COLEGIO DE MUNTINLUPA

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

GEOLOGY FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

1st Semester, AY 2023-2024
CE2C

A. Objectives

The main objective of this research work is to simulate the preparation for the first step of
building a dream house, which is finding its most appropriate location based on multitude of factors.
Specifically, the project aims to enhance the research skills of each student through the application
of different concepts and techniques in geologic reconnaissance.

B. Methodology
I. Dream House Overview
- This head-turning dream house lies near the taal lake of Batangas which is in
the city of Cuenca Batangas in Don Juan. Found over a large area of about
2771 square meters, it is a perfect place for fresh air and a nice view of nature in
the surroundings. It is too far from the polluted city. This area was covered by
many kinds of trees that will give you fresh air. A fascinating blend of limestone,
granite stone, wood, and glass you will see in front of the house. Expensive
granite stone on the floor for the entrance of the house wherein surrounded by
the plants. The stairs going to the terrace are made of wood. The windows are
made of glass in that way you can see the beautiful nature even if you are inside
of your house. On the other side of the house, there’s a balcony that is made of
glass and limestone. On this part you can view the taal lake and especially the
taal volcano. In the upper part of my house which is the rooftop, the wall is made
of glass and it’s about 5 ft above. There’s a swimming pool in the middle of the
rooftop to relax and enjoy watching the sunset and sunrise.

II. Location
- My dream house is located at Barangay Don Juan, City of Cuenca province
of Batangas. Don Juan is situated at approximately 13.9208, 121.0432, in the
island of Luzon. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 683.2 meters or
2,241.4 feet above mean sea level. This barangay is known for its famous
mountain, Mt. Maculot which people believes that protect them from the World
War II. Don Juan near on the island of taal which is known for its beautiful shape
volcano which is the Taal Volcano.

III. Topography, Drainage, and Vegetation

- Don Juan is one of the lakeshore barangays in Cuenca. The area's most
significant man-made topographic feature is a network of barangay, provincial,
and national roadways that connect the municipality's settlement areas to
nearby urban centers. Mt. Maculot is in the southern region of Luzon, close to
Mt. Makiling and a portion of Cuenca, Batangas. It is positioned between
13°55.241'N latitude and 121°02.513'E longitude. The altitude ranges from 200
to 963 masl. It is frequently regarded as one of Batangas most well-known
mountains even visited by devoted Catholics and mountaineers.

The nature of the forest varies as one ascends Mount Maculot. The number of
epiphytes increases significantly with altitude. Liverworts and epiphytic mosses,
along with ferns and orchids create thick growth on tree trunks, suggesting that
the mountain is covered with mossy forest. Mt. Makiling and this feature are
similar as well.

IV. History
- Bauan was San Jose's mother town. Prior to Bungahan, Labak, Dita, Dalipit,
and Makulot barrios coming within San Jose's purview. It would take a long
trek across farms and forests to get to San Jose. Being the mother town, it was
the location of events like marriage, baptism, confirmation, funerals, and tax
payments. Cuenca is known as "The Home of The Bakers" since more than
90% of the bakers in Manila began their careers here. Festivals are held in
San Isidro Labrador's honor each year.

Cuenca's population grew from 5,660 in 1896 to 6,938 in 1898. The town was
 involved in World War II as well when Mt. Maculot turned into the Japanese
forces' stronghold in Batangas. In certain areas of Barangay Dita, they also
constructed tunnels. Cuenca was heavily attacked during the Liberation, which
resulted in the devastation of the mountainside. The town had to be restored to
emerge from the war's wreckage.

Cuenca was established as a town on November 7, 1876, by virtue of the

Highest Law of the Land. Because of its similar climate and lush landscape to
his hometown in Spain, Governor Paez gave it the name Cuenca. This town
takes great pride in its historical, cultural, and natural assets.

Cuenca's St. Isidore Parish Church was founded in 1979. The church
convent served as the home of a parochial school where kids studied "Katon"
and "cathechesis." They received instruction in math, writing, and reading.
The locals were happy farming, fishing, and rearing chickens, and pigs in the
peaceful environment.

Cuenca had a resurgence of civic consciousness in the 1920s, driven by the

nation's fervent yearning for independence from Spanish rule. There was a rise
in civic groups, the most well-known of which was "KAPISANANG DIWA NG
MAHIRAP," which left its mark by purchasing a plot of land and donating it to
the town to be used as a Municipal Cemetery. Additionally, a monument
honoring Dr. Jose Rizal was built on the town square directly in front of the
municipal health facility.

