#Lemery

[roughridingrednecks]

Lemery

[coochiequeens]

Would Insider consider interviewing this guys victims about their fight for justice?

An incarcerated drag queen jailed for his role in a child sex trafficking operation was given a platform to garner sympathy for his difficulties in male prison as a “trans woman of color.”

On March 31, Insider published an article titled “I’m a Trans Woman of Color in an All-Male Prison. I had to fight for my right to gender-affirming care behind bars.” The byline was under the name Christina Alicia, but the author is better known as Christopher Thomas Lynch or Christina Alicia Lynch.

Last October, Reduxx reported that Lynch had been using social media to crowdfund for “gender affirming” treatments, advocate for trans causes, and write for “harm reduction” magazines. This is despite the fact Lynch is currently in prison serving a sentence stemming from a 2012 arrest for forcing a teenage boy into prostitution. 

The male youth, who identified as a transgender “girl,” was plied with cocaine and used to make child sexual abuse materials in addition to being forced to have sex with men up to four times per day for money.

But the teenager was not the only victim. 

Lynch and his boyfriend, Steven Lemery, were found to have run an exploitation ring in which they used social media to lure gay and transgender teenage boys for the purposes of forcing them into the sex trade. Lemery, who was a drag queen and go-go dancer at a gay club, was in a polyamorous relationship with Lynch, as well as a woman and her boyfriend. There were multiple small children residing in the home where the abuses took place.

The trafficked teenagers were reportedly locked in the bedroom closet when not being abused or prostituted, and the case involved at least four victims from the states of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Deputies reported that the men had been trafficking teens for “two or three years” prior to being discovered.

“Most of the victims were runaways or easy targets,” explained Chief Deputy Sheriff Stan Copeland of the Douglas County Sheriff’s office at the time. “They would put the kids in a dependent situation. If they wanted to leave, they’d have to perform sexual favors.”

At the time of his arrest, Lynch worked as a drag queen under the moniker Pasha Nicole. 

During his trial, Lynch called the repeated sex abuse and trafficking of the children “a stupid mistake,” despite the fact he had initially tried to pin the entirety of the blame on Lemery.

Prior to prosecutors unfurling the extent of the horrific abuses, Lynch had given interviews with local media in which he feigned ignorance to what had happened, portrayed himself as an asset to police, and claimed he had no role in the victimization of the children. But during his trial, it was revealed that Lynch had transported the youth to their adult clients and taken the money from them following their “sessions,” netting a massive income from their sexual exploitation.

“Mr. Lynch had found his meal ticket. Anytime the victim walked out of the household [of a client], [Lynch] was sitting with [his] hand out, took the money and fed them cocaine,” the state prosecutor said of his crime.

Lynch was first taken into custody on March 4, 2011 for a number of sexual offenses. 

Among the charges was an indictment for knowingly harboring a child for the “purposes of sexual servitude.” He was ultimately convicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, pandering by compulsion, possession of drug-related items, and one count of pimping a minor – which was reduced from human trafficking during a plea deal. He was released on parole in 2018, but quickly rearrested after violating his conditions.

In his Insider op-ed, Lynch glossed over the substance of his crimes, stating simply: “I found myself facing felony charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison for conduct that occurred when I was 19. In 2012, I entered the Georgia prison system as a 21-year-old trans woman of color.”

The remainder of the piece is used by Lynch to discuss his legal fight for hormones and “gender affirming” treatment by the Georgia Department of Corrections, as well as his educational progress.

“I’ve been blessed to be able to get an education with the assistance of friends and sponsors. While in prison, I’ve earned a diploma in paralegal studies, a certificate in civil litigation, and completed my bachelor’s in theology,” Lynch writes. “I’m wrapping up my master’s in theological and historical studies at Amherst Theological Seminary, with conditional acceptance to their doctoral program.”

Calling Georgia’s trans inmate policies “tyranny,” Lynch also claims he has been the victim of mistreatment while in a men’s prison, stating: “As a trans woman, I’ve faced numerous dangers: harassment, violence, discrimination, and lack of access to medical care. I’ve also been physically and sexually assaulted on several occasions. As happens with many victims, I was accused of lying about it.”

When Reduxx first reported on Lynch, it was revealed that he had been operating a Twitter account with over 21,000 followers from behind bars. 

Lynch had used his Twitter to make misogynistic and lesbophobic comments towards feminist users, including attacking an account dedicated to lesbian survivors of sexual assault. He also rallied trans activists to donate to his fundraisers in an effort to secure “gender affirming care.” 

On TikTok, using the name @ImprisonedPrincess, Lynch was seen dancing in his cell to popular songs and making sexually suggestive videos. 

Following Reduxx‘s initial report, Lynch deleted his Twitter and TikTok accounts.

