REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Lipa City, Batangas

Lipa City is a 1st class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It is one of the three chartered cities of Batangas province (the others being Batangas City and the City of Tanauan). It is situated 78 kilometers south of Manila. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 218,447 people in 41,962 households.

Lipa City is bounded by the town of Santo Tomas in the northeast, San Pablo City of Laguna and San Antonio of Quezon in the east, the municipalities of Padre Garcia and Rosario in the southeast, the municipalities of Ibaan and San Jose in the southwest, the municipaltities of Cuenca and Mataas Na Kahoy and Taal Lake in the west and the municipalities of Balete and Malvar in the northwest.

The city's location, in a valley located between two mountains - Mount Malarayat and Mount Makulot - makes it a low risk area. These two mountains serve as a wind breaker in times of typhoon. Mount Makulot at the western portion also served as shield of the city in times of eruption of Taal Volcano.

Lipa City is a major recreational, religious, commercial, industrial and educational center in central Batangas province, as shown with the presence in the city of entities like Nestle Philippines, De La Salle Lipa, the San Sebastian Cathedral (seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa), the Carmelite Convent, Robinson's Place Lipa Mall, Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club, Summit Point Golf and Country Club and the soon-to-open SM City Lipa Mall. The City is also home to the Fernando Air Base, the former headquarters of the Philippine Air Force's 100th Training Wing and Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

Since 1998, popular movie actress (not born in Lipa) Vilma Santos Recto, the wife of Senator (also not born in Lipa) Ralph Recto, has been the mayor of Lipa. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipa,_Batangas)

History

The settlers of Taal Batangas between the 10th and 13th century A.D. were said to be colonial families founded by Datu Dumangsil and Balkasusa. The settlers purchased lands of Panay in the Visayas, and lowlands in Luzon which includes Batangas. The purchased lands were subdivided among the ten datus, and the Batangas Bay was given to the clans of Datu Dumangsil and Balkasusa.

The descendants of the Bornean Tribe were the first origins of Lipa that spread out towards Laguna De Bay and Bicol Peninsula and other areas in Batangas. Then in the 15th to 16th century, trade relations emerged in the Batangas townsfolk with Chinese merchants. In 1605, the Augustinian Fathers made Tagbakin (southern shores of Taal Lake) the first settlement of Lipeos and built a mission center that was named San Sebastian. It was in 1702 when the place became a municipality and a parish in 1716.

In 1724, Taal Volcano erupted and all the settlers moved to Balete. The settlers moved inland till 1756 in order to secure themselves from volcanic eruptions. Augustinian missionaries taught the townsfolk on the cultivation of coffee that later on flourished and made Lipa the richest municipality in the Philippines. Thus, on October 21, 1887 upon the order of Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain, Lipa was re-named to Villa de Lipa and on January 1888 became a city. A few years later, Lipa City also cultivated other crops, vegetables, abaca, and engaged themselves in livestock raising,

craftsmanship and other small industries such as weaving, embroidery, and sewing for women till the onset of World War II.

On 1889 to 1894 Lipeos also served in the revolutionary republic. Then on August 31, 1947 Lipa became a chartered city under Republic Act 162, and was formally approved on June 20, 1947. (http://www.1stphilippines.com/pc-

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San Sebastian Cathedral San Sebastian Cathedral known to the Lipeos as katedral is located at C. M. Recto or in the main roads of the town proper. The Cathedral was built in honor of St. Sebastian. It is the seat of Archdiocese of Lipa City Batangas, and the feast day is held every 20th of January.

The Augustinians governed the Lipa Parish from 1605 to the closing stages of the 19th century. Lipa was previously on the Coast of Bonbon Lake and was devastated by the explosion of Taal Volcano in 1754. The church was rebuilt at its present location and was reconstructed under the direction of Rev. Benito Varas, OSA Parish Priest in 1865. Pope Pius X established the Diocese of Lipa in April 10, 1910.

Built in the Romanesque tradition, the cathedral building design used columns and arches in an upward and downward sequence, creating the effect of a shadow-andlight play. The hemispherical top of the church and bell tower has a complex decorative strip and arched stained-glass windows. The nave of the church is barrel vaulted and now decorated with modern chandeliers. Its ceiling is covered with religious paintings. The church also has a spiral stairway to the choir balcony.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is situated at Torres St. and it is the same street that leads to the famous Laiya beaches. It would be good idea to check out the Carmel Church before proceeding to Laiya if you are on the way for a holiday.

The church was recognized for the miraculous shower of petals bearing the face of the Virgin Mary. This was experienced in the Carmelite Monastery with the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a Carmelite visionary nun. Since then, the Carmel Church has become a destination for Catholics and pilgrims.

Carmel Church, When It Rained Rose Petals When it rained rose petals ... A brief account of the apparitions of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace in Lipa City, Batangas. On 12 September 1948, Sunday, Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, about five in the afternoon, a Sister, who was taking a walk in the garden, suddenly remarked that a vine shook. As there was no wind at all, it attracted her attention. She approached and heard a womans gentle voice that said: Fear not, my child. Kiss the ground. Whatever I shall tell you to do, you must do. For fifteen consecutive days come to visit me here in this spot. Eat some grass, my child. The Sister did not see anyone, she only heard the voice. Next day, Monday, at five oclock, the Sister returned to the place. She knelt and recited the Hail Mary. She had reached the words full of grace when she remarked that the vine was moving and, lo and behold, she saw a Beautiful Lady with her hand clasped on her breast, a golden rosary hanging on her right hand. She was stooping slightly; her dress was pure white, simple, held at the waist by a narrow cloth belt. Her feet were bare and resting on clouds that were about two feet high from the ground. Her face, of indescribable beauty, was radiant. She was smiling. Be faithful to come here, be it rain or sunshine, she said to the Sister. Then the Sister asked her, Beautiful Lady, who are you? I am your Mother, my little one. And having said this she vanished.

