Open 24 Hours, +63437562342

Ospital ng Lipa, Tanco Drive, Open 24 Hours, +6343702-9845

Metro Lipa Medical Center, President Jose P. Laurel Street, Open 24 Hours, +639777449664

Lipa City District Hospital, President Jose P. Laurel Street, Open 24 Hours, +63437561313

Go next

 * San Pablo – City best known for its seven lakes