WHAT IS TAYABAS?
Tayabas is a 6th class component city in the province of Quezon, Philippines. Known almost exclusively for its Lambanog and coconut plantations, Tayabas is a place that still somewhat reflects its rich history and culture.
Being home to the Minor Basilica of St. Michael The Archangel, 20 Spanish stone bridges, a number of heritage houses and other historical landmarks, Tayabas acts as an undisturbed time capsule of its noble past.
A NOBLE HISTORY
Before the Spaniards, Tayabas operated with a barangay system, led by a chief and advised by elders. Families worked together, to tend the land and hunt.
In 1573, Fray Juan de Peñalosa evangelized the area and by 1578, Franciscans Juan de Placencia and Diego de Oropeza established the town with Christian Pueblos, implementing the reduccion system, which compelled locals to gather in the town center and build houses, resembling Spain’s pueblos.
SPANISH COLONIAL BRIDGES
The Malagonlong Bridge is a stone-arch bridge that has a length of 136 meters and is under the protection of the local government of Tayabas. Built under the direction of one Fray Antonio Mateos, it was built with 100,000 adobe blocks.
While all Spanish colonial bridges in Tayabas are declared National Cultural Landmarks by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Malagonlong Bridge is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage.
THE MAYOHAN FESTIVAL
Also known as Mayohan sa Tayabas, this major annual celebration starts with the introduction of an arch known as the Parada ng Baliskog.
It is normally a grand and colorful entrance, sporting all sorts of presentations, with the Baliskog (arc) itself made from indigenous materials like coconut leaves, lumber, bamboo, buli and rattan, decorated with dried flowers, palay and other accessories deemed fit to celebrate another fruitful harvest.
HAGISAN NG SUMAN
One of the more notable events happening in the Mayohan Festival is the Hagisan ng Suman. During this event, farmers and devotees of San Isidro De Labrador, parade an image of the saint in a procession across the municipality.
In its procession, they are offered (thrown) suman, a popular rice cake in the Philippines. The offering of suman is done with pride and passion because it’s an opportunity for the locals of Tayabas to share prosperity.
A TIMELESS HERITAGE
Tayabas has managed to preserve some infrastructure projects from its noble villa era. They reflect the ingenuity and skill of the people that conceptualized and designed them.
These heritage sites are fervent reminders of Tayabas’ beautiful history and are also markers of its identity for its current inhabitants. Each these historical structures have their own fascinating stories to tell from which future generations can learn.
THE CABECERA
In 1637, the cabecera (the seat of provincial governance) was located in Unisan. After Moro attacks and bandit raids, it was moved to the pueblo of Tayabas in 1651.
Known as La Provincia De Tayabas, the people enjoyed Mt Banahaw’s blessing of mountain spring water, which was a major contributor to its agricultural success at the time. With spring water flowing straight from Mt Banahaw, hundreds of canals leading to rice paddies and other crops.
ABUNDANT BOUNTIES
Thanks in large part to the volcanic soil that’s prevalent in the region, Tayabas enjoys a rather fertile production of rice, coconut and other crops. From the coconut comes material such as oil, vinegar, pitch, tuba (the nectar of coconut flower) and bonote (coconut husk).
There was also a production of hemp fibers, tortoise shell boxes, bafta cloth and mats. These goods were traded in the cabecera along with the rest of the province.
A SIGNIFICANT LEGACY
Back then, Spain recognized some of its territory as villas, a classification meant to denote significance.
In the Philippines, only 8 provinces were given this title: La Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de Cebu, La Villa de Santiago de Libon (Albay), La Villa Fernandina de Vigan (Ilocos), La Villa Rica de Arevalo (Iloilo), La Noble Villa de Pila (Laguna), La Villa de Bacolor (Pampanga), La Villa de Lipa and La Muy Noble Villa de Tayabas.
THE MOST NOBLE VILLA
Because of its thriving economic advantage and its fervent belief in Catholicism, only Tayabas earned the title of The Most Noble Villa. Upon being awarded this prestige, its culture’s growth soon followed with arts, plays, dance, and poetry being created and shared in town.
There were infrastructural developments in the town too with bridges, chapels, cemeteries, government buildings and schools. Most of these works of architecture still stand.
BRIDGING PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Because of their capacity to connect different peoples and trades of different regions closer to each other, bridges are one of the most important indicators of how a civilization grows and how cultures get enriched.
Apart from the Puente de Malagonlong, one of the Spanish Colonial bridges includes the Puente de Alitao, an adobe bridge built in 1793. It’s also the earliest surviving colonial bridge in Tayabas.
Image from Wikipedia
SPANISH COLONIAL BRIDGES
Other Spanish Colonial bridges include the Puente de Reina Isabel II which was a colonial bridge built to honor Queen Isabel II of Spain and the Puente de San Francisco de Asís, located in Domoit River, Barangay Domoit, which was built in 1854.
There is also the Puente de Gibanga, Puente de Lakawan, Puente de Mate, Puente de la Ese, Puente de las Despedidas, Puente de Tumuloy, Puente de la Princesa, and many more.
Image from Wikipedia
A LEGACY THAT LASTS
These architectural marvels of Tayabas stand the test of time and some of them serve as good tourist spots. More than their aesthetic value however, these sites serve as a fervent reminder of the municipality’s noble background.
So if ever you take a trip to Tayabas, visit some of these bridges and learn what stories they have. It’s always fascinating to walk in the shoes of those in the past and learned the lessons they have.
Image from Wikipedia.
JOYFUL AND FAITHFUL
The late President Manuel L. Quezon mentioned that Tayabas is among the richest and joyous places in the region. This is because of how happy the people are in the vicinity. This isn’t hard to believe because of the fertile soil that creates bountiful harvests.
When you have an abundance of harvest, you have reason to celebrate. And as a concrete example of this jubilant feeling of abundance, the area has established several feasts.
PARADA NG BALISKOG
A highlight of the Mayohan Festival is the Parada ng Baliskog. To honor Tayabas’ patron Saint Isidro de Labrador, arcs made of indigenous materials like coconut leaves, coconut husk, bamboo and other native materials are paraded in town.
Accompanied by loud music and dancing, this parade is a lively sight to behold. This celebration highlights the region’s religious beliefs and its agricultural background.
Image from the Philippine Star
PAHIYAS KAY SAN ISIDRO
Also happening during the Mayohan Festival is the Pahiyas kay San Isidro. In this custom, locals decorate their homes with local farm products and other indigenous materials in order to beautify them.
There are also other celebrations that the municipality celebrates. For instance, there’s the Feast Of Saint Michael The Archangel. On this day, the municipality parades children in angel and cherubim costumes.
Image from the Sentinel Times
AN AGRICULTURAL SANCTUARY
The soil in Tayabas is fertile due to the volcanic soil and mountain spring water. This makes the growth of food-generating flora possible almost without the use of harmful fertilizers.
Habilin Farms stands as a good example of permaculture, capable of producing harvests naturally and sustainably. Through the use of diversified farming techniques, the farm provides the perfect environment for man and nature to not only survive but also thrive.
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