Tagaytay
A great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Manila, but not too far away that you can’t come back for more visits to explore all there is on offer.
My trip to People's Park in the Sky was an enjoyable hour or so motorcycle ride from BGC Manila. The ride starts off passing through bustling Metro Manila, then gradually becoming more rural as you make your way south toward Santa Rosa. Make sure to take the expressway out of manila to Santa Rosa or you’ll be in traffic for hours.
The Santa Rosa Tagaytay Road begins at the Tagaytay-Santa Rosa Bypass and brings you west. The highway is surrounded by lush vegetation and takes you through the beautiful countryside. As you drive, you’ll be surrounded by rolling hills and local farms, making it a great opportunity to take in the breathtaking landscape.
You will soon reach an area marked by signs as a High “Accident Area” and that is where the entrance to The Philippine National Police Academy is located. This is the premier police educational institution in the Philippines. It offers a four-year undergraduate program to train its cadets for careers in the police force.
During their time at the academy, cadets are instructed on topics such as criminal law and procedure law, investigation techniques, evidence preservation and handling, firearms proficiency, and police ethics. After graduating from the academy, cadets are commissioned as officers in the Philippine National Police.
If I were a young Filipino citizen my sights sights set on attending this prestigious academy and pursuing a noble career in law enforcement. For all of you out there with the desire and qualifications, The Philippine National Police Academy is ready to provide you with the resources you need to become a respected officer of the PNP.
Back to Tagaytay! There are so many things to see and experience, I plan to make several trips this year to learn more. The beautiful scenery, food and wonderful people make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.
Tagaytay is known for its cool climate, stunning vistas, and unique local delicacies like:
Raisin Bread
Cheese Hopia
Biko Tarts
Bulalo
Champorado
Chicken Satay
Pineapples
Angel Cookies
Angel cookies are baked using leftover scraps from Holy Eucharist waffles (Yeah, you read that bit right!). In fact, the cookies still show the tiny pieces of the thin white bread used for communion purposes. Howerver, we’re focusing only on Peoples Park in the Sky on this trip due to time constraints so food will have to wait.
Continuing west you will reach a “T” in the road. Turn left on Tagaytay-Calamba road and enjoy the sights while riding along the winding road that leads up to the top of Tagaytay Ridge. The road is well known for its challenging turns and curves and also provides plenty of opportunities to take in Tagaytay’s local shops and eateries, as well as places to stop along the road and breathe in the views. We evenpass an awesome looking coffee shop on the way, but again, due to time constraints I make the rare decision to pass a coffee shop without stopping.
Taal Lake is an incredibly beautiful and important body of water in the Philippines and is located just south of Tagaytay. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, offering remarkable views and plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy.
The lake has a long history that dates back centuries. According to mythology, it was created in 1572 by Taal Volcano's eruption. Over time, it became a strategic and economic hub of settlements due to its rich fishing grounds, and as such was often referred to as "The greatest lake in the Philippines". In 1754 Taal Volcano's largest eruption blocked the Pansipit River with debris, choking off the lake's sole outlet to the sea causing the waters to rise, and eventually submerging several lakeside towns – the remnants of which are reportedly visible underwater to this day. Taal Lake is currently the third largest lake in the Philippines and the area around Taal Lake has been used for agriculture since ancient times providing local communities with valuable produce like the aforementioned pineapples.
People's Park in the Sky was project of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and was envisioned as a showcase of higher education, agricultural development, and leisure activities. It would have been one of the highest points in the country had it been completed, offering breathtaking views of the nearby Taal Lake and Volcano.
Construction was speeded along in order to host President Reagan in 1983, unfortunately President Reagan cancelled his scheduled trip and construction was eventually halted. Never the less, it has become a popular tourist attraction in its own right – an abandoned ruin that speaks volumes of what could have been.
Just before reaching the parking area you will be greeted by some nice ladies who will collect 20 pesos and issue you a parking pass. After you park there is another 30 pesos per person fee for access to hike to the top.
Bring plenty of water and snacks, as well as sun protection, comfortable shoes, and a camera to capture all the amazing sights and be prepared for some physical work to make it up the hill (photo above).
Here are a few more photos to enjoy:
Cheers and thanks for coming along. Please take a look at the YouTube video for more imagery.
Until next time,
Joey out!