a Christmas dinner: Taal Vista Hotel

Let’s go back to my very festive December and celebrate Christmas in March 😊 . Kiddin’ aside, since the opening of businesses in 2022 many of my friends were excited to hold a get-together x Christmas Party. It’s one of the occasions we’ve missed because of the pandemic.

Although in 2020 while the quarantine was still very strict we were able to hold a very quick one inside Treats in Petron-Kaybagal (Tagaytay). Actually, it wasn’t the initial plan but the restos closing time was too early and it’s a no choice for us but to park in the gas station and enjoy treats from Kambal pandesal + instant coffee while we had our Kris Kringle. Such a joy to see friends that time amidst the surge of COVID-19.

And finally, after two years, we were able to celebrate as it should be. After the government’s EO last October that the wearing of masks is now voluntary except in healthcare facilities, we were able to plan a Christmas get-together without further ado. 

Our initial plan was to hold our mini-party in the metro so that our dear Marie can join but later on cancelled after the latter couldn’t make it even if we go our way and make the adjustments. So, to cut the story short we decided for Taal Vista Hotel. Bakit nga ba sa Taal Vista? First, we stick to the original plan to hold the Christmas get-together in a hotel. Second, because of proximity. And lastly, so we can dress up and go fancy. Unlike before, we normally meet during early evening, this time we agreed that we meet at mid-afternoon so we can call it a day earlier and avoid any Cinderella incident. 😂

Tatang G, Mayora, moi and Chef Renz (half of the GOTO Klab)

There were a lot of people when we arrived at the hotel vicinity, especially at the viewing deck. Though I’m not really sure if everyone were really check-in hotel guests or diners like us or probably some were just stopping by. It’s a good thing that the hotel has plenty of open spaces so we don’t need to blend in one spot. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went to this hotel, it’s really been ages. There’s still a Jollibee store back then and the Casino was still housed here, maybe 20 years ago na. 😁 I always wanted to schedule a staycation here but because we live nearby it’s never been an option. 

Taal Vista Hotel remains to be one of Tagaytay’s landmarks, some areas may be outdated already but the hotel remains charming. Nostalgic. Historic. And I still fantasize about staying here. Who knows this write-up might be a ticket for me to a staycation soon. Hello, Taal Vista Hotel. 😍

sorna Tatang G for this photo, buti na lang you don’t do social media so much 😂

Anyhow, back to our mini get-together, mini because the other half of the group didn’t make it —Dennis and Henry were still abroad while Marie and Estre had prior schedules. My first choice was to dine at Taza Fresh Table which is located at the garden wing (?) but we were told that they will close early that day following an event. So, we moved to Veranda where we spent the next four hours eating and talking. Unfortunately, buffet dining was not offered yet so we ordered pizza and pasta plates. No regrets! 

Lasagna Bolonese P430.00, Liguine Carbonara P480.00, Quattro Formaggi P830.00 and Seafood Pizza P650.00

I will give a 9/10 for the food because everything tasted really good, although I didn’t expect much especially on the pizza. But lo and behold I was even telling ze husband that they really make use of good quality and generous amount of cheese because I can taste each (mozzarella, gorgonzola, parmesan & fontina) in every bite! The carbonara was sooo creamy, you’ll definitely would want more garlic bread dipped into its creamy sauce.  

Veranda menu HERE.

If you’re wondering why we didn’t order their famed heirloom dishes, personally because we live nearby and I can concoct those recipes at the comfort of my kitchen anytime. I find it impractical to order sinigang, adobo and embotido except for the crispy pata, mahirap tong gawin 😅. Sorry but it’s just me and my party. Generally, we really enjoyed the mood (good food = good mood) —it’s very relaxed as it matched the fresh surroundings. A repeat is a must!

We could have stayed at the Alta Ridge Bar for a few drinks and enjoyed live music but we worried about catching flu. You see we’re no longer at our prime, truth is we’re welcoming the golden year but we’re thankful that we don’t have any major illnesses so far. Truly, the first wealth is health. 💛

Eto un part na masasabi mong, Iba talaga pag tumatanda na tayo noh, gusto na lang natin ng tahimik na buhay at mga sampung milyon! Ganun! 🤑

Seriously, I don’t like the night life now, I don’t like loud and crowded places. I think I am already too old for that. Besides I spent many years in the city and during the latter part of it I always dreamt of coming home. And just like that God heard my ultimate wish! The pandemic wasn’t that bad for me because I was able to work from home, which means a better work-life balance and more productive me because I can oversee the household every day. And I became closer to friends because I can have coffee with them anytime of the week. 

