[3] Although the town's name is written as one word, it comes from the Tagalog phrase mataás na kahoy, which means "tall tree.

[6][9] During the World War II, the Empire of Japan expanded the Lipa Air Base just a kilometer away from Mataasnakahoy's poblacion.

Poverty incidence of Mataasnakahoy Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Its economy is primarily agricultural with coffee, coconut and banana as the major crops.

Piggery and poultry farms from backyard to large scale operation represent a big part of the town's economy.

Small businesses like stores and groceries abound and the town center has a flea market (talipapa or tiangge) where fresh fish, meat and vegetables are available daily and a pharmacy, Generika Drugstore.

Residential subdivisions (Victomar, Crisanta Homes, Immaculate Conception Village, Sinforosa and Monte Vista, among others) have started real estate development in the town.

Gawad Kalinga, a free house and lot project for the poor sponsored by the religious organization Couples for Christ, is also established in Barangay Bubuyan.

Municipal council (2019-2022): The town is easily accessible via Lipa City though passenger jeepneys plying the route from dawn (3:00 AM) till night (9:00 PM).

The series of activities leading to the celebration starts several days before the actual fiesta and this would consist of sporting events, singing contests, street dancing competitions and the likes.

Marching bands, usually hired or sponsored by the barangay officials, go all over the town with their music adding to the already reverberating songs and sounds from rented videoke machines of some households.

Religious families usually sponsor a "pabasa" which relates the passion of the Christ in hymns (in agonizing and melodramatic tempo) usually with loudspeakers.

All Saint's Day (November 1) is observed by throngs of people going to cemetery to visit the burial site of the departed relatives.