Letter to Lola

Dear Lola Baby,

I miss you already.

Eventhough your passing is known to knock soon, I still cannot believe that you are gone now. My memories with you will always stay with me especially those days when you purposely come to our house to look after a sickly me; I miss your healing hands that soothe my weak body.

I will always cherish my summer vacations in Tanga. It is in your care that I learned to eat vegetables, cook rice, wash clothes, water the plants. You were my first walking buddy. Our approximately 5 km walk from Tanga to Cathedral was my first “baklay” (long walk). That was one Easter Sunday and we woke up early for the "Alleluia".

Your final months are the toughest. These are the months that I looked up to you in admiration and so much love. Despite being helpless, weak and sick, you managed to get through everyday gracefully. Your wide toothless smiles and glittering eyes will forever live. In these times, I learned a lot from you, lola. If you were able to find and experience happiness in that helpless state, then the more that an able-bodied like me should. Your weakness did not limit you. You stayed bubbly, funny and happy everytime a grandchild visits. You force yourself to respond and tell stories and we are always ready and excited to lip read and understand. We love you more, lola.

Christmas, 2009

But all things including pain and life, are bound to end. As you eternally rest, please know that in our hearts, you will always live.

Open your mouth, lola. :))

Thank you, lola: for lending me your clothes; for keeping my barbie dolls; for providing pillows and rice and bananas (ginuyod, my favourite!) and mangoes and buko; for the tapayan-cold water most haven't tasted and will never taste. The basic barrio life I had with you is one of the best I had. Nothing will ever compare. Thank you for your smiles. And most of all, thank you for patiently listening to my songs :) I am certain you loved my gold-plated voice :)) My children and grandchildren will certainly know how great you are!

Love,

Kinsy

“If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders, I know, my Lola, that He will carry you...”

Taal, Batangas

The plan was to catch the bus to Bulan, Sorsogon for Lola Baby’s birthday. Due to time constraints, rowing became an alternative. For failure to wake up at 3:00am, Luneta photoshoot was set. Luneta, being a frequent place for photoshoot, Taal, Batangas has been the spot!

St. Martin of Tours Basilica: Asia's largest Catholic Church

Almost a year ago, I have read in a magazine about the largest Catholic Church in Asia. I have read that it is erected at Taal, Batangas – the Basilica of St. Martin of Tours. 

We arrived at lunchtime and headed straight to the Basilica. As expected, it was huge and old. The interior are well crafted. The pillars, the walls and the ceiling are all beautiful. It has also a spacious parking lot and a park.

Inside the Basilica. Photo by: Dexter Comandante

The belfry can be climbed for Php100. It is open until 6:00pm. We saw the sun set from there.

We had lunch at Don Juan BBQ. Taal is not complete without tawilis on the table so we ordered some. The dining crew were polite and nice. They gave us flyers about Taal. It contains a list of tourist attractions around the municipality.

After filling-in our stomach, we walked down Calle Agoncillo. The streets are narrow but clean. On each side were old houses and establishments.

Bastonera

Abaniko

We entered Don Leon Apacible’s Museum. It is the ancestral house of the Don Leon Apacible which was donated by the heirs to the National Government. Inside were preserved things used by the Apacibles. The first that caught my attention were the baby dress and the abanikos of Doña Matilde. Art, the museum staff said that these items are regularly treated to maintain its form. The museum is open on Tuesday-Sunday from 8:00am-4:00pm. Admission is free. Doña Matilde Apacible, Don Leon’s Wife, was the first woman Mayor of Taal.

Among the recommended destinations is the 100 steps of Caysasay and the miraculous well. The place looks ordinary as there are residents by the side of the stairs. On the right, few steps before the Shrine of Caysasay, is the miraculous well where the image of the Our Lady of Caysasay was fished. Siblings Editha, 9 and Andrew, 13 showed us the grotto and the well. It is believed that the well grants wishes and heals. We lighted a bundle of candles that is believed to keep the family together. 

At the foot of the 100 steps is the Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay.

 

Marcella de Agoncillo Museum

Another museum along Calle Agoncillo is the Marcella de Agoncillo Museum. Marcella Agoncillo is the principal seamstress of the Philippine flag. It is open on Tuesday-Sunday from 8:00am-4:00pm. No Admission fee.

As night creeps in, barbeque stalls lit up in front of the basilica. We sat down for a few sticks and drinks and made our way back to Manila. Last trip from Lemery, Batangas to Manila is at 8:00pm.

Taal is a clean and quiet municipality with accommodating people. Like Vigan, it is rich in history and heritage. Our 4-hour afternoon walk in Taal surely deserves a part 2!

Expenses:

Manila-Taal-Manila Bus fare P340 (170/way)

    Lemery bound bus

Lunch P503.00

Candles and tip for Editha and Andrew P60.00

Refreshments P48.00

Tricycle P50

    Taal to Lemery Bus Station

Photos at: https://www.facebook.com/KinsysPage?ref=hl