Compiled and Edited by the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator 2 We, citizens of The Very Noble Town Coconut production in Tayabas started in 1650 and has remarkably increased through the succeeding centuries, thus making Tayabas a major producer of coconuts in the province. Coconut industry has influenced greatly the lifestyle of the Tayabasin. During the 1990s when the price of copra declined in the world market, the more resilient Tayabasin converted their coco lands into rice or vegetable farms thus affecting the agricultural landscape and consequently the socio-economic and cultural life of our people. The picture shows detail of a baliskog, the Tayabasin welcome arch, exhibited at the Mayohan Festival 2010. This folk art was crafted by the residents of Barangay Lakawan in Tayabas. It depicts the seasonal activities of coconut farmers as they or harvest, dehusk, and transport coconuts using the horse. OUR TOWN presents a socio-economic and cultural profile using empirical data. It is our desire that, as you turn every page of this compilation, you are with us traveling to the past, the present and to the future—thus completing our life’s journey as citizens of the very noble town. And, finally, as you leaf through each page, we wish to elicit an understanding of the whys, the hows and where Tayabas shall become. May Dondi Faustino Alandy Silang, DMD La Muy Noble Villa de Tayabas or The Very Noble Town of Tayabas is the royal title awarded by the Spanish Monarch to Tayabas in 1703 thus, elevating the town to the ranks of nobility. 3 ORIGIN Of Winged Beings and Ritual One thing we should be grateful about the friars is that they didn’t change the name of what is now Tayabas. Other towns were not lucky as when the original ethnic sounding names of their locale were altered to Isabela (referring to Queen Isabel II of Spain), Legazpi (the conquistador) or Magallanes. 4 The scholarly mind-set of Franciscan Friar Juan de Placencia must have conditioned the preservation of the name Tayabas. This Franciscan friar made an extensive study of Tagalog customs and tradition and discovered the cultural significance of preserving Tayabas. But what’s in a name? Tayabas may have originated from Tayaban – a winged being , of human form and usually seen at night. Its body glows like swarms of tropical firefly. The idea of the Tayaban may have originated from, or been suggested by the firefly. Tayaba is another possibility of the origin of the place. A word encountered in E. Arsenio Manuel’s dictionary of Tayabas Tagalog points to an indigenous practice or ritual when natives open up a farm as in New Year’s when the magsasaka cuts down three trees on the patch he wishes to cultivate. He then brings the cut trees to the border of the patch to mark it. Tayabas may have been applied to a place intended for farming. Reference: Roy Franklin Barton, The Mythology of the Ifugaos, Notes 11 p 231 Philadelphia, American Folklore Society 1955 E. Arsenio Manuel, Lexicography of Tayabas Tagalog of Quezon Province, Diliman Review 1971 Press 5 THE TOWN BUILDING THE PUEBLO OR TOWN Around the 1580s, the Franciscan Friars began the systematic process of Hispanization and Christianization called reduccion, a system that involves two major processes of socio-cultural transformation: urbanization and Christian instruction. The Spanish missionaries observed that the natives tended to live near the field or on the hills where they planted crops in the mountains and forest where they hunted or beside the rivers or along the seacoasts, particularly in sheltered bays and protected channels between the many islands, where seafood abounded. The rivers and seas likewise provided them with means of escapes from enemies and avenues of travel and communication. Those who lived inland were, in most cases, into slash and burn type of agriculture. There was neither a town nor a city in the European style, let alone a central government that unified the natives. 