Advertisement

Taal Lake, Philippines

Taal Lake, PhilippinesTaal Lake is a freshwater lake located in the province of Batangas, on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It is formerly known as Bombon Lake, is 60 km south of Manila. It is the deepest lake in the Philippines (172 m) and the third largest in area (234.2 km2). The active Taal Volcano, which is the one responsible for the lake’s sulfuric content, lies on an island in the center of the lake, called Volcano Island. The island is called pulo or islet by the locals.

It is a caldera lake, having been formed partly by the collapse of a large volcanic crater and partly by subsidence. Subsequent volcanic activity has modified the morphometry of the lake. During the 10th century, it was connected to the sea at Balayan Bay by a wide channel, but an extremely powerful eruption of the Taal Volcano in 1754 rearranged the shape of the lake and narrowed the outlet to form the present day Pansipit River, the lake’s only outflow, which leaves the lake in its southwest corner and travels about 10 km to the sea.

Talamitam

Talamitam is a mountain that had a more glorious past. It was named after the talamitam trees that used to grow on its slopes – a reminder of the time when Talamitam had lush vegetation and untarnished ecosystems. Right now, kaingin and irresponsible garbage disposal have obliterated this serenity. As if to testify to the mountain's woes, the statue of the Virgin Mary - which has been described as "the guardian of Nasugbu" - has been literally decapitated. Although the statue has since been restored, it was not a welcome sight at the summit. Sir Nick, formerly the caretaker of the mountain, has spearheaded efforts to heighten awareness of this problem, but it remains to be seen if his efforts will be supported by authorities who are in a position to rectify curb the misguided local practices.

Pico de Loro

Pico de Loro offers a magnificent 360 view from the summit.  Located approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Manila by road, located within Cavite and Batangas rolling mountains, it is situated where the Caraballo Mountains are in the north, Nasugbu, Batangas in the south, Maragondon on the east and the South China Sea on the west.  Considered the highest mountain in the Cavite province, Pico de Loro is the highest point within the boundary of Cavite and Batangas.  The view from the summit is awesome, facing the sea on the north-eastern side of the Manila Bay area.  You can actually see ships passing by the Batangas and Bataan shore lines while the entire Batangas and Cavite on the south-eastern side will offer you a magnificent view of the south-eastern mountains like Batulao and Talamitam.

December - January
May - August

January - February -> 22(°C) - Winter
April - May -> 34(°C) - Summer

Advertisement