So, it’s one down, there’s a lot of Christmas gatherings I attended last December and I hope I can write everything in one go. 😘

 

TAAL VISTA HOTEL
Kilometer 60, Aguinaldo Highway
Tagaytay City 4120, Philippines
Telephone No: +(632) 7917 8225 / (+6346) 413 1000

 

P.S. It’s almost Holy Week, as I’ve mentioned in my last post we’re North bound. No solid plans yet so let’s see once we’re there. So, where you up to? 

 

 

good friday 2018 | BATANGAS

On Good Friday of 2018 we hit the road going to Batangas to visit the newly-built Montemaria Shrine, said to be the world’s tallest statue of Mama Mary. The statue was actually not yet finished that time, there were still trashes around it but it was already open to public. The road going to the shrine was quite far and rough especially if you pass the Lobo trail from Batangas city. I think there was also an ongoing road construction during that time that’s why the road was not so friendly. We didn’t use Waze, we only followed road signs leading to the shrine. And it’s easy to locate because you can see the statue of Mama Mary even from afar.

The former Montemaria Oratory in Bgy. Amuyong, Alfonso

If you have been reading my old blog, you must have read that we’ve been visiting Montemaria since 2012. Not this pilgrimage site in Batangas but the one in Amuyong, Alfonso were the late Father Fernando Suarez held healing mass every 3^rd Sunday of the month. We had our last visit there in January of 2014 before it’s closure on the same year because Father Suarez decided to return the land to SMC following the lingering issues with him and tirades by detractors. I feel sorry for the late priest. 😔

Anyhow, back at the new site of Montemaria in Batangas City. The location was so infinite, perfect for pilgrimages. It overlooks the Batangas port and nearby islands. If not for the very hot and humid weather that time we could have explored the site a little more. 🥵

The stairways heading to the chapel has pictures depicting the 14 stations of the cross, it helped that we were able to climb without even noticing the number of steps because we stopped and prayed at all stations. Many devotees were doing the same but so you don’t burn your silky skins (which I guess was one of the positive effects of unlimited quarantine 😁), do the station prayers at early morning even before 8am or you can take chance and apply plenty of sunscreen or schedule a late afternoon visit. We finished the station before 10am and the burning sensation was too much to handle. Bring plenty of drinking water, in our case we brought a cooler so we don’t have to buy overpriced bottled drinks.

The mass already ended when we reached the chapel but we still stepped inside to pray and sit and rest for a while. The very hot weather that time almost exhausted all the energy I have but looking at the scenery from the view deck, it’s breathtaking. God truly has made everything beautiful. 💗

For more info about Montemaria, like mass schedule and this Holy Week schedules, please visit HERE.

We drive back to Batangas City before lunch time because there’s no restaurants nearby, and because it’s Good Friday almost all establishments were closed. Luckily, we chanced an eatery. Irene’s Bulalo sa Kubo is along the National Road, they served grilled foods, beer match (pulutan), lomi and of course bulalo.

We ordered grilled bangus and eggplant, grilled pork belly for the non-devotee and lomi. It was an affordable and delicious lunch, thank you to Tita Josie who sponsored our lunch. 😊

Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Sacred Heart Tower

Right after lunch we planned to head home but thinking that the trip was not sulit yet, we visited another pilgrimage site. The Marian Orchard is located in Balete, Batangas. It is a spiritual oasis that will promote the Roman Catholic religion through the propagation of Marian devotion and other religious activities that will inspire a renewal of faith.

When I first saw its pictures, I was really captivated because it looks very scenic and charming and solemn. And I was right, the site was very attractive in person. There were too many to see inside including the life-size depiction of the stations of the cross. The trail was tiring but worth it especially if you are practicing penance. The bonus part of the trail —a water station where you can drink or refill your tumblers and the shaded and green pathway.

Took these photos by the way.

1. Two Hearts Promenade

2. The Ruins

3. Mary Mediatrix Garden Plaza

4. At the Hall of Petitions

5. Miraflores

6. with Family at the Garden Steps leading to the Via Crucis Garden

7-8. Chimes of Mary

9-12. snaps at Via Crucis Garden

For more info about The Marian Orchard, please click HERE.

Entrance at The Marian Orchard is not free. I think we pay more than P50 during our visit so if you’re not comfy or pleased going to pilgrimage sites with entrance fees, turn around there are other places to visit in Batangas without fees, I just remember I haven’t blog our visit to Padre Pio. By the way, there are stores inside and plenty of corners to sit down while trying to cool down.

