Taal Lake
The TAAL LAKE… short escapade after work!
TAGAYTAY, SILANG CAVITE and TAAL BATANGAS
TAGAYTAY, SILANG CAVITE and TAAL BATANGAS
NOVEMBER 27-30, 2012
I can recall the cartoon story few decades ago, uhrmmmn, during my
younger years… (I can’t tell the exact date, I can’t divulge my age, sorry
folks).
It is the Adventures of Sinbad, the sailor who travels around the
world. I can recall his adventure, eaten
up by a whale (just like Jonah in our bible story), lost in the forest and even
down under the crater of a volcano. Since then, I dream of seeing a volcano’s
crater… and Oh Yes, whenever I look down from the hill of Tagaytay City, I said
to myself “soon I will see you!”
I had an unexpected call from the friend; she said I need to work for
few days. I then attended a 3-day
workshop in Tagaytay City last November 27-29, 2012 at the Hotel Kimberly.
It is a joint CHR-UNDP Project that talks about “Using Indicators for
Monitoring and Implementation of Human Rights.”
Two (2) officers from United Nations Geneva, Research and Right to
Development Division, travelled thirty (30) hours here in the Philippines to
discuss such matters. It was attended by
selected high government official planners.
It is from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) who developed a conceptual and methodological framework for human
rights in which the main objective is to adopt a structured and consistent
approach for translating universal human rights standards that are useful at
country level in relation with the nine (9) Core International Treaties.
Left to
Right: Mr. Nicolas Fasel (OHCHR Geneva), Chairperson Etta Rosales (CHR),
Deputy Director General Margarita Songco (NEDA) and Ms. Grace Sanico Stefan
(OHCHR Geneva)
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| ~ INDOOR EXERCISE ~ |
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| ~ OUTDOOR EXERCISES ~ |
It was another very strenuous session for me; maybe because I am not
an expert in that field. Nevertheless, I
said to myself “knowledge is still knowledge… gain whatever we can gain out of the
discussion.” It may be too scientific or
too technical, but at least I must learn something out of it and of course enjoy
the food…
~ Breakfast
~
Tawilis,
Omelet and Local Sausage
 |
~ Dessert ~ 
Ube yam
topped with gata (coco milk), langka (jackfruit) and sago (tapioca ball)
 |
~ Swiss
Chocolate present from Geneva presenters for added energy ~
|
YES of course I did! …“Acquire relevant indicators, measure it and
implement it.”
Basically, as an ordinary citizen, we all need to know our rights… at
least the basic ones!
From the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, we have listed thirty (30)
basic human rights to enjoy. But I guess
I am more interested only with just two basic human rights; so far, I
translated it literally.
Rule # 24: THE RIGHT TO REST AND LEISURE.
Rule # 27: THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CULTURAL LIFE OF COMMUNITY.
First day before working, we had had breakfast from one of the
restaurants serving “bulalo”. It is a well-known Filipino delicacy; it is a stew made from beef shanks
and marrow bones. It is an original
cuisine from Batangas. I could say, “delicious!”
but hang on! Not good for those with high cholesterol and high blood pressure;
good thing… I am still in good shape.
As an old saying goes… “a little of everything won’t hurt you.” In everything we do, let us be reminded with our limitations every now and then. We will all be fine.
As an old saying goes… “a little of everything won’t hurt you.” In everything we do, let us be reminded with our limitations every now and then. We will all be fine.
Moreover, a trip to Tagaytay will not be complete unless you stop to
sip a hot cup of coffee. Hmmmn, the smell
of brewed coffee in the morning is so addicting! (Of course, only for coffee drinkers.) We then
stop for about an hour at the “Bag of Beans” Coffee shop; they are known for
serving the “Barako” Coffee.
