thebackpackdiaries

Located in the NorthWestern part of Batangas which is known as The Little Vigan in Batangas is just a 3-4 hours ride away from the busy city of Manila. Taal is often called as THE HERITAGE TOWN,The Grand Lady of Batangas, Balisong and Barong Capital of the Philippines.

Just as you reach the Municipal hall of Taal, you will see on its right the famous Basilica of St. Martin de Tours which is known as the oldest and largest catholic church in the Philippines and in Asia that was built in 18th century. Here you can climb up to the bell tower which is overlooking in a 360 view of Taal. The architectural style was a Baroque Architecture which was renovated by Don Luciano Oliver after a series of earthquake near Taal Volcano.

Before you start exploring Taal, just drop by at their tourism office that you can found at the far area of their park. There, you can ask for some brochures and maps that will guide you. They also sell some souvenirs. We just asked maps for guide while we are exploring Taal.

On far end area of the park lies Escuela Pia. Just a quick overview, “Escuela” means a Portugese word for school, while “Pia” is originated from the Latin word referring to a girl which means “Pious”. It was a home of the Colegio dela Sagrada Familia, which was a school to the moral formation of the youth. As of now, it is used as the Cultural Center of Taal.

At the back of the Municipal hall,walking distance from it. you can find the public market of Taal. Here, you can find a variety of what Taal has to offer. From empanada to longganisa, suman to panutsa and the famous Balisong and plus the Tapang taal. That’s why every April they have these festivity known as El Pasubat.

Because Taal is known for being a Heritage Town, we started exploring those one of the few heritage houses. Just by walking, we reached the Casa Villavicencio ( Don Gliceria Marcella De Villavicencio). A pre-1850’s ancestral house that showcases as a refuge of battle weary soldiers and the secret meeting place of revolutionary leaders  which is owned by Gliceria Marcella and Eulalio Villavicencio. The structure was still well maintained  and standing proudly and covered with wrought iron. Paintings and the furniture is well preserved that you can still relived what was you imagine at that time.

Besides Casa Villavicencio is the Wedding Gift house. This was built for daughter;s bride of Eulalio. The house was fantastic and the ambiance is very lively and happy.

They are open from Tuesday- Sundays 9am-5pm. Entrance fee for Casa Villavicencio is 100php while in Wedding Gift House is 75php. They organized private tours. Casas De taal Tours Contact No: 09228038862 or you can visit their website: http://www.taal.ph.

Along Calle Marcela, we passed by Galleria Taal. Known as The Ilagan- Barrion House.This gallery features some of vintage cameras in working condition by Manny Barion Inumerable’s collection and hundreds of rare photographs from 1870’s-1970’s.

Passed by Antique House, not so popular but for sure you will get curious what was inside it. Unfortunately, the owner didn’t allowed us to take some photo inside. So, we have only posed outside of his “Antique House”.

Still walking, we passed by Leon Apacible Museum and Library. Owned by Leon Apacible, one of Aguinaldo;s finance officer. And it was already owned by the government in 1976.

Last Museum that we visited was Villa Tortuga.Villa Tortuga is an old Andalusian type house situated beside the Pansipit River. The name of the house came from the Spanish word “Tortuga” which means Turtle in English.The villa has a souvenir shop and photo studio which houses dozens of costumes that you can wear while eating to emulate that old world feel or maybe just take a family photo.

The last but not the least, we didn’t let our tour finished only visiting the ancestral houses but we visited also one of the oldest chuirch in Taal. Our Lady of Casaysay. In 1603, a fisherman by the name of Juan Maningkad fished out his net in the Pansipit River, in Taal, Batangas, a twelve inch tall image of OUR LADY OF CAYSASAY, radiating with heavenly luster.

From the miraculous cure of her eyes during the apparition, the well water, now known as “Balon ng Sta. Lucia” and the adjoining stream, now known as “Banal na Tubig” have been known to possess miraculous attributes of healing to this day. An arch with pediment was constructed after 1611 over the wells, which generally marks the spot of her apparitions, and is today called “Banal na Pook”.

After offering prayers and wished in the wishing well, we head of back to the municipal hall. We haven’t visited the Balisong Museum and other popular ancestral houses but I;m so sure that Kathy and me enjoyed every bit of it! We have learned alot especially me because I just so loved History and I am just amazed on these ancestral houses and the story within it. For sure if you will visit this little town of batangas. you will get to love it.

How to get there:

Ride a bus going to Lemery Batangas.Like Alps, Jam liner in Cubao or in Gil Puyat (DLTB, Jam Liner). Fare price : 175-205 php.

From there, ask the driver to alight you at Flying V..From there ride a jeep going exactly at Taal Municipal Hall. Fare is 8 php. Then from there, you can do walking around or ask some tricycle driver to bring you to the places you want to visit.

The entrance fee for the ancestral houses ranges from 50-75php per person. In Villa Tortuga, the photoshoot using the old style clothes ranges from 200-250php/person.

Food: You can buy some delicacies at the Taal Market. Popular restaurants can also be found besides the market. Don Juan BBQ was a popular place to ear!

Hope you enjoyed reading this! For commnets, suggestions please do  not hesitate to message me.Thank you!