6 Because the natives lived in scattered settlements far from each other, it was extremely difficult for the missionaries to catechize and administer the sacraments to them unless they came together to live in larger communities and build their own towns and churches . Friar Juan de Plasencia took a leading role in resettling the dispersed natives into compact villages or poblaciones or, in other words, in reducing the small, scattered settlements into larger settlements as people of that time used to say. He urged the natives to concentrate into the plains, where they should be taught how to till the land. Furthermore, he took advantage of a royal decree granting aid to missionaries for the construction of churches in their mission areas. To accelerate the reduccion of the natives, he asked the Spanish monarch and the governor of Manila to compel them to live in towns. Once the natives were resettled in suitable places they could be under the protection of the missionary, “who would teach them how to build and to furnish simple human habitations as well as agriculture and other elements of progress.” The head settlement or cabecera, where the basic elements of Spanish urban life where found, constituted the poblacion or the capital of what would come later as the pueblo. Plasencia’s project of forming “pueblos de indios” proved to be so successful that his methods were accepted by all missionary groups working in the Philippines. In implementing the reduccion policy, the missionaries followed what Spanish law had already dictated on how to establish towns and cities. The poblacion had to follow on gridiron pattern, with 7 rectangular street blocks and with streets “drawn a cordel y a regal (straight and at right angles to one another) at the center is the church, and within its perimeter was the cemetery. The people were to live literally and symbolically debajo de la campa, under the bell or within hearing distance of the bell. (Excerpts from Fr. Renato Pareja’s book History of the Diocese, 2010) 1956 Town Map. Notice the Spanish gridiron pattern, rectangular street blocks and streets at right angle to one another. 8 2010 Town Map. Present urban plan evolved with slight variation from the old Spanish town plan. 9 Number of Barangays Population Growth Rate Income Class : : : : 66 (Urban:19 & Rural:47) 87,252 (2007 Census) 2.57% (2007 Census) 1st Class (as per Department of Finance Guidelines) 10 FEAST AND FESTIVALS The people of Tayabas are very hospitable; they are partly composed of well -todo Chinese mestizos—Jean Mallat, French Historian 1846 Pre-Hispanic Philippines or the time before 1521 showed contacts with Asian neighbors: the Chinese. Pottery was known to the nati ves but the Chi nese i ntroduced porcelain and ceramics. Though already prevalent i n most south-east asian neighbors prior to Filipino contact with the Chinese, introduction of wet-type rice farming or the nati ve tubigan is popularly attributed to the Chinese. Tayabas Tagalog lexicon is rich in C hinese vocabulary mostly related to culi naries. In architecture, the presence of lion statues in front of Mi nor Basilica of St. Michael is reminiscence of Chi nese influence. The C hinese were skilled masons and artisans and in 1758 had furnaces for bricks along the road to Lucena, a nearby town south of Tayabas. Chinese Ceramics Bow l, KAISA Stone Stamp Pad, TAYTSINOY Festival, 2008 Lion statue, front of basilica Charred Porcelain Plates, Mi Casa en Tayabas Chinese Ceramics Bow l, KAISA 11 Taytsinoy Festival Taytsinoy Festival honors the Tayabas Chinese-Filipino community and the early Chinese settlers who came from Amoi, China. Celebrated during the Lunar Festival or the Chinese New Year, the 3-day event showcases Chinese Memorabilia Exhibit, traditional Chinese foods and games, fora on Chinese culture and history, music and movies. Highlights of the festival is Dragon and Lion Dance which ushers in the Chinese New Year. Photo by Community Affairs Office/Tourism 12 CHINESE LEXICON IN EVERYDAY TAYABASIN DIALECT TUA-DI – Landing Certificate LOMI – Noodle Dish Cooked in Cream SANGLEY – Tawag sa Tsinoy LUMPIYA – Dish of sliced vegetables wrapped in doughy wrappers SENG-LI – Sa salitang hokkien ay SELL or SELLING MAMI – Noodle dish with pork and chicken and cook in soup HOKKIEN – Pangunahing lengwahe na ginagamit ng mga tayabasing tsinoy MIKI – Kind of noodles, cooked or uncooked AM – Rice Broth MISUA – Kind of fine noodle made from flour ATE – Elder Sister PANSIT – Dish that is conveniently cooked BAKYA – Wooden Clogs PETSAY – Chinese Cabbage BATAW – Climbing plants with edible pods PONG – Term used in mahjong BATSOY – Soup Dish with Loin of Pork as main Ingredients PUTHAW – Small axe with a short handle BIHON – White Rice Noodles SIYANSE – Frying spoon, kitchen turner BIKO – Sweetened Rice Cake SIOMAI – Steamed Dumpling BILAO – Device for Winnowing Rice SIOPAO – Steamed cakes with meat and condiments BILU-BILO – Sticky Rice SOTANGHON – Small white crinkly rice noodles translucent when cooked BITHAY – Rice Sifter SUKI – Important Costumer BITSO – Fried Cake made of Rice Flour SUNGKI – Protruding Tooth DIKIYAM – Salted Preserved Plums SUSI – Key DIKO – Elder Brother TAHO – Bean Curd DITSE – Elder