In the Philippines, the “historical sites” we have are mostly Catholic churches. I’m not a Roman Catholic, but I do appreciate visiting old churches and learning their history. En route to Manila from a beach in Batangas on Bonifacio Day, we stopped by the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia located in Taal, Batangas. I was surprised when I peeked outside the car window, because I didn’t expect it to be that big!

Taal Church, Batangas

The Taal Basilica was established in 1575 by the Augustinians, with San Martin de Tours as patron saint. Read what Wikipedia has to say about it. And apparently, it’s where Ogie Alcasid and Michelle van Eimeren got married in 1996. But we all know how that marriage ended.

Across the Taal Church are rows of heritage houses, also known as “Little Vigan”, because it’s second to Vigan in the quantity of heritage houses that were preserved since the Spanish Colonial Period.

Taal Church Batangas

You know those inscriptions hanging on the walls of churches, temples, or shrines? And those leaflets being passed around at tourist spots? I (try to) read them all. Knowing more about a place makes exploring it more real. It’s like adding colors to your imagination when you try to relive the significant events that occurred there years ago.

Our country may be tagged as one of the worst nations in the world because of our greedy political figures (and all the inhumane killings), but it’s good to be reminded that there are still beautiful things to see and experience here.

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