Christmas at Ayala Malls Serin, Tagaytay

Today is Christmas day. Christians around the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us follow and remember the teachings of Christ of love and peace not only this day but everyday. I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful Christmas day.

Taal Volcano Eruption

We are just starting the Year 2020 and various natural disasters are happening around the world. The ongoing bushfires in Australia, the typhoon that struck Indonesia, and the recent one, the eruption of Taal volcano on January 12, 2020 located in Batangas province. Taal volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 34 recorded eruptions. The eruption spewed ashes to Batangas, Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and some parts of Luzon. As per PHILVOLCS, Alert Level 4 still remains in effect over Taal Volcano. Thousands of families are evacuated who live within the 14 kilometer radius danger zone such as Agoncillo, Balete, Laurel, Lemery, Mataas na Kahoy Talisay, and Tanauan. I'm lucky enough that I had some photos taken at Taal volcano alongside with Binintiang Malaki last December 2014 during our stopover at Tagaytay-Calamba road. 

My only picture of Taal volcano on the background viewed from the Tagaytay Ridge in Cavite during a stopover along the Tagaytay-Calamba road on 2014 

Taal volcano alongside of Binintiang Malaki (which most of us mistakenly as Taal volcano itself). I took this picture during our stopover along the Tagaytay-Calamba road on December 2014.

Another picture which I took with the majestic view of Taal volcano alongside Binintiang Malaki on December 2014

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church

I visited today Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church at Tagaytay City.  This is the first time I went to this place of healing and pilgrimage which is also a popular church in Tagaytay frequented by devotees, churchgoers, and tourists as well.  It is located along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway.  After I offered my prayers, I was able to take very good pictures because there few people visiting the place that time (I arrived at the church at 10:30 am), and you can feel the peaceful and serene mood of the place. You will be astounded when you enter the place because there are lots of trees and plants on each side of the patios, and a plaza like garden front yard, a water fountain at the entrance of the church.  There is also a Candle Chapel, a garden dedicated to Saint Padre Pio with pine trees around the area, and the beautiful altar of the church.  The place is very well maintained because you will not see a single garbage on the floor and surroundings in and out the church except the fallen dried leaves of the trees.  It was such a rewarding experienced again for me to visit another historical church.  Next time I will try to attend a mass and explore again this beautiful and peaceful place.

The facade of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church and the water fountain 

 The beautiful altar of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church

Statue of Saint Padre Pio inside the church 

Saint Padre Pio's memorabilia

The Candle Chapel 

Selfie inside the Candle Chapel

Altar inside the Candle Chapel

Statue of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz at the entrance of the church

 The water fountain at the center of the church plaza

 Jardin de Padre Pio (Garden of Padre Pio)

 Inside the Garden of Saint Padre Pio

 Pine trees inside the Garden of Saint Padre Pio

Staircase going to Garden of Saint Padre Pio 

Flower arrangement along the aisle of the church

Entrance marker of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church

 Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway

Tagaytay-Nasugbu HIghway in another angle shot

Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel at Tagaytay City

Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel is one of the most visited places in Tagaytay City.  It is a place of peace and serenity that's why many people from the city of Manila visited this place to escape the daily hustle of the concrete jungle. I visited the place last week after I had finished my night shift work and went straight to Pink Sisters Convent (run and managed by the Sisters-Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration) to offer prayers of thanks and seek forgiveness. Actually this is the first time I visited the place and it seems I had been here before. The place is really peaceful and going inside the chapel is much more serene where you can see a nun wearing pink praying your petitions at the front of the altar. I believe every one hour, an alternate nun will replace another nun to continue praying. What is more ideal for everyone to visit this place is the beautiful gardens, the tall pine trees (which reminds me of Baguio City), the well maintained patios, and the statue of the crucified Jesus Christ. If you are seeking a place of solitude and peace of mind, wherein you can pray and meditate, this is an ideal destination.

 Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel

 Entrance of Pink Sisters Chapel

Inside Pink Sisters Chapel

(Nun Wearing Pink Praying in front of the Altar)

People's Park In The Sky

Rain did not stopped me last September 20, 2017 when I reached People's Park In the Sky in Tagaytay City, province of Cavite.  It is considered the highest peak in Tagaytay City and sits atop Mount Sungay (aka Mount Gonzales). This is the first time I came to this place.  I was longing to see this People's Park long time ago and I got this chance to go there since it is only over a 1 hour ride from Imus, Cavite where I live (41 kilometers from Imus to People's Park, Tagaytay City). It is considered a must see place for every local and foreign tourist because it is where you can see and view Taal Volcano and Taal lake, the vast greenery of the area, the panoramic and majestic view of Tagaytay City.  There is an old unfinished mansion at the top of the hill, known as the Palace in the Sky built during the Marcos era. According to reports, then First Lady Imelda Marcos commissioned to build the mansion as the guesthouse of US President Ronald Reagan for his planned visit to the Philippines, unfortunately the visit was cancelled, so the unfinished mansion.

The moment I drop off on the jeepney that I rode, drizzling rain began to fall.  Its good that I had this folding umbrella on my backpack which I used to shield myself from the drizzling rain. Honestly, I was not able to enjoy my solo tripped because of this situation. But I was able to take pictures in any way I could. I'm planning to go back there in December with a friend to enjoy the colder temperature and hoping it will not rain. I like the park because of its cold climate and the panoramic view of Tagaytay City especially the Taal Volcano. The only cons I encountered during my visit is the thick fog that enveloped some areas of the place. I had some suggestions to the city government of Tagaytay to make some improvement of the site.  I had noticed that there are some signs of neglect of the park especially the "signage" of People's Park In The Sky, where you can find it dilapidated and the missing letters of the signage which is considered an eyesore to the visitors.  They should also trim down some grasses to make the place pleasing to the eyes. I believe, the unfinished mansion should be renovated as well be painted to preserve its design so visitors will appreciate the site.   

The long and winding road to People's Park in the Sky 

Going up to People's Park in the Sky 

The foggy view of Tagaytay City from the peak of People's Park 

Uphill battle to People's Park In The Sky (this is a very good exercise for us) 

The lone waiting shed going up to the People's Park in the Sky. 
It is a favorite place among tourist to take selfies and groupies

Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love and statue of Jesus Christ

The small chapel of Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love 

The incomplete and abandoned mansion at the top
of the hill, known as Palace in The Sky during Marcos era 

View of Tagaytay City, it was enveloped by thick fog, and you can't see Taal Volcano 

The side view statue of Jesus Christ at the top of the chapel of
Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love

View from the small chapel of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love 

Thick fogs enveloped the area below

The unfinished mansion and the Doppler Radar station of PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration)  

The relic of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love, and its landmarker 

 The landmarker beside the relic of Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love

The altar of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love 

Stairways going to the Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love  

The entrance ticket (30 pesos) of People's Park In The Sky

The neglected "People's Park In The Sky" sign. There must be efforts to improve the place by the city government of Tagaytay.  Proper maintenance of the place is a must, so people who paid 30 pesos as entrance fee could enjoy the site, not only the panoramic view of Tagaytay City

How To Go There:

If you are coming from Buendia LRT Station you can ride an air conditioned bus at DLBT bus terminal going to Nasugbu, Batangas or any other bus which has a placard sign of "Mendez" and "Tagaytay" route (these busses will pass through Emilio Aguinaldo highway). Drop-off point in Tagaytay City is the Olivarez Terminal (before reaching Tagaytay Rotunda) where jeepneys are located going to different spots of Tagaytay like Picnic Grove and People's Park In The Sky (ask the jeepney driver to drop you at People's Park, 17 pesos per pax).