Barako (or Baraco) is a rare and exotic coffee grown largely in the
Philippines. It becomes a generic name
for all coffee from the province of Batangas, but real Barako is actually
Philippine Liberica. It is known for its
particularly strong taste, powerful body, and an overpowering aroma. The beans are indigenous to the Philippines,
though the trees can also be found in Vietnam and Indonesia. There are four (4) identified species of
coffee (Robusta, Excelsa, Arabica and Liberica). The Liberica has the largest cherries and
therefore, bigger beans. Liberica is now
predominantly grown in the province of Cavite; another province connecting to
Batangas. (Source: www.barakocoffee.com)
After the long and tiring 3-day session, Taal Lake adventure is the
only thing I have in mind. I look forward
of seeing the natural beauty of my own country and of course to experience the
life of the common people living in the municipality of Talisay, Batangas. It is always a pleasure to submerge to
different folks. Learn from their true
experiences; listen to first hand stories, folklores or traditions, etc. or
simply to have fun!
I am so grateful with my friend from CHR- UNDP Project Management
Officer, Ms. Judith Fortin who is not afraid to go along with me; to take
explore; to commute from Tagaytay down to Talisay, even though dusk is
approaching… and of course covers all of my expenses! Thanks Ms. Judith.
Along the road, I met Mr. Jerry, a jeepney driver. I asked favor to help us find an
abode for a night. He was so kind to
bring us to a safe place. A small resort
private place, called Club Lake Resort. The
place is very near from the famous Club Balai Isabel. Mr. Ferdie, the person who managed the
resort, he is very accommodating, down to earth and so kind. Seem like
we’ve known each other for a long time.
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| ~ Mr. Ferdie Luna, Resort Manager ~ |
At first, Mr. Ferdie is having a little bit trouble because the whole
cottage is occupied by priests and seminarians; who are also on a 3-day
vacation. We are unexpected guests so to
speak. But because of his hospitality we
were accommodated. Thank You, Mr. Ferdie
for being an excellent host. Two thumbs
up!
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| Left to Right: ~ Ferdie, Me, Ms. Judith and Jing (boat operator) ~ |
The place was maintained mostly with “single” men… (YES! A lot single
gents are hiding there; for single girls’ information.) I feel carefree and relaxed. No fancy things. No flashy things. Simple and Nice as I describe it. Of course, we are treated like princesses! I
love it.
It is such a fun place to stay and have a short vacation… away from
the polluted, noisy and chaotic Metropolis.
Oh yes! what a great food! My all time fave in Batangas…
|
We stayed one night at the resort and rented a bangka (banca) to cross
over the Taal Lake. It is roughly around
30-min boat ride from the resort going to the volcano, to the crater.
Let’s see a glimpse from our lake travel… as we cross towards the
volcano side.
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| ~ RENTED BANCA ~ |
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| ~ FISHERMAN'S HUT ~ |
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| ~ VIEW OF THE MOUNTAIN NEAR THE CRATER ~ |
Let’s see more shots from the other side of the lake shore. The
Municipality of Talisay welcomes the tourists usually from 7am to 7pm. The entrance fee is very minimal.
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| ~ RECEPTION HALL ~ |
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| ~ On the road ahead... ~ |
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| Strike a pose! He is one of the vendors... sitting beside Ms. Judith! |
Mostly the tourists I have seen there are Koreans.
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| ~ Lovely Korean Couple ~ |
We climb up going to the crater riding on a horse.
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| ~ THE PREGY HORSE ~ |
The name of my horse is Shaira and my horse guide is Glen, a fifteen
year old boy. The trek going up is
roughly 5kms, rough and dusty road.
Glen said he typically manages to climb up the carter side, twice
a day; and during non-peak season, once a day only. There are about 500 horses on a queue. The rate of getting served is high; but the
competition among them is too low. Quite
a sad story because they are not earning much on a two-way trip. Maybe the local officials should take a
second look on this matter.
It is a wonderful experience to really see the crater. It is so amazing. It is very hard to describe how I feel.
It is just another perfect getaway from the Metropolis… I believe. Another experience that is worthy to
reminisce. Thank You my Lord for sharing
your nature’s blessing to us… I only hope that the people will learn to protect
and preserve whatever we are enjoying right now. Simply to love and respect the Mother Earth.
Let us just do our responsible share.
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