On our way home before the exit, we dropped by this Bee Farm that sells honey, wild honey to be exact that’s why it’s slightly pricey compared to what I usually buy in Mahogany market. I got just a few bottles because I normally take honey when I feel under the weather.

Arriving home, I feel blessed, you know that light mood that tells you everything is just right, that everything falls into place. As we approached the Holy Week, let’s continue to do penance —prayer, fasting and almsgiving. I wish everyone a blessed Lenten season. 🙏

For this year, we’re not decided yet because we’re North bound to spend the Holy Week but I doubt we can squeeze the church visitation while we’re there because we have too many errands to attend to.  So, let’s cross fingers that we can do our yearly Visita Iglesia before we close this month. 🙂

 

 

 

visita iglesia 2022 | BATANGAS-LAGUNA

Writing this because it’s already the Lenten season following Ash Wednesday last February 22. I hope this would be helpful to those who plan to do the pilgrimage this year, aka your Visita Iglesia.

Visita Iglesia or the Seven Churches Visitation is a Catholic tradition of visiting at least seven churches during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday while praying on the station of the cross (you can Google the prayer guide). But there isn’t any rule to it because it is now practiced in any day of the Holy Week or in our case, anytime during Lent.

Last year we took another extra mile for the pious tradition and drove down south (the first leg) three weeks before the Holy Week. Then the following week we drove south east for the second leg. It was a tiring two Sundays and I feel the husband’s effort just to make this tradition another ticked off the wife’s bucket list. +10 pogi points for you 😁

First leg, Batangas:

1. Calaca Church or the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel is located at the heart of the city. Built in 1836, the church stands out with its stunning façade and intricately interiors heightened by ceiling paintings almost similar to our very own parish church. Growing up I would always hear stories of relatives visiting this church because they are truly devotees and they go for the healing mass.

If you want to know more of Calaca church, I find this site very informative. Read further HERE.

2. Lemery Church or the San Roque Parish Church. From Calaca we drove down to the next town which is Lemery. Turn left at the highway, if you go right you’ll be driving to Balayan. It’s not actually my first time in Lemery, it’s actually a gateway to the town of Taal, so, we have passed here a number of times before. And I remember trips to the beach at this side of Batangas during our younger years. The San Roque Church had an ongoing renovation during our visit last year. The church is not actually open but we managed to peek into thru its back doors.

The first church of San Roque began construction in 1867 and finished more than a decade after in 1880. The church barely survived World War II and the eventual liberation that took place in 1945. The local government decided to demolish the old church in the late 1960s and had a completely new facade and towers built. I just don’t know why it’s renovating again (maybe it’s one of the churches affected by Taal’s eruption). 

Before we head to the next town, we had lunch at one of the eateries in Lemery that serves special lomi. Ala eh syempre pag nasa Batangas you must-try their famed Batangas Lomi –with overflowing toppings, thick-flavorful soup, delicious egg-noodles (miki) and dipping sauce.

Ellaine’s Lomi House serves regular to special lomi, price is very affordable and the place is very unassuming. I almost forgot we also ordered Gotong Batangas. 😋

3. The Taal Basilica, canonically known as the Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours is located in the town of Taal. We’ve been here during the holy week of 2015. If you want a detailed tour and info of the church, please read HERE.

The Minor Basilica, majestic in beauty with a rich history behind it. 

4. Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine is also located in Taal. The old church was undergoing restoration and rehabilitation at the time of our visit. Apparently, the church façade was damaged by Taal’s eruption in January 2020. They put up a temporary chapel at the church compound so visitors and devotees can still pray during visits.

I left my rosary at Our Lady of Caysasay, I hope someone will pick it and prays for me. 🙏

Our last stop should be the church in Agoncillo, Batangas but after a few wrong turns and bad luck, we didn’t find it. A few locals said it was under renovation because the eruption of Taal took toll on the church infrastructure. After a year, I’m not sure if the church is constructed by now.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish – Agoncillo, Batangas (foto from the internet only)

 

Second Leg, Laguna:

5. San Bartolome Apostol Parish Church in Nagcarlan, Laguna. I’ve been skipping this trip for years because I find it really distant. Imagine you have to pass the towns of Calamba, Los Banos, Victoria and Calauan just to get there. Quite a drive plus with gas prices that time at almost P80 per liter, the trip almost didn’t happen. But if you know me and my imperative nature, it’s going to happen without ado.

