Taal is known for the Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in the whole world; it is a volcano within a lake within a volcano. But aside from that, part of Taal’s heritage is the people’s religiosity that is highlighted in the Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours that stands tall despite several relocation and reconstruction from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Last August 13, we wandered around the largest Catholic Church in Asia – The Basilica of San Martin de Tours. It has a Spanish architectural design with curves and arches, wooden doors, sky-high ceilings and posts, wide aisles and staircases, sculptures and murals of saints and Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
We also climbed up the bell tower. There we witnessed being hundreds of feet above Taal, witnessing the breeze as we take a view of the Balayan bay and the heritage town. It was an exhausting experience to climb up through flights of stairs, but the breathtaking view at the top paid it all off.
sav·oir faire 