Sister TANSO – Copper Wire GOTO – Cow’s Tripe TIKOY – Sweetened Rice Cake GUNGGONG – Stupid TOKWA – Hardened Bean Curd GUYA – Young Cow TOGE – Bean Sprouts HIBE – Dry Salted Shrimps TOYO – Soy Sauce HIKAW – Earrings UKOY – Cake made from taro HOPYA – Sweet Mongo Bean Cake UPO – Gourd HUMBA – Highly Spice Dish of Pork HUSI – Quality Silk Sa mga tsinoy at sa salitang “HOKKIEN” ang pantig na “BA” ay binabasa na “MA”. HUWETENG – Number Pairing Game Halimbawa: BASTA sa salitang tsinoy MASTA sa ingles JUST SO INKONG – Grand Father TABAKO sa salitang tsinoy TAMAKO sa ingles TOBACCO INSO – Elder Brothers Wife Ang salitang Pansit ay nagmula sa salitang Hokkien na “PIAN-SIT” na ang ibig sabihin ay KINTSAY – Celery madaling lutuin hindi ibig sabihin ay noodles. KUSOT – Saw Dust KUYA – Elder Brother 13 14 15 Suman as ritual gift during Mayohan Festival Folks of Tayabas and neighboring towns scampered for a shower of suman during Hagisan ng Suman-one of the highlights of Mayohan Festival. Photo by CAO/Tourism Office Suman is the ritual gift of Hagisan. Hagisan is an opportunity for the Tayabasin to share their prosperity. Bundles of suman are gaily tied in a bamboo called 16 bagakay, exhibited and installed at households along the procession route. As soon as the image of San Isidro passes by the bagakay must be emptied of its colourful array of abundance, which aside from suman, includes banana, mango, buko, pineapple and other local farm produce. In most houses, suman and other farm produce are no longer tied in bagakay, they simply throw them with passion and great enthusiasm from their decks, balconies, or windows to the multitudes of peasants and workers. Hagisan means throwing or sharing away. “Pa’yas kay San Isidro” is visual delight. All houses along Felimon Perez Street in the four barangays of Muntingbayan District are decked with indigenous materials and fresh farm produce. Viewing is every May 13th to 15th. Mayohan Festival ranks as major festival in the region. It continually draws large number of crowd since it started in 1989. 17 Trece De Agosto---Araw Ng Tayabas (August 12th -13th) Heroism and victory is the theme of celebration every 13th of August or Trece de Agusto. Calle Trece de Agosto, the street named after the historic day of victory and liberation from the Spanish colonizers is the place of celebration.. Fun, food and drinks. Street parties, concerts, singing contests, marathon and other games capped the celebration. The Local Chief Executive delivers State of the Municipality Address on this day. Fiesta---The Feast Of Saint Michael The Archangel (29th September) The fiesta is in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel, Tayabas’ patron saint. Ushering the celebration is a nine-day novena leading to the feast day, September 29 th. The town glows white with angels on parade--- children dressed as cherubims fill the streets. 18 Viernes Dolores De Turumba Viernes de Nuestra Senora Virgen de Los Dolores de Turumba is a religious festival. Folksy dance and chants filled the air as devotees join the procession. Holy Week/Lenten Season---Passion Of The Christ A tableu on the Passion and Death of Christ is staged at the patio of the Saint Michael the Archangel Minor Basilica. Local artists, actors and talents perform the roles. 19 There are four (4) Episcopal Districts in the Diocese of Lucena. The Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel belongs to the Episcopal District of St. Luke in the Vicariate of St. James. As a whole the Vicariate of St. James comprises three (3) parishes—Parish of St. Michael the Archangel, Parish of San Roque, Parish of Mother of Perpetual Help. 20 PARISH OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL Founded 1580 Location Tayabas, Quezon Pioneering Evangelizers Friars of the Franciscan Province of San Jose, Spain: Friar Juan de Plasencia and Friar Diego de Oropesa Erected as Minor Basilica on October 18, 1988 by the Congregation for Divine Cult Declared by National Museum thru Presidential Decree 374 as National Cultural Treasure on July 31, 2001 Feast Day September 29 Rev. Msgr. Carlos Pedro A. Herrera, PC Parish Priest Fr. Gerald A. Garcia Parochial Vicar Fr. Arvin C. Pitahin Parochial Vicar Msgr. Beato S. Racelis, HP Resident Priest 21 PARISH OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 2009 PARISH REGISTRY Baptism : 1,014 Confirmation : 900 Matrimony : 223 Defunctorum : 345 Source: Dulce Rea, Parish Secretary 22 Fr. Amado Alandy. Tayabasin. He was the second Filipino priest to have served the Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel in 1899 to 