Fiesta at Lipa City is called Barako Festival. Not because people at Lipa City are “barako” but Lipa City has once been the coffee central of the Philippines. The coffee we are talking about is the Barako Coffee.
By the time January rolls around, the City of Lipa would find itself in a frenzy of last minute preparations.
That’s primarily because the yearly celebration that is the Lipa City Fiesta, held primarily in honor of its patron saint San Sebastian, is marked by a cornucopia of festivities, bazaars, contests, and parades of all sorts, engaging the government, the academe, and private sector in a collective effort that is much awaited by the residents and tourists alike.
January 2020, Lipa City prepared a series of programs in different locations at Lipa City in preparation for the coming event. Everything is in place and the Office of the President announced Proclamation no. 888 declaring Monday, January 20, 2020, a Special (Non-Working) Day at Lipa City province of Batangas. The proclamation will give the full opportunity for the people of Lipa City to participate in the programs and activities line up during the Barako Festival.
But, something happened less than 10 days before the festival, Taal Volcano erupted on January 12, 2020.
GMA News in the Philippines reported that more than 40,000 residents have evacuated because of the eruption and ashfall.
Lipa City has been a place of refuge for the evacuees while letting the storm pass. Some offered their own homes for the victims of Taal Volcano eruption. Evacuation centers are overpouring with relief operations even those who are affected by the eruptions are lending a hand in helping fellow evacuees.
The Barako Fiesta was canceled by the leaders of Lipa City and focused their efforts and resources in helping fellow Filipinos that needs help in times of crisis.
It was a tragedy and at the same time an amazing scene, fellow Filipinos helping one another.
With 20kms away from the Taal main crater, Lipa City is a safe zone for the evacuees to rest and let the storm pass.
Lipa City also experienced ashfall with a minimal amount, the wind blowing away from the City. Also, Mount Maculot serves as a shield of the City during the eruption of Taal Volcano.
From a largely agricultural locale, Lipa City has been a first-class component city and has become one of the new faces of progress in the province of Batangas, given the rise of new industrial parks, commercial centers, and residential projects, as well as the entry of investors and multinational companies, particularly from the IT and business process outsourcing industry.
In terms of competitiveness, Lipa City has consistently ranked within the top quartile of more than 100 component cities, which are assessed based on their economic dynamism, efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency. The yearly ranking of cities and municipalities is done by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).
So it comes as no surprise that companies and businesses that made the City of Lipa its home would gamely participate in this yearly fiesta, in the same manner, that they have been playing a role in the economic progress that the city now enjoys.
JJS Realty and Development Inc. is in Lipa City, one of the companies that are contributing to the economic growth of the city and also lend a helping hand in coordination with its employees to help the victims of the calamity.
Diamond Heights Lipa is among the subdivisions in Lipa City. Diamond Heights is a subdivision developed by JJS Realty and Development Inc. A real estate developer that builds churches at first, and as the business grows JJS Realty and Development Inc. developed communities including Marian Heights and Diamond Heights.
Diamond Heights is a 5.7 hectares subdivision located in Purok 1 Barangay Latag Lipa City, Batangas. Other than this, Diamond Heights is known for its vow to live closer to nature, to breathe fresh air, and be away from urban areas to leap into Mother Nature’s open arms. Living in a quiet community enjoying Lipa’s cool climate is a perfect place to raise a family.
“Family and community are at the center of everything we do, we impart that sense of family and community to our homes.”
Barako Fiesta is coming again and with the challenge of the current situation of the COVID19 Pandemic, Lipenos are slowly getting up on their feet and celebrating in honor of its patron saint San Sebastian.
