On volcanoes and national flowers

One of the active volcanoes in the Philippines, and part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, is Taal Volcano in Tagaytay. Taal has been called a volcano within a volcano because it sits in the middle of Taal Lake, which is likely the crater of an old volcano. Historically, Taal volcano has been one of the most active in the Philippines.

Mentions of the volcano are found as far back as Fray Martin de Rada, OSA in 1571 (a priest who came with Legazpi). In his notes he mentioned vague rumblings in the area. The first direct mention comes, courtesy of another Augustinian by the name of Fray Gaspar de Agustin in 1680: “In this lake of Bombon there is a small island which is a fiery volcano, wont at times to eject numerous and very large burning stones, which destroy and lay waste many cultivated fields which the natives of Taal possess on the slopes of the said volcano.”

The Philippines must have been a fascinating and dangerous place for those Europeans, vague rumblings in the distance and fiery stones falling from the sky were a part of being on these islands. In 1731, a Father Buencuchillo stationed in Taal described that years eruption: “Fire broke out in the lake in front of the point which looks to the east, obelisks of earth and sand so large and high raising themselves from the water that in a few days an Islet was formed with a quarter of a league of coastline.” Father Buencuchillo would also record the eruption of 1749: “A glare was seen on the summit of the volcano . . . followed by strong detonations . . . immediately a column of smoke issued forth, not only from the main crater but also from the many other small craters opening in the islands. From the very bottom of the lake there also arose awful pyramids of water, sand and smoke, towering to the clouds…the land all around was considerably shaken so that Tanauan as well as Sala were almost destroyed.” 

The most destructive of all was on January 30, 1911 and was in line with the others: “A terrible roar which seemed to be at the same time subterraneous and in the air and could be heard in all directions . . . filled even the people in Manila with fear . . . At the same time there was seen an immense, threatening, black cloud, crossed by brilliant flashes of lightning . . . The chief feature . . . seems to have been a terrible explosion which with incredible violence hurled high up into the air and scattered in all directions glowing rocks, earth, mud, ashes, and gases…”   This was the volcano’s last major eruption; it resulted in 1,300 deaths and the destruction of 13 towns.

While January 30 marks the 99th anniversary of an eruption, February 1 marks the 76th anniversary of the sampaguita being named our national flower. This of course was declared by then American Governor-General Frank Murphy. At the same time, the narra was declared our national tree. The sampaguita (likely a 17th century transplant from India) by smell, looks and hardiness has become one of the enduring symbols in the Philippines. And surprisingly, it is even good to eat. The first time we ever tried it was in the old Intramuros restaurant, Ilustrado, where it is still served as ice cream.