1900; Fr. Isabelo Martinez being the first Filipino assigned priest (1896-1899). In May 1907 to August 1922 he became the first Filipino who served the town of Sariaya as cura parroco. Source: Alaala ’88, Susi ng Tayabas 1989 LUCENA The Story of a Diocese 2010, Fr. Renato Pareja Photo courtesy of LUCENA The Story of a Diocese 2010, Fr. Renato Pareja 23 PARISH OF SAN ROQUE Founded 1960 Location Brgy. Ilasan, Tayabas, Quezon Pioneering Priest Fr. Javier Villaverde Present Parish Priest Fr. Antonio Salvania Feast Day August 16 2009 PARISH REGISTRY Baptism Confirmation Matrimony Defunctorum : : : : 171 5 5 26 Source: Fidela Reyes, Parish Secretary 24 PARISH OF MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP Founded 1969 Location Brgy. Iba. Bukal Tayabas, Quezon Pioneering Priest Fr. Severiano Salvania Present Parish Priest Msgr. Emmanuel Villareal Feast Day June 27 2009 PARISH REGISTRY Baptism Confirmation Matrimony Defunctorum : : : : 341 178 41 57 Source: Johnny Llamado, Parish Secretary 25 REVENUE & LOCAL ECONOMY 26 The share of each province, city and municipality is computed based on the following factors: Population - 50% Land Area - 25% Equal Share - 25% The IRA share based on population is computed using the population data from a census of population conducted by the NSO every 10 years as contained in a Presidential Proclamation Order. The IRA share based on land area is computed using the consolidated masterlist of land area prepared by the Land Management Bureau (LMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) every three (3) years. The allocation of the individual share in the case of barangays, shall be P80,000.00 for each barangay with a population of not less than 100 inhabitants. The balance to be distributed shall be based on population (60%) and equal sharing (40%). Source: Office of the Local Budget Officer, Tayabas 27 PHYSICAL FEATURES 28 Geographical Location Tayabas is at 14050 latitude east-southeast of Mount Banahaw and positioned between 14°01’40.3” N Latitude and 121°36’54.5” E Longitude. Bounded on the north by Lucban; Mauban on the east; Pagbilao to the south-east; Lucena City to the south; and Sariaya and Mount Banahaw to the west. Distance from Lucena City and Manila 150 km. South-east of Manila and only about 10 km. from the provincial capital, Lucena City. 29 Soil Types Luisiana Sandy Clay Loam Bolinao Clay Loam Mountain Soil (Undifferentiated) d) Macolod Clay Loam Ibaan Loam Soils of the area are Macolod Clay Loam, Ibaan Loam, Bolinao Clay Loam, Luisiana Sandy Clay Loam and Mountain Soil. (Source: Department of Soil Science University of the Philippines at Los Baños Laguna, June 1980 30 Topography The slopes of Tayabas are level to nearly level (0-3%) nearly level to undulating (3-8%), undulating to rolling (18-30%), and steep to very steep (>50%). Generally, areas with slopes of 0-18% are good farmlands suited for seasonal inter-tilled crops. Those with 18-30% slopes are best suited to agro-forestry, while those with greater than 50% slopes should be devoted to forest development or wildlife. (Source: National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)) 31 Description Level to nearly level Nearly level to undulating Undulating to rolling Rolling to hilly Hilly to steep Steep to very steep TOTAL Hectare 1,806 8,669 5,809 3,413 974 2,424 23,095 Source: Comprehensive Development Plan of Tayabas, 1995 Area Sq. Km. 18.06 86.69 58.09 34.13 9.74 24.24 230.95 Percent 7.8 37.5 25.2 14.8 4.2 10.5 100.00 32 Climate Second type of climate characterized by the absence of a distinct dry season. Temperature is generally warmer than normal for the month of June, July, and August. Average temperature ranges are 21°C to 32°C for the year 2009. Total Monthly Rainfall No. of days w/ RR Month Rainfall Amount January 120.0 mm. 31 February 164.9 mm. 21 March 253.5 mm. 17 April 911.3 mm. 25 May 232.9 mm. 28 June 296.0 mm. 20 July 155.2 mm. 21 August 100.9 mm. 24 September 327.3 mm. 24 October 344.2 mm. 22 November 400.3 mm. 26 December 119.3 mm. 20 Yearly Total RR 3,425.8 mm. 279 Monthly Mean Temperature Maximum Minimum 26.8 D.C 20.4 D.C 28.9 D.C 21.3 D.C 30.8 D.C 22.4 D.C 30.9 D.C 23.0 D.C 30.5 D.C 23.1 D.C 31.3 D.C 23.1 D.C 31.4 D.C 23.4 D.C 31.8 D.C 24.0 D.C 30.5 D.C 23.4 D.C 30.6 D.C 22.6 D.C 29.9 D.C 22.8 D.C 28.3 D.C 20.9 D.C shows a more pronounced wet season in Tayabas with 279 rainy days in a year Source: PAG-ASA Tayabas, Rainfall info 2009 Table 33 NATURAL RESOURCES EVOCATION OF LOVE AND SHADOWS: The Flora and Fauna of the 19 th Century From valley to valley and always traveling between a savage and exuberant