Tagaytay City: God’s Favorite Window is a City of Character

Text By: Carrie A. Javier
Photos By: Oliver Bautista, Storm Crypt and Malou Yap

“What? A city with zero crime rate, honest officials and excellent social services? This I’ve got to see, I told myself upon being informed by an officemate that we are going on an “exposure tour” to Tagaytay City. As focal persons of our respective offices in the Character Building Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), we participated on a three-day training on CBP including a trip to Tagaytay City as the first Character City in the Philippines.

We were skeptical at first. This place seems to good to be true, we thought, but upon seeing all the proof, I was finally convinced that the residents of Tagaytay “practice what they preach” Streamers, banners and simple signages of the 49 character qualities, such as love, faith, humility, patience, punctuality, generosity, forgiveness, truthfulness, honesty, loyalty, were everywhere, not only in the Mayor’s office and in government buildings but also in schools, day care centers, at the rotunda welcoming visitors to the city, nailed in posts and trees by the roadside, and in all tourist establishments.

They even had brochures explaining about the city’s Character Building Program, handed out to visitors. But it is the way the people deal with outsiders, applying all these character qualities to heart. At the Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC), our group was treated to an audio-visual presentation of Tagaytay as Caharacter City. Mr. Rodolfo Ancheta, Executive Assistant at the Office of Mayor Abraham Tolentino gave a rousing overview of Tagaytay as a City of character, along with Councilor Celso Dela Cruz, who is the head of the Character Office ( what other city or municipality in the Philippines has a character office? )

There was also an instance when the people’s honesty was actually demonstrated. I accidentally left my camera atop a chair in the lobby of the TICC. I was not even aware that it is missing when one of the female staff followed our group to the rest room and inquired if somebody had left a camera. Sure enough, it is indeed my camera and I felt so grateful to the girl who took the effort to inform us. She could have just kept it because the lobby was already deserted at that time when most of us were already in the bus, but she did not, thereby earning our trust and respect.

As their brochure says: “Tagaytay isn’t only about what your eyes can see but what your heart can actually feel.”

God’s Favorite Window

“If God had favorite windows, one would have a view of Taal Lake and volcano, same as the view from Tagaytay.” This phrase lingered in my mind as I fastened my gaze on the wonderful view down below. I have seen this view for the umpteenth time but its effect on my senses has not been dulled. Tagaytay, rising some 2,500 feet above sea level, is a virtual treasure trove of all things good, true and beautiful – from its fantastic scenery, invigorating cool climate (average temperature of 22 plus degrees celsius), succulent and mouth-watering fruits and delicacies, inexpensive yet beautifully crafted handicrafts, world-class golf courses and accommodation facilities, including the swanky Tagaytay International Convention Center (TICC), spiritual houses and people of character.

As we motored past the city’s different attractions, our guide, a winsome lass from the Mayor’s office, pointed out the landmarks and places of interest, “there’s the rest house of Sharon Cuneta where the Globe commercial was shot,” she pointed to a charmingly rustic chalet style structure to our left, then “to your right is the Tagaytay Picnic Grove, where we will welcome you in your next trip here.” The place, managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) will soon be turned-over to the local government, our guide informed us.

A Trek up to the People’s Palace in the Sky

The wind was howling and visibility was almost nil as our group slowly made its way up the steep and winding path leading to the highest elevation in Tagaytay – the People’s Palace in the Sky. Formerly a vacation house of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family, the sprawling park complex has been opened to the public and is now a well-known tourist site. At its highest point on a clear day, one could see all the way down to Tagaytay Highlands with its cable cars, and surrounding areas plus of course, an encompassing view of Taal Lake and volcano. Since it was a cold and foggy December day, all we could see are ghostly apparitions of trees and mountains. The brutal force of the wind cuts deep inside our bones, despite our jackets and caps.

One thing I immediately noticed while climbing up the steep road were the character qualities (again) painted on posts all the way to the top. I stopped by the character “forgiveness” to catch my breath and have my photo taken. I could feel my heart pounding and the adrenalin rushing to my veins. Good Lord, I prayed, what if I had a heart attack right here? This place is certainly conducive for bidding farewell to this chaotic world. Wrapped in mists and clouds, I felt as if I’m already in heaven. I half expected the skies to open and see angels gliding down.

We ate our packed lunches in one of the huts situated at the top near the swimming pool. (Yes, we made it to the top of the world!). Rows of stalls selling various products from colorful tee-shirts (a bargain at P160, buy one, take one), native crafts like wooden ballpens and pencils, fish-shaped coin purses, key chains, knick-knacks, bags, scarves and sweaters, caps and knitted bonnets and delicious eatables vie for our attention. All the products were damp with mist and it was quite an experience shopping at a “sky-top mall.” I had a hard time pulling change out of my wallet – what with my fingers stiff from the freezing blasts of mountain air. Perhaps a good addition to this complex would be a sauna and spa where visitors could warm themselves after a “freezing” tour.

‘Hanggang Sa Kabilang Buhay’

Another impressive thing about Tagaytay is the efficient delivery of its social services. There are no vagrants, mendicants, street children or criminals here. Instead, what we witnessed is an “empowered” citizenry, particularly women (a favorite phrase which I learned from DSWD) who produce world-class products and handicrafts and put-up their own cooperatives, active GMAC or “Gabay sa Mamamayan” Action Centers, spanking clean day-care centers and to top it all – the “Hanggang sa Kabilang Buhay package.” Through this service, residents can avail of complete services for his/her departed loved one -interment, coffin, burial, all for a minimal cost. Our bubbly guide stressed that people in Tagaytay are taken cared of from birth till death. (I had a strong urge to relocate my kids to this heavenly place right then and there).

Living in Metro-Manila, I have grown tired at the sight of street children, vagrants and mendicants, but in Tagaytay, we did not see any, another refreshing side to this almost “perfect city.”

And there are no beerhouses or videoke bars. Instead what one sees are numerous retreat houses and places of worship. Spirituality abounds in this place, the main reason why the city enjoys a zero crime rate. Staying in such a serene and lovely place, surrounded by God’s wondrous creations would deter even the most foolhardy to commit acts against God and his fellowmen.

Truly, it would be wonderful to live and work in Tagaytay where the character qualities are given flesh and blood, and practiced daily by the residents.

About the Author
Carrie A. Javier is a veteran free-lance travel writer. An affable and gregarious soul who loves writing and traveling, she considers God’s Absolute Gospel as her ultimate guide and inspiration in whatever she does. She also loves her country and prays that the Philippines will emerge as a truly progressive and stable nation in the near future. She hopes that through her articles, she could help promote the Philippines and its unique culture, people and events.

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