I stood at the edge with an oddly satisfying vacant stare and a warm cup of brew on one hand. The sky was pale blue to white with a bed of gray clouds above my head; blessing the earth with its gentle drizzles. The wind would howl at a distance and would brush my cheeks with its cold touch as it blew into my direction. I soaked into the cold and dampness of that Sunday morning as I turn to gaze upon the highly coveted and unrivaled possession of this town’s neighbor through the thin fog – the Taal volcano and lake.
A large portion of the mainstream’s outpour coming from different regions and towns have tramped this city for ages for that seemingly enchanting view. The post cards and promotions of establishments here and there would always feature the captivating lake and volcano. It has always been a great invitation. The coffee shops and restaurants at the ridge which offer the best view of the lake would often have people lining up to them especially over the weekends. The condominium units and hotel rooms situated at the higher floors facing that side would always get fully booked. The amusement parks that have an overlooking view would get crowded most of the time. Some would even venture into a day trek to the volcano then enjoy a warm and satisfying bowl of Bulalo after but not until its most recent awakening earlier this year. Indeed, a lot has been captured by Taal volcano and lake’s charm.
I withdrew myself from my cogitation when I felt the crisp breeze blowing softly against my face. It was gusting from below as I could hear the violent rustling of the leaves from a far but it was mild and hushed from where I was standing. The sky gently kissed the lake before me as the fog blanketed it until it was completely out of sight. The heavenly ephemeral scene has yet brought me again into a pensive state.
What would make this place special without its borrowed asset? What has become of it after the unforeseen eruption shortly followed by the current pandemic? Those, along with a variety of questions, hazy scenes and possibilities, drifted into my mind at once.
A Run of Retrospection
I tossed the empty cup to the bin and decided to run few more miles as the sun was still lazily tucked behind the hefty canopy of stratus clouds. I ran to the north under the tall and craggy needle pine trees beside the highway. From the junction, I took the road on my right as this is somehow scenic than the other.
The visibility from my point was, let’s say, at twenty to forty meters. Beyond that, I could only see a faint glow from few cars’ headlights moving up and down as if they were pairs of eyes squinting and adjusting with the brightness of its surroundings.
Well, this city is in a higher elevation – seated in a ridge, its corners bursting with evergreen. People would often escape their equally suffocating places and routines for a breath of fresh air and an invigorating view. Even without the latter, they would still come for its chilling climate with the joy of being surrounded by the fog that seem to hug them away from all the rush and responsibilities. They choose to warm their selves up with a good company and cups of coffee.
I sped through the highway and passed by the famed Mushroom Burger that has been existing since the era of the unspoiled Tagaytay City. A tarpaulin was hanged outside telling everyone that they are open yet only catering to to-go orders and would only accept people within a certain age range as mandated.
Despite the growth and existence of the other sought-after restaurants, challenges that the current year has brought and even without ‘that’ view, it has remained and been frequently visited for its local healthy options on the table with their homegrown mushrooms. It has always been one of the top favorites of the visitors since the 1980s. Just a mere sight of it has gotten me savoring the taste of the mushroom burger itself in my gastronomic memory.
Just another closed establishment
As I paced, the fog slowly cleared revealing the long and wide pavement and on the side, more temporarily closed establishments and the dew-laden verdant greens with a strong earthly scent. It has been months but it still feels odd how this highway and the hubs are empty especially on a Sunday. Then, the gondolas on top of the white sky eye emerged above the treetops and gaps. It was still and high as if it was touching the heavens.
Tagaytay sky Ranch’s Sky Eye
It used to be the highest ferries wheel in the Philippines at 207 feet until the one in the north was put up. I remember vividly the first time I took a ride in it and yes, it was unlike any other Ferris wheels I’ve ever been into. Its location is indeed exceptional as the experience of being at the top-most makes it even more special. The gondolas are air-conditioned but it is no match with the coolness of the air that we got when we attempted to open its windows. Apart from it being the star of the carnival-themed amusement park, Tagaytay Sky Ranch has been one of the center of extreme fun in the town with all the festive vibe and thrill that its rides offers. Exhilarating screams are everywhere; piquing interests than curiosity from the outside. It gets more alive when the night falls as the kaleidoscopic sky eye and other rides are lit up and stands out in the pitch-black sky.
The vivid images of the busy park in my head faded away as I stopped on the other side of the road, across its entrance. I stood there with my hands on my knees, panting and short in breath. I’ll never get used to running with a face mask. I lifted my head to look at it and realized that it has not been operating for almost half a year already. The only sounds I’d hear are the soft whistling of the wind, the occasional rolling of the wheels against the pavement and my breathing – no loud and upbeat music, no screams, no distant chatters of excitement. The carnival is in deep slumber for an indefinite time.
I continued to run and turned left on the road where the giant praying hands monument is located. There were four motorcycle riders who stopped by to take some photos with it. At a glance, I knew that they are leisure riders because this spot has been known to be a landmark of this city where riders take that ‘touch down’ photo. Also, the sky eye against a clear blue sky is a great backdrop to it. But then, I’ve always wondered if they knew what the praying hands meant or do they even bother knowing about it, too. Residing in here for years now, I’ve learned that Tagaytay City is known for being a “City of Character” and the palms that are joined together is quite a symbol of faith, good values and characters. Thus, this monument best represents the city’s ideals.
One rider turned to me and met my gaze; perhaps he was perplexed about why I was staring. I gave them a polite nod and continued jogging to my most favorite road in the city.
This road, for some reason, is among the less taken even during at the busiest days in the city. It seemed to be in a perfect symmetry with all the towering araucarias lined on both sides. I bathed into the beauty and serenity of the morning as I stood at the middle of that empty road with my head full of thoughts and admiration of it. As I look at it, my question about what is there to see in this town without the Taal volcano and the lake came to me.
Eureka
It dawned on me. Perhaps, it isn’t just the great things to see or the view that some people from other places would look after when visiting Tagaytay City. While the awe-striking wonders that it has would be mainly the reason for coming for some, what they would usually talk about on their way home are the mundane moments that made them feel warm in a cool, strange place. It could be how they spent time waiting for a bus to come in a freezing night; how cozy this coffee shop was and how it felt good to be just sitting in there with a good book; how good the food was in this restaurant that they have just learned about; or how they hopped from a restaurant to another just because most of them are fully occupied. We may go home with beautiful photos to remind us one day that we have gone to this place and that, but these mundane moments that we had on our trips give us a good laugh and an unexpected joy. These are the moments that we’d love to talk about over and over.
The places that I passed by as I ran that morning may be a witness to millions of these memories overtime. It may have not witnessed new ones especially these days due to the current situation. It might be unknown like what is beyond the thick fog ahead of me but one day, it will all be cleared, all will be well and back to normal.
