Exploring Tagaytay & Taal Volcano: Our First Getaway

Extending my business trip in Manila, I took the plunge and invited my girlfriend Louise over to the Philippines for our first getaway together. Nearly a year into my offshore team-building project, I was excited to explore the country a little more (again).

Starting in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), we spent a couple of days exploring what had quickly become my second home. The financial district is a fascinating blend of modern luxury, world-class dining, and high-end shopping—yet it’s surrounded by third-world shanty towns, a stark contrast that’s hard to ignore.

After soaking in BGC, we hit the road, heading south through Santa Rosa toward Taal Volcano. With a driver for a few days (big thanks for the hookup, Louie Rosales), Louise and I discovered some truly magical spots around Tagaytay.

Our first stop: Balay Dako, a restaurant known for its authentic Filipino cuisine—a mix of native dishes, flavors influenced by seafaring traders, and the adaptations born from colonial history. Oh, and the views? Absolutely breathtaking.

We stayed nearby in a beautiful yet unfinished hotel (everything in the Philippines seems to be under construction), enjoying more of those incredible views. The stay itself was mostly smooth—until 1:30 AM, when someone entered our room. Yelling at them, I ran out to check, but they were gone. Front desk seemed surprised, but I’ll always suspect someone was trying to steal from us. A reminder: always stay vigilant.

Then, the highlight of the trip: Taal Volcano. The boat ride over, the hike up, the food along the way, and—of course—hitting golf balls into a volcano crater. What wasn’t to love? The scenery was incredible, a perfect mix of lush greenery, volcanic rock, and misty blue waters. Louise and I loved every bit of it.

We continued our adventure, visiting random gardens, crashing a Filipino wedding (complete with a very drunk, very Irish-looking groomsman), and wrapping it all up with an afternoon at Sky Ranch Tagaytay—a Filipino theme park that added a fun, lighthearted finish to the trip.

All in all, an unforgettable experience—getting to know each other better while exploring more of this country I seem to be spending more and more time in.