Nagcarlan Church was built during the Spanish era, the first structure features light materials such as nipa and wood then in 1752 the second church was built using stone and colored bricks. Over the years the church has gone repair and reconstruction using adobe and a four storey brick bell tower was also added.

The church Baroque design made the cut in the hit movie Kampanerang Kuba way back in 1974 and on its remake TV series in 2005. I can’t remember now why I missed the stop to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. Hay!

6. St. John the Baptist Parish Church also known as Liliw Church or Lilio Church. This was the real deal, this was the town I really wanted to visit for so long because of their famed slippers. Ok, this is like hitting two birds with one stone. Pilgrimage + shopping. 😍

Liliw Church similar to its neighboring churches is another baroque style with red bricked façade. The drive going to the church compound feels very mystic –the red bricked pavement, the ancestral houses around and the big patio of the church. You know that feeling of very old yet very soulful.

The main altar (retablo mayor)  

One of the two minor retablos (left side)

I think this is the baptisterio of the church.

From Liliw church we walked towards Gat-Tayaw Street to finally checked the tsinelas stores and have lunch at one of the nice restaurants in town, the White House Bistro 1938. I bought half a dozen of slippers for P40 per pair. These are sturdy and the perfect pambahay na tsinelas.

White House Bistro 1938 is an ancestral house transformed to a restaurant.

They serve Filipino homecooked meals. The servings were quite small, pricey for the quantity and quality of food (sorry, I’m just being honest). We ordered Beef Steak, Sisig & Pancit Habhab. The Pancit Habhab saves the day. 👌

Btw, we also passed this bakeshop in Gat-Tayaw that sells luscious looking Caramel Rolls. I didn’t get to try it because we still have two more towns to visit and I’m afraid the cake will not survive. Instead we got Pianono and it was good. Actually, fan talaga kasi ako ng pianono so I can really tell if it’s good or not. The name of the shop is Liliw Bakeshop.

7. Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church in Majayjay, Laguna. This church is probably one of the most beautiful churches I’ve visited. From its huge façade and grounds to its interiors, it was truly picturesque. It is also known as one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines and declared as one of the National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and Arts.

The parish church has aged beautifully and the atmosphere here is very solemn. 

This parish of Saint Gregory looks more historic than that of my hometown which was restored in 1987. The restoration more likely reformation (?) of Saint Gregory Parish in Indang makes the church façade looks modern-day, I remember how it looks very old during my childhood and there’s an old pine tree beside that complements the antiquated vibe. 

8. The Santa Maria Magdalena Parish Church in Magdalena, Laguna. Located at the town center just across the municipal town hall, the church is nestled in greens and stands on an elevated lot making it a landmark and an absolute reminder of our colonial past. The church Baroque style is very impressive, it looks very old, the interiors was very simple though.

Magdalena, the town is a charming place to visit but quite a remote IMO, I don’t know if it’s just me.

Btw, Magdalena church was featured in the film Heneral Luna in 2015 and read also that the former Da King shoot movies here.

This ends our 2022 pilgrimage. For this year, I still have to decide yet. I have forthcoming trips this April and I’m trying to save whatever I can plus I have home projects that are still on the side line. Budget lang ang kulang 😊

For pasalubong shopping, stop by at Itlog ni Kuya in Victoria, they sell salted eggs (always fresh), kinulob na itik, leche flan, etc.

Another stop is Orient, The Original Buko Pie located in Los Banos Highway. Get your buko pie here, hot and fresh from the oven. They also sell pineapple pie, cassava cake, pastillas, espasol, uraro and many more. During our stop the queue was long and it took us more than 30 minutes to get to the counter. 

taken on Easter Sunday, 17 April 2022

And to end this long, overdue post, Holy Week is the time to reflect on His messages and on the sacrifice, He made to save our sins. During this season of repentance, take a close look at the Ten Commandments. Do not validate the iniquitous and all its form. A wrongdoing cannot be corrected by another mistake. Repent. There is no forgiveness without repentance.

 

P.S. It’s also very timely that people are talking about being grateful and thankful. This is one of the values I always carry and try to live by every day. For me, it’s never so hard to say thank you, always. 💗

 

Other references: 

Semana Santa 2011

Ilocos Good Friday 2012

Holy Week 2013  Part I

Holy Week 2013 Part II

Holy Week 2013 Part III

Holy Week 2014

Holy Week 2015

Holy Week 2016

Holy Week 2017

Good Friday 2018 – another overdue Batangas post

Holy Week 2019 – zero 😭