Tanauan, Batangas

Tanauan, officially the City of Tanauan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Tanauan), is a first class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 152,393 inhabitants in 30,354 households. It was incorporated as a city under Republic Act No. 9005, signed on February 2, 2001, and ratified on March 10, 2001.

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the city is now part of Manila's conurbation which reaches Lipa City in its southernmost part. The city shares its borders with Calamba City, Laguna, to the north, Tagaytay City, Cavite, to the northwest, Talisay to the west, Santo Tomas to the east, and the towns of Balete and Malvar to the south.

Among those born in Tanauan are revolutionary former Prime Minister Apolinario Mabini and former President José P. Laurel.

History

Some people believe that Tanauan derived its name from the Tagalog term tanaw, meaning to look after through the window. This is based on a fortress which had a watchtower built by the Augustinian friars and natives. The watchtower allowed them to monitor incoming “champans” or boats entering through the Pansipit river, which were either traders or pirates. From this tower, one can have a clear view (tanaw) of the lake and of the vast plains and rolling hills.