Of all the towns in
Batangas, Bauan was one I knew little about. I had passed through its coastal
beaches and heard of its most treasured relic, the Holy Cross of Bauan, a
revered wooden cross housed in the Immaculate Conception Parish, central to
local devotion and celebrated alongside a neighboring sacred cross in Alitagtag
through what the locals refer to as Subli dance-ritual. Yet until
recently, I had never spent more than a day in Bauan. That changed when I
stayed for a couple of nights at one of the town’s newest accommodations, the
Sotogrande Hotel and Convention Center Batangas.
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| Standing tall amidst a sea of green |
The Bauan Setting
of Sotogrande
Set a few kilometers
off the coastal area of the town of Bauan, Batangas, Sotogrande Hotel and Convention Center Batangas offers a polished retreat where contemporary comfort
meets the calm rhythm of the province. The property balances the scale of a
convention destination with the ease of a seaside escape; its airy spaces
designed for both leisure and gatherings.
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| One of Sotogrande's Events / Convention Halls |
Guest rooms are thoroughly
finished with smooth linens, streamlined furnishings, and practical luxuries, think
minibars, flat-screen televisions, and marble-finished bathrooms with bidets.
Large windows invite in the countryside sunlight, giving the interiors a
breezy, understated style.
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| Sotogrande's Penthouse Lounge |
Outside, a lengthy
swimming pool anchors the grounds, providing a composed counterpoint to the
hotel’s event-ready facilities. Mornings begin in the restaurant with a
generous spread of buffet, Ã la carte, and American breakfast options, setting
an easy tone for the day. It is a stay that blends functionality with comfortability,
just far enough from the bustle to feel like an escape.
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| The lobby and bar of Sotogrande |
What I liked about
the property is that it sits on an expansive lot surrounded by a
yet-to-be-developed commercial zone and a nearby park. The setting gives the
impression of being far from the hectic pace of Metro Manila without having to
travel too far, as Bauan is just two to three hours from Manila.
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| My room |
The room assigned
to me—a Superior Room—had a bright, airy ambiance, perfect for getting some
work done during downtime or enjoying a restful nap while it was still
daylight. Large windows open to the lush greenery of the surrounding
countryside and even to the mountains in the distance, including a view of Mt.
Maculot.
Side-Trips from
Sotogrande
Following our media
buffet lunch and a brief hour of naptime, we headed to witness the sunset from
the peak of Mt. Gulugod Baboy in Mabini, Batangas, roughly 45 minutes by van
from Sotogrande. With an elevation of about 485 meters above sea level (1,591 feet),
the hike to the summit takes only five minutes, thanks, or no thanks, to a
cemented road that leads almost all the way to the top. As an avid hiker, I prefer
the challenge of a natural trail, but at that moment, I was grateful for the
paved path, especially since we arrived around 5:20 p.m. after stopping by a
lomi place on the way.
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| With a doggo atop Mt. Gulugod Baboy |
The easy path
allowed us ample time to take in the 360-degree coastal panorama and the
surrounding mountains of Batangas. I even had time to play with some stray dogs
and fly my drone as the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky in a fiery
golden glow. The view was so spectacular I caught myself just staring at it for
a minute or two.
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| Sunset and a proposal |
That evening, we
enjoyed cocktails and food in the company of the hotel’s upper management—an
event that stretched into the wee hours with dancing and singing (I retired
just before midnight).
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| Walking in the heritage town of Taal |
Starting the next
morning in Taal, the hard crunch of worn cobblestones underfoot is the first
hint that you have stepped out of time. In this small Batangas town, not to be confused
with the town near the volcano of the same name, the narrow streets seem
designed less for the hurried bustle of modern life and more for nostalgia of
the olden times. Each turn brings you face‑to‑face
with the remnants of Spanish colonial period in the Philippines: low‑slung stone houses with capiz windows, decorative bent‑iron grills and spacious courtyards that have
weathered more than two centuries of sun and rain.
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| Inside one of the houses in Taal Town |
These ancestral
homes—most notably the residences of families like the Apacibles, Villavicencio’s,
and Agoncillos—now open their doors as museums, preserving rooms adorned with
antique chandeliers, brick floors, and the slow patina of age. Strolling down
M. Agoncillo Street, one can almost hear the echoes of
horse‑drawn
carriages and the distant toll of church bells.
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| Taal Basilica |
At the town’s heart
stands the imposing Taal Basilica, one of the largest Catholic churches in the
Philippines, its Baroque façade rising above tiled roofs like a testament to
the town’s layered past. Its long aisle has humorously been said to give every
bride-to-be a final chance to change her mind as she walks toward the altar.
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| This town is one of my favorite heritage towns in the country |
Half-hidden
shrines, moss‑lined
fountains, and quiet plazas invite moments of pause, feeling almost reverent,
as if the town itself is a living archive of Filipino identity. Today, modern
structures are carefully monitored to preserve the heritage character of the
streetscape. Near the church, a bustling market offers local specialties like
beef tapa, lomi, and Filipiniana gowns.
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| The guide at Galleria Tall shows up the more than a century old box camera |
One of my favorite
stops is the camera museum, Galleria Taal, housed in another ancestral home at
60 Calle Marcela Mariño Agoncillo. There, visitors can see a wide array of
camera models, including some of the earliest box-type cameras
An Ideal Base for
Vacation, Staycation, Conventions or any Group Events
As proven by our
side trips to Mt. Gulugod Baboy and Taal Town, Sotogrande Hotel in Bauan serves
as an ideal base for those looking to combine a relaxing staycation with a bit
of exploration in Batangas. The hotel is also just a 20–30 minute drive from
Batangas Port, making it convenient for travelers coming from Puerto Galera or
for divers exploring the waters of the Verde Passage, nestled between Verde
Island, Mindoro, and mainland Batangas.
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| Sotogrande is also perfect for group of friends to bond |
With a convention
room now ready to host corporate meetings and other MICE events, and
approximately 140 rooms—planned to expand to 200—Sotogrande caters equally to
business travelers and leisure guests, making it a versatile accommodation
choice in the province.
