AN INTRODUCTION
Before I say what I have to say, I would like to admit something somewhat embarrassing. Due to being near Taal, I always thought Tagaytay was a part of Batangas. I can only imagine the look on my face when I realized that Tagaytay was a city in Cavite and only overlooked Taal and the well-known volcano.
Anyways, Tagaytay is popularly known as one of the prime getaways from the city that is Manila. Tagaytay, derived from the Tagalog word for mountain ridge, references the location’s high placement among the “Tagaytay Ridge”, a mountain range in Cavite. Like another popular vacation destination in the Philippines, Baguio, Tagaytay has a naturally cooler climate than the city and very scenic views that sometimes includes Taal Island and Volcano. Tagaytay hosts a plethora of churches, shrines, retreat houses, and hotels and is an extremely popular destination for Christmas and Holy Week; usually for pilgrimages and the like.
THE EXCURSION
Saturday. The 1st of February, 2025. 8:00 AM. The sun was shining bright, yet the air had a cold aura to it. I pack up my camera bag and I set off from my humble abode in Batangas City to begin my excursion to Tagaytay.
First stop, the Pink Sisters’ Convent. Officially known as the Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy, the convent is most known for their popular namesake, the Pink Sisters; sisters who have a pink habit which, in popular religious belief, is said to symbolize the love and joy of the Holy Spirit. I arrive at the convent at about 10:30 AM and I immediately notice the sereneness of the place. Despite having a considerable amount of visitors, the convent radiates a tranquil atmosphere that is both calming and peaceful. The chapel at the center of the convent offers solace to anyone who wants to pray to the Lord. Beside the convent is a statue in the middle of a garden I can admire and I can also write down a prayer intention or two inside the chapel. After praying a short prayer, writing down a prayer intention, and enjoying the surroundings the convent has to offer, I set my sights on the next destination.
Next stop, the People’s Park in the Sky: an urban park made from an unfinished mansion to supposedly host the then-US President Ronald Reagan during the Marcos regime. Despite being an abandoned unfinished mansion, the atmosphere of the destination is far from desolate. Countless visitors scale towards the summit to reach the park. In my visit, I walk past many visitors enjoying the park the way they see fit. I see people vlog their excursions, I see families take the jeepney to the summit. I even saw one upcoming debutante doing a photo shoot for her upcoming party. Halfway through the walk, I took a break in one of the structures that provided shade. Then, I reached the summit. The destination. The People’s Park in the Sky. It really was a People’s Park. Visitors hanging out and around the park, enjoying the view and having fun.
Third stop, Tagaytay Picnic Groves. A place that feels oddly nostalgic for me. The lush greeneries of the forest, the sky blue colors of the horizon, the cold air. It all felt so natural to me. It reminds me of when my elementary school went camping. The cottages remind me of the old umbrella table my family had in the old house. The pathways remind me of walking through the trees back in my farm. Ah, those were the days… The view of Taal was a sight for sore eyes especially after being in the city for so long. It felt cathartic being here. After I told my mom about my travels in Tagaytay, she told me that my family and I apparently visited the Picnic Groves way back then when I was a child. So, I guess that’s where the nostalgia came from.
Lastly, a detour before I ride home. This particular destination wasn’t a part of my initial itinerary, but rather an afterthought after seeing their sign on the side of the road on the way from a previous destination. The “Bag of Beans” Cafe, specifically their Athena branch, was a perfect wind down from all the traveling I did on my trip to Tagaytay. Like the Picnic Groves, the cafe had a homey, nostalgic vibe to its atmosphere. Like the People’s Park in the Sky, the cafe was filled with customers livening up the mood. And, finally, like the Pink Sisters’ Convent, it had a calming and peaceful atmosphere. That, alongside the scent of coffee, cocoa, and pastries makes it a perfect ending to my journey.
Closing Thoughts
In all honesty, I did not go to Tagaytay with a concrete plan in mind as you can tell with the introduction. I let the wanderlust within me take control and let my wings spread to guide me to wherever it takes me. But isn’t that the spirit of travel? To go where your heart desires, to retread the steps of yesterday, to blaze a trail to new memories? This trip gave me time to heal, to remember, and to recuperate. It was a trip that I didn’t know I needed, but I am glad to have gone to.