Cabrera House | Private Residence
Calle Jose W. Diokno
I found the name of this house just across the street from Casa Real through a blog post from Neil Alvin Nicerio. [A] He visited 2012 to attend Taal’s EL PASUBAT festival.
Casa Asinas (1870) | Private Residence
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
Casa Asinas is owned by Rogie Reyes, who also owns the renovated Villa Tortuga, [Q] another ancestral house along Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo, and Casa Victrola Cafe in Calle Dr. Hermenegildo del Castillo. [M] Before heading to Taal, it never showed up in Internet searches. I was only able to know the name of this house because it’s posted on its wooden gate. It’s likely currently a private residence. On my visit last July, there were people on the upper floor.
Casa Gahol (1890) | Art Gallery | Cafe
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
Casa Gahol houses a gallery of artworks curated by internationally renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina. The maternal side of Orlina’s family is the Gahol Clan. [B] It also has a cafe name Francisco’s that overlooks Pansipit River. The cafe serves local desserts like suman, as well as drinks such as iced coffee and frappuccino. [C]
Casa Emiliana | Restaurant
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
The name of this house is posted on its Calle Dr. Hermenegildo del Castillo side entrance. The restaurant on its zaguan serves breakfast fare such as tapang Taal, Taal longanisa, as well as pancit. I did not find any mention of this place elsewhere. On Google Maps street view (currently displaying images taken in 2015), this place has a signage that says it’s called T.A.A.L. Tourist Info Center.
Casa Punzalan | Bed and Breakfast
Calle Graciano Punzalan
Casa Punzalan is an ancestral house converted into a hotel. [C] It is a stone’s throw away from the basilica.
Casa Recuerdos | Souvenir Photos
Calle Dr. Hermenegildo del Castillo
Casa Recuerdos offers 2 free souvenir photos of visitors in period costumes if they join the Casas de Taal tour organized by Paradores del Castillo. [D][E]
Casa Villavicencio (1850) | Private Residence with Guided Tours
Calle Gliceria Marella
Constructed in 1850, Casa Villavicencio, also known as Casa V, is the residence of patriotic couple Eulalio Villavicencio and Gliceria Marella Villavicencio. Important figures who have been guests in the house include revolutionary leaders like Andres Bonifacio, Miguel Malvar, Vito Belarmino, and Felipe Calderon. [F]
It is a private residence but it is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for guided tours and pictorials. Visits on other days could be arranged. [G] It is a part of Casas de Taal tour organized by Paradores del Castillo. [E]
Galleria Taal | Museum | Cafe
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
Also known as Ylagan-Barrion House, Galleria Taal is established as a photo gallery in 2009. It houses a camera collection of Manny Barrion Inumerable, including cameras that date back to the late 1800s. It is first camera museum in the Philippines. [H] Candida Cafe, which serves mostly breakfast fare, is on its ground floor.
Galleria Taal is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. [H] It’s a part of Casas de Taal tour organized by Paradores del Castillo, [E] as well as Pio Goco’s Food and Walking Tour [I]
Goco Ancestral House (1876) | Private Residence with Guided Tours
Philippine Cultural Property PH-40-0006 [K]
Calle Gliceria Marella
This well-preserved house originally belongs to Ambassador Raul Goco, the son of Juan Cabrera Goco, the Treasurer of the Filipino Revolutionary Movement. [J]
As a private residence, the house is not open to the public. However, it is part of Pio Goco’s Food and Walking Tour of Taal. [I]
Gregorio Agoncillo Mansion | Museum
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
This beautiful and stately white-painted American colonial house belongs to the Agoncillo family. [C][F][L] It is fronted by a bronze statue of Felipe Agoncillo, who’s widely regarded as the first diplomat of the Philippines and husband to Marcela Agoncillo. [C] Inside, there is a collection of well-kept Edwardian and Spanish-inspired furiture from the late 1800s and early 1900s. [F]
The house is preserved by the Don Gregorio Agoncillo Foundation, in honor of Corazon Agoncillo, Gregorio’s daughter and benefactress of Taal. [L] Admission fee is Php 70 [F] It is also part of walking tours offered by Paradores del Castillo [E] and Pio Goco [I]
Jesus Is Lord Church | Church
Calle Marcella M. Agoncillo
The 2nd floor of this bahay na bato is repurposed as a place of worship for members of the Jesus Is Lord Church, as of July 2018. I have no additional information about this house.
