The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) Science House in Talisay, Batangas was our jump-off point to the Taal Volcano Island. Calling it a “Science House” sounds snotty right? Like saying “Oh, I’ve been to the NASA Museum!” However, just like most government offices in our country, their building looks mediocre and artless…and well in Philvocs’ case – “unscientific”. Although the building is newly painted and some construction is being done, I hope they fix their signage too.
Behind their office is the dock where you can ride the boats going to Volcano Island for P1,500. Boats can carry up to seven persons.
Inside the Science House is a rack of volcanic rocks.
And a diorama of the Volcano Island. See that pea-sized emergence in the middle, that’s Vulcan Point.
Here’s a mountain range view of Volcano Island – Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot or Mt. Macolod in this model, Mt. Malepunyo, Mt. Cristobal and behind it is Mt. Banahaw. They say Taal Volcano used to stand 6,000 meters high before its eruption thousands of years ago. Now, that’s even higher than Mt. Apo which is the tallest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters. What interest me are the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, hmmm, that should be another lakwatsa destination and of course Talim Island! Ye, am an island junkie.
How scientific is the Science House?
And what is this building behind their office? Is this another Korean spa venture?
