Alitagtag

Alitagtag, officially the Municipality of Alitagtag, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,819 people.

Etymology
Alitagtag derived its name from the Tagalog word alinagnag, which means "a small distinct light."

History
Much of Alitagtag was once part of Bauan. On August 10, 1908, the resolution by the electorate of barrios Alitagtag, Balagbag, Dalipit, Munlawin, and Muzon was transmitted to the Provincial Committee, who would approve it in three months' time. Batangas Governor Galicano Apacible later endorsed it to the Civil Commission for a hearing that would be held on January 2, 1909.

The aforementioned barrios were separated from Bauan to constitute the new independent municipality of Alitagtag by virtue of Executive Order No. 43 dated May 7, 1909. The order took effect on January 1, 1910.

In 1957, the following barrios were created: Pingas, composed of sitios Pingas and Corral; Tadlak, composed of sitios Tadlak and Malukan; and Sambi composed of the sitio of Sambi.

Geography
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 24.76 km2 constituting NaN% of the 3,119.75 km2 total area of Batangas.

It is bordered on the north by Taal Lake, east by Cuenca and San Jose, west by Santa Teresita and San Luis, and south by Bauan and San Pascual.

Barangays
Alitagtag is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics
In the 2020 census, Alitagtag had a population of 26,819. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Culture
The town is notable for being the original location where a replica of the True Cross was erected in the early Spanish colonial period. Known as the Holy Cross of Alitagtag or Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz, the image which was supposedly hewn from the post of a fallen house made of anubing hardwood, is venerated in surrounding towns for its reputedly auspicious powers.

The sublî dance, now popular throughout the province and beyond, is the most widely recognised ritual associated with the Catholic devotion to the Holy Cross of Alitagtag.