La Casa Victrola Cafe | Bed and Breakfast
Calle Dr. Hermenegildo del Castillo
La Casa Victrola Cafe is owned and operated by Professor Rogie Reyes of DLS-College of Saint Benilde and Chef Earl Salazar or De La Salle Lipa. It began its operations on September 2016. Its varied menu includes local delicacies such as suman and tsokolate, tapang Taal with atchara from neighboring Calaca, Batangas, pasta, and different types of frappuccinos. [M]
Leon Apacible Museum | Museum
Philippine Cultural Property PH-40-0017 [K]
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
This mansion turned museum was built in the 19th century. Don Leon Apacible was the finance officer of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government. [C] It houses furniture and fixtures that complement the Art Deco elements incorporated to the house when it was renovated in the 1940s. [C][N]
Presently administered by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the entrance to the museum is free. [N] It is part of the tour offered by Paradores del Castillo. [E]
Marcela Agoncillo Museum | Museum
Philippine Cultural Property PH-40-005 [K]
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
Although the first flag of the Philippines was sewn by Marcela Agoncillo when she, her husband, Don Felipe Agoncillo, and their children, were living in exile in Hong Kong, [C] their ancestral home offers a wealth of information about the Philippine revolution flags and the evolution of the national flag. The displays also provide insights about the public and private lives of the patriotic couple.
Presently administered by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the entrance to the museum is free. [N] It is also part of walking tours offered by Paradores del Castillo [E] and Pio Goco. [I]
Paradores del Castillo
Calle Dr. Hermenegildo del Castillo
JB Macatulad of Will Fly for Food said that Paradores del Castillo is “hands down the best place to stay in Taal Heritage Town.” [O] It opened in 2015 as a bed and breakfast place, boasts of renovated furnishings that marry the old with the new, and a breathtaking view of Batangas. Walking tours offered by Paradores del Castillo [E] and Pio Goco [I] include this hotel in their itineraries.
Tagpuan | Restaurant
Calle Gliceria Marella
I passed by Tagpuan Cafe when I exited the basilica. From its store sign on its facade it reads that it offers burgers and pizza among other snacks. I have no additional information about this restaurant.
Tampuhan Cafe | Bed and Breakfast
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
You can’t miss Tampuhan Cafe on a stroll along Calle Marcella M. Agoncillo. Its whitewashed exterior walls are adorned with life-size painted portraits of Apolinario Mabini, a lady in Maria Clara, and an officer in period uniform. Its rooms may be old but if you want to spend the night in Taal but you are on a budget, you cannot go wrong with Tampuhan Cafe. For Php 850 a night per person, you get to enjoy an airconditioned room with free WiFi and a complimentary breakfast. Bathrooms are shared. [O]
Villa Tortuga | Bed and Breakfast
Calle Marcela M. Agoncillo
Villa Tortuga is an ancestral home where groups can arrange colonial-era dinners, rent period costumes, and take home sepia-toned pictures of the event. Meals are Php 1,500 per person. If you wish to just visit the house and admire the restoration work of fashion designer Lito Perez, entrance fee is Php 50. Likewise, there’s a souvenir shop at the ground floor. [C][O]
The tour operated by Paradores del Castillo stops by Villa Tortuga. [E]
Villavicencio Wedding Gift House (1872) | Museum
Calle Gliceria Marella
Also known as Casa Regalo de Boda, this house is gifted by Don Eulalio Villavicencio to his wife, Dona Gliceria Marella, on his wedding day. [P] The current owner of this brightly colored house is Jocelyn Quiblat, a great granddaughter of Gliceria Marella. [A]
Entrance fee is Php 80. [F]
Other Notable Ancestral Houses
Unfortunately, I was not able to visit all the notable stock of ancestral houses in Taal. Most of them only came up as I do my post-visit research about the town.
