Heritage,
History, Legend and Faith. These four elements come to a head when you
take that southern trek towards the the town of Taal in the Valiant
Province of Batangas. Taal is located beside the town of Lemery,
just a few minutes past Alfonso, Cavite detouring along Diokno Avenue.
Once there, you'll immediately feel as if you're transported back into a
cul de sac of time and place.
Taal trekkers are usually in it for that jolt of nostalgia
for the historical, and of things which remind you of life, society, or
culture during the time of our not too distant forefathers. Easiest to
remember from our Elementary history, Taal is the birthplace of Marcela
Agoncillo, credited as the principal seamstress of the first and
official Flag of the Philippines, earning her the title of Mother of the
Philippine Flag. However, Taal is also home to a rich plethora of
houses enshrined as museums, as abodes of memory and national heritage. A
walk along Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo will have you fully satisfied
with glimpses of such places.
Impossible to miss is
the Imposing Taal Church, regarded as the largest one in the Philippines
and Asia. The church is actually a minor Basilica dedicated to Saint
Martin de Tours, of whom locals will recount varied legends of the saint
as their savior from various calamities. St. Martin of Tours is also
the legendary owner of a cloak, which he at one time gladly sacrificed
and shared with a street beggar (who later turns out as actually the
Christ saviour).
If you're in church visiting mode, a few steps downward
from Taal chuch is the church dedicated to our Lady Virgin of Caysasay,
known to grant miracles if devoutly prayed for and especially if
entreated while you partake or wash of the nearby spring water.
Any of
the loitering children will gladly tell you, in exchange for you buying a
few pesos worth of candles or panutsa (Batangas' version of caramelized
peanuts), the Legend of the Lady and Juan Maningkad. It seems that
serendipitous Juan was fortunate to fish out of the local Pansipit river
(known for its tasty Maliputo and Tawilis fish) the image of the Virgin
Mary, so radiant and lustruous that it can only be described as
heavenly. Legend will also have it that descendants of the ten Bornean
Datus (Chieftains) led by the intrepid Datu Puti who landed in Panay Island also settled along the
Pansipit River.
Whether you suspend disbelief for these legends or not, you
may surrender to inspiration and amazement by the mystery, or the
history, of the town of Taal, St. Martin and our Lady of Caysasay. Taal is also known for its Balisong (fan knife) and cutlery
industry, as well as its famed Tapang Taal (preserved pork dish), both
of which offer interesting attractions if you decide to visit.
see more photos of AttyMaj at https://www.flickr.com/photos/attymaj (c) all rights reserved.
