Villa Tortuga is a very special destination in Taal. I must admit I skipped it on my very first trip. But when I learned of their studio and the period clothes available for hire, I have kept coming back. I have brought my family twice, and three sets of friends on many different occasions. Each time, we were there for a single purpose: photography while wearing those clothes that made us look like we lived in those days. Especially when we finish the photos in sepia, even as we took them in full color using dslr camera. That is going ahead of the story, so I will post some of those sepia photos last.

Stairs to the living and dining, bedrooms. Downstairs is the studio

The house is right at the corner when coming from Caysasay Shrine as visitors head to the Heritage Village. Parking is available on an empty lot at the back, on the right side if you are facing Villa Tortuga. Entrance fee is P50, but another P200 will allow you to live in the past wearing clothes you can pick from a wide selection.

The Studio downstairs

we took photographs in color

But our most loved photos were those we finished in sepia, like this one. The colored photo above was also rendered in sepia, making the subjets happier with the output.

after setting up the camera on a tripod, I also took a “selfie”, making sure I wasn’t smiling – – – to be in character with the setting and the shirt I was wearing.

Like the other heritage homes, the house is furnished with old furniture. Guests can pre-book and arrange lunch within the villa. Enjoy the past while living in the present.