Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
Visit the Basilica de San Martin de Tours
monina_c Says: This Basilica Minor in Taal is a baroque church made out of adobe and coral was constructed in 1856 and completed in 1878. It is considered to be the largest in the Philippines and in Asia (length 96 metres or 315 ft, width 45 metres or 148 ft). It's actually the third...
Living la vida local circa Spanish Era
monina_c Says: Visiting Villa Tortuga is a treat for history buffs. Not only do they have period pieces galore but they also have a studio where you can slip into period costumes and be photographed with a backdrop just like you see in antique portraits. Entrance to the heritage house is...
Visit the Villavicencio Residence
monina_c Says: This is a MUST SEE in the heritage town of Taal, Batangas. Not only because of its imminence in the history of Philippine Revolution but also as a proof that Filipinas were also actively involved in the fight for Philippine Revolution. Blogger Traveler on Foot wrote an...
Visit the biggest Catholic Chruch in Asia
scarletf Says: This is a place that you shoudn't miss. Basilica of St. Martin de Tours is amazingly huge! You may opt to climb the highest peak as well. There is a fee of Php 50.00. You will find the entrance going up on the right side of the church.
wabufamy Says: We made the Basilica our first stop in our trip to Taal Batangas. Being "The Biggest Catholic Church in Asia", we were intrigued by its size. The church dates back to the 1800's and is definitely big. As we were going around the church, a security guard suggested that we go...
Admire the Beadwork and Embroidery
wabufamy Says: The "Taal Burda" is famous for its craftmanship and unique design, but I never knew they also did beadwork. I'ved tried doing beadwork in my recent gown project and I am awed at the creations I found in the Taal Market. Had I seen this place 18 years ago, I would've bought...
Church of Our Lady of Caysasay
lakbayPinas Says: The Church of Our Lady of Caysasay is one of Taal’s distinct cultural structures housing some priceless relics dating back from the Spanish colonial period. Caysasay enshrines the 400-year-old 27-centimeter image of the Virgin fished out by a resident from the Pansipit River...
Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo Historical Landmark
lakbayPinas Says: This national landmark is the birthplace of Marcela Agoncillo, known as the seamstress of the first Filipino flag. Located in a street aptly named in her honor, the museum prominently displays the different flags used during the Philippine revolution against Spanish...
cyndymc Says: One of the basic considerations in declaring Taal a UNESCO Heritage Site is the existence of well preserved ancestral homes. We didn't get to see all the ancestral homes, but we managed to see some on the way to Caysasay. It is amazing how such ancestral homes can give us a...
Helpfulness
There is no restaurant on the island but residents on the island are willing to kill, dress and cook a chicken for you for the right price. There is also one who is willing to scoop up tilapia from his fish pen and cook it for you for a fee (P100/kg + P100 cooking fee-price negotiable). You will have to order your food before ascending to the crater as it will take them an hour to prepare your food.
We opted to give this so-called privilege a miss as the people there started to get pushy when we wanted to have some fish cooked for us. The aggro was just not worth the experience of eating on the island.
I would suggest that you pack a sandwich, some fruits and drinking water with you when you visit the volcano.
Written Jan 31, 2008
monina_c Says: Boat rental to the Taal Volcano can vary from P800.00 to P900.00 (as of January 2008). If you get approached by touts be firm and do not be swayed by the extras that they may "offer" (e.g. life vest - it is regulations that all boats have them.)
freddie18 Says: This type of vehicle is very common in Taal and in the Philippines in general. This is actually existing a long time ago in every part of the archipelago. This is built by vehicle manufacturer in the Philippines. If I remember it right, this type of jeep is available only in...
Taal Market: Enjoy the Local Products
freddie18 Says: If you feel like buying the local crafts of Taal, come wander around the public market. There are so much to buy. Taal is noted for Longganisa or Local Sausage, Taal Beef, Suman or Rice Cake, embroidered clothes, and fan-knives. These are their specialties so we can make...