The Insider piece was not the first time Lynch had found a sympathetic platform.

Lynch had published multiple articles related to his legal cases and his experience in prison in Filter magazine under the pen name once associated with his Twitter. In a piece titled “As Trans Women Incarcerated in Georgia, Our Medical Needs Are Brutally Ignored,” he outlines his case and other similar legal fights by incarcerated males for hormones or transfers to women’s prison. In another, he discusses how using methamphetamine helped him successfully complete school while incarcerated.

While Lynch had once stated he was planning on suing the Georgia Department of Corrections for a second time in order to secure a transfer to a women’s prison, it is unclear if he is proceeding with his plan. In the Insiderpiece, he notes his projected release date is 2025.

By Anna Slatz

Anna is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Reduxx, with a journalistic focus on covering crime, child predators, and women's rights. She lives in Canada, enjoys Opera, and kvetches in her spare time.

[siryl]

Lunch box art by Gene Lemery.

[rig0]

bumalik kami ni jowa sa cubao dahil mas bet namin bumili dito ng mga gamit kesa sa batangas. aside sa lemery yung pinakamalapit na mall sa tuy eh ang limited lang ng mga options. a-attend pa naman kami ng kasal ng best friend niya next week. ang dami gastos!!! 😭😭😭

[yhenverdadero]

TRAVEL LIST

Pidigan, Abra

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Dingras, Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Sta. Ana, Cagayan

Baguio City, Benguet

La Trinidad, Benguet

Sagada

Pililia Windfarm, Rizal

Lucban, Quezon

San Pedro, Laguna

San Felipe, Zambales

Subic

Anao, Tarlac

Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Lemery, Batangas

Tingloy, Batangas

Urbiztondo Beach, La Union

Rosario, La Union

Intramuros

Luneta Park

Clark, Pampanga

Baler, Aurora

Quiapo Church

Barasoain Church

The Sunken Church, Bacolor, Pampanga

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

Star City

Mall of Asia

Hundred Islands, Alaminos Pangasinan

Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan

[missshane]

Lakbay Sa Tagaytay

Isa sa nakakabighaning lugar sa Pilipinas ay ang Tagaytay, kilala ito sa magagandang tanawin, masasarap na pagkain at may kalamigan ng panahon. Ang Tagaytay ay isang lugar na kung saan masarap ang simoy ng hangin at may maraming Magandang tanawin. Kung talagang gusto mong madama ang malamig na panahon ng Tagaytay, kung gayon ang pinakamahusay na oras upang pumunta sa Tagaytay ay sa mga mas malamig na buwan ng taon, iyon ay, mula Nobyembre hanggang Pebrero.

Maraming p’wedeng puntahan sa Tagaytay tulad ng Fantasy World, Picnic Grove at Twin Lakes Hotel. Isa ang mga ito sa magagandang tanawin sa Tagaytay na kailangan mong puntahan at makita. Ang Fantasy World ay abandonadong theme park na kung saan p’wede pang puntahan at libutin upang makita ang magagandang estraktura ng parke, ito ay matatagpuan sa Diokno Highway, Lemery, Batangas. Ang Picnic Grove naman ay matatagpuan sa Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Tagaytay City, Cavite na kung saan ito ang lugar para sa mga taong kailangan ng mapayapang lugar, puno ito ng magagandang tanawin na siguradong mamahalin ng iyong isip at puso, mayroon din ditong mga fun activities na siguradong masasayahan ka’t gusto mo pa balikan. Ang Twin Lakes Hotel naman ay isa sa magagandang hotel sa ating bansa, ito ay matatagpuan sa Tagaytay - Nasugbu Hwy, Laurel, Batangas, mayroon din itong magandang tanawin at masasarap na pagkain. At syempre, sa daming p’wedeng puntahan, kailangan mong subukan ang buko pie at ube jam ng Tagaytay, p’wede itong pasalubong na tiyak magugustuhan ng mga mahal mo sa buhay, nagbibigay ng masarap na lasa ang buko pie na galing sa Tagaytay, malambot ito at malasa na tiyak mabibitin ka. Sa pangkaragdagan, pagbyahe pa lamang sa Tagaytay ay makakatanaw ka na ng magagandang tanawin, maraming bulaklak na bihira mo makita sa araw-araw, pagbabyhae mo pa lamang malalasap mo na ang malamig na simoy ng hangin na nakakapagpagaan ng loob. Pag-byahe mo pa lamang masisiyahan ka na at matatanggal ang pagod.

