Taal Heritage Town, Batangas | Through the Looking Glass
If you are looking for a whole new adventure, head down further south to the heritage town of Taal in Batangas and be beguiled by colonial houses of a now bygone era.
Tagaytay will always leave you both recharged and drained after visiting it. Albeit its cool climate, sumptuous food, and scenic views; it also offers horrendous traffic, long queue lines just to eat at that restaurant, and the rapid commercialization of its districts.
Through the Looking Glass
Founded in 1572, the town of Taal was once built on the shores of Taal Volcano and its lake. Moreover, it once was the capital of Batangas, it used to be located in the present-day San Nicolas. But due to the seven-month eruption of Taal Volcano in 1754, the most devastating eruption in recorded history, the town was destroyed and forced locals to relocate near Balayan Bay.
Over centuries, after every calamity and war, Taal has always found a way to rebuild their beloved town and rise up after every adversity.
During the Spanish Era, the prosperous town once cradled several national heroes particularly: Marcela Agoncillo, the woman who was the seamstress and the Mother of the Philippine Flag, Gen. Ananias Diokno, or the General of the Seas, was the only Philippine Revolutionary Army General who led a full-scale military expedition to the Visayas against the Spanish forces.
Today Taal is a vibrant town rich in culture and heritage. Further, it is as if looking through a looking glass only to find as if it is still stranded on the shores of the past.
Time Travel to the Olden Days
What excited me the most about going around the town proper of Taal is having to see for myself the heritage houses along the cobblestone streets. It is as if traveling back in time as their unique architecture gives us a glimpse of the olden days.
These perfectly preserved houses are in close proximity to each other and can all be visited on foot. Further, this gives the present generation a chance to catch a glimpse of how the seemingly “Forbes Park of the South” once was for the rich and influential families.
Commercialization may have invaded the town center as it is inevitable, but the quaint rustic charm of the town is still retained up to this day.
Taal Basilica
Sitting on top of a small hill is the Taal Basilica or known as the Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours.
This is the largest Roman Catholic church not just in the Philippines but in Asia. Moreover, it stands 88.6 meters (291ft) long and 48 meters (157ft). Full article here: Taal Basilica, Batangas | Asia’s Largest Roman Catholic Church
This is the largest Roman Catholic church not just in the Philippines but in Asia. Moreover, it stands 88.6 meters (291ft) long and 48 meters (157ft). Full article here: Taal Basilica, Batangas | Asia’s Largest Roman Catholic Church
Galleria Taal Camera Museum
“This camera needs a minimum of five (5) minutes of exposure to fully capture a photo” as my guide pointed over a large box-type apparatus with large lenses on both sides. No wonder people from the past are all not smiling in their photos.
Galleria Taal Camera Museum was once their family’s ancestral home that was restored by Manny Barrion Inumerable. Here, he showcased all the family camera heirlooms, from the large box-type camera up to the present compact DSLR cameras.
Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine
From the Taal Basilica, you will walk down the San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps or Spanish Steps made of granite stones before reaching the Our Lady of Caysasay.
The wooden image of the miraculous lady was said to be found by a fisherman along the Pansipit River in 1603. During my visit, the shrine was undergoing a restoration project.
Not far from the Spanish steps, you will find a golden poso which will lead you to the Well of Sta. Lucia.
The water from the well is said to be potent in curing diseases and devotees usually wash their faces and drink from it. As of writing, the stone arch and well are also undergoing restoration.
Lamenting a Bygone Era
Once dubbed as the Paris of Asia, the Philippines is now a heaping entangled mess of skyscrapers, poor urban planning, and shanty towns. Cobblestones where Katipuneros once walked are now turned into a never-ending concrete road that is easily demolished every time the elections are coming.
It is true that modernization is an inescapable reality in moving forward, but there is no denying that it poses risks to our heritage structures and sites.
May it be because of the lack of financial support or loose national laws in preserving them, or just plain ignorance of everyone; the grandeur brought about by these houses is now disappearing into thin air.
What is good about the town of Taal is the concern of its people in preserving their homes. In turn, these structures still give us a coup d’oeil of our once abundant past that will remind us of our identity as a Filipino.
“So much with the recollections. As a mere voiceless spectator now from a senior’s rocking chair. I can only watch the world as it moves on until I shall have freed myself from it, to face the unknown.” – Gerry T. Maglaya
How To Get There
- Taal Heritage Town is located in Taal, Batangas
- Take any Lemery, Batangas bound bus from Manila and ask the driver to drop you off at the Taal-Lemery Bypass Junction. (105 kilometers, 2-3hours travel time, depending on the traffic condition)
- From the junction, rent a tricycle or jeep to take you to the Taal Basilica. You can start your walking tour there or you can follow this route from www.baratpacker.com
Extend Your Trip
- Taal Basilica, Batangas | Asia’s Largest Roman Catholic Church
- Mt. Talamitam (630 MASL), Batangas | A Merrell PH Sunrise Mission
- Taal Volcano | Inside the Third Order Volcanic Wonder
Taal Heritage Town, Batangas | Through the Looking Glass
Updated June 12, 2022
