Tagaytay is a well-known mountain-resort city located in the province of Cavite at the southwestern region of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is situated approximately 56 kms south of Manila, atop Tagaytay Ridge at the northern side of Mount Taal. The city overlooks the Manila Bay to the north, Taal Lake and Taal Volcano to the south, Laguna de Bay on the east, and the China Sea to the west. Connecting the city to Metro Manila and Batangas province are the South Luzon Expressway and the Aguinaldo Highway. Roadways connect Tagaytay to the adjacent Cavite municipalities of Silang, Amadeo, Alfonso, Indang, and Mendez in the northwest; to the Laguna municipalities of Sta. Rosa and Calamba in the northeast; and to the Batangas municipality of Talisay in the north.
Because of the city’s cooler climate, abundance of scenic views, and the variety of outdoor activities available there, Tagaytay has long been a favorite tourist destination among Filipinos and foreigners alike. It has earned the title of the “second Summer Capital of the Philippines”, after Baguio City in the north. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Tagaytay is the Picnic Grove, which is a favorite picnic ground that overlooks the Taal Lake and Volcano. Another long-time favorite is the People’s Park In The Sky, which offers the best views of four bodies of water surrounding the city—the Taal Lake, Laguna de Bay, Balayan Bay, and the Manila Bay. It was a mansion commissioned by the former first lady Imelda Marcos as a guesthouse for the official state visit of President and Mrs. Reagan. The Tagaytay High Lands is the city’s most affluent leisure and entertainment venue. It features two 18-hole golf courses, a driving range, a bowling center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and an abundance of international restaurants.
Tagaytay is also a favorite venue for out-of-town conventions with the numerous hotels found in prime locations, a health and wellness destination with the sprouting of health spas and availability of organic foods in the city, as well as a retreat haven because of the numerous religious congregations that were established there. With its increasing popularity with tourists, Tagaytay is slowly moving way from an agricultural-based economy to build a strong business and service sector.
Tagaytay has also played a significant role in the Philippine’s most recent history. Like many areas near Manila, it too took part in liberating the capital from the Japanese during the Second World War by providing refuge to Filipino revolutionaries in its vast forests and ridges. It was used by the United States as a landing sight for American paratroopers in preparation for their attack and liberation of Manila.
With the city’s spectacular sights, a lush environment in its backdrop, its great potential for growth, and its proximity to Metro Manila, Tagaytay certainly makes a most excellent choice for relocation in the Philippines.
Residential Places in Tagaytay
Tagaytay is known as one of the best choices for residence outside Metro Manila, particularly for many of the country’s elite, relocating expatriates, and retired couples. The many-gated communities found in the city are their most preferred location. These gated communities, locally referred to as subdivisions or villages, usually feature a walled perimeter with guarded gates to provide limited access and better security.
The most prestigious and affluent amongst these gated communities are found within and near the Tagaytay Highlands and Midlands Golf and Country Club. Developed by Highlands Prime, Inc., the Highlands and Midlands serve as a common area for these residential communities and feature two 18-hole golf courses, 24-hour security, spa lounges, sport centers that features bowling lanes, billiard halls, and swimming pools, an entertainment complex that houses themed restaurants, and an emergency clinic with ambulances. It also features the country’s first and only Swiss cable car system that connects the Highlands with the Midlands. Some of the country’s most prominent celebrities and political figures have their homes or rest houses built at these areas.
The villages and condominium complexes that are exclusive for the members of the Highlands and Midlands Golf and Country Clubs are the Belle View, Woodridge Park, Pinecrest Village, The Woodlands, Plantation Hills, The Villas, The Woodridge, Alta Mira, The Horizon, The Parks at Saratoga Hills, Lakeview Heights, and The Verandas at Saratoga Hills.
Other subdivisions and villages found in Tagaytay include the Bloomfields, Cedar Brooks, Crosswinds Subdivision, La Prairie Tagaytay, Prime Peak Tagaytay, Ridgewood Heights, Royale Tagaytay Subdivision, Tagaytay Heights, Tagaytay Lake View Estates, and the Tagaytay Southridge Estate.
Hospitals and Universities of Tagaytay
Tagaytay has several private and government tertiary care hospitals that can efficiently deal with any medical emergencies and most medical procedures. Both private and government hospitals are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare to their patients, varying only with the medical facilities and accommodations. They are staffed with qualified medical practitioners that are well versed with English. Many Filipino physicians are graduates of top reputable medical schools in the Philippines. Most of them have pursued further studies and training in the United States before coming back to practice. Filipino nurses are also the products of the many creditable nursing schools. The many Filipino nurses working in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East are the graduates of these Philippine institutions.