vegetation, among small houses situated at certain distances from each other, the dwellings of farmers or the shelter of travelers, we reached the heights of the Bridge of the Princess (Tulay ng Prinsesa, so named after the Princess of Asturias), from which a strong odor of rotten eggs indicated to us that we were in the vicinity of a sulfuric spring. As we advanced, the odor became stronger and finally we noted on that same plateau some shallow furrows impregnated with mineralogical residues carried by the water... The landscape that can be admired from the Bridge of the Princess is the most beautiful landscape which nature can ever create. The river runs between two hills in which the Great Creator has spread out one of the most beautiful scenes; all the shades and colors of flowers, all the mysteries of the forest, all the grandeur of the intertropical vegetation, are exhibited in those heights, in which the strident shriek of the monkey, the divining sound of kalaw or hornbill, the sad groans of the bato-bato or the quail, the monotonous peep of the solitario or thrush and the merry warble of the bajaro del sol are heard. All of these factors together, almost always overlaid with a layer of mystic clouds, predispose one to melancholy. I cannot imagine myself laughing while I pass over the Bridge of the Princess. That panorama oppresses the soul, those heights encircle the spirit with sadness, and the mists that spread out from the fissures of Banahaw endow fantasy with life, transforming them into foreboding shadows. How sad, how savage and at the same time how beautiful is all this! r Source: Alvarez Guerra, Juan De Manila a Tayabas, 2nd Ed. 1887 Madrid Ch.5 p.62-63 34 Minerals Geological setting signifies occurrence of non metallic mineral deposits with high economic potential. Huge quantities of cement raw material and lime stone are present in the vicinity of Ibabang Palale, a barrio south-east of Tayabas. Forest Products Forest area measures 2804 hectares and the bigger part is located in Mount Banahaw, a Vulcan de Agua or Water Volcano; 473 of which are identified as Multiple Use Zone, 2331 are Protected Area. 35 Flora ( Plants ) There are 358 species of trees, 19 species of vines, 15 species of palms, 39 species of ferns, 15 species of grasses and 42 species of fungi. POPULAR HOUSE PLANTS OF THE 1950s 36 BEGONIA. Frequently spotted in east windows. Each gay leaf has a maroon star in the center, surrounded by a rippling pink pattern, next a pattern of white, then green, and finally an edging of maroon. Grows compact and full with foliage that overlaps. This tropical plant often displayed in ceramic pastel color flow er pots charmed the lives of many Tayabasin. F a u n a MAIS-MAISAN OR CORN PLANT. This tropical foliage plant has arching leaves and resemble a miniature stalk of field corn. It can grow from 15 inches to 15 feet and popular among houses in barangays Bukal and Ilasan. ( W CALADIUM, FANCY-LEAVED. Glamorous foliage plant from tropical America. The leaves are of many colors, red, pink, white, green, silver and some with marbled effects. Often found in shady areas or in most silong ng bahay. 37 Fauna (Wildlife ) Bats and non-volant mammals documented in Tayabas, Quezon Province, Luzon are as follows: Scientific Name Common Name Cynopterus brachyotis Common short-nosed fruit bat Ptenochurus jagori Musky fruit bat Pteropus spp. Flying foxes Rousettus amplexicaudatus Common rousette Hipposideros ater Dusky roundleaf bat Hipposideros bicolor Bicolored roundleaf bat Hipposideros diadema Diadem roundleaf bat Hipposideros lekaguli Large Asian roundleaf bat Hipposideros pygmaeus Rhinolophus cf. arcuatus Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat 1 Arcuate horseshoe bat Rhinolophus cf. inops Rhinolophus cf. philippinensis Philippine forest horseshoe bat 1 Enormous-eared horseshoe bat Study Area Iba. Lawigue Palale 1 2 12 3 P P P P 1 0 1 0 2 6 3 0 17 0 21 0 18 2 37 0 Total 3 15 1 1 8 3 17 21 20 37 38 Study Area Total Iba. Lawigue Palale Rhinolophus rufus Large rufous horseshoe bat 17 3 20 Miniopterus australis Little net-winged bat 16 6 22 Miniopterus schreibersi Common bent-winged bat 16 0 16 Miniopterus tristis Greater bent-winged bat 2 0 2 Macaca Fascicularis Long-tailed macaque P P Apomys microdon Small Luzon forest mouse 3 0 3 Phloeomys cumingi Southern giant cloud rat P P Rattus everetti Common Philippine forest rat 11 0 11 Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Palm civet P P No. of trap-nights 686 0 686 No. of net-nights 19 3 22 No. of harp trap-nights 6 1 7 No. of non-volant small mammal species 12 0 2 No. of bat species 16+ 6+ 16+ 1 probably includes 2 or more species, P – Present but not captured Scientific Name Common Name Source: Progress Report on a Preliminary Mammal Survey of Caves in Tayabas, Quezon Province, Luzon by Danilo S. Balete, Lawrence R. Heaney and Joel Sarmiento, October 12, 2009. 