Tagaytay, I LOVE!

There are places that you feel the need to really exert an effort in being comfortable and relaxed, fortunately Tagaytay is not one of them.  Just an hour and a half drive from Manila, you can easily feel the comfort and tranquility of the place.  Probably this is the same reason why recollections, retreats and seminars are being held here.  Tagaytay is a very special place for me for me--it has been my "moving on" destination, my "date" destination, my "spiritual" destination and soon, it'll be our venue for our destination wedding.

Let me share some of the memorable and special places in Tagaytay that I've been to :

You and your family can have a picnic lunch, swimming for the kids and simply killing time at the Nature Discovery Camp. 

Their entrance fee is Php 30 and you can rent out a cottage for Php 500.  They are open until 6:00PM only so better be early...if you want to swim you add Php 100. They have a very nice view of Taal Lake.

We never really rent out a cottage, we use tarpaulins or sun visor to sit on the grass.

Have coffee and taste the delicious Raisin bread and American Pies  at BAG OF BEANS :

Order the large Raisin bread if you are a group of 5 or more, and the medium one if you're less than 5.  They serve the bottomless coffee (it keeps me awake until the following day) or you may try their shakes.

The best bulalo and tawilis can be found at Green Ats Bulalohan near Bag of Beans.  They also have the best view of Taal Lake.  Try their Sinigang na Bulalo and their fried Tawilis.

You might want to eat at Green Ats first and have coffee or tea at Bag of Beans after.

Keni Po is a place beside the Ina ng Laging Saklolo Church that has the best but cheapest Accomodations.

and soon...


VILLA IBARRA

MABINI, Batangas-My hometown

Both my parents grew up in Mabini, Batangas. I was also actually born there and lived there until 4th grade.  When my mother died (I was 1 year old), my dad decided to move to the US then Japan and I was left in the care of my grandmother.  When I was ten years old my aunts decided that I should be transferred to a school here in Manila...and the story goes on.  

Mabini is really close to my heart, every November I would pay  visit to my mom but most of the time I would be with my friends, we would take this opportunity to visit nearby beaches and eat the authentic Mabini dishes.  Allow me to share some of the things you can do while in Mabini.

take the CALABARZON route

Our ancestral house in Talaga, Mabini, Batangas

Since Mabini is really a province, there are no people in the streets at 6PM so better rent a videoke or take some photos or just find fun things to do at night.

Ian's videoke +63919-4805970

Visit a LOCAL Carnival within the area...they call it the PERYA!

TALAGA public beach

unfortunately, people FAILED in taking care of the beach

You can move to ANILAO for Diving, Fish feeding and other activities...

Watch the Beautiful Sunset

Try out WINDSURFING and learn with the Philippine Windsurfing Team (whole day is enough for you to learn

).

            You have to be early for your FISH FEEDING trip, try 8AM            

By this time you are so hungry, here are some of the must try foods in Batangas.

 

 Mamon at Ka Justa's Bakery in Bauan about 1 peso each

 Tablea at Crossing, Mabini, Batangas Php 50 for small pieces of 25

   LOMI ng Mabini, Mix it with Soy Sauce and Calamansi.  About 20 pesos for a small bowl

Remember to bring good company on your trip because nothing beats that!  Enjoy your trip!

    

Tagaytay --CHURCHES!

If there is one place in the Philippines that is so memorable for me, it has to be Tagaytay.  With an hour and half drive from Manila, Tagaytay has a lot to offer but for me, this place is for PRAYING and my means of bonding and relaxation.

Moving on...Tagaytay has a lot of places for prayer, contemplation and YEAH, destination weddings, it is probably the nearest place for a destination wedding.  Let me give you the churches I've been too in the last ten years in TAGAYTAY.

Pink Sisters Convent

 You can write a letter for your prayers and drop them in a box at the side of the church. I truly believe in writing a letter for my prayers to the nuns.  I feel closer to God(exaggeration of it)..I've always referred to the NUNS as voice of angels..for their angelic voices.

Our Lady of Lourdes 

This is the biggest church in Tagaytay, this is also their parish.  There are  6 mass schedule every Sunday but unlike Pink Sisters, Our Lady of Lourdes is jam packed with people and a lot of kids are running, eating, crying and the likes...

Ina ng laging Saklolo

 Smaller church but as the name says it, the church is dedicated to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.  So if you are a devotee, you might wanna try this church.

 CALERUEGA

 Of course, your TAGAYTAY get-away wouldn't be complete without visiting Caleruega but its already part of Nasugbu, Batangas.  Its an old church on top of a hill--you have to walk a few meters going to the chapel.

 CHAPEL ON THE HILL

Located in Batulao, Batangas...another chapel famous for the weddings held there.  This one is run by the Don Bosco priests and unlike other chapels they have a circular floor plan and solemn ambiance.

San Antonio De Quasi Parish

Silang, Cavite

If you happen to take the Sta. Rosa Route in going to Tagaytay, you have to you have to take a right turn near PNPA.  This church is famous for long aisle weddings.  

 and finally,  its not a church but a place for Mama Mary devotees...stop by and experience the healing power at TIERRA MARIA.  Don't forget to hold Our Lady of Manaoag's hand as you make a wish.  BTW, this is beside picnic grove.

So next weekend, make a spiritual trip, relax and contemplate.  Enjoy your trip!