(imahe mula sa lakad pilipinas)

Ang unang pasyal ko sa Tagaytay ay noong panahong wala akong problema, hindi pa gaanong bukas ang isipan ko at wala pa akong kaalam-alam sa nangyayari sa ating mundo. Makalipas ang ilang taon, unti unti akong namumulat sa mundo, napuno ako ng problema sa larangan ng edukasyon, nagkaroon ako ng depresyon at napuno ako ng kalungkutan, ngunit nawala ang lahat ng iyon. Sa paglakbay namin sa Tagaytay ng ilang araw, nakatanaw ako ng magagandang tanawin na nakapagbukas sa puso ko, nakapagpagaan sa bigat na nararamdaman ko, nakahinga ako nang maluwag at napamahal ako. Bilang estudyante, umalis akong puno ng puot at bumalik ako ng bukas ang puso’t magaan ang pakiramdam, bumalik akong masaya at handa na sa haharapin kong problema.

Sa ilang araw ng aming paglalakbay, tumatak sa isip ko na sa bawat oras, may mga taong nahihirapan at kailangan ng pahinga, kailangan makakita ng tanawin na nakakapagpagaan sa loob. Tumatak sa isip ko na kahit sa ilang araw, kahit sa maigsing paglalakbay, sasaya tayo. Hindi lang magagandang tanawin na lugar ang makakapagpagaan sa loob natin, sa aming paglalakbay nakatanaw rin kami ng masasayang pamilya na naglalakbay tulad namin, masasayang tao na tila walang problema at masaya sa ginagawa. Tumatak din sa aking isipan na kailangan nating alagaan ang ating kalikasan, karamihan sa atin ay magandang kalikasan ang gamot para sa sarado’t mabigat na pakiramdam, kailangan natin protektahan ang ating kalikasan para sa atin at para rin sa ibangh tao.

Ang mga lugar na aking tinala, sa aming paglalakbay, maraming nakita at napasaya. Sa aming paglalakbay sa Tagaytay, tiyak matutulungan kayo nito, lalo na ang mga taong kailangan ng mapayapang lugar, kailangan magpahinga at kailangan makakita ng magagandang tanawin, oras na para kayo naman ang maglakbay sa Tagaytay.

[uel2023s2]

L’ART DE VOUS VENDRE VOUS MEME 

Née de l’imagination de 3 artistes et designers Albertine Meunier, Filipe Vilas-Boas et Sylvia Fredriksson, le Casino Las Data est une œuvre qui mélange jeux et donné. A première vu le Casino Las data à tout d’un casino classique mais pas question de mettre de l’argent pour jouer, ici ce sont vos données personnelles que vous donnerez, d’où le nom Casino Las Data. 

Nom, prénom, Age, réseaux sociaux et bien d’autres informations personnelles il vous faudra laisser pour pouvoir jouer à ce casino au design à l’image d’internet, avec des références de la pop culture. Internet, cet espace numérique que tout le monde utilise, cet espace ou nous donnons sans même le remarquer nos données personnelles et sans y gagner quoique ce soit en retour. A travers cette œuvre on peut y voir que très peu de différences entre le casino et internet ce sont tous deux espaces ou nous y laissons quelque chose de valeurs (de l’argent ou bien nos données personnelles) sans gagner quoique ce soit d’équivalent en retour. 

Auteur: Zacharie Lemery

Sources: https://filipevilasboas.com/Casino-Las-Datas

[raizel-mendoza]

OCTOBER 2022

OCTO-FEST

The month of midterm, my birthday, teachers day, sport fest, battle of the band and of course october fest. Sa patatlong buwan ng pagpasok ko sa rct, maraming ganap. I celebrated my 16 years of existance with my fam, kaunting salo salo sa bahay namin. Can't believe that I am a grown woman, and the 'baby stage' is finally over. Teachers day, celebrated two days after my birthday. We celebrate the teachers days and give a huge appreciation to them, for being kind and hardworking teacher.

Month of midterm all of us were bragging how hard to review and answer all of the questions and problem but after that, nakahinga ng maayos because of all us are passed.

SPORTFEST

We celebrate the 100 year of rizal college of taal, October 24, 2022. The most awaited event of rizal, everyone is free to join in different booth. Naglakad kami hanggang munisipyo ng lemery, nakakapagod but sulit. Rizalites are united, malayo and all of students are complaining how tired they are.

Battle of the bands

The best moment that I knew that I will remember always. Gladly pinayagan ako ni papa, Zuckerberg was there giving their energy na parang last na buhay na 'yon. We supported the senior high band, but nung magumpisa ang tugtugan we are like one, parang hindi kami magkalaban because the music makes us one. We enjoy the night get hype and we were just like in party. Jumped and screamed, rizalites become wild that night and for a moment gusto ko ulit ma experience ang naramdaman kong saya that night.

