The history of Batangas can be traced to the 13th century, when inhabitants traded with the Yuan Dynasty-era China. Historians theorize the inhabitants of the province are descendants of Borneans under the leadership of Datus (chiefs), who founded a settlement by the Taal River. The earliest known name of the area is Kumintang, named after one of the rulers.
In 1570, two Spanish generals stumbled upon the settlement founded by the Datus. It was there that they set up their own settlement--later called Balayan--and founded the town of Taal in 1572. In 1578, Balayan became a municipality under Spain as the Province of Bonbon.
In 1581, the Spanish government abolished the Province of Bonbon and created a new province that came to be known as the Province of Balayan. After a volcanic eruption buried Taal in 1754, Batangas City--so named after "batangs," the logs found in the Calumpang River--became the new capital, with the province adopting its name.
In 1896, Batangas took the lead over the provinces in the Philippines in revolting against Spain. It was during this period, 1896 to 1902, that Batangas distinguished itself as the "Cradle of Heroes and Nationalists" because of the region producing a host of revolutionary leaders.
Since 1946--when the Philippines attained independence from the United States--Batangas, with proximity to the country's capital, Manila, has flourished as a popular tourist attraction.