39 Other mammal species are found in Tayabas- Lucban area of Mount Banahaw like Common Dawn Fruit Bat (Eonycteris spelea glandifera), Long Tongue Fruit Bat (Macroglossus minimus) and Phil. Monkey (Macaca fascicularis philippinesis). 1 Protected/Watershed Area A lake in Busal, Barangay Ibabang Palale, south-east of Tayabas measures 1.5 hectares, a watershed that helps sustain biodiversity in the area. Freshwater fish like palos, tilapia, dalag, hito, baculi and mollusk such as suso, bituo and bikuyo are abundant. A Presidential Proclamation declaring it as Protected Area is underway. (Source: LABB Members: Jojit Rojas et. Al) Photo by LABB Dagatan Lake in Sitio Busal, Brgy. Iba. Palale, Tayabas Quezon 1 Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape page 13 40 EMPLOYMENT Total Labor Force (15 years and over) No. of Total Population (15 years & over) 56, 827 Total Labor Force Employed Unemployed Not in the Force 36, 589 33,149 3,440 20, 238 15 – 24 16, 260 7, 480 6,777 703 8, 780 25 - 34 12, 593 9, 319 8,443 876 3, 274 35 - 44 11, 289 8,805 7,977 828 2,484 45 - 54 8, 344 6, 508 5,896 612 1, 836 55 – 64 4, 508 3, 020 2,736 284 1, 488 65 –over 3, 833 1, 457 1,320 137 2, 376 Age & Sexes Both Sexes Tayabas Employment Status *Source: Based on 2007 Survey of National Statistics Office 41 HEALTH INFORMATION 42 Thirteen (13) Health Stations are spread strategically on various points in Tayabas. The 66 barangays, comprising the town are clustered and serviced by thirteen (13) health stations. Each health station serves an average of five (5) barangays. Position Public Health Doctor Dentist Public Health Nurse Midwife Medical Technologist Laboratory Aide Sanitation Inspector X-ray Technologist Health Aide Utility TOTAL Permanent Employee 1 1 2 11 1 Job Order Contract of Service 3 Total 3 74 3 7 17 1 1 1 2 1 21 1 19 52 Source: Office of the Human Resource Management Officer, 2010 4 4 9 28 2 1 1 1 21 3 43 TRANSPORT FACILITIES There are about 234 kilometers of roads in the town and most are concentrated in the rural areas. There are approximately 36 kilometers of national roads, 16 44 kilometers of provincial roads, 7 kilometers of municipal roads and 176 kilometers of barangay roads. (Source: Office of the City Engineer, 2010) A national highway traverses Barangay Isabang, southwestern portion of Tayabas. The Lucena-Tayabas, Tayabas-Lucban, Tayabas-Sariaya, TayabasPagbilao and Tayabas-Mauban are first class roads made of concrete and asphalt. Public Transportation Types of Vehicle Number 1. Buses 19 2. Vans (Garage to Terminal Express) Tayabas - Pacific Route- 30 Tayabas - SM Route - 36 Jeepney (with franchise) Tricycle (with franchise) 66 3. 4. 44 1,175* Source: Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board 2010 * Business Permit and Licensing Office, 2010 45 46 COMMUNICATION FACILITIES Telecommunication needs are serviced by Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Company with 1,300 enlisted subscribers. Out of that number, 700 have Internet Access. There are Seven (7) Smart Cell Sites, Five (5) Globe Cell Sites and Four (4) Sun Cellular Cell Sites serving cellular phone subscribers. Commending the villa’s high order of efficiency, Guerra described how the Archive of the Government in Tayabas was among the riches and most organized among those he had ever known. He also noted the operation of a telegraphic line from Manila and how Tayabas served as central bridge between Manila and the Bicol Peninsula: “the line of inspection for the mail from Manila to Albay terminates in Tayabas. Guerra, Juan Alvarez, De Manila a Tayabas. (Manila: Miralles, 1878) 47 WATER and POWER FACILITIES Access to Water Supply Level I 10% of Total Households Level I Level II Level II 29% of Total Households Level III 55% of Total Households Doubtful 6% of Total Households : Point Source – such as shallow, dug, deep, developed spring, rain water, and cistern with an outlet but no distribution system. : Communal Faucet System or Stand Post System with a source, a reservoir, a piped distribution network and communal faucet located not more than 25 meters from the farthest house. Level III : Waterworks System – a system with a source transmission pipes, a reservoir and piped distribution network for household taps usually provided by Quezon Metropolitan Water District (QMWD) Doubtful : Water source that is open to contaminants Source: Office of the City Health Office, 2010 48 QUEZON METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT QMWD is first known as the Lucena-PagbilaoTayabas Water District or LUPATA and obtained its Conditional Certificate of Conformance on May 16, 1975. Its water sources include six high yielding springs, located upland in the town of Tayabas which enable water to be supplied by gravity. Its service area includes Lucena City , Tayabas City and the town of Pagbilao. 