On Tuesday at the same hour, the Sister went to the same spot. The Lady was already there waiting for her. Her arms were extended forward as if wishing to enfold her little one in a tender maternal embrace. I wish this place to be blessed tomorrow, she said. At what time, my Mother? asked the Sister. Any time your Mother Prioress wants. My child, I forbid you to forget the incidents of these fifteen days. Then blessing the Sister, she disappeared.

The blessing of the nook in the garden was set for three in the afternoon of the next day. Carmels Chaplain, His Excellency Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, wearing the rochette and stole, entered the enclosure and the Community followed him to the spot. As the Community drew near, the Lady, visible only to the Sister, appeared with her arms extended as if to gather all in her maternal embrace. As soon as the Sister knelt before her, she said, My child, kiss the ground and eat a little grass. Take a piece of paper and pencil and write down what I shall tell you for the Community. The following is her message: My daughters:

1. I ask of you to believe in me and to keep this deep secret among yourselves for the time being. 2. Love one another as true Sisters. 3. Come often to visit me. Make this a sacred place and respect it. Gather the petals, my children. I bless you all.

Then the Lady vanished and in the place of the apparition there were rose petals scattered. The Chaplain proceeded with the blessing of the place, after which he gave a short talk to the Community emphasizing the Ladys message. At five oclock the same day, the Sister went to the same place and, as on the preceding days, the Apparition was waiting for her. I shall ask something from Carmel. I want a statue of mine to be placed here. Clean this part of your garden so it will be a

real place of prayer. You need not tell me all your Sisters are asking, for I know them. Tell them that they must believe lest they lose grace. I shall always bless the Community, my child.

On September 16, when the Sister reached the spot, the Lady in her usual attitude told her the following: I want a statue of mine placed here. I want you to describe me to your Chaplain because I want it to be as you see me and as big as the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that is in the cloister. Tell your Mother Prioress to have the rosary recited by the Community here every afternoon during these days. Extend my love to all my daughters. Tell them that I love my daughters in Lipa Carmel, that I shall always be with you all. Then blessing her little one, she departed.

The following days the Lady and the Sister met each other on the spot, and she spoke to her as a Mother to her little one. She gave her motherly advice telling her to be obedient, simple and humble; to tell the Community that simplicity and humility are the two virtues she loves much, so to love and practice them.

One day the Apparition asked from the Community an individual consecration of its members to herself according to the spirit of St. Grignon de Montfort.

On the last of the fifteen days, September 26, Sunday, the Lady repeated her counsels to her little ones: My child, you must love and obey your Mother Prioress. Tell your Sisters to love one another as true Sisters, to practice humility and simplicity, the virtues I love most. Tell them to love and obey their Superiors and not to forget the things I ask. I shall not ask bigger things from you as you expect because you are my little ones. Do not forget to consecrate yourselves to me on October 7. Be very good. I am MARY, MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE. I shall always bless the Community morning and evening. Blessing the Sister she disappeared. On September 30, rose petals were strewn in the cells of the monastery. On October 3, the shower fell on the staircase. Occasional showers within the cloister followed. On November 11, the petals fell outside and were seen by some visitors.

On November 12, Friday, after the Mass, the Sister was called to the place of the Apparition and there on the vine was Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. Her hands joined on her breast in a attitude of prayer, she looked tenderly but sadly on her little one and on the Community that had followed. Then she said: People believe not my words. Pray, my child, pray much because of persecution. Pray for priests. What I ask here is exactly what I have asked Fatima. Tell this to the people. They dont believe in me nor do they give what I ask. Tell the Sisters that I ask them to pray and help spread my devotion and to make penances for those who dont believe. When people come to pray and ask for graces, let them ask directly from me and not through you. These things may now be revealed. This is my last apparition in this spot. Blessing her little one and the Community assembled in the sacred place, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace vanished.

In January 1991, the petal shower began again for Teresing Castillo. Since then, the petal showers have continued, and Our Lady has begun to speak to Teresing and has given her messages. Moreover, she has also had showers of whole roses! (http://biagkensiak.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/lipa-the-san-sebastian-cathedral-andthe-shrine-of-our-lady-of-mediatrix-of-all-grace/)

Casa de Segunda Mark by Spains Heritage Casa de Segunda, the ancestral house of Segunda Katigbak (Jose Rizal first love) is located at Calle Rizal, and was built in 1880. The house is an archetypal bahay-na-bato.

Typical with the old houses during the Spanish colonial period is the ground floor, that are made of stone while the second floor are made of wood. One would immediately notice houses built at that time, that their living room, dining room and bedrooms are all located in the second floor. The windows are the big capiz (thin flat translucent shell) sliding windows, with ventanillas, which gives the house interior ample air ventilation.

Ancient history lovers should check out this house, for they will be amazed with aged stuff found inside the house. From huge narra (hard wood) slabs used as floorings to old furnitures, even an old-fashioned sewing machine can be found. Lots of valuable antique equipment and effects can be perceived inside the house.

(http://www.batangas-philippines.com/lipa-city-batangas.html)