In 1999, the town of Taal was declared a National Heritage Town. Rich with culture, history and mysticism, and just two hours down south from Manila, Taal is the perfect day trip. Climb the 125 steps of San Lorenzo Ruiz, starting at the Caysasay Church where the poor used to hear mass, and end at the Taal Basilica at the top where the rich would go to worship, which is also known as the largest church in Asia. Visit the Camera Museum, or one of the renovated or well-maintained ancestral homes now open to the public.