Tagalag Fishing Village (Valenzuela)

Valenzuela, officially the City of Valenzuela, which is the 6th most populous city in the National Capital Region, has always been known in the tourism industry as a place abounded with several parks, wherein the most notable would be the Valenzuela City People's Park, coupled with various historical structures, such as the Museo Valenzuela.

With tourists constantly being magnetized by various well-known areas offering eye-popping features such as beaches, mountains, ingrained culture, heritage villages, local cuisine, and many more, it is but natural for some local government units to further step up to the plate in order to entice more visitors to flock towards their vicinity.

Fortunately, it took 22 years from its conversion to cityhood in 1998 for Valenzuela to finally showcase their so-called “best kept secret”, which I believe is now the city’s most famous tourist destination.

A far cry from just a simple barangay surrounded by fishpens, which would barely make heads turn for potential tourists, on February 15, 2020, the city government opened to the public Valenzuela’s first fishing village, the Tagalag Fishing Village, situated at Barangay Tagalag.   

This village proudly boasts of a large fishing area with a boardwalk, park, and a variety of restaurants, ranging from casual to formal, possibly catering to various tourist preferences.

A Welcome Arch along Bisig Road greets well-wishers entering the vicinity. 

Welcome Arch

Alvarez Park Cafe is an Al-Fresco restaurant with a great ambiance and reasonably priced meals. Opened in the year 2020, it is the first park cafe in Valenzuela City.

Fountain at the facade

For fans of the American action crime drama television series Knight Rider, lo and behold, they have a 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am situated at the parking area for photo-ops.  

K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand) ???

Guests at the Alvarez Park Cafe proper can have a choice of either dining outside or in an air-conditioned area, both of which showcase a view of their fishing grounds. 

Outdoor Dining

The Fisherman's Point, which is still a part of the Alvarez Park Cafe compound, is a floating bar-restaurant offering a three-course lunch, six-course dinner, international cuisine, crafted cocktails, wine, and specialty drinks. This place is obviously for classy diners.    

The Fisherman's Point Entrance Arch

A wooden walkway leads up to the floating restaurant which incorporates a nautical design.

Wooden Walkway

The Fishing Area has the following amenities:

- Rental of fishing rods (or you may bring your own)

- Fish per kilo of Bangus and Tilapia

- Boat ride

- Kayak ride

- Rental of the Fishing Villa

Fishing Area

The Tagalag Mini Park consists of the Visitor's Center, in case you need additional information regarding the area, and the park proper, wherein one could view the Polo River.   

Visitor's Center

Tagalag Mini Park

The 17-hectare Tagalag Solar Farm is home to thousands of high-quality solar panels and is owned by Eco-Park Energy of Valenzuela Corporation. Up to 20.69 megawatts of electricity can be produced by the solar farm, which is roughly enough to power 140,000 typical Filipino homes.

Main Gate of the Tagalag Solar Farm

Solar Panels

Tata Celo Kainan sa Palaisdaan is a farm-to-table restaurant serving delicious Filipino dishes. The owner was once a fisherman. 

Tata Celo Kainan sa Palaisdaan

Filipino Cuisine Galore

Fishpond with floating nipa huts

A photo-op area atop the Polo River

Fish-shaped street signage can be seen inside the fishing village.  

Fish-shaped street signage

A visit to Tagalag Fishing Village is definitely one unique respite from the hustle and bustle of urban living. Aside from the sites I have featured here, tourists can be able to experience various fun-fishing activities in the other establishments along the village. A great place worth visiting indeed for families and friends!

Explore Pinas!