49 50 The uniqueness of the environment creates among people a dialect peculiar only to the place. To quote Fernando Zialcita, anthropologist from Ateneo University: While the natural landscape shapes a language, in turn a language interprets that landscape and makes it memorable. Tayabas spreads out on the shoulder of a thickly forested volcano rich in springs and often refreshed by rain . 51 A treasury of water words that particularly describe some aspects of the environment and daily chores. Ambon Lurok is used in the capital region to refer to shower. is unfamiliar to most in Metro Manila. It is a sudden heavy downpour. Even the sound suggest this. It starts with a soft L, rolls to a menacing r, and ends with a harsh k. Apnaw is an excess of water. Ampiyas is a fine rain whose droplets are carried by the wind. Hulaw is when a force, like heavy rain or storm, ends. Tampisaw is to play around in the water like children. Puyog is to get drenched in the rain. Lapurit is when something like a dike, a heap of mud get deformed by heavy rain. Anod is water running on a surface. Danaw refers to a small body of water that collects on a surface. 52 Dayag wash dishes Laba wash clothes Hiso brush teeth Hinaw wash hands or feet Hilamos wash face Hambo take a bath Himasa female washing her private part Tubigan rice fields Bambang old aqueducts or canal made of 53 54 The town of Tayabas is host to National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). This central control is situated in a 30- hectare lot in Baranggay Mateuna. A 1,190 megawatts of electricity from Pagbilao and Mauban Hydroelectric Plants are fed by NGCP to most areas comprising the Luzon grid. NGCP Plant in Barangay Mateuna Tayabas City TAYABAS LIGHT AND POWER CORPORATION (TALPOCO) Established in 1916 by a Tayabasin widow, Eufemia Abrigo Baldovino. The plant was powered by water from Ibia River which flowed in Baranggay Mateuna. A turbine to generate electricity was located in the vicinity of now Fresh Village. In 55 1950s Mr. Lim Tua Koy and Mr. Daniel Riola assumed management of the plant. It serviced 200 households. Each house was allowed 1 bulb for which subscriber paid Php 2.50 monthly bill. Source: Renato Danez, 67 Former Collector, Meter Reader and LineMan MEDIA/HANDLING FACILITIES Media Services FM Radio Station operates in Brgy. Calumpang. Cable TV services are served by two (2) local companies: Tayabas Resource Ventures Corporation and Celebrity Cable Network. HBO, Cinemax, CNN, BBC, National Geographic, History Channel, LifeStyle and more are available for home viewing. Mailing Services 56 Electronic mails (e-mail) through internet access, FAX Service, LBC, FEDEX and PhilPost. FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Commercial Banks, Rural Banks, Cooperative Bank, Money Shops and other Financing/Lending corporations. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS The Philippines has a presidential form of government. In it the executive, legislative and judicial powers are separated and exercised by different institutions or branches, which however, also partly share in exercising their respective powers through checks and balance. The president is both the head of Government and the Chief of State. 57 Executive Branch The President being the highest official and national leader who, in a presidential system, exercises executive as head of the government, a commander-in –chief of the armed forces. Legislative Branch The Philippine Legislature is composed of two chambers, the Senate with 24 senators and the House of Representatives which shall not exceed 250 representatives, including those elective and appointive. Their main function is to legislate laws which should be agreed upon by two chambers. Judicial Branch Constitutes the judicial system in the Philippines. The Supreme Court at the apex has the power to interpret and review all the laws and decisions made by any lawmaking or decision-making body in the country. The Local Government Unit of Tayabas is a unit of Local Government providing basic services