The Unique and Cultural Town of Calaca – Home of the Best Atchara

View of Mt. Batulao from Cahil. (Photo by Gregg Manalo)

Calaca is a municipality in Batangas which is located some 90 kilometers south of Manila. Its name is derived from the traditional roof of houses that is made from halved bamboos. The over-all appearance of this roof resembles more or less the traditional East Asian roofing that we often see on temples or old native houses. Sadly, it’s now rare to see such kind of roofing in Calaca.

Old Hispanic houses abound in town centre. (Photo by Gregg Manalo)

Calaca used to be a tourist destination because of its beach resorts until the early 1990s. The construction of the coal plants and the popularity of other beach resorts in nearby towns could have caused the gradual decrease in popularity of beaches here. However, the town has other attractions that visitors might find interesting.

Museum beside the Parish Church. (Photo by Gregg Manalo)

1. The Town Proper

The town center or Poblacion houses the Parish Church which was built during the Spanish occupation. This Romanesque architecture has survived many natural calamities and was a silent witness to the atrocities of the Japanese occupation. Just beside the church is a museum which houses some of the historical artifacts of the church.

The majestic St. Raphael Church. (Photo by Gregg Manalo) 

2. Sceneries

The barrios of Cahil and Matipok offer the best view of the famous Mt. Batulao. These barrios (villages) are easily reached by cars from Tagaytay. Traversing the newly-cemented roads from Tagaytay to these villages not only gives you the breath-taking view of Mt. Batulao, but it will also a panoramic view of its pristine country-side. These roads will take you easily all the way to the town center.

Tapat River in Barrio Cahil. 

3. Pristine Rivers

       Unspoiled rivers can be found and visited in Calaca. The entire river could have several names depending on the barrio where the section is located. 

Local buchi (cassava-filled). (Photo by Gregg Manalo)

4. Local Food

            Calaca has many local food that could satiate curious palates. There’s Bagoong Camastilisan, buchi, kalamay, and of course the famous Calaca atchara. Calaqueños have high regard for this food that the town fiesta every 24^th day of October has been called Calacatchara Festival.

Local tourists and their authentic Calacatchara pasalubong. (Photo by Gregg Manalo)

4. Unique Culture and Custom

            The people of Calaca have this unique accent which also differs from their other Batangueño cousins.

Fiestas are a gathering of family members, relatives, friends, and strangers. Houses become open for every body and the dining tables are open to anyone who wishes to partake in the bountiful celebration of thanksgiving to the Patron Saint. No wonder, house owners are grateful and pleased to see the tens of cooking pots and huge pans empty when the day ends. It simple means, the house had so many visitors that owners can be proud of.

Wedding celebration and the cultural aspects associated to it makes this event something very special and a spectacle to see and attend to.  It starts from bulungan or engagement to lipat (transfer) where the wife will be transferred to the husband’s house and custody. Wedding celebration is not only the affair of the families involved; it becomes an affair of the entire village especially of the relatives, friends, and acquaintances of the groom’s family. They shell out or contribute whatever they can in order to help and be part of the celebration.

          In May, Alay is held in every barangay. It is a nightly event where parishioners pray, sing, and symbolically offer flowers in adoration to the Virgin Mary. There is usually one person assigned each night for a month who will offer adoration in the form of flowers to the Virgin Mary. That person will also be responsible for the flowers, fireworks, and food for the parishioners. The event usually lasts for 1-2 hours. 

How to Get to Calaca

        Calaca can be reached by bus or vans. 

1. From Buendia Terminal, take a bus going to Lemery and then a jeepney from Lemery going to Balayan. Tell the jeepney driver to drop you off in Calaca. 

2. At Pasay Rotonda, take a van (Php180.00/person) going to Balayan. From Balayan take a jeepney (Php 10.00) going to Lemery. Tell the driver to drop you off in Calaca. 

3. Private car is the best to use if you want to traverse the road in Barrio Cahil or Barrio Matipok. From Tagaytay take the National Highway leading to Batangas and turn left at the junction of Batangas and Cavite. This road will lead you to Barrio Matipok. The other road via Barrio Cahil is through Evercrest which is just right after Batangas-Cavite junction.