Government
Mayor: Leovigildo K. Morpe
Vice Mayor: Atanacio G. Zara
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Barangays
Rosario is divided into 48 barangays. For the chronological order of the fiestas, click here.
Name – Feast Day
Alupay – January 12
Antipolo
Bagong Pook – April 22
Balibago – June 2
Bayawang – May 15
Baybayin – May 31
Bulihan – December 26
Cahigam – 1st Saturday of June
Calantas – April 28
Colongan – December 26
Itlugan – April 21 (Sitio Bungahan), April 22 (Sitio Riverside)
Leviste / Tubahan – Last Saturday of May
Lumbangan – Last Sunday of May
Maalas-As – May 13
Mabato – December 27
Mabunga – June 2
Macalamcam A – 4th Wednesday of May
Macalamcam B – 3rd Wednesday of May
Malaya – August 16 (Ibaba), October 7 (Labak)
Maligaya – December 26
Marilag – November 27
Masaya – May 13
Matamis / Malinao – April 5
Mavalor – Last Sunday of May
Mayuro – May 15
Namuco – June 2, April 22 (Tubigan/Noble)
Namunga – June 2
Natu – May 31
Nasi – 1st Sunday of May
Palakpak
Pinagsibaan – January 12
Poblacion – October 7 *Town Fiesta (Barangay A, Barangay B, Barangay C, Barangay D, Barangay E)
Putingkahoy – May 15
Quilib – May 31
Salao – May 10
San Carlos – May 15
San Ignacio – July 31
San Isidro – May 15
San Jose – May 1
San Roque – August 16
Santa Cruz – December 27 (Kanluran)
Timbugan – May 13
Tiquiwan – May 1 (Highway), May 31 (Ibaba)
Tulos
Rosario is a first class municipality in the 4th district of Batangas province, CALABARZON Region (Region IV-A) in the Philippines. The town is known as “The Rice Granary of Batangas”.
Blessed with rich soil and vast plains, it is no wonder that agriculture remains as one of the foremost sources of income among local residents. In fact, Rosario is known as the Rice Granary of Batangas, the major local source of rice in the province. It thus comes as no surprise that Rosario has also come to be known for its rice-based delicacies that have also come to be intertwined with local culture.
From downtown Rosario; going north leads you to the town of Padre Garcia and Lipa City, east leads you to the town of San Juan and Quezon province, south leads you to the municipalities of Taysan and Lobo, while west leads you to the town of Ibaan and Batangas City.
VIA LIPA CITY (On this route, you will first reach the northernmost part of Rosario)
From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway all the way to STAR Tollway. From STAR Tollway, take the Lipa-Tambo Exit. At the exit, turn right then go straight until you reach a fork road. Take the right most road towards the town proper of Lipa City. After reaching the town proper, look for P. Torres St. at the right side which has a Mercury Drug at the corner. Turn right at P. Torres St. then go straight the highway that leads you to Padre Garcia and drive 8.5kms. After reaching Padre Garcia, you will reach a junction. One road leads to Rosario and the other, to Padre Garcia town proper. Take the straight road, that one will lead you to Rosario.
VIA IBAAN (On this route, you will first reach the westernmost part of Rosario)
From Star Tollway, instead of heading to Tambo Exit, take the Ibaan-Malainin Exit. At the exit, turn left then drive 2.5kms. You will reach a junction with a sign pointing to Rosario, turn left at this junction. After turning left, the Municipal Hall of Ibaan will be on your right while a church will be on your left. After passing the church, you will reach a fork road. Turn right then drive 8kms along this road to Rosario.
By public transportation, there are jeepneys that ply to Rosario from Batangas City and Lipa City on a daily basis. Jeepneys not from a terminal that ply from Lipa City to San Juan, Batangas also pass by Rosario via the Gualberto Avenue. Buses that ply from Batangas City to Lucena and buses from San Juan, Batangas to Manila (mostly to Cubao via STAR Tollway Ibaan-Malainin Exit) also pass by Gualberto Avenue. Like many other towns and cities in the Philippines, tricycles are common means of transportation within the municipality. Vans or the UV Express bound for major shopping malls in Lipa and Batangas City also exist.