[lchlnfrncsc]

June Momentsssss

During the first two weeks of this month, nothing much happened but there is something to look forward to. The arrival of my aunts and cousin from London after almost 2 years, they were supposed to arrive around the last week of June. Everyone felt excited and thrilled because it’ll be the first time we’ll get to meet the youngest child in my father’s side of the family. She was born in London. The day they arrived, we were making/preparing for the incoming Birthday Celebration of both my cousin and my brother. When they finally arrived everyone was filled with joy. I remembered that day I’m the first one my cousin recognized, both name and face. After that night, we went to dagat in butong hwehehe. It was so cute how my cousin don’t want to walk in the sand because she said it’s “dirty” so my cousin carried her all the way, and when we thought everything is okay we led her to the sea but she don’t want to go to the water >_<. Then we took a Road trip from butong to San Nicholas, Baywalk, to Xentro mall  in Palanas then home. We took the car but we all can’t fit in it hehe so I sat in the trunk  of the car, it’s not too bad, it’s actually my favorite place to sit because I have the space all to myself and its where they usually store the food, though its just too hot in that part of the car. 2 or 3 days later we went to SM Lemery where Babing (my cousiin) rode a toy car in the play area. We also ate at Mang Inasal Restaurant there. And I also convinced my mom to buy me a couple of books hehe.

298 words

This month is also a little bit special to me because finallyyyy after days of no sleep and stress me and my classmates finally finished our stressful Filipino Project (in my opinion only). That time I finally finished editing and already sent it to be posted, but around 10:30 pm my friend called and said that they needed help posting it.  The whole posting process lasted til past 3 am and I have to go to church around 4:30 am because I have choir practice that day. So in the end instead of sleep I drank a glass of  hot coffee and waited for the time and go out with no sleep. It was the first time I go out of the house without any sleep, it was very challenging especially my seat was in the second row. Thankfully I was able to fight my sleep til after the practice, and it was not an easy fight >_&lt;.

158 words

This concludes everything that happened in the month of June &lt;3

[pannozzi]

The Tornado Outside from Maria Tomazou on Vimeo.

Anna lives in a perfect house at the edge of a tornado. When she needs to go outside, she is forced to face the chaos of life that she usually hides away from.

Director: Maria Tomazou Producer: Solomon Golding Writer: Marius Scholtz Cinematographer: Nina Oyens Production Designer: Gili Ofri Editor: Jack Cotter Composer:  Ariella Koorlander Ereira Sound Designer: Marios Themistokleous VFX Supervisor and Compositing Lead: Baptiste Audouin  Colourist and Online Editor: Vanessa Aparicio Production Manager: Sophie Esslemont, Ellie Lomas Lead Model Maker: Thomas Harwood 

Puppets and Props: Eve Bannister, Sarah Brydon, Victoria Itiberê, Elspeth Graham, Jonny Harker, Mireia Méndez García, Aodhan Moyne, Eeva Polo, Shona Ruddy, Jake Sheaves Art Assistance: Finlay Callaway, Terézia Torousová, Anastasia Rondanini, Mila Ashton, Kathleen Matusiak, Kate Esslemont, Thiers Brandao da Silva Animators: Chloe Williamson, Lily Ward, Francesca Valuto, Ellie Henderson, Sam McSweeney, Angus Macdonald, Milo Bonnard, Mansi Maheshwari Senior Compositor: Danielle Parker Compositing Artists: Shaunak Ranade, Ross Ferguson, Thompson Okuku, Melwin Matthew, Daniel Peoples CG artist: Oliver Lemery Rendering assistant: Jordan Streete

Voices: Roisin Rankin, Lewis James Goody, River-Nova Lark Yukawa Goody, Ciara Kerr

© National Film and Television School 2023

[ricisidro]

Most of the cities in Metro Manila, declared suspension of classes in all levels (Public and Private) WalangPasok due to inclement weather on Sept 5, 2024 as of 8am. Pasig, Makati, and Quezon City, did not suspend classes.

Metro Manila:

MARIKINA

VALENZUELA

PARAÑAQUE

LAS PIÑAS

MANILA

MUNTINLUPA

CALOOCAN

PASAY

MALABON

TAGUIG

PATEROS

NAVOTAS

MANDALUYONG

SAN JUAN

Provinces:

RIZAL, BATAAN, CAVITE

Batangas:

BALAYAN

CALACA

LAUREL

LEMERY

LIAN

MALVAR

NASUGBU

SAN JUAN

TAAL

TUY

Bulacan:

BOCAUE

BULAKAN

BUSTOS

CALUMPIT

HAGONOY

MALOLOS

MARILAO

PANDI

PAOMBONG

SAN ILDEFONSO

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE

SAN MIGUEL

SAN RAFAEL

STA. MARIA

[recusantchicky]

use of sal almoniac detailed:

like the disappointing thing about ppl going "oh! it's about alchemy! the dark night? of the soul?"

is that it's about piss

it's about taking waste and making it precious and new

"The latin verb coquo-coxi as well as to cook, also means to ferment, to ripe, to decompose, to brood;"

"it's about rotting piss as an industrial chemical" doesn't get the clicks like "savage horned natives kidnap and brutalize blonde white maidens" but oh well.

anyway if you boil enough piss for long enough you can make white phosphorus.