to residents in community. Unlike a city which is created through Charter, the town or municipality is governed by the Municipal Law now amended and expanded by provisions of Local Government Code of 1991. As a local government unit, it is a municipal corporation, with powers to sue and to be sued. Although the 1991 Code devolves many services to local government units, the municipality is still supervised in many respects by the province of which it is part. 58 The first civil government was established in Tayabas during the year 1620 with Don Lucas Plata as gobernadorcillo. ELECTED OFFICIALS 2010-2013 Gobernadorcillo the chief executive of the Spanishcreated pueblos or towns; they were elected by the residents paying land taxes or the principalia every HON. FAUS TINO A LANDY SILA NG, DMD Mayor HON. VENERA NDO R. REA Vice-Mayor HON. ROSAURO Q. DALIDA Councilor HON. DINO M. ROMERO Councilor HON. LUZV IMINDA B. CUA DRA Councilor HON. RE X L. ABADILLA Councilor HON. ABELARDO P. ABRIGO, JR. Councilor HON. MARIA LOURDES A. REYNOSO Councilor HON. MACARIO J. REYES Councilor HON. ROY LIBRA DO L. OABEL Councilor 59 two years. The name was later changed to alcalde, then to capitan municipal by the Maura Law of 1893. The name alcalde or mayor has remained in current usage. To date there are 287 alcaldes or mayors which assumed office since 1620. 60 DISTRICT MAP OF QUEZON PROVINCE Province of Quezon, Philippines has four (4) Congressional Districts. The town of Tayabas belongs to the first district of Quezon Province. Tayabas Registered voters No. of voting precincts SOURCE : GIS Tayabas, 2010 : 50,531 : 297 61 QUICK FACTS Major Religious Denominations Religions Roman Catholic Aglipayan Islam Iglesia ni Cristo United Church in the Philippines Lutheran Church in the Philippines Philippine Episcopal Church Iglesia Evangelista Methodista en las Pilipinas United Methodist Church Other Methodist Salvation Army Philippines Convention of the Philippines Baptist Church Other Protestant Buddhist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day 66,515 24 15 1,480 156 1 2 4 71 3 46 91 36 67 62 Religions Saints Jehovas Witness Philippines Benevolent Missionaries Association Seventh Day Adventist Evangelicals Bible Baptist Southern Baptist Association of Baptist Churches in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Association of Fundamental Baptist Church in the Philippines International Baptist Missionary Fellowship Missionary Baptist Churches Of the Philippines Other Baptist Tribal Religious Others None Unknown Source: NSO 2000 Census of Population 405 33 436 426 188 8 14 1 159 623 42 80 63 Educational Institutions Level of Education Pre-School High School Elementary Post Secondary Others: Alternative Learning System formerly Called as Non-Formal Education Special Education Class/Program for special children Source: DepEd 2010 Classification Public Private 2 10 3 3 32 6 0 1 6 0 1 0 64 Number of Accredited NGO’s/POs/COs NGO’s/Pos/COs Number of Accredited 83 Source: Sangguniang Panglungsod of Tayabas 2009 Data Business Classification Exporter Manufacturer/Producer Trading Wholesaler Retailer Services Source: DTI BN, 2010 Number 1 91 38 312 291 65 HOLIDAY National Holiday New year’s Day People Power Day Maulid un – Nabi “Birth of the Prophet” Maundy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday Easter Sunday Valour Day “Araw ng Kagitingan” Labour Day National Elec tion Nat’l F lag Day Inde pende nc e Day Ninoy Aquino Day National Heroes Day Eid-ul-Fitr / End of “Ramadan” All Saints Day Eid al – Adha “Festival of Sac rific e” Bonifac io Day Christ mas Eve Christ mas Day Rizal Day New Years Eve 2010 1 Jan 22 Feb 26 Feb 1 Apr 2 Apr 3 Apr 4 Apr 9 Apr 1 May 10 May 28 May 12 Jun 23 Aug. 30 Aug 1 Sep 1 Nov 9 Nov 30 Nov 24 Dec 25 Dec 30 Dec 31 Dec 2011 21 22 23 24 Apr Apr Apr Apr 66 Local Holiday (Tayabas) 2010 San Isidro Labrador Araw ng Tayabas / Trec e de Agosto Manue l L. Quezon Day Town Fiesta He rmano Puli Day 15 13 19 29 4 May Aug Aug Sep Nov 67 WELCOME TO OUR TOWN Air conditioned bus service like TRITRAN, JAC, JAM, SOUTH STAR, LUCENA LINES are available at Buendia/Quirino Avenue in Manila and at Cubao, Quezon City. Look for buses bound to Lucena City. From Manila, it is a 3-hour drive to Lucena. When in Lucena, take jeepney transport bound to Tayabas. Private vehicles take South Super Highway (Calamba Exit) and take either Sto. Tomas, Batangas way or the Los Baños, Laguna way. 68 On the cover: The town of Tayabas with its two glowing icons: the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel and Mount Banahaw. Photo by Allan Boras 69