Below is a list of hospitals and clinics found in Tagaytay City:
Tagaytay Hospitals and Clinics
Name Location Telephone
Ospital ng Tagaytay Barangay Kaybagal South 413-2160 or 413-9001
Tagaytay Medicare Hospital Barangay Kaybagal South -
Bro. of St. John of San Ricardo Pampuri Center Tagaytay City 413-1737
DLSU- Dr. Rodolfo R. Poblete Memorial Hospital Burgos Street, Alfonso -
Alaban Medical Clinic Tagaytay City 860-1630
Baybay Maternity/Family Clinic Tagaytay City 413-3288
Sta. Scholastica Drug Testing Laboratory Tagaytay city 860-2101
Tamano Family Clinic & Diabetes Center Tagaytay City 413-4180
Tagaytay has three tertiary education institutions that provide training and instruction in various fields. One of these is the Olivarez College-Tagaytay, which is a satellite campus of the Olivarez College in Parañaque City in Metro manila. This Tagaytay campus offers undergraduate degrees in nursing, hotel & restaurant management, commerce major in business management, and education. It also offers associate degrees in health education and computer technician, as well as short courses in care giving and home management. The Olivarez College-Tagaytay stands along E. Aguinaldo Highway in Barangay San Jose.
The two remaining institutions are the Divine Word School of Theology of the Divine Word Seminary and the Metro Tagaytay College of Business & Arts located on Akle Street corner Kaybagal South.
Commercial Places in Tagaytay
Tagaytay City’s long-standing shopping center is the Olivarez Mall, which stands along the E. Aguinaldo Highway. It features the staple retail shops for any commodity, entertainment centers, and several restaurants and fastfood chain outlets.
Tagaytay is known as a premier destination for dining and eating out. The availability of fresh organic products coupled with spectacular views of the landscape adds pleasure to the experience of eating in the highlands. One will never run out of fine dining establishments in Tagaytay, may it be for traditional Filipino dishes, European cuisine, or the all too familiar fastfood staples. Some of Tagaytay’s most prominent and frequented restaurants include Josephine Restaurant which stands along the E. Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway, Manos Greek Taverna and Tom Sawyer on Calamba road in barangay San Jose, Alamat Restaurant at the Pinic Gro Complex in Sungay East, Taaleña Restaurant at the Casa Taal, Cafe on the Ridge at the Taal Vista Hotel, and the Fire Lake Grill at the Cliffhouse Tagaytay.
The long stretch of the Tagaytay-Batangas Highway also has a host of prominent restaurants. These include the Rojonet Restaurant and Ronamar Restaurant in Maharlika West, Aure’s Restaurant and Butchay’s Restaurant in Mendez Crossing West, Viewsite Restaurant in Mendez Crossing East, and Mushroom Burger in Kaybagal South.
Service Establishments of Tagaytay
The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) provides the electric power in Tagaytay. The city forms part of the company’s central franchise on 22 cities and 89 municipalities , making it the largest electric power distributor in the Philippines. The Tagaytay MERALCO extension office is located along the Aguinaldo Highway in Maharlika West.
Providing the city with fixed line service and internet access via dial-up and DSL connection is the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). Visiting its business office at the Tagaytay City Centrum in Kaybagal South may do applications for service and bill payments. Another telecom company that provides the same telecommunication products and services is Digitel Telecommunications. The Digitel business office is located at Mahogany Street, also in Kaybagal South.
The Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular of Digitel Telecommunications, are the three major cellular telephony service providers in the country. All three companies have nation-wide coverage, and offers prepaid and postpaid subscriptions. Applications for postpaid subscriptions may be furnished at their centers located in major commercial centers. On the other hand, prepaid subscriptions simply require a SIM card, which can be bought at authorized dealers or at their centers.
The Tagaytay City Police Station is under the Philippine national Police Region IV-A (CALABARZON) district. Sub-stations and police community precincts are found in every barangay to provide immediate response in case of any emergency. It is located in Barangay Kaybagat South.
Embassies in Tagaytay
Tagaytay has no foreign embassies and consulates located within its vicinity. Much of these diplomatic missions to the Philippines have their offices located in the cities of Makati and Manila in the National Capital Region.
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