[trabyahe]

Trabyahe: Entry No. 2 The Enchanted Castle of Fantasy World: A Closer Look

Image credit: www.artofit.org

Welcome to Fantasy World!

A place where dreams almost come true! Located near Lemery, Batangas, this enchanting destination is often mistaken for Tagaytay due to its beautiful rolling hills and stunning views. Originally planned to be a grand theme park like Disneyland, the construction of Fantasy World was halted midway. Despite this, it has become a magical spot for photos and fairy tale fun.

Fantasy World is an Instagram hotspot, perfect for capturing amazing photos. The park's whimsical scenery and dreamy backdrop make it an ideal location for prenuptial shoots and anyone looking to add a touch of magic to their pictures. Imagine walking through the park, surrounded by buildings that look like they’re straight out of a storybook. Every corner offers a new and enchanting photo opportunity.

Image credit: www.filmphilippines.com

The highlight of Fantasy World is its towering castle. This grand building was meant to be the main attraction of the theme park. Visitors who are not afraid of heights can climb to the top of the main tower. From there, you will see breathtaking views of the whole park and the beautiful landscape around it. The views from the top of the castle perfectly blend natural beauty and amazing architecture.

So, come and enjoy Fantasy World, where fairy tales and real-life mix. The rides might be still, but the magic is real!

Things to do inside Fantasy World

Take pictures

Image credit: www.pinterest.com

There are lots of Instagram-worthy locations in Fantasy World. Even without effort, the castle alone is incredibly intriguing and looks amazing in pictures. Even though the rides aren't working, you may still sit on them to take amusing pictures.

Rent a costume

Image credit: gurezu.com

For P300, you can rent a fairytale or medieval outfit for the duration of your visit, adding to the experience. You may capture far more magic and enjoyment in your selfies and photos when you explore the park dressed according to the theme.

Climb to the top of the main tower

Image credit: wanderingbakya.com

The balcony offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of the castle grounds and the surrounding environment, creating a perfect blend of natural beauty and spectacular architecture.

Cross the hanging bridge

Image credit: www.pinterest.com

Within the castle grounds, you'll find two gigantic trees connected by a hanging bridge. Climb up and attempt crossing it for more amazing photo chances.

Fantasy World Day Tour Rates

The new admission price is P200 for each individual.

Up until recently, the admission rate was P1000, good for up to five people. Back then, you would still have to pay P1000 even if your group consisted of fewer than five people. However, it was modified to P100 per person in November 2019.

The majority of people who park in front of the castle typically do so only to snap pictures and never inside. However, a portion of that is due to their ignorance about their ability to enter.

The hours of operation for Fantasy World are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Image credit: vieclamphilippine.com

Sample Itinerary

The itinerary should cost you around P620 (USD12, EUR10, SGD16). But this is if you’re not stopping anywhere else.

07:00 am – Van to Lemery, P140

09:00 am – Fantasy World, P200 (P1000/5pax)

12:00 nn – Jeepney back to Boundary, P20

12:30 pm – Lunch, P100

01:30 pm – Bus back to Manila, P160

References:

Alvarez, A. (2024, April 25). 20 Best BATANGAS TOURIST SPOTS & Things to do. The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog. https://www.thepoortraveler.net/batangas-tourist-spots-things-to-do/?fbclid=IwAR0BamCDoYyu3BGk5ZcY9wd1za-dPGbbj1d_BN49UEtBRTDSveVhGCwGGy4#

Dimen, Y. (2021, March 5). FANTASY WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE: Abandoned Castle in Batangas. The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog. https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/06/fantasy-world-batangas-lemery-itinerary/#Things_to_Do_at_Fantasy_World

[delightfulkittenfun-blog]

TAAL BATANGAS

📍HISTORY:

The town of Taal was founded by Augustinian friars in 1572. In 1575, the town transferred later to the edge of Domingo Lake, now Taal Lake in 1575. In 1754, Taal Volcano erupted endangering the town of Taal which stood at present day San Nicolas. Threatened by the new danger, the townspeople, together with the Agustinian Francisco Benchucillo, sought refuge in sanctuary of Caysasay. In 1955 the northern barriors of San Nicolas, Gipit, Bangin, Pansipit, Calangay, Sinturisan, Talang, Abilo, Balete, Bancora, Saimsim, Maabud, Mulawin, Tambo, Clumala, Alasas, Calawit, Pulangbato were seperated from Taal and formed into the municipality of San Nicolas.

