I always plan to buy and take photos of Balisong every time we visit Batangas but to no avail. Last week, as we toured Taal, Batangas, I didn't let another opportunity pass me by. As soon as we entered Barangay Balisong, where Balisong is traditionally made, I immediately chose one Balisong store to feature for this blog.
Balisong is also known by many names such as as Batangas knife, butterfly knife or fan knife. Though this knife is illegal in many countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Germany, it is useful for situations like self-defense.
The Balisong I'm holding cost P350. I ask for a fifty pesos discount but the seller didn't agree
Well of Sta. Lucia is where Our Lady of Caysasay appeared to some of the residents of the area. The water from the spring is said to have miraculous healing power.
On the way to Caysasay Church, a young girl approached us and started narrating the history of the place. We figured, she already placed herself as our instant tour guide. The girl (in yellow shorts) actually know how to be a tour guide. She told us about the miracles that brought fame to this town.
The two men in-charge of giving miraculous water were nice enough to tell us that water coming from the well on the right is for curing sickness of the body. While the water coming from the well on the left is for curing sickness of the head.
Because we were so happy to see, and bring home a bottle of this miraculous water, we forgot to light the candles we bought for thanksgiving and wishes.
It was Nora's choice to stay in Little Bridge Beach Resort. I was already booking online with another resort nearby but Nora insisted that I view and check out Little Bridge's site. As always, I'm cautious about resort and hotel websites because there are many instances when the photos does not meet the real deal.
These beautifully crafted chairs is actually the foremost reason why I immediately liked the place. It reminds me of the ones in Dusit Hotel. And I actually like sleeping while my family swim.
There are different kinds of accommodation in Little Bridge. Nora and I checked out the Apartment, The Cabbanas and the Hotel. We opted to stay in the hotel because it is near the pool. Although there's also a pool at the Cabbana, I personally highly recommend staying at the hotel if you opt for a more quiet stay.
This is the facade of our room. It's facing the mango tree, and other trees around.
Lobby/reception area where wi-fi is available
Compared with the other resorts I was going to book, Little Bridge rate is way lower. The lobby, rooms, pool, garden are well-cleaned.
Stairs leading to the second floor of the hotel
Hotel restaurant
Wooden swing nestled betweel the restaurant and the pools
Spot where you can grill, cook and dine
Had breakfast here, with no less delivery from Jollibee.
Moms bonding moment while the baby's asleep and other kids were swimming
Last minute photo op at the wooden swing
We were able to get few pieces of Sinigwelas fruit
We were also allowed to pick Indian mangoes
Basketball court cum parking area
Parking area where trees abound
The beach is approximately 5 minutes away from the hotel (well depending
on how fast one walks, lol!)
Enjoy the beautiful sunset at Little Bridge Resort
Another reason why we immediately love this place? The staff, especially the Resort Manager JOJO JARIN, were super warm and accommodating.
View more of this unassuming, not so little but nice resort...
Address:
St. Peter's Little Bridge Resort & Renewal Center
Baranggay Butong,
Taal, Batangas 4208
Philippines
Map: (Location | Resort}
Jojo: (+63 915) 6856244
FB Account: Aplaya De Butong
3 Ways on how to get there:
Tagaytay Route. (approximately two and half hours from EDSA Magallanes). From South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), take Sta. Rosa Exit. Pass through Tagaytay City. Turn left to R. Diokno Highway and pass through Canyon Wood and Fantasy World. Turn left to the road going to Lemery town proper then make a right after the Pansipit Bridge and you will see Allied Savings Bank. Go straight until you see Little Bridge Resort to your right.
Batangas City Route. (approximately three hours from EDSA Magallanes). Reach the end of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) going to Batangas. Take the S.T.A.R. Tollway and make an exit to Batangas City. Instead of passing through the overpass, make a right at the crossing. Go straight pass thorugh the town of San Pascual and Bauan and follow the road going to Lemery. Upon reaching Barangay Muzon, turn left going to the town of San Luis. Before reaching the San Luis Town Proper, make a right at the junction and shortly after you will see Little Bridge Resort to your left.
Cuenca Route (approximately two and half hours from EDSA Magallanes) After exiting the S.T.A.R. Tollway, follow the route to Batangas City. Make a right turn at the junction of Banay-Banay going to Cuenca. Pass through the municipalities of Alitagtag, Sta. Teresita and Taal. Make a left turn before crossing the Pansipit Bridge and you will see Allied Savings Bank. Go straight until you see Little Bridge Resort to your right.
When you google tourist spots in Taal, Batangas, San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps is part of the list. San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps, is made of granite with one hundred and twenty five steps. This staircase connects the town center, leading to Basilica de San Martin de Tours and Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine, a small chapel which houses the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps is dedicated to the memory of San Lorenzo Ruiz.
If you wish to explore this famed 125 steps, I suggest you do it before 9am. We visited the place at around 11am, it was very hot that most of the kids didn't join us. They just stayed in a barangay outpost. Bring a bottle of water to quench your thirst or you may wish to have a small talk with the reidents by buying from their sari-sari stores.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay, located in Barangay Labac along the banks of Pansipit river, is made of coral stones. This chapel houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of Caysasay, discovered at the Pansipit River by a fisherman, Juan Maningkad, in 1603. It has mysteriously and continually disappeared and re-appeared in its chosen haven, so a provisional chapel was erected in 1611 near the spot where it was found. Henceforth, the image was called the Virgin of Caysasay.
Our Lady of Caysasay (Nuestra Señora de Caysasay) is a Marian image is believed to be miraculous for granting impossible petitions to those who seek her help. .
All we wanted was to take a few shot at the facade of Casa Villavicencio. I rang the bell and asked the people in-charge for permission to take photos. Having just visited Taal Basilica, we were so blessed to have been accommodated by no other than the owner himself, the fourth generation Villavicencio, Mr. Ernie Villavicencio.
Casa Villavicencio was a wedding gift of Eulalio Villavicencio to his wife Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio. The house and its owners played a major role in helping shape the Philippine history for they helped feed and cure the soldiers. And the house became a secret meeting place of revolutionary leaders.
Before touring us around the house, we watched a documentary video about the forgotten heroine of the Philippine Revolution - Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio, the Godmother of the Revolutionary Forces.
Upon climbing the second floor of the house this wide window and so many furniture made in narra welcomed us. Everything about Casa Villavicencio speaks of beauty, elegance and rich history.
The view from the living room
Mr. Ernie Villavicencio and his wife Maria Rosario Ria Saldana Benedicto began restoring Casa Villavicencio in 1994. Although it took them many years to achieve the restoration, it brings them pleasure to have the youth of today learn about the culture and history of Taal.
This used to be a secret passage going to Taal Church.
Visit Casa Villavicencio at 33 Marella St. Taal, Batangas
