***Why was Taal a forgotten Town? Well did you know that there is a small town in Batangas named Taal? I doubt.
According to some little insights from Sir Manny, Taal was a progressive Town before. A lot of illustrados, rich and famous people and prominent families in Batangas came from Taal. But due to Political parties the town was divided and soon, forgotten.
My friend (Manel) and I searched for a quick getaway and foodtrip over the weekend and I found one as I browsed the internet. It was fairly near, about 2-3 hours drive (if you have your own car) from Manila. But the real pull was the food and the Museum of vintage cameras.
We were supposed to paint the town red (as if we know how to -.-) in Subic, but changed plans on the last minute. We ended up on a bus bound for Taal, Batangas, a town we actually never heard of.
I know Taal Lake and the volcano, but I never knew there was a town that was named Taal. The travel time varied last Saturday Morning due to the always present traffic, some accidents on the road and the route that the bus took.
Nevertheless we arrived unscathed and completely hungry at Taal.
Our first stop was a very not good choice, but hey we were hungry to even think about anything. So Fast-food it is, to quench our raging stomachs.
Then off to the Tourism Center of Taal, located near the Taal Basilica. It’s a little lesson I’ve learn from most of my travel. If you’re new in a place or a province ALWAYS DROP AT THE TOURISM OFFICE FIRST!
Because of the last minute changed of plans and my haphazardly itinerary we didn’t know exactly where we are going (we we’re backpackers what do you expect?!). That’s where Tourism Office is best needed.
Tourism Office on every country, city or provinces offers list of local Inns and Hotels and other cheaper accommodations. They have maps of the locality and best recommendations. All information are FREE. Added security is when you register to there guest book. At least they have a record of presence in their place.
Casa Punzalan was the best choice at that time, considering it’s a stone throw away from the Basilica and it’s very near the Police Station (very safe).
We were the only one who rented that night, and it seems like we rented the whole ancestral house of the Punzalan’s of Taal.
Crazy as we are, we pretended to be the Senyoritas of the cozy ancestral house.
After setting our bags down and settling for a room to stay overnight, we head out to check the small town.
The first stop was the Taal Basilica. According to some locals and the internet apparently, the Basilica or the Basílica Menor de San Martín de Tours is the Biggest Catholic Church in Asia. With the width 48 metres (157 ft) and a length of 88.6 metres (291 ft).
The interior was nicely painted, with a 3D ceiling.
We were told that it is best we set off to check the bell tower before the 5 o’çlock Mass that afternoon, as they closes it up early.
Claustrophobic people are not advised to go up the bell tower as you have to go up in a very cramped passage. But if you can handle your fear and climb up my friend. The scenery is worth it!
Next stop was the main reason why I choose this place, the Galleria Taal. Seeing the photos from the blogs I read about it, is enough for me to take the trip.
Its a 5 minute walk from Taal Baslica and easier to find. You can’t get lost in a small town, but if you find yourself with a busted sense of direction and ask any locals, they will point you to the right path.
I was a lucky girl that afternoon, when one of the staff told us that the owner or the museum is in the house! I took my courage and approached him and asked f all the camera inside his Ancestral-House-turned-museum are working and he told us that they all are!
Much to my luck, the owner/collector/photographer Mr. Manny Inumerable graces us by being the one to give the tour. I thought we’d just spent the tour gasping and being at awed at the collection, never imagined we’d get a special tour. The expected 10 minutes tour stretched up to an hour and It was the most epic worth it P100.00 tour I ever had! Mr. Inumerable even asked to have coffee after the tour! I’m more than lucky, I’m blessed!
It felt like it was a positive sign that I am on the right path. I never asked for a sign, mind you, but it felt that way.
If you are Photographer, Photo enthusiast Galleria Taal is a very recommended place for you to go.
Grumbling stomachs rouse us again to hunt for food, good thing Tampuhan Cafe is a minute away from Galleria Taal.
I recognized Tampuhan Cafe because it’s one of those resto that were highly recommended to check out. And now I get why it was recommended.
Their Chocolate Lave cake was glorious! Bittersweet it always better than too much sweetness in a chocolate cake. Their Rose Ice Tea was relaxing due to its fragrant. The Pasta was as expected, though.
The interior it cozy due to the paintings and quirks that represents Pinoys.
Not sated with the soft of Dinner we had we tracked down the Night Market expecting a busy and lively place only to find a usually, Ihawan near their Public market.
At 7:30 we called it a night. Around that time it seems like the whole town is already asleep. It felt like it’s already midnight.
Around 11 in the morning, Sunday, we head out to continue hunting for local foods.
There are many karenderia or “Food Houses”scattered in Taal that offers their famous Gotong Batangas and other local dishes. Since we’re always hungry we settled for the the one nearest Casa Punzalan.
One dish is enough to be shared by two people, But we want to try both so we ordered two different dishes and took turns and tasting.
With full belly we head off to Tagaytay for another food trip. When we say foodtrip we religiously stick to it down tot he last letter of it.
And since Tagaytay is famous for it’s Bulalo, we also hunted it down. And we found one, In one of the over-looking resto that lined the ridges, over-looking the volcano.
By this time we are already too full so we decided to call it a day and head home.
HOW TO GET TO TAAL, BATANGAS:
It’s an easy commute. And most of the landmarks around the town can be reach by walking.
From wherever you’re from, Go to any JAM Liner Bus Ternimal. There’s one in Cubao and one in Pasay. (fare: P189.00) If you’re in Between, there’s a Provincial Bus stop in Ortigas under the fly-overs. It’s a Legit Bus stops, so you’re not committing any traffic laws.
Get off the bus at the crossroad between Taal and Lemery. Ask the conductor to drop you off. You’ll get off at Flying V Gas stations. From there you can take a jeep going into Taal town. Teel the driver to drop you off at The Basilica.
Get Maps and list of accommodations at the TOURIST OFFICE right in front of the Basilica.
Off you go! EXPLORE TAAL!
Budget: Php 2,000.00 / person / one night stay
Accommodation: 800.00 / per night
Entrance Fee: 100.00 (same price on most Ancestral houses and Taal Museum)
(Budget and information updated as of September 2015)
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