We were a group of 11 college friends who toured Taal Heritage Town. Our private tour guide, Rose Ilagan met and toured us at the Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours. Then we toured the Our Lady of Caysasay Shrine and the Sta. Lucia Well, which unfortunately were both under restoration. We couldnt go inside the Caysasay Shrine, but we could see how they were stripping the yellow paint in order for the original stone and carvings to show. Then we lit candles by the well and wiped ourselves with the healing waters. Then we toured 3 ancestral homes - Apacible, Agoncillo and Galleria Taal. Galleria Taal had an extensive collection of over 200 working cameras. That alone is such a treasure. Also interesting were never before seen pictures dated 1700 onwards. Even if you're not a camera buff, the museum is one to see. Lunch served at Candida Cafe at Galleria Taal was all of Taal's specialties - native chicken tinola, adobo sa dilaw, tapang Taal, sinaing na tulingan, maliputo, ensaladang talong, minatamis na saging, fried suman tsokoleche, kapeng barako. Everything was really good! Yummy also was the vegetable empanada, which had sotanghon inside. For a whole day guided tour with such a sumptuous lunch, we spent P1,000 per person. Money worth spending. Fun and educational at the same time.

If you're into photography, then a visit to this place is a must if you're in the heritage town of Taal in Batangas. Located in one of the town's ancestral houses -- the Ilagan-Barrion house (built in 1870), you'll be amazed by the rich collection of cameras on display. It is the very first camera museum in the Philipines (inaugurated in 2009). At the same time you'll have a chance to visit the old house. And when hunger strikes, no problem. The place also has a small restaurant on the ground floor. Highly recommended!