Tagaytay: Taal Volcano

My son who is now on 1st Grade kept on asking "Mommy, saan ba may volcano?" (Mommy, where can you find a volcano?) and Tagaytay was the nearest we can go to and see a volcano. Though we were short on budget, my husband and I decided to bring the kids to Tagaytay.

Tagaytay is about an hour and a half drive from Metro Manila. People from the metro frequent this place because it is the nearest you can go to to experience a cooler climate, a very beautiful view of the Taal Volcano, with lots of interesting places to visit.

We took the usual route which was via SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) passing through Sta. Rosa, Laguna. As soon as we got to Tagaytay I pointed out to my eldest where the Taal Volcano was. He then asked "Bakit walang usok at yung pula na lumalabas sa volcano?" (Why is there no smoke and the red thing coming out from the volcano). He was quite expecting to see how the teacher described a volcano, an erupting volcano. :-) A little bit confused but he still insisted "Mommy, dapat kunan mo ako ng picture kasama yung volcano kasi ipapakita ko yan kay teacher." (Mommy, you need to take a photo of me with the volcano so that I can show it to my teacher.)

This was not the first time that we've been to Tagaytay but then it was quite a new experience again. Both my children are now more observant of the places we go to, naming landforms, asking questions on what they learn from school... This time our trip was a lesson on Civics... :-)

Passing Down Our Heritage

Many people nowadays, specially the younger generation, miss the real meaning of the Rizal Park also known as Luneta Park. They now think of it as a place where only "lovers" stroll around for a date, the younger ones would say it's "baduy"(pinoy slang for low-class; uncouth; unfashionable; having mass appeal; similar to jologs) to go there, or worst, a place for pimping prostitutes. This is very sad as this place is an important part of our cultural heritage.

Last Sunday we decided to bring the kids to Luneta instead of going to the mall. I have not been to the place for the longest time and I was so happy to see that the landscaping of the place is still well-maintained. Flowering plants surrounded the park. Security guards roam the place to make sure that the place is safe from common street crimes. The park was clean and rubbish-free though we did not get to see if there's a clean restroom in the area. There is a light and sound show of the martyrdom of Rizal and the Chinese Garden which you can visit for a minimal fee (no idea how the places were since we did not go inside). My husband and I took turns explaining to the children who Jose Rizal was and why he became the Philippine National Hero. What made me really so happy was seeing other families doing the same thing as we were, touring the place and informing the young ones the real meaning of this historical landmark. Wow, our visit was just like a school field trip, bringing memories of those educational trips when you get to see Luneta Park year after year as it was always included in the field trip itinerary during our grade school years.

The idea of bringing my kids to Luneta came to mind like two weeks ago. We were driving by Taft Ave. on our way to a friend's house in Fort Bonifacio after hearing Mass in Quiapo Church. The kids and I were looking at the places that we pass by and I eagerly gave them a brief introduction of the places which were new to them. We passed by the Philippine Post Office with its majestic fountain, Manila City Hall which is very remarkable with its big clock then the Luneta Park. I told them that the Luneta Park is where Jose Rizal was shot and asked them if they knew who Jose Rizal was. "Oo, mommy, siya ang may-ari ng school namin." ("Of course, he is the owner of our school"), a quick and excited answer given by my son which made me and my husband laugh so hard. But after the laughter came the concern (very typical of a mom...hehe). How can my son, who's in 1st grade in a school named after our national hero, don't know who Jose Rizal is??? So I told my husband we should take time to bring the children to places where they will learn and appreciate more about our country's culture and history. This way we can pass down our cultural heritage to the younger generation.

Thanks to pinoyslang.com for the definition of "baduy". :-)