Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, a settlement lied on the shores of a vast body of sea water, which according to most Chinese records, was the center for Chinese merchants and other traders of neighboring countries - Malays, Mongoloids, and Australians - who transported goods for barter with the products of the natives. The traders trusted the natives for they never failed to keep their part in any bargain or transaction, even if it took the foreigners seven to eight months to return. The place was first called "Bonbon" by the natives, derived from the word "bongbong" a piece of bamboo being used by the natives to catch sea food.
According to tradition and as told in the Maragtas, at about the 13th century, the place was invaded by Borneans under the leadership of Datu Balensusa and Datu Dumangsil, two of the ten datus (tribal chiefs or rulers) who purchased Panay Island from the Negritos. The two chieftains founded settlement enriched by the infusion of Malay customs and traditions. It was during the reign of Datu Kumintang, a brave ruler and the last descendant of the two founding royalties, when the area became known as Kumintang, which was later adopted as the name of the whole province. In 1570, Spanish generals Martin de Goite and Juan Salcedo, on their way to Manila, crossed over to survey the coast of Batangas. Goite anchored off the coast of what is now Balayan, where they interacted with peaceful natives who offered to help them. Salcedo, on the other hand, entered the Bonbon River and sailed up toward the lake to investigate the well-tilled and thickly inhabited region. On the way, the Spanish boats fell into an ambush. Salcedo, who was wounded on the thigh by a poisoned arrow, was not able to complete his exploration.
In 1578, the settlement, which is now Balayan, was officially recognized as a municipality under Spain by Fr. Esteban Ortis and Fr. Juan de Porres and became the administrative seal as the first capital of the province known as "Balayan de Kumintang". Its jurisdiction extended over a vast territory including the present provinces of Batangas, Mindoro, Marinduque, the southeast of Laguna, and as far as Camarines. Its people, that time, had an established civilization and culture much advanced with those from other places. In the beginning of the 17th century, Marinduque and Mindoro were made into separate provinces. In 1732, already hailed as the pride of Southern Tagalog, the province' capital was transferred to Taal, and renamed "Provincia de Taal". In 1754, with the devastating six-month eruption of Taal Volcano that ruined the town, the provincial capital was again relocated to the present day Batangas City. The province was, thereafter, named after its new capital town, Batangas, where it has remained to date.
The name "Batangas" was derived from the word "batang", which was how the natives called the logs or wood that can be found in Calumpang River that runs through the northeastern portion of the town. Batangas distinguished itself as among the first eight (8) Philippine provinces to revolt against Spain and was, thus, placed under martial law by Spanish Governor General Ramon Blanco on August 30, 1896. The province of Batangas is known as the "Cradle of Heroes and Nationalists." It is a title earned through the works of Batangueno revolutionary leaders, who contributed much to Philippine libertarian movement during the latter half of the 19th century. Among these nationalists are Gen. Miguel Malvar, Felipe Agoncillo, Marcela M. Agoncillo, Gen. Nicolas Lantin Gonzales, Apolinario Mabini, Teodoro M. Kalaw, and the families of Recto, Laurel and Leviste. Batangas is proud of its cultural heritage, reflected in the host of historic structures and sites in the province that date back to the Spanish period. The Spanish legacy is best depicted in Taal where quaint buildings stand as reminders of old-world Batangas.
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