Taal, Batangas (Vigan of the South)

Many of us have always associated TAAL with the famed taal lake and taal volcano, and bet you will be surprised once you learn that Taal town is not just your ordinary town, but a town which is considered a heritage landmark by the National Historical Institute. A lesser known destination in batangas, but it is home to heritage structures and amazing handicrafts such as balisong and burdang taal.

Unlike Vigan, which is also a heritage town, the preserved old town of taal is a delight to tourists because of its location, so near from the metro! a perfect destination for those wanting to temporarily escape the bustling metropolis. The tranquil town of Taal is about two and a half hours away from Manila. 

Together with my sisters Pinky and tinnie, we took the 5AM PNR trip from Espanya Station enroute to Alabang, took a Bus, then a Jeepney, before finally reaching Taal town. We didn't catch the direct bus trip to Lemery that day, so we took a bus bound to Batangas Pier which unfortunately won't be traversing to taal town, so Our trip actually seems to be a lil longer because we alighted at Tambo exit, took a Jeepney enroute to Lemery town and halted at taal town. but upon reaching the town, we were greeted with century-old stone houses and architectures! and seein' in flesh the Basilica de San Martin de Tours, the long trip was worth'it! 

The Basilica is the most prominent structure in this serene town. this massive work of art is situated in front of the Taal Plaza and the 18^th century Casa Real. 

magnificent work of art as my backdrop!

The facade of the Basilica is believed to resemble that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

It is dubbed as the largest Catholic Church in Asia. Constructed from 1856 to 1878, the minor Basilica stands 96meters long and 45meters wide.huge!  

The church also houses one of the largest bells in the country. It is 19 feet (5.8 m) in circumference at the lip, 9.33 feet (2.84 m) around the crown and 6.42 feet (1.96 m) in height. During the earthquake of 1942, the belfry collapsed and the bell fell from its location.

Inside the Basilica, I was amazed by the interiors of the altar and the ceiling. I am expecting intricate interiors, but I must admit that I was wowed by the silver tabernacle. 

A silver tabernacle - only one of its kind in the Philippines .

We checked every corner of the Basilica, and we climb its belfry. there's a P50 entrance fee for you to climb the top. a display of memorabilia's and antique collections of saints are also available to the public.

Before one can go to the tower, you will passed by some antique collections, saints collections and you'll be greeted by a huge salas! I think that's one of my fave spot there!

Im inlove with this grandiose century old sala

Wooden floors and wide capiz windows just fit perfectly together.

A mini-garden theme near the Adoration chapel gives a homey ambiance.

My sister Pinky found a perfect spot for relaxation.

Just like all other belfry or tower or lighthouse or whatever, you need to face a never ending staircase.

As you go higher, the stairs gets steeper and narrower.

Finally on Top!

Breathtaking view

Other notable historical buildings which is just around the Basilica are the Escuela Pia, this is just actually a few steps from the church. a Catholic school converted to a town's cultural center, It was once used to educate those who belongs to the upper-class of the town, the Buena Familias. There's also the Taal Municipal Hall or known as Casa Real which is built in 1845.

Once your in taal, don't forget to take a walk to explore and be overwhelm by its unique heritage vibe. From the Basilica you can walk goin' to M.Agoncillo St. that cater many of the heritage houses. Its like walking back to Spanish era!  almost all structures  are remarkable in their own way. check out this cool heritage houses!

The Wedding Gift House and Villavicencio Ancestral House. The houses are filled with delicate memorabilla and ancestor's photos. 

The White House also known as Don Gregorio Agoncillo Mansion.Don Leon Apacible Museum. This ancestral house was built in the 19th century and renovated in the 1940's. an 18th century chandeliers are carefully preserved by the Apacibles. Don Leon was Emilio Aguinaldo's Finance officer and a delegate to Malolos Congres of 1898. *There's no entrance fee in the said museum, but donations are highly encouraged for its upkeep.

I'm always fascinated with ancient stone houses, It always reminds me of my childhood. It reminds me of our ancestral house (Mom's Ancestral house). It brings back happy memories with my GrandMa.

Our last stop was a quick visit to the Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine which houses one of the earliest Marian images in the Philippines. According to the locals, it was found by a fisherman named Juan Manicad at the nearby Pansipit River. 

Say a little prayer..

A whole day trip to taal town is already worth'it, but if u can't get enough of the town and you are planning to stay overnight, you can stay at the grandiose Villavicencio Wedding Gift House, rooms ranging from as low as Php 3,000 to about Php6K. But if your for a more budget friendly rooms, you can check out Casa Punzalan, a colonial house turned into a hotel, rates starts at Php600, with a nice view of the Basilica.


Do not go home without visiting the Taal Public Market and without  trying their Taal longganisa and tapang Taal. drop by at Brgy. Balisong to check out the shops making balisong (fly knife/butterfly knife), shops are all lined up along the highway. and check out stores and shops that sells wide array of Barong Tagalog and hand-embroidered bridal dresses that are proudly taal made.
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A long day will make you hungry, so you need to dig in for good foods! Im looking forward to eat in any resto in taal so I can try their local delicacies like tapang taal (pork tapa) and their adobong dilaw (taal version of adobo which makes use of turmeric or yellow ginger instead of the usual dark dish). A cozy cafe named Café G that is just a stone thrown away from the basilica is a perfect place for food lovers like us.

They serve main dishes to light meals and coffees including Cafe Latte, cappuccino,and a selection of flavoured syrups to add to your drink and of course Taal delicacies.

Yummy foods served at Cafe G

All smiles! 'coz its always fun havin' your sisters around.

Taal is one of those few places that I really want to visit. another place to scratch from my bucketlist. A budget friendly place that offers one of a kind heritage experience and showcasing amazing rich culture.
(nearer and cheaper compared to Vigan).

This taal trip is one of my best travels ever, not because im inlove with old-stones ancestral houses but because Im with the two most wonderful creature I won't trade for anything else in this planet-- my sisters! 

HOW TO GET HERE:

Coming from Manila, take a TriTran or DELAROSA bus at the corner of Gil Puyat and Taft Avenues in Pasay City bound for Batangas. Alight at Tambo Exit
(PHP 120). From Tambo Exit, ride a Lipa-Lemery jeepney to Taal town (PHP 45)
or for direct trip You can take BLTB or JAM buses and take the Manila-Taal-Lemery route (Php180)
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Looking back, I can only wish that may commercialization and economic development won't rob the future generations of an opportunity to have a glimpse of our glorious past.