Himno ng Rosario
Composer: Fe Samonte-Bravo Ang bayang sinilangan, pinagpala ng Maykapal Nuestra Señora del Rosario, sagisag ng kabanalan Ang bayan ng Rosario, Tombol ang dating ngalan Ipagbunyi ang sariling bayan, hinango sa pagdarasal Ang lupang tinubuan, payapa’t may kaunlaran Dalagang ganda’y taglay, binatang sa kisig ay tunay O bayan ng Rosario, sa musika’t awit nagpupugay Damdaming makabayan, taglay nating lahat KORO Mabuhay, mabuhay, mabuhay tayong lahat Bayang sinilangan, hawak-kamay sa pag-unlad Ang bansang Pilipinas, Perlas ng Silanganan Batangas ang Lalawigan, mabuhay tayong may dangal Rosario, bayang minumutya, sama-samang magkaisa Ipagmalaki na tunay, mabuhay ka O bayan ko Batangenyo kung turingan, may dangal sa katauhan Dakila ka sa diwa, mabuhay tayong lahat! (Repeat KORO) Rosario ang Inang Bayan, mabuhay tayong lahat! |
Festival
THE SINUKMANI FESTIVAL
The town of Rosario is one of the oldest towns established in the Province of Batangas. Established in 1687 with the help of by Augustinian friars, the town is strategically located and has access to and from other vital cities and municipalities – Lipa City on the North, Batangas City on the Southwestern and Quezon Province on the East-Southeast.
The sinukmani is not everyday fare for local residents. It is a special delicacy prepared only when there are a number of men around because cooking it requires a lot of muscle – the more cooked the malagkit gets, the heavier it gets as well. It is best eaten as a meryenda, each slice on a piece of banana leaf, and served with a strong cup of kapeng barako. Or it can also be taken as a desert to top a rich meal during fiestas and other festivities.
It is a favorite particularly during weddings not only because of its taste but also because of what it signifies. It is sticky – for unity and a strong, binding relationship. It is sweet – for sweetness in a relationship. Cooking it requires muscle – just as a relationship requires much effort in order to make it work.
HOW THE SINUKMANI FESTIVAL WAS DEVELOPED
The Sinukmani Festival was conceptualized by members of the Foundation Anniversary Celebration Committee headed by Mayor Felipe A. Marquez in 2005. While planning the activities for the 318th Foundation Anniversary of Rosario, the members of the committee deliberated on how to best promote the municipality which is known as the Rice Granary of Batangas. Different rice products were suggested and discussed lengthily until the committee decided on sinukmani as the best rice product for Rosario to feature in a festival.
During the First Sinukmani Festival, a long table of this sweet delicacy was laid out to be shared among local residents. Because of its success, for this, its second year, a bigger celebration was planned, with the very first Pinakamalikhaing Sinukmani Contest along with a Street & Plaza Dancing Competition participated in by local high school students. These activities were also carried over in the 2007 Sinukmani Festival, which has been exclusively given media coverage by GMA7’s early morning program, Unang Hirit.
Through this annual activity, the municipality hopes to etch a niche for itself among the many emerging festivals throughout the country today.
The Sinukmani is also a favorite fare during Undas or All Saints’ Day when families come together to pray for and reminisce on their loved ones who have passed away.
Such is the sinukmani. As rich and filling as the culture and history of the people of Rosario. As sweet and unique as the smiles that welcome friends and guests to this peaceful town.
THE SINUKMANI
The basic ingredients of the sinukmani are products which Rosario is well known for: rice, coconut and sugarcane. The ingredients are: 1 salop of malagkit, 1 ½ kilos of sugar and 2 kilos of gata or coconut milk.
Cooking sinukmani involves the following procedure: First, cook the malagkit rice then set aside. Next, cook the sugar and coconut milk together, while constantly stirring until the mixture achieves a smooth, sticky consistency. Add the cooked malagkit and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a bilao lined with banana leaves and top with caramelized latik. Let cool and the sinukmani is ready to be served.
THE PENITENSYAHAN
During Good Friday, Penitensyahan is one of the traditions of the Rosarians to join the procession with the higantes or giant mock ups, the big crucifix, and the big rosary carried by the namamanatas. The procession usually starts at 5:30 in the morning, the route is Eastward to Poblacion A, then Barangay San Roque, Namunga, Namuco, passing in front of the Public Market then back to the Grotto Site.
Different Barangays and business establishents participates and bring their mock ups. Afterwards, they bring them back and store in safe place so it can be used and carried again for the next Penitensyahan.