Taguig: Where the Province meets the City

By: Mielyne B. Rayos

Among the cities of Metro Manila, there is one that ensembles the features of a province and a city. A two-faced city! In two days, I learned and explored the only ProbinSiyudad in the Metropolis. That is, none other than, Taguig City!

Getting to know Probinsyudad started with the province features of Taguig.

The city used to be part of the province of Rizal. Therefore, parts of Taguig are province-like.

As such plus wanting to know the historic side of Taguig, my travel partners and I visited the Parola (lighthouse) at the mouth of Napindan Channel. According to a Taguig history expert, the lighthouse used to be a meeting place of the Katipuneros led by Gat Andres Bonifacio. They used to swim, gather and meet there. Though not open to public and not really a friendly tourist spot, it served as one important place during the early years of Philippines. Also, the view from the boat ride gave me a perfect view of the ProbinSyudad concept – province at my foreground and city at the background. Upon seeing that, I was excited all the more to visit more spots in this city!

During our lunch at Taguig Elementary School, a Rondalla band of elementary students entertained us with their stringed instruments: banduria and guitars. They were dressed in traditional Filipino dresses. An old-fashioned yet entertaining way to amuse guests! And did I mention they were playing modern popular music? A good mishmash of the traditional and modern.

I tried and brought home inutak. I didn’t have the chance to witness how it was cooked though. Inutak is a local pudding – a mixture of galapong (sticky rice), coconut milk and sugar. It is a famous delicacy from the kitchens of Taguig. You should try it some time!

Upon looking at the first ‘face’ of Taguig, I was thrilled to experience the other ‘face’: the city!

If you are a museum enthusiast, there are two in Taguig that you must not miss to visit. I experienced visiting the Philippine Army museum and the Mind museum.

Inside the vicinity of the Philippine Army Complex in Fort Bonifacio is a collection of everything military: The Philippine Army Museum!

What’s in it for everybody?

As I entered the museum, a grand display of army’s relics such as battle tanks was on my sight. Though the relics part outside looked so inviting, I entered the building first. A wall adorned with the previous Army logos greeted me. On the other part of the entrance was a mural of fighting Filipinos for the nation.

Going further, there were human figures wearing the army suits from the Spanish days ‘til the ones used now. More fun was walking through displays with human-sized displays.

For a very minimal amount of Php20, one may visit the museum from Monday thru Fridays between 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Weekend group visits are allowed when proper reservation is done.

Friendly tip: Bring a valid I.D. with you. You are required to leave one at the complex’s entrance/receiving area.

Another gallery added color to my Taguig visit. This time, I slightly got away from a history-themed museum. Science dominated the halls of the next one I visited: The Mind Museum.

Three months after it opened its doors to the public, I’m privileged to experience exploring this kid-friendly learning center. It is frequently visited by groups of students for their educational tours. As their slogan says, Science comes alive! It sure did as inside, topics discussed in the classrooms were made fun through interactive, science-rooted displays.

250 displays fall under five interconnected categories or stories: Atom, Earth, Life, Universe and Technology. Going around made me feel like a child again!

Among the huge number of fascinating displays, I have my personal favorites. Some of it were the giant test tubes, the printing press, the tunnelcraft and the shadow box!

Outside the museum is the JY Campos Park also intended for fun with science. I played with the structures about sound, animal vision, and, my favourite, giant bubbles.

I wouldn’t spoil the tour and go in every detail of the displays. Your mind mover (tour guide) will, if you pay a visit.

Now, if you are not a museum-goer but fond of hanging out and shopping, Taguig has places for you to stay.

I visited one long lane faithfully designed for shoppers and diners in the city: Bonifacio High Street. This place is a convergence of boutiques, restaurants, and everything in between. Its long line of stores gave me a great variety of choices where to eat and buy from.

Another hub perfect for city-loving wanderers rests in McKinley Hill. I paid a visit to the Venice Piazza. The square mimics Italy as there were replica structures such as the clock tower, Plaza San Marco and St. Mark’s Tower. Pigeon feeding is also available for visitors. It was really Venice-ish minus the chilly temperature.

When we visited the place, the Venetian Market was open and flocked by foodies.

Besides the good food and ambience of the place, I so enjoyed watching and interacting with the street performers in the place. Some of them were stilt walkers, unicyclists, jugglers and mimers. You can spot them in the area during weekends from 4PM to 9PM.

What I look forward to is the Venetian Canal that is expected to be done by 2015. Gondola (flat-bottomed Venetian boat) with singing Gondoliers like in Venice will be brought to the Philippines. In fact, to give a preview, a gondola is displayed at the lobby. That will be something!

My food adventure did not stop. I also visted the Mercatto Centrale in Bonifacio Global City. Mercatto is a convergence of booths with anything edible under big air-conditioned tents. What was good for techie geeks? Free wi-fi! The difference this hub brings is that it is open from 10Pm to 3AM. Supply for your late night chow downs is not a problem here. Another plus are live entertainers during your food tripping.

Before ending my Taguig Probinsyudad journal, let me pose a challenge to everyone reading. Scattered around the Bonifacio Global City are public art pieces. See if you can find and also photograph them. Have fun and explore Taguig!

– Balanghai

– Pasasalamat

– The Trees

– Kalikasan

– Kasaysayan Bawat Oras