📍GEOGRAPHY:

According to the Philippine Statistics authority, the municipality has a land area of 29.76 square kilometer (11.49 sq. mi) consisting 0.95% of the 3, 119.75- square- kilometer (1,204.54 sq. mi) total area of Batangas.

A dominant feature of the province of Batangas is Taal Lake. It covers an area of 270 square kilometer (100 sq. mi) and is draned by Pansipit River down into Balayan Bay. Pansipit is one of the major ecological highways that allow migration of two fish species: maliputo (Cranx ignobilis) and muslo (Cranx marginalis) which are unique to lake taal. Adult fish migrate to the sea from Taal Lake via Pansipit River and Palanas River in Lemery. The tawilis (Harengula tawilis) is fresh water sardine also endemic to Taal lake.  

📍TOURISM SPOTS AND ITS HIGHLIGHT

📌BALISONG SHOP

Taal Batangas is Traditionally known for crafting balisong (butterfly knife)

Perfecto de Leon started balisong making in the province in early 1900’s until the industry boom.

The Taal became known as the Balisong Capital of the Philippines

The word Balisong was derived from tagalog word baling sungay which means broken horn when translated: Bali means break song means is Sungay which means horn of animals

📌BURDANG TAAL WEDDING GOWNS AND BARONG

Taal known as Barong Tagalog Capital of the Philippines

Refers to the tradition of hand embroidery since the turn of the century executed on fabric, especially on Jusi and Pina, and more popularly sought for the Barong Tagalog worn by the Filipino gentleman.

Also done for ternos and gowns and has a wide range of clothing lines from infants to adults, for both the male and female customers.

 Other fabrics are also used like cotton, linen and ramie.

It is also used to accent garment accessories and home décor items.

Meanwhile, Burdang Taal boasts of its highly collado (a kind of filigree work wherein yarn in painstakingly pulled off from the cloth) with simple or intricate, well-embossed hand embroidered designs for special occasions.

Simple or intricate machine embroidery or mixed hand and machine embroidery are also done for commercial or everyday use as office wear or uniform, home (curtains) or bedroom décor. 

📌SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF CAYSASAY

It is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary venerated at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay in Taal, Batangas in the Philippines. The image, which depicts the Immaculate Conception, is believed to be one of the oldest in the country. Having been found in 1603 by a man fishing in the Pansipit River. The subsequent Marian apparitions documented by Spanish colonial church leaders were the first in the country; devotees today continue to attribute miracles to the Virgin. The image was canonically crowned in 1954 and was later given the title the “Queen of the Archdiocese of Lipa”. The feast day of Our Lady of Caysasay is celebrated every December 8 and 9. The image spends half the week in the Shrine of Caysasay and the other half at the Basilica de San Martin de Tours, to satisfy the needs of the locals and followers.

📌TAAL CHURCH

The Taal Basilica, canonically known as the Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours

is a Minor Basilica in the town of Taal, Batangas in the Philippines, within the Archdiocese of Lipa.

It is considered to be the largest church in the Philippines and in Asia, standing 88.6 meters (291ft.) long and 48 meters (157ft.) wide.

St. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of Taal, whose fiesta is celebrated every November 11.

During the year of 1849 it was recognized as the biggest Catholic Church in Asia

📌SAN LORENZO RUIZ STEPS

It is 125 granite steps from the Caysasay Church beside the Pansipit river which leads up to the center of town.

Originally, the steps were made of adobe stone, but these were later replaced with granite or batong song-song in the year 1850 by Fr. Celestino Mayordomo.

It is now dedicated to the memory of San Lorenzo Ruiz

📍ITS PEOPLE AND THEIR PRODUCT 📌BALISONG

Leo Rivera ⏺ Since 1991 he started making and selling balisong. He is known famous balisong Vendor in Taal.

📌BURDANG TAAL WEDDING GOWNS AND BARONG  

Annabel Mendoza ⏺ One of the makers of Gown in Taal.

📌TAWILIS

Niño ⏺ He is the local residence in Taal and one of the vendors of tawilis in Taal.

