Living up to the Filipino’s reputation of resilience, Tagaytay establishments are slowly getting back on their feet since Taal Volcano’s eruption.
Taal Vista Hotel has been operational with limited services, says Peggy E. Angeles, executive vice president of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. The slowdown in business was further hampered by the scare of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Business pick-up is slow, owing to event cancellations involving international participants. Their arrivals have been affected by travel bans and flight cancellations.
Meanwhile, restaurateur Tonyboy Escalante opened Breakfast at which is facing the lake and volcano, a week after Taal erupted. “The locals were looking for a place to eat,” he says.
Balay Dako, his Filipino restaurant along the ridge, underwent two weeks of cleaning and repair before it opened. His fine dining restaurant, Antonio’s, in Neogan, was the least affected. It opened after three weeks and went on to cater a wedding.
Jeremy Joson’s Deli de San Honoré, also in Neogan, was not affected by the ashfall. “There were too many tremors, though. We had to evacuate for two weeks,” he says. The family returned to Tagaytay when his daughter’s school reopened. “It’s like starting all over again. We are waiting for the tourists from Manila to come back,” he says. Marge C. Enriquez