This Week in Tagaytay (November 10-16, 2015)

Here’s an overview of what to expect in Tagaytay this week.

The lowest temperature is 22°C, while the highest is 31°C for the week of November 10 to 16. Bringing an umbrella is advised as a couple of showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the week. The sun will make an appearance on Sunday, November 15, which will be a good thing for families who are planning to go on a picnic. However, on Monday, November 16, it will be cloudy again, with a bit of showers.

Traffic follows a common pattern in Tagaytay regardless of the season. As in Metro Manila, roads become congested at around 4:00 PM, which marks the start of the rush hour on weekdays. On weekends, it is best to get in early in the morning and get out around 3:00 PM or stay away from the busy streets of the city when traffic gets heavy. Those traveling to Tagaytay via Sta. Rosa-Calamba should expect light to moderate traffic most of the time, except around early morning or right before lunch when the roads are more giving.

Aguinaldo Highway and the Sta.Rosa, Calamba roads leading to Tagaytay are lined with stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Then there’s Mahogany Market in Kaybagal South, near Mendez, which is a popular destination for gardeners and “designated” household cooks. Flowering plants such as orchids and sunflowers, herbs such as basil, rosemary, and mint, and fruit-bearing plants such as calamansi and duhat are sold in the market at great bargain prices.

Sure, the sights and the climate are Tagaytay’s main crowd-drawers, but the town is also famous for its Bulalo (beef shank bone soup). Bulalo Point, along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, is among the more popular spots that offer this favorite soup. Other known restaurants in the area include Leslie’s, Josephine’s Restaurant, and RSM Lutong Bahay, which all offer an unobstructed view of Taal Lake. Meanwhile, Bulalo is a menu staple as well at the smaller eateries in Mahogany Market. It’s worthy to mention that these eateries also offer exotic dishes such as Tapang Kabayo and crocodile Sisig.

It’s the beginning of the peak season in Tagaytay, so rates are typically higher than usual. Hotel rates tend to vary depending on the length of one’s stay and the hotel’s proximity to the town center. Nevertheless, there are still opportunities for a good deal.

Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay is offering a 20 percent discount for bookings made for its Deluxe and Premier Suites. Targeted at APEC attendees, the offer also comes with a 10 percent dining discount and a complimentary Verbena Country Breakfast for two.

Companies booking a minimum of 25 rooms could receive a 25 percent reservation discount from The Lake Hotel, plus a free upgrade of two Deluxe Lake View rooms to Presidential rooms, access to the indoor swimming pool for 12 hours, and complimentary workout and fitness group sessions. In addition, reservations made online will entitle guests to a free one-hour use of the Family KTV Lounge.

The Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center for Spiritual Learning along Magallanes Drive will be holding a Soul Power Seminar on Sunday, November 15, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The seminar will teach participants how to determine the factors that drain spiritual energy and what they can do to restore it.