At this time, Mt. Maculot again gained prominence. It was widely recognized
that the mountain had served as a protective barrier, ensuring the lives and
property of Cuenca's residents were safe during the Taal Volcano's
devastating eruption in January 1911, which killed thousands of people and
animals in the surrounding areas.

During World War II, Mt. Maculot got the moniker "Million Dollar Hill" due to
the tonnage of bombs and artillery shells thrown into it by American forces to
flush out Japanese diehards hiding in the man-made caverns that hone-
combed its slopes. But that was not all that was needed to put an end to the
real, if intermittent, combat in Cuenca.

The only source of water available to the people living in the poblacion was
maculot. The water supply had become insufficient due to population increase
and the conversion of the lands into "kaingin," particularly during the summer.

V. Geology
- The land of Cuenca Batangas is made of the ashes from the taal volcano.
Terrain of Batangas is primarily made up of plains with pockets of mountains,
one of which being Mt. Taal, one of the smallest volcanoes in the world, rising
to a height of 600 meters (2,000 feet) in the center of Taal Lake. Mount
Macolod, which rises to an elevation of 830 meters (2,720 feet), Mt. Banoy,
which is 960 meters (3,150 feet), Mt. Talamitam, which is 700 feet (2,300 feet),
Mt. Pico de Loro, which is 664 feet (2,178 feet), Mt. Batulao, which is 693 feet
(2,274 feet), Mt. Manabo, which is 830 feet (2,720 feet), and Mt. Daguldol,
which is 672 feet (2,205 feet), are notable peaks.

Two distinct seasons: Wet from May to October and Dry the rest of the year,
define the municipality's climate. Each month, two inches of rain fall on
average. From May to October, there is typically a lot of rainfall. Floods from
Mt. Maculot typically impact Poblacion barangays during the rainy season.

VI. Mineralization
- The primary source of soil is volcanic material that is either deposited by air
or altered by water. The texture of the soils varied from light clay to silk loam,
both of which are friable and have excellent tillage properties throughout a
wide range of soil moisture conditions. A depth of roughly 10 centimeters was
used to gather 250 grams of soil per quadrant from the area designated for soil
collection. After that, 1,000 grams of dirt were collected and combined.
Containers made of polyethylene bags with appropriate labels were used to
hold the samples. From each location, three duplicate soil samples weighing
one thousand grams each were gathered. Jefcor Laboratories, Inc. received all
three to test for cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. Before being processed in a
lab, the soil samples were dried and kept at room temperature. For detecting
 and quantifying mercury, the soil samples were processed and subjected to
cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. In addition, arsenic and cadmium
were detected and measured in the soil samples using direct air-acetylene
flame and manual hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry
(AAS). Two (2) weeks following the submission of the soil sample, the results
were made public.

VII. Summary
- Don Juan Cuenca Batangas is one of the best locations for building houses. It
has a nice view, good sources of minerals and good types of soil in it. Based on
what I gathered data, you can see that this place will give you more
understanding why you should pick this as a location in building your house.
Choosing a location for your house you must consider all the information that
you will be needed. In that way you will be able to live comfortably.

VIII. Bibliography
• Banta, G. T., & Salibay, C. C. (2023). Heavy metal contamination in
the soil and Taal Lake Post-Taal Volcano eruption. Journal of Applied
Science, Engineering, Technology, and Education, 5(2), 150–158.
https://doi.org/10.35877/454ri.asci1915
• Cuenca, Batangas. (n.d.). Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.
https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1016305
• Cuenca, Batangas | BALinkBayan - Cuenca, Batangas. (n.d.).
https://cuenca.balinkbayan.gov.ph/cuenca-batangas/
• Don Juan, Cuenca, Batangas profile – PhilAtlas. (1990, May 1).
https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r04a/batangas/cuenca/don-juan.html
• WOWBatangas.com. (2012, August 4). Cuenca, Batangas Town
Profile – Geography, Topography, Climate, Soil Type, Slope,
Population Rate, and Income Class Information | WOWBatangas.com
- Ang Official Website ng Batangueño.
https://www.wowbatangas.com/towns-and-cities/cuenca/cuenca-
batangas-town-profile-geography-topography-climate-soil-type-slope-
population-rate-and-income-class-information/