TAGAYTAY! by Gladys Mae Labrador

  

COME AND VISIT THE PHILIPPINES

Travelogue: An unforgettable journey in Tagaytay

Welcome to Tagaytay! The Second SUMMER CAPITAL in the Philippines!

 Tagaytay is a popular holiday town south of Manila on the Philippine island Luzon and known for the famous tourist site the Taal volcano in Taal lake. I have witnessed an amazing adventure here with my family. First what is the story behind Tagaytay? From the blog that I’ve currently read, legend has it that the word “Tagaytay” came from “Taga” meaning “to cut” and “Itay” which means “Father”. A father and son were said to be on a wild boar hunt when the animal they were chasing turned and attacked them. As the boar charged towards the old man, the son cried “TAGA- ITAY”. The boy’s repeated shouts reverberated in the valleys of the ridge. Heard by the residents, hunters and wood gatherers, the cries became the subject of conversation for several days among the people in the countryside. In time, the place where the shouts came from became known as TAGAYTAY.

                Looking back from those memorable moments while travelling in Tagaytay was the only thing in my head right now. I will tell you, you will surely love the culture, food and exciting places here in Tagaytay!
                 We first go to a church for our first blessing going there at one of the beautiful church in Tagaytay which is Our lady of Lourdes Parish. We light our candles after the mass for our wishes.  We’ve take pictures with the whole family and with the saint’s structures. I haven’t yet known Tagaytay because its my first time I’ve encountered there last summer. But I’m sure if you’ll get there, you will never regret it!

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

 Next stop we eat at the Picnic Grove. I don’t remember much what we eat because we were so distracted of its beauty.  After we eat we’ve experienced horseback riding and take pictures with the horses.

Horseback riding at Picnic Grove

Well, that ended. We got home safely after a tiring but awesome day. We are thankful and blessed. My story in Tagaytay is already been made and will never be forgotten.

Tagaytay is also a place to make all your problems disappear! Taal Lake, Sky ranch, Peoples park in the sky, Amazing Taal Volcano, Puzzle Mansion Bed and Breakfast and many more to find out. Tagaytay is really one of the finest summer destinations in the Philippines! Many more attractions will definitely astound you with fun adventures that await you!

 

Tourist Attractions

Do’s and Don’ts:

 - Food trip at restaurants with family and friends
 - Staycation if you want and Boatride in the volcano island
 - Visiting Taal Volcano and Taal Lake
 - Planning a dinner with your family or friend
 - Buy fresh stuffs on your way home like souvenirs and food delicacies
 - and never claim that you've been to Tagaytay unless you've had Bulalo at Leslie's!

Philippines’ Tagaytay will assure you will have the best vacation you will ever have. I’ve witnessed already some of its magnificent features. Now it’s your turn to come and visit! A huge part of traveling to a place is having the chance to get a glimpse of the culture of the region so here are some of its cultural background:

LANGUAGE

93.58% of people in Tagaytay mostly speak in Tagalog language. Their second dialect being used is Bicolano, which is spoken by 1.52% of the people who are living there. And the third is Ilocano which is spoken by 1.28% of the people. In this case, it will be easy for you to talk with people here in Tagaytay

FESTIVALS

Summer Festival: Pilipinyahan in Tagaytay
 It is a festival that promotes Pineapple as the most alluring agricultural production in the Philippines. They celebrate it by having a parade or a marching band. Their parade is promoting the Pineapple by decorating big carts using only the said fruit. The carts must be done beautifully to attract viewers. Not only carts that they will decorate, their houses also are being designed using Pineapples.

Another favorite nationwide festival is the Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan where a parade of the town’s loveliest and prettiest ladies can be seen depicting the search and discovery of the True Cross of Saint Helena. The festival is preceded by a novena or hymn of prayers in honor of the Holy Cross. On the ninth day, the Santacruzan is held as the prettiest girls line up with their escorts and walk under attractively decorated arches. 

Tagaytay is more worth-trying when you eat in one of these restaurants:

• Josephine's Restaurant
• Leslie's Restaurant
• Bulalo Point
• Mushroom Burger
• Bulalohan Eateries at Mahogany Market

They are well-known for their gastronomically "Bulalo". Also, it was discovered that the first Mushroom Burger was built there.  There are so many foods in Tagaytay that is so delicious. You're going to crave for more!

Trip to Tagaytay: 1 h 22 min (54.7 km) via S Luzon Expy/Pan-Philippine Hwy/R-3 and Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd

·         Get on Carlos P. Garcia Ave/C-5 from Bayani Rd 2 min (1.0 km)

·         Take S Luzon Expy/Pan-Philippine Hwy/R-3 to Greenfield Pkwy in Biñan. Take exit 36 from S Luzon Expy/Pan-Philippine Hwy/R-3 25 min (26.9 km)

·         Take Nuvali Rd, Laguna Blvd and Nuvali Spine Rd to Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd in Don Jose, Santa Rosa 13 min (8.0 km)

·         Continue on Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd. Drive to Tagaytay Rotonda in Silang Junction South, Tagaytay 33 min (18.8 km)

These are list of hotels that will recommend your type of budget:

Easy-budget hotels

 ---Daj Suites

182 Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay Central, Barangay Maitim 2nd East, Tagaytay, Luzon 4120, Philippines

• It was awarded as the Traveler’s choice 2016 winner for Budget hotels

• Staycation at its finest and also for birthday getaway

• #5 of 23 in the Top hotels listed by Tripadvisor

•  0917 839 8160
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 ---Tagaytay Econo Hotel

Tourism Avenue Hollywood Subd. | Brgy. Francisco, Tagaytay, Luzon, Philippines

• Reliable and budget-friendly hotel

•  Accommodating staff and said to feel like home

• #19 of 23 in the Top hotels listed by Tripadvisor

• (046) 483 4284

• Price range: ₱2,192 - ₱3,039 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

Mid-range hotels

---Nurture Wellness Village

Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II West | Cavite, Tagaytay, Luzon 4120, Philippines

• Best for retreats, campings and weddings

• With special massage and yoga sessions

• #1 of 23 in the Top hotels listed by Tripadvisor

• (02) 710 9786

•   Price range: ₱7,273 - ₱11,258 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

---Hotel Kimberly

Brgy. Kaybagal, Amadeo Road, Tagaytay, Luzon, Philippines

·         It was awarded as the Traveler’s choice 2016 winner for Mid-range hotels

·         Known as the best kept secret of Tagaytay or should I say “great hidden hotel”

·         #2 of 23 in the Top hotels listed by Tripadvisor

·         (02) 521 1888

·         ‎Price range: ₱4,334 - ₱7,024 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

Luxury hotels

---Taal Vista Hotel

60 Aguinaldo Highway, Km, Tagaytay, Luzon 4120, Philippines

·         Best known for its fantastic view of Taal volcano

·         Excellent service with breakfast buffet

·         #3 of 23 in the Top hotels listed by Tripadvisor

·          (046) 413 1000

·         Price range: ₱6,625 - ₱9,565 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

Discovery Country Suites

300 Calamba Road | San Jose, Tagaytay, Luzon 4120, Philippines

·         It was awarded as the Traveler’s choice 2016 winner for Luxury hotels

·         Used for wedding anniversary celebrations and birthday celebrations

·         #3 of 23 in the Top hotels listed by Tripadvisor

·         (02) 529 8172

·         ‎Price range: ₱7,672 - ₱11,607 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)