Mabini ShrineThe Shrine houses the remains and personal belongings of the late revolutionary hero and "Brains of the Katipunan," Apolinario Mabini. Mabini is known as the "Sublime Paralytic" who, despite his physical handicap, fired nationalism in the Filipinos and urged them to unite, with the sheer power of his writings. He wrote fiery articles against Spanish atrocities in revolutionary papers. His writings and memorabilia are kept here. His tomb lies at the middle of the site where a replica of the house where he was born also stands.Location : Barrio Talaga, TanauanHow to get there : Located about seven kilometers from the town proper of Tanauan and can be reached in an hour and 15 minutes' drive from Manila. Upon reaching the market area, one can turn to A. Mabini avenue leading to Barangay Talaga. The Shrine is open daily from 8:00PM to 5:00PM, except during holidays. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.Travel Time : Approximately 15 minutes from the town proper.
Casa de Segunda KatigbakThe ancestral home of prominent Batangas family, the Casa is a typical "Bahay na Bato" stone house. It is Spanish Colonial in style, yet tropical in ambiance. It was named after Segunda Katigbak, reputed to be the first love of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. Casa segunda is declared by the National Historical Commission as a heritage house for having harbored generations of artists, poets and persons of learning and distinction.Location : 198 Calle Rizal, Lipa City
Jose P. Laurel Memorial LibraryThe personal property of the family of the late President Jose P. Laurel, it was donated to the Philippine Government as a historical site and public library. The library is open everyday from 8:00AM to 5:00PMLocation : A. Mabini Ave., TanauanHow to get there : The place is in the town proper and can be reached by land. Upon reaching the town , turn to A. Mabini Road. The library is about 100 meters from the national road, jeepneys and tricycles service the area.Travel time : About 5 to 10 minutes' drive from the town proper depending on traffic. The library is located near the St. John Evangelist Parish, a gymnasium, Lo Consolacion College and some other schools, so traffic would be tight during the rush hours.
Marcela N. Agoncillo Historical Landmark National LandmarkThe birthplace of Marcela N. Agoncillo who was known as the maker of the first official Filipino Flag during the Philippine revolution against the Spanish authorities. The different flags of the revolution are also prominently displayed at the site.Location : Marcela Agoncillo St., TaalHow to get there : One can take a bus or rented car from Manila to the town of Taal. Once at the town proper, one may take a tricycle to reach the place.Travel time : About 1 1/2 hours by car from Manila.
Punta de Santiago LighthouseBuilt in 1890, it is one of the earliest lighthouses that remain functional up to this date. Since its construction, no ship has ever ran aground within its vicinity.Location : CalataganHow to get there : The lighthouse can be reached by taking a jeepney from the town proper of Calatagan.Travel time : 40 minutes through semi-rough road.
Palace In The SkyOriginally designed to be the presidential guest house of former president Ferdinand Marcos, this complex was never completed. It is, however, now open to the public as a vantage area for viewing the Taal Volcano. Location : Tagaytay City.How to get there : The place is a short drive from the Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay City.Travel time : 15 minutes' drive from Aguinaldo Highway.
The Flower FarmOn a windy slope of a hill in Tagaytay City sprawls a flower farm that keeps Manila abloom whole year round. The five-hectare flower farm has many varieties of flowers, such as chrysanthemums with assorted colors, gerberas, carnations, roses, and anthuriums.Location : Barangay Guinhawa, Tagaytay City.How to get there : From Tagaytay City, the farm is a brief 10-minute drive from the Aguinaldo Highway.
St. Anne's ShrineThe shrine is a small garden where a grotto of the Virgin Mary stands, surrounded by well maintained shrubbery and flower garden. In front of the grotto is a small grass clearing, which is conducive to quiet reflection.Location : Barangay Sungay, Tagaytay CityHow to get there : From Manila, take BLTB buses that pass by Barangay Silang Crossing to the Tagaytay Marker. At Tagaytay Marker, alight to take a utility jeep leading to Barangay Sungay where the gate of the Shrine can be spotted from the road.Travel time : About 2 hours' drive from Manila.
The Taal volcano
is an active volcano with a large crater lake with a small cone rising in the middle. Tagatay is built on the rim of the larger crater.There is a park at the overlook area above the Taal volcano. Worth the effort! About an hour from Manila, it is accessible by taxi, bus or privately owned vehicle. You can take a Jeepney to the Olivarez, then take a tricycle to the lake and hire a boat. It's also possible to negotiate with the tricycle driver "full package" including tricycle, boat, and horse on the volcano - everything depends on your negotiation skills.
The park is well kept and there are numerous picnic seats, tables or covered huts for daily hire.