📍EXPERIENCE A vlog is not something we expect to do in the coming year. Our group isn’t all that interested in vlogging, but once we finished our vlogs it seemed like we all had a great time doing it, and it was both enjoyable and stressful at the same time, which is something we all appreciate. On the way to Taal Batangas town, we’ve all began shooting at Robinson Lipa, where we’ll be discussing how to get there. We were all shy at the start of our first vlog, so it was a lot of fun for us. In the end, though, we will increase our self-esteem! Eventually, after about an hour, we arrived at the Balisong Shop and began interviewing the Balisong salesman. We were all awestruck because this was the first time we had seen the various styles of Balisong. After that, we moved on to the next location we wanted to visit. The Taal Basilica in Taal Batangas, Asia’s largest church, was first shot. During filming in Taal Basilica, we were all awestruck, awed, and stunned by the church’s splendor. We headed to the Caysasay Church in Brgy after filming at Taal Basilica. We all observed the exquisite baroque architecture of the church, as well as the design of the wall and sailing, when filming at Tatlong Maria, Taal Batangas. We decided to get lunch in Brgy after filming. We all enjoyed Tatlong Maria, and it was so wonderful that we were completely satisfied. We proceeded to the Lorenzo Ruiz Steps after dining; it was our first time seeing the Lorenzo Ruiz Steps, so we were astonished and impressed. We decided to take a group photo before moving on to the next location, and we must say that it was both memorable and stress-free. It was a great event for us and we continued on to our next destination: Barong Tagalog gown rental. We were all awestruck and delighted by the variety of gown and barong Tagalog designs. The only word we could say was “wow.” We all desired we could wear the rental gown, but we had to pay first. Our final decision was to take a break after an hour of walking and admiring the grandeur of historical sites before waiting for the lights to come on (Pailaw sa taal). They finally turned on the city of lights after nearly half an hour of waiting, and we began shooting our final vlog. We’ve all shared happy and amazing moments, learned more about the town’s history and tourism attractions, and gained a lot of self-assurance as a result.

📍SWOT ANALYSIS 📌Strength ⏺Taal known as the Traditional known for crafting Balisong ⏺Known as Barong capital of the Philippines ⏺The Taal church is the biggest Church in Asia ⏺Preserved the ancestral houses, Museum and Churches in the heritage Village ⏺Celebrating of Unique Festivals (Taal Elpasubat Festival) that highlight cultural, historical, culinary arts and crafts ⏺Presence of Unique establishments and resort 📌Weaknesses ⏺Weak promotional activities for tourism industry ⏺Noise and Smoke pollution on the main road disrupting tourist activity ⏺Various entry points ⏺Presence of Unaccredited accommodation establishment ⏺Presence of unrestored and or abandoned ancestral houses that pose danger to public safety ⏺No existing practice/ method for environmental matters such as waste management

📌Opportunities ⏺Strategic location/ presence of expressway and goods roads ⏺Neighboring towns with known tourist spots 📌Threats ⏺Modernization ⏺Extreme climate changes affecting the old structures

📍TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY OF THE TOWN

A historical land mark and ancestral houses make Taal the top tourist attraction in Batangas. Their town’s tourist sustainability is based on four factors: In the first place, the Old Houses and Churches have been preserved so that visitors or tourists can see them. And, of course, it’s also for the next generation to see. Festivals and Christmas are only a few of the events that take place there. Their time and effort were devoted to putting up Christmas lights and pyrotechnics in the evening to entice additional guests. Second, because it is their product, they are confident in selling it. We everyone know that Taal’s primary product is Balisong, which is made from Batangas. Everyone in Taal knows who made it and when it will begin. Then there’s the wedding gown, which is known as the Burdang Taal Wedding Gown, and the barong, which is also known as the Philippines’ capital of the Barong. Because their product was so good, you’d think that someone would be able to test it out and become famous in that area. This creates a sense of attractiveness in their locations as well. Third, there are people. The local residents were fantastic since even the children knew the history of every church and museum in the area. They also pay attention to the historical landmarks that are located there. The government, on the other hand, is in charge of making the locations more appealing, as well as managing the facilities within the taal. Seeing Taal, the nicest sight in Batangas this year, has taught me a lot about how to maintain a tourist attraction in a place.

📍RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE TOWN

Development of Taal product for souvenir items

Promotion of Tourism, products and services of Taal

Additional entertainment for tour around the town

Eco tourism protection and promotion

Provide easy access to the town

📍REFERENCES

⏺Balisong Shop https://www.pinoytravelogue.com/2017/08/balisong-taal-batangas-famous-knife.html

⏺Galleria Taal  https://www.thequeensescape.com/2018/04/galleria-taal-first-camera-museum-in.html

⏺Shrine of our lady of Casaysayan   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Caysasay         

⏺Taal Church https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taal_Basilica

⏺Burdang taal http://www.wowbatangas.com/features/arts-and-culture/burdang-taal-wedding-gowns-and-barong-taal-embroidery-business/

⏺Taal Batangas https://prezi.com/cyllvynv3itb/tpd-taal-town/

📍GALLERY ⏺BALISONG SHOP

⏺Taal Church

⏺Hagdan-hagdan

⏺Taal Batangas

[fuchsiadc]

TRAVELOGUE

Beach Resort, Lemery Batangas Lemery.  The beach presented itself a grandeur formation of crystal drops that are seemingly coming from the hovering grayish-blue sky above. The sun, on the other hand, seems to be over friendly as it hides it scorching heat sparing our skin to get burned.

We visited this beach a few years ago to celebrate my grandmother's 60th birthday. We had so much fun because they maintained the cleanliness of the sea water including the whole area. 

