Situated in Barangay Don Juan, Cuenca, Batangas, the viewdeck overlooking Taal Lake has become a magnet for tourists.
Visitors like cycling enthusiasts Mark Joseph and Jeremie are drawn to the irresistible beauty of the view, which manages to turn tiredness into awe.
"Kahit po pagod kami, once na matanaw 'yung view, parang nababawi 'yung aming pagod," Mark Joseph Aclan, a biker, said.
"'Yun pong view ang ganda po, nakaka-relax po siya," Jeremie Bukis, another biker, added.
The panoramic sight of the surrounding mountains is a recurring attraction, enticing tourists to revisit. The Chavez family from Pasay who had only seen the view on social media finally relished the experience up close.
"Pagdating pa lang namin dito kanina, parang, 'hala ang gandaa!' Puro ganu'n lang kami," Lorna Chavez, a tourist, said.
"Sana lang ma-preserve lang nila and hindi lang masyado maano ng [mga] tourist, hindi madumihan," Nicole Chavez, another tourist, added.
In 2023, Batangas saw a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals, recording over 11.8 million visitors — an impressive 23.22 percent increase from 2022.
The Batangas Tourism & Cultural Affairs Office attributed this increase to the relaxation of travel restrictions, enabling both local and international tourists to explore the province.
Tourist Numbers in Batangas:
2021: 2,017,096
2022: 9,073,449
2023 (as of Dec. 26): 11,847,932
Mary Stephanie Landicho-Ona, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer at the Batangas Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, highlighted that the province has hosted numerous events, both private and public, including fiestas, festivals, and cultural gatherings.
In 2022, Batangas secured the third spot for the highest number of overnight stays nationwide.
The province's renowned culinary offerings, known as lutong-Batangueño, also played a crucial role in enticing visitors.
Officials are optimistic about the sustained growth in tourist numbers throughout 2023.
"Marami kasi tayong 'yung ika nga Cultural Treasures din na since pinagmamalaki natin gusto nila ma-experience din," Landicho-Ona added.
According to the Tourism Department's report, the Philippines welcomed over 5.4 million tourists in 2023, surpassing the set target of 4.8 million.