Taal Shops: Philippine Barong & Saya
freddie18 Says: Philippine Barong and Saya (Gown) are very famous in Taal, Batangas. Barong can be worn by either women or men depending on the style. Available for men are dress shirts and for women are gowns with intricate cutwork and crochet insertions. Obviously, most of them are...
Helpfulness
As in other provinces I've been to, locals have a different concept of distance. What may be NEAR for them can be already FAR for us; what could be walking distance for them is actually many blocks away and tiring for us :(
Specifically in Taal, we were advised to just leave our Fortuner in the Cathedral's Parking lot, as it might be difficult to traverse the narrow roads going to Caysasay. We were told that there was a shortcut anyway that is walking distance only. We realized only later that what locals considered a shortcut and walking distance to the place was actually some blocks away and about 125 steps (I didn't really count, but that's what the security guard told me) locally known as "hagdan-hagdan" down the road.
The locals can't be blamed though; they are used to the route so perhaps it is very easy for them. Unless you are used to hiking, better take a tricycle going to the Caysasay Church.
Written Feb 8, 2009
monina_c Says: When hiking up to the crater of the Taal Volcano, do not check if the sides of the cracks in the ground scattered all over the volcano island are hot. They are! I found that out to my sorrow!I got curious to prove to myself if that small fissure on the ground is really...
Use a little common sense please!!!!
monina_c Says: If you do decide to walk/hike to the crater of Taal Volcano, please use a little common sense to avoid getting hurt. Here are some points to remember:1. Bring drinking water with you so you can replace what you lost through sweating.2. Dress appropriately. Wear clothes that...
Helpfulness
Do not be fooled by the touts on the Taal Volcano Island who tell you that the trail to the crater is difficult and too long to walk.
First off, the trail up is only 4-kilometer gradual hike up. Any reasonably healthy/fit person can walk the whole way although the final hundred yards to the crater is steeper than the rest of the trail. The downside to walking is that the trail is dusty and sometimes the soil loose beneath one's feet. So watch where you put your feet.
Second, if you do decide to ride a horse, the owner of the horses will quote you a prohibitive price for rental of a horse e.g. P700. Do not snap this up (even if you can afford it!) The actual price is way lower than that, say P400, but you can definitely make a better bargain than we did.
Third, the way down is easier to manage so you can take a look around and get photos that you might not have time for on the way up.
Unique Suggestions: The trail is full of fissures with hot steam rising from the center of the volcano. You can then experience the thrill of being on top of one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
This fact alone can make you forget all the aggro that the mob of touts subjected you to. :D
Updated Jan 27, 2008
Fruit Trees and Lots of Bamboo
freddie18 Says: Just by driving someone along the Taal streets and roads leading to the town, you will encounter fruit bearing trees like Coconut, Mango, & Banana. You will also find sugar cane plantation and bamboo everywhere. The latter two are abundant in any part of Batangas including...
freddie18 Says: I am posting pictures of local people of Taal who actually do the hand embroidery and bead insertions in a jusi material. Making them by hand is no secret. Stores would let you watch them. Afterall, this kind of business is an art and......needs a lot of patience!When you...
Taal in Batangas is considered as the fourth class municipality and one of the most preserved town culturally. If you plan to visit Batangas, I would recommend you drop by this town and enjoy the...
The cool breeze was a welcome presence upon reaching the crater. The crater itself was a sight to see. The water within it looked so calm and harmless, mirroring the surrounding ridge. Beautiful!
Taal is the oldest town of Batangas Province, and was declared by UNESCO as a Heritage Site for being one of the only 2 remaining culturally preserved sites of Spanish colonial era. History records...
Taal is one of thirty-one (31) municipalities (along with three cities) that comprise the province of Batangas in the Calabarzon Region.
Okay, if you can see the picture, its a shot that I took of the Taal Lake and Volcano during our trip there... I've lived in the Philippines for as long as I can remember and I've had trips to...
Build your own Taal page
Comments