These homes are:
Casa Conchita [Google Maps]
Casa de Dimaano [A]
Casa de la Rosa [R]
Casa Ylagan-de la Rosa [C][K][S]
Feliza Taverna y Cafe/Diokno Ancestral House [T]
General Ananias Diokno House [U]
Villa Severina [Q]
Sources
[A] Nicerio, Neil Alvin. “Batangas Adventure: Taal.” The Backpack Adventures. https://nicerioadventures.blogspot.com/2012/12/batangas-adventure-taal.html (published 23 December 2012, retrieved 19 August 2018)
[B] San Juan, Thelma Sioson. “A Suggestion to Women Who Like to Be Linked to Aquino.” Inquirer.net. http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/100821/a-suggestion-to-women-who-like-to-be-linked-to-aquino/ (published 28 April 2018, retrieved 21 August 2018)
[C] Zeta-Yap, Edgar Alan. “Pathways to the Past: Taal Town’s Heritage Trail.” EAZY Traveler. https://eazytraveler.net/2012/05/pathways-to-the-past-taal-towns-heritage-trail/ (published 2 May 2012, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[D] No author. “Casa Recuerdos.” Paradores de Taal. https://www.paradoresdetaal.com/casa-recuerdos/ (no published date, retrieved 21 August 2018)
[E] No author. “Travel to Taal, The Vigan of the South.” Paradores de Taal. https://www.paradoresdetaal.com/tours/ (no published date, retrieved 21 August 2018)
[F] Macatulad, JB. “Be a Don and Doña for a Day at an Ancestral House in Taal Heritage Town, Batangas, Philippines.” Will Fly For Food. https://www.willflyforfood.net/2015/06/14/be-a-don-and-dona-for-a-day-at-an-ancestral-house-in-taal-heritage-town-batangas-philippines/ (published 14 June 2015, version accessed 12 June 2016, retrieved 19 August 2018)
[G] No author. “Eulalio & Gliceria Marella Villavicencio House.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/eulalio-gliceria-marella-villavicencio-house/ (no published date, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[H] No author. “Galleria Taal.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/galleria-taal/ (no published date, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[I] Macatulad, JB. “Taal Heritage Town Food & Walking Tour with Pio Goco: What to Do Around Manila.” Will Fly for Food. https://www.willflyforfood.net/2015/03/08/taal-heritage-town-food-walking-tour-with-pio-goco-what-to-do-around-manila/ (published 08 March 2015, version accessed 15 October 2017, retrieved 21 August 2018)
[J] No author. “Goco House.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/goco-house/ (published 26 July 2017, retrieved 11 August 2018)
[K] Wikipedia. “List of Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Calabarzon.” Wikipedia.com. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cultural_Properties_of_the_Philippines_in_Calabarzon (page last updated 20 April 2018, retrieved 19 August 2018)
[L] No author. “Don Gregorio Agoncillo.” Taal.PH http://www.taal.ph/project/don-gregorio-agoncillo/ (no published date, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[M] Ilagan, Mitzi. “La Casa Victrola Cafe Proves That Age Doesn’t Matter.” Negosentro.com. https://negosentro.com/la-casa-victrola-cafe-proves-that-age-doesnt-matter/ (published 5 December 2016, retrieved 22 August 2018)
[N] No author. “Don Leon Apacible Museum.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/don-leon-apacible-museum/ (no published date, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[O] Macatulad, JB. “The First Timer’s Guide to Taal Heritage Town, Batangas, Philippines.” Will Fly For Food. https://www.willflyforfood.net/2015/06/15/the-first-timers-travel-guide-to-taal-heritage-town-batangas-philippines/ (published 15 June 2015, retrieved 19 August 2018)
[P] No author. “Villavicencio “Wedding Gift House”.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/villavicencio-wedding-gift-house/ (no published date, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[Q] Europeo, Drew and Czy Reputana. “Engagement of Roi Severo & Che Palomar.” Reflective Chemistry. http://www.reflectivechemistry.com/2012/12/19/engagement-of-roy-severo-cheryl-palomar/ (published 19 December 2012, retrieved 24 August 2018)
[R] No author. “Casa de la Rosa.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/casa-de-la-rosa/ (no published date, retrieved 8/10/2018)
[S] No Author. “Casa Ylagan-de la Rosa.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/casa-ylagan-de-la-rosa/ (no published date, retrieved 8/10/2018)
[T] Macatulad, JB. “Feliza Taverna y Cafe: Where to Eat in Taal Heritage Town, Batangas, Philippines.” Will Fly for Food. https://www.willflyforfood.net/2015/06/09/feliza-taverna-y-cafe-where-to-eat-in-taal-heritage-town-batangas-philippines/ (published 9 June 2015, version accessed 30 November 2017, retrieved 19 August 2018)
[U] No author. “Gen Ananias Diokno House.” Taal.PH. http://www.taal.ph/project/gen-ananias-diokno-house/ (no published date, retrieved 10 August 2018)
[V] Aleckzandra, Patricia. “A Taste of Taal Authenticity at La Casa Victrola Cafe.” FoodFindsAsia. https://www.foodfindsasia.com/taste-taal-authenticity-la-casa-victrola-cafe/ (no published date, accessed 22 August 2018)
Edit History
Last Updated: 24 August 2018 – Added information about Casa Asinas; source listed. Revised subsections for Casa Gahol, La Casa Victrola, Marcela Agoncillo Museum, Tampuhan Cafe, and Villavicencio Wedding Gift House. Added section Other Notable Ancestral Houses and sources to list items. Added related source to La Casa Victrola Cafe. Added tags.
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