My trip to Batangas Province, as well as to Cavite Province, in December 2015 was made even greater in the company of my daughters, parents, relatives and my good friend Romwell. Unfortunately, my wife could not be with us as she had to be in Cebu with Mama Ising who was very sick in hospital at that time.

We started off by visiting the centuries-old Basilica of St Martin of Tours in the town of Taal, Batangas. This is the largest Catholic Church in Asia at 88.6 metres long and 48 metres wide.

I’m always amazed to visit old churches…

We then visited the Provincial Capitol in Batangas City.

Our last stop for the day was the Shrine of Padre Pio in the town of Santo Tomas.

The next day, my cousins arrived from Manila as we crossed Taal Lake on a boat trip to Volcano Island and a horse ride to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking view of Taal Volcano itself, its crater lake and the tiny Vulcan Point Island.

…fun and adventure with friends and family

My girls were more courageous than their Tito Ricky.

Our Tour guide (and my good Kumpare)

Thanks to Officer Joel, Rogie’s brother-in-law from the local police station in Talisay, Batangas who helped us achieve this wonderful trek to see the famous island within a lake within an island within a lake within an island (a very good riddle indeed).

The thriving Batangas Province in the CALABARZON region has a lot more to offer. I hope to learn and try diving in Anilao one day, for example. And by the way, I do own a balisong…

Coach Conto – Athlete, Warrior, Statesman, Spirit