As for the attractions, it’s worth noting that central Lemery is just 40 minutes away from Taal Volcano, which is surrounded by the pristine Taal Lake and is one of the most active volcanos in the Philippines. For great stays, check out the top beach resorts in Lemery, Batangas, Philippines.

[alveysjourney]

Takas Sa Batangas (2)

I didn’t have time to expect anything as I found myself going over the booth in the blink of an eye. I convinced my sister to come with me and pay for our entrance fee. To my surprise, there were two massive, yellow python snakes, weighing around 50 kilograms, roaming around a box with a child inside it! I was frightened and amused at the same time. Never had I imagined seeing python snakes inside a local fair! To challenge ourselves, my sister and I decided to take pictures with the snakes for only 40 pesos each. My legs were shaking from fear! I couldn’t even carry the snakes. The lady offered to put the python on my shoulders but I was just too scared. The snakes looked heavier than me! But, my sister took the challenge and agreed to have the snakes to be put on her shoulders. I only took pictures of her but I was still shaking! Afterwards, we felt accomplished as we successfully took up a challenge made by ourselves! It was silly but fulfilling at the same time. Afterwards, my sister and I decided to part ways as she wanted to try the game booths while I wanted to eat something. So, I looked for something to eat. Thereafter, I found a stall that sells tanghulu! I had never tried it before, so I grabbed the opportunity and bought one! To be honest, I was disappointed to see it looking like a banana cue. The only difference was that the fruit used is a strawberry. I still had to try it because I didn’t want to waste my money. Unexpectedly, it tasted good! Moments later, I looked for my boyfriend, Dane who was with my siblings at one of the game booths. When he lost 600 pesos at a drop ball game, we decided it was time for us to go home. Even though he lost, we were still happy because we were together. For him, it was easy to get 600 pesos back. As soon as we got home, I prepared myself to go to bed while he decided to drink with my relatives. 

At 6 o’clock in the morning on the following day, everyone was already up to get ready to leave the house. Immediately as we finished preparing everything to bring, it was time to depart. Out of all the beaches to visit, we decided to go to La Familia Beach Resort at Lemery, Batangas because of two major reasons; first, it is affordable and practical, and second, its proximity to Lipa is ideal. There was no entrance fee and no parking fee, thus it's almost free! After about 40 minutes, we reached our destination. I didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t have high hopes. When I saw the place, it did not disappoint! The calm waves of the beach evoked a sense of serene beauty, gently lapping against the shore like a soothing lullaby. As I stood on the shoreline, the waves approached with a quiet reverence, their soft murmurs mingling with the gentle rustle of nearby palms. Each wave was a graceful arc of liquid motion, rising and falling in a seamless rhythm that speaks of timeless grace. Upon searching the vicinity, I was thrilled to see an inflatable island floating over the clear waters of the beach! I have been wanting to experience it for years already! So, I convinced Dane to try it with me. Thereafter, he paid for our fees worth 300 pesos each. The price was such a steal as we can play at the floating island for as long as we stayed there. In spite of how excited I was, I had my priorities straight – to have Instagrammable pictures. So, I put my black bikini on, did my makeup, and asked my siblings to take pictures of me. I think I spent an hour taking pictures before I was finally satisfied with my photographs. Of course I asked Dane to take pictures with me! He wore his black shorts to match with my black bikini. His handsome figure surely was the epitome of beachside allure, a vision of masculine elegance against the backdrop of sun, sand, and sea. Afterwards, my siblings, Dane, and I finally decided to try the inflatable island. As soon as we got on it, we were filled with laughter and excitement. I could still clearly remember their faces every time they slipped or fell. I felt really lucky to have Dane with me as he would carry me every time I fell. He would also help me go through certain obstacles on the floating island. After almost two hours of playing on the inflatable island, we our stomachs were started to growl! So, we went straight to our cottage and ate until our stomachs were full! We rested for a while to gain our energies back. We still have a long day ahead of us! After napping, we played beach volleyball. It was fun, thrilling, and exhausting! There were tons of other activities to do, like island hopping and snorkeling, but we didn’t have the budget for it. So, we made the most out of the available and affordable activities. After getting tired from beach volleyball, Dane and I decided to build sand castles with the kids. We even buried my sister, Gabrielle in the sand! I thought to myself, what a nice day to have and a nice man to be in love with. As the sun set, it was time to leave. When we got back to Lipa, everyone was worn out. We quickly went to bed after settling down.

More than the stories of Lipa, Batangas, its history, cuisine, culture and traditions, if I have learned anything from this quick getaway, it would be the importance of the people whom you are with. See, even with a low-budget, one can still have fun as long as it is with the right people. At least, that was the case for me. Every moment will be a memory, so it is crucial to cherish them and make them memorable.