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