Highland Residences - LOCATION
Sto. Tomas is a municipality in the province of Batangas. Located about 60 kilometers from the capital city of Manila, it rests at the foot of Mount Makiling.
Roads leading to Sto. Tomas include Maharlika Highway which connects it to Calamba and other parts of Laguna. The STAR (Southern Tagalog Arterial Road) Tollway connects the town to Lipa and other areas of Batangas City. Going to Tanauan, residents can take the Jose P. Laureal Highway. Via SLEX or South Luzon Expressway, residents can easily travel to and from Metro Manila. In terms of transport options, jeepneys, buses and vans (aka UV Express Service) ply connecting routes.
Sto. Tomas is mostly residential with vast tracts of land devoted to farming. It is also known for an entire strip of restaurants specializing in bone marrow soup, locally known as bulalo.
For parents thinking about where to send their school-age children, Sto. Tomas has four public high schools—San Jose, San Pedro, Santa Clara and Santa Anastacia-San Rafael—and several public elementary schools. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) also has a constituent branch in Sto. Tomas. For private school options, Sto. Tomas is also home to several academic institutions:
- Almond Academy Foundation, Inc.
- AMS Learning School, Inc.
- Blue Isle Integrated School, Inc.
- Charleville School Inc.
- Door of Faith Christian School
- Elyon Academia Learning Institute, Inc.
- Greenville Academy of Sta. Clara
- Kids for Jesus Academy, Inc.
- LPU – St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicines, Inc.
- Maranatha Christian Academy of Sto. Tomas, Batangas Chapter
- Nikesha’s Interactive Camp Child Development Center
- San Bartolome Adventist Elementary School, SABES, Inc.
- St. Thomas Montessori Learning Center
- The Golden Child Literacy Place, Inc.
- Think Hard Tutorial Center, Inc.
Highland Residences residents will also find that there is no shortage of leisure activities that can be enjoyed in Sto. Tomas. Batangas, after all, is known as a quick getaway for Manila residents who are looking for a quick respite from the traffic, noise and pollution.
The St. Padre Pio Shrine and Parish is a popular tourist destination. It is a landmark spot in Sto. Tomas and is frequented year-round by devout Catholics because of its significance and awe-inspiring structure. The Santo Tomas Catholic Church is also a well-known go-to the religious. For those who prefer nature trips, this picturesque Batangas town has much to offer. The Manabu Peak is friendly for hiking and climbing beginners. It is ideal for day trips, and perfect for treks with family and friends. For swimming and picnics, top picks include Talon Falls, Lagaslasan Falls and Tag-araw Resort. Meanwhile, history buffs will enjoy a trip to the Miguel Malvar Museum. Sto. Tomas is the hometown of the Filipino general and war hero who was known for being last to surrender to the Americans during wartime.
Since it is near other towns in Batangas and even Laguna, residents have other tons of other options for holiday ideas—whether it’s a family trip to the beach, a historical trip down memory lane or food tripping.
Foodies and culinary enthusiasts will also enjoy the diverse options in this town, which is famous for its bulalo.
Residents won’t lack for basic lifestyle conveniences as Sto. Tomas has its fair share of lifestyle centers as well as business and commercial establishments. Nearby hospitals include Santo Tomas General Hospital, Saint Cabrini Medical Center, St. Lucy Optical Clinic and Santo Tomas Municipal Hospital.
This is part of APEC Homes’ strategy—to ensure that their residential developments are well-placed near the essentials—schools, hospitals, churches, banks, lifestyle centers, transportation options and other amenities so families can focus on the things that truly matter.
