Visiting Taal is not complete without coming to the iconic Taal Basilica, officially known as the Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours. While some people need to travel far just to be able to visit this World Heritage Site, we are fortunately just a town away. For many years of my grade school and high school days, I sat here on an almost daily basis as do many other students who came to wait for their ride back home. It was also a habit to pass by here each morning and say a short prayer to ask for guidance and blessings before entering the school premises.
The church and the school, standing side by side, reminded me of so many memories of my past, moments that made me who I am today. It was here where I took my first holy communion and my first confession which definitely left lasting imprints on my young heart. The creak of the old wooden pews and the soft murmur of prayers echoed the innocence of those early days. And oh, even our grade school and high school graduation rites were celebrated in this church.
When I was thinking about how to share this post, my dad commented that I should have taken a photo of the main marker in front of the church as it states its brief history. For some reason, I was not able to take a picture- I think it was because a wedding procession was about to start.
The basilica's origins trace back to the Spanish colonial period, a time when the influence of Catholicism was woven into the fabric of Philippine culture. Originally constructed in 1575, the basilica underwent a series of reconstructions and renovations due to natural calamities and the passage of time. The original Taal Church that was in present-day San Nicolas was destroyed when the Taal Volcano erupted. Completed in 1856, the current Taal Basilica was built on top of a hill facing the Balayan Bay.
The current facade of the basilica is from the renovation that took place in 2020 when an earthquake struck Batangas and significantly damaged the church.
The Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours (Taal Basilica) is the Philippines' and Asia's largest Catholic church, with a length of 96 meters and a width of 45 meters.
Upon entering the church, you can easily feel the sanctity of the place. It's like being immediately engulfed with a sense of tranquility. It is quiet, big, yet cool.
The majestic altar, ever so grande, was a sight to behold. The focal point was the silver tabernacle, claimed the only of its kind in the Philippines. The dim lighting cast a soft glow, creating an ambiance of intimacy and devotion.
Looking up, I can't help but marvel at the beautiful domes.The paintings and the lights coming in from the windows just gave it a more majestic appeal.
The wood carvings and the intricate wall paints and the dome designs are very impressive.
After offering a silent prayer and taking some photos inside the church, we went outside through the right-side exit and we were treated to this:
It's a small garden and koi pond that's next to the adoration chapel.
I honestly do not remember this from my last visit four years ago. And definitely not from my school days. We used to pass this area through the Sisters' convent in our school whenever we would attend mass.
The structure has blended with the Basilica's architecture.
Passing through the left side exit, we would reach the Ossuary.
There were a few columbariums here, again this side of the church was not somewhere I'd go to. 😅
People also come here to light candles for their families and other prayer intentions.
My visit to the Taal Basilica and its surroundings wasn't just a trip down memory lane; it was a rekindling of the flames that had ignited my love for learning, for faith, and for community. I walked away from the familiar sights with a heart full of gratitude and pride. I carried with me not only the memories of my past but also the anticipation of the stories that would continue to unfold in the years to come.
Beloved Alma Mater, Hail! | |
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Capturing Moments: Exploring Taal Park's Past and Present |
