THE highest point in Cavite province -- 2,100 feet above sea level -- is high enough to be blessed with cool and invigorating climate that makes the place a perfect alternative to Baguio. Plus point is the accessibility, only an hour's drive from Manila, making it a perfect place to escape to and unwind, rejuvenate and catch a breath of refresh air even on a tight schedule.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

This is Tagaytay and as to how many times I have visited Tagaytay, I lost count. Ashamed am I to admit, I haven't really explored this considerably small land area each time I pay a visit.

Considering the perfect temperature to spend all day in the outdoors and enjoy the countryside makes every excuse to stay indoors lamer than lame. Should I blame the wonderful rooms of Taal Vista where I am always comfortably nestled in its restful cradle?

But with kids in tow and cousins with restless feet, we planned an exploration on yet another quick visit. And we were able to go to one tourist spot. Not the Taal Lake and the volcano that was supposed to be top priority but another famous site, the former Marcos Mansion - the Palace in the Sky.

Knowing the Marcoses eye for the aesthetics, this stately residence is an artful blending of natural and man-made attractions. The location must be the most sought after in the province for advantage of being poised on the highest point of Tagaytay City.
It stands on a 4,516 square meters of solid ground and, if it's vantage view you want then this is it -- all 360 degrees of it enjoying the profile of Taal Volcano and to top it all, it overlooks four bodies of water -- Taal Lake, Balayan Bay, Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay.

The Palace in the Sky was built for the official state visit of the former US President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, though the Reagan's cancelled their trip due to the general unrest and Marcos' problems at the time. (I must be in Edsa during this time.)

This guesthouse was never completed, can't blame the guy if he has having making the "main household" work. But looking at the shell of the palace today, it's hard to imagine the opulence and splendor it enjoyed during its heyday. Knowing how ostentatious the former glamourama and lover of beauty, Imelda, is, expect nothing less than over the top grandeur the festivities were in this palace set close to heaven.

Maybe this would be the Philippines counterpart of Mt. Olympus where the Greek gods and goddesses converge. We have our Malakas and Maganda to lead the cast and guests like Hollywood stars George Hamilton and the cronies entertained the Marcoses ostentatiously, of course, that they were not answerable to any mortal. Picture the wild and outrageous parties in here! I'm a bit late for the gathering?

Today, you cannot imagine that there was ever any kind of ritzy and glitzy soirees in this "palace". The current state of dilapidation will not make you even search from any nook and cranny of any moments of Imeldific splendor.

In any event, it's definitely worth the time to visit as the view is among the best in the vicinity of Tagaytay. Today, it is known as the People's Park in the Sky and for a few bucks you can enjoy the magnificence of the panorama and enjoy the tourist duties of taking photographs. It's truly a breath taking experience!

I still want to go to trekking in Taal Volcano though.

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo.

For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.

(November 27, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.