ERUPTION OF TAAL VOLCANO

1911 ERUPTION OF TAAL VOLCANO

When Taal Volcano erupted in 1911, many children together with their parents were in the “Sabungan” enjoying a “Sirko”.
The eruption was preceded by strong earthquakes which greatly scared the people. Old women prayed. They thought it was the end of the world.
The following morning, all plants were covered with ashes. The whole town was white. Many plants died because of the hot ashes that covered them, but later, the soil turned very fertile. The 1965 eruption was relatively mild.


The Sept. 28, 1965 Eruption of Taal Volcano

It was early dawn when I was awakened by deafening sounds of thunder, with alternating lightning, so blinding that I thought the whole town was on fire. After a while I went back to sleep thinking that it was only due to bad weather.
A few minutes passed and I heard the hooting of Dr. Poblete’s car. I quickly stood up, suddenly reminded of our plan to go to Manila that day. He excitedly told me to dress hurriedly so we could watch the eruption of Taal Volcano. Realizing that the thunder and lightning was coming from the angry volcano I suddenly got so confused that I didn’t know what to do.
We rushed to Tagaytgay to watch the volcano at the height of its fury. From our position at the edge of the ridge we could clearly see the black smoke coming out of the volcano’s mouth, alternated by thunder and lightning.
Watching from above an erupting volcano was one experience I could never forget. Mud and ashes were blown by strong winds towards Batangas. Unlike during its 1911 eruption when, according to old folks, mud and ashes reached up to the town of Alfonso that caused the death of many plants.
Dr. Poblete and I proceeded to Manila anyway. Along Tagaytay highway we saw and encountered many evacuees coming from areas around the volcano.
They were pictures of fear and fatigue hurrying in their attempt to escape away from the killer fire and the nauseating smell of sulfur which was all over Tagaytay City.


From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.