The Agoncillo–Mariño House is a historic Spanish Colonial Era residence, constructed by Marcela Agoncillo’s grandfather, Don Andrés Mariño, around the 1780s, standing as one of Taal’s oldest homes. It was subsequently transformed into a public museum known as the “Museo nina Marcela Mariño and Felipe Agoncillo,” now recognized as one of the national shrines overseen by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
Category: Wandering
Galleria Taal: The First Camera Museum in the Philippines
The camera museum finds its home in the Ilagan-Barrion Ancestral House, constructed in 1870 and once the residence of Domingo Ilagan, Maria Martinez-Ilagan, and their six children. In 2010, their grandson Emmanuel Inumerable converted the house into a public venue, establishing the camera museum known as Galleria Taal.
Brunei International Airport Mosque
Since we arrived at the airport very late, I didn’t notice the mosque next to Brunei International Airport until we were already leaving. The mosque, smaller than the grand ones we saw in Bandar Seri Begawan, boasts a striking big blue dome and three minarets. Despite its location at the international airport, it’s unfortunately not accessible to tourists.
Temburong Bridge
The Temburong Bridge, also called the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Bridge, holds the title of the longest bridge in Southeast Asia, stretching 26.3 kilometers across Brunei Bay, linking the Temburong district to Bandar Seri Begawan.
The House of Apacible
The Leon and Galicano Apacible Museum, an 18th-century residence, underwent renovation in the 1930s, adopting an art deco design. Subsequently transformed into a museum in the early 1970s, it was generously donated to the government in 1976. As the first museum and the sole art deco house in Taal, Batangas, it offers insights into the lives and contributions of the Apacible brothers—Leon and Galicano—and their roles during the struggle for Philippine independence in the late 19th century.
Brunei Maritime Museum
The Brunei Maritime Museum highlights the remarkable collection of artifacts discovered approximately 60 kilometers from Brunei’s coast in 1997, known as the ‘Brunei Shipwreck.’ This 500-year-old assemblage includes foreign ceramics from the 15th and 16th centuries, offering insight into the historic maritime trade between Brunei and China.
Somewhere in Seria
The Town of Seria holds historical significance as the site where oil was first discovered in Brunei back in 1929, subsequently evolving into a hub for the nation’s oil and gas industry. This pivotal moment marked a significant turning point in Brunei’s economic trajectory. The discovery of oil and natural gas not only bolstered the country’s political, financial, and cultural landscapes but also prompted amendments to the 1959 Constitution, leading to the abolition of the Resident System and laying the groundwork for Brunei’s eventual independence from Britain.
Royal Regalia Museum
The Royal Regalia Museum displays a range of items from His Majesty Sultan Bolkiah’s childhood to his coronation, such as jewel-encrusted crowns, thrones, garments, and his revered silver Keris (dagger). Additionally, the museum exhibits gifts presented to Sultan Bolkiah by foreign leaders and heads of state.
Jame ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
Initially known as the Kiarong mosque, the grand architectural masterpiece was later bestowed with the official name Jame ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in honor of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The construction of this majestic mosque employed the finest materials sourced from around the globe, including Philippine hardwood, Italian marble, Persian carpets, and genuine gold accents. Completed in 1994, the Jame ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque stands as Brunei’s largest mosque, a testament to the nation’s commitment to architectural excellence and spiritual devotion.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque
Brunei’s first and oldest national mosque, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, bears the name of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the nation’s 28th ruler. Positioned within a man-made lagoon, this architectural gem graces the historic grounds of the 1,000-year-old Kampung Ayer settlement, nestled along the Brunei River.
Kampong Ayer: The “Venice of Brunei”
Kampong Ayer, a remarkable water village, is nestled on the banks of the Brunei River. Dubbed the “Venice of Brunei,” this expansive water settlement boasts a history that spans over a thousand years, making it one of the largest of its kind globally.
Minor Basilica of St. Martin of Tours in Taal, Batangas
Basilica de San Martin de Tours, commonly referred to as Taal Basilica, is renowned as the largest church in Asia. Originally built in 1755, it succumbed to a devastating earthquake in 1852. However, the current structure was inaugurated in 1865 and finalized in 1878, featuring an impressive 79-foot altar. This colossal church spans 96 meters in length, 45 meters in width, and stands an impressive 96 meters tall.
Amoj In Wanderland 