Taal Food Experience

Taal Food Experience – Jan 25, 2013 

Seventeen of us in 6 cars left the Makati Garden Club at 8:00 AM for a day of culture, history, and gastronomic delights at the Taal Heritage Town.

Taal is a small UNESCO heritage listed town in Batangas with historical sights and architecture of the early Spanish colonial days. It was the old capital of Batangas and is known for its beautiful hand embroidery and the” balisongs”( local knives and machetes).

Passing thru the Taal town arch, you can see the wonderful old ancestral homes of the town and the breathtaking fascade of the Basilica of San Martin de Tours looms to your right. We entered the church yard where one of the oldest  and largest bells from the bell tower was displayed. Then into the fabulous basilica itself. The Taal Basilica was first built in 1575 by the Spanish friars. Because of the volcanic erruptions of the Taal Volcano, the basilica was abandoned in 1754 and rebuilt in 1755. The original painted dome over the altar inspired the priests to decorate the interiors of the basilica in like style, making it one of it’s kind in the Far East – the biggest basilica in  the Far East. We were awed by the lavish chandeliers, the wide narra floorboards in the priests quarters and the old well.

Then it was on to the home of Marcella Agoncillo, the maker of the first Philippine flag, which was first unfurled by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo upon declaration of the first Philippine Republic in 1898. Her family was very prominent in the events leading up to the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards.

We proceeded to La Casita, an old ancestral Taaleno home ( 1700s) where Chef Sau del Rosario gave a demo of local smoked fish mousse, served with his refreshing buco/ lychee drink.  

After refreshments, we all proceeded next door to Villa Tortuga, where everyone had a great time choosing their period costumes and had a photo shoot all dressed up in colonial attire. Photos were done in sepia, to preserve the old world flavour.

The lunch in the beautiful dining room of the Villa was awesome!. Chef Sau prepared an inspired 6 course Taaleno meal. From aperitif to dessert, it was truly a gastronomic delight! He had stuffed pumpkin florets, clear bone marrow soup “ alla Sau”, a wonderful prawn salad and flavorsome local chicken inasal with mountain red rice, perfectly complimented by the rose and white wines served .  Dessert was caramelized spring roll flan with locally made pandan ice cream. A refreshing tarragon tea was a welcome end to a truly sumptuous meal!

Some of the group had to head back home due to prior commitments but most of us proceeded to visit the shrine of the miraculous Virgin of Caysasay, a tiny statue of the Virgin Mary, which was found thrown in a river. The Virgin and the waters from the well have been known to have miraculous healing powers.

After a short visit to the bazaar where the Taal embroiderers were working on their craft and  shopping for the linens and local savories, we all headed back to Manila.  Some guests from England headed up to the Tagaytay Ridge for a view of the Volcano and an overnight stay. They were treated to a visit to Sonia’s Garden and another incredible lunch at ANTONIO’S. 

Altogether, a really fun day out – culture  and  unsurpassed local cuisine with a great group of people !