Tayabas is a city, the former provincial capital of Quezon. The city is home to much Spanish-era architecture, including historic ancestral houses and stone bridges.
Understand
[edit]The city lies in the middle of Quezon, at the foot of Mt Banahaw. The old town has many old Spanish-era houses, once enough to rival those in Vigan or Taal, but many were burned down during World War II.
Despite being designated a city after long legislative debates, Tayabas feels more like a town, and is far quieter than nearby Lucena.
History
[edit]Tayabas was founded as a Spanish Augustinian mission to evangelize the local Tagalog population, and was the capital of the province of Tayabas (now Quezon) until 1901 when nearby Lucena became the capital.
Climate
[edit]Tayabas has a rainforest climate, with no dry season. Temperatures vary little by year, and rainfall is distributed all throughout the year.
Get in
[edit]Tayabas is a stop for the daily Manila-Mauban route operated by JAM Liner. NCR-Rienton Lines has ordinary buses plying Lucena-Mauban, with a stop at downtown. Jeepneys plying Lucban-Lucena also serve the town.
Tayabas is served by the Maharlika Highway (Route 1) which passes through barangay Calumpang and is connected to the town center through the Tayabas-Sariaya Road. Tayabas town proper is also connected by a two-lane provincial Route 603 (Pagsanjan-Lucban-Lucena Road) from Lucena which directly serves the old town, where it becomes the narrow Quezon Ave and Luis Palad Street. Tayabas-Mauban Road (Route 605) runs from the coastal town of Mauban and ends at Tayabas. The Tayabas-Pagbilao Bypass Road leads to the town from Pagbilao and Bicol Region.
Get around
[edit]Tricycles are the main form of transport within town.
See
[edit]- 1 Tayabas Basilica (Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel), Apolinario de la Cruz St. A Spanish-era church designed in a key-like shape. Its nave measures more than 100 metres (330 ft) in length. It was declared a national cultural treasure by the Philippine government in 2001.
- 2 Casa Comunidad de Tayabas, J.P. Rizal Street. Stone house built in 1831, used as a guesthouse for visits by Spanish dignitaries. This house also served as the place of the trial of Hermano Pule after his arrest on 1841.
- 3 Malagonlong Bridge, Tayabas-Pagbilao Road, Malagonlong. A Spanish-era stone bridge along the highway to Pagbilao, built between 1840 and 1850. The bridge is no longer passable and has been superseded by a newer adjacent bridge, but is still in good condition.
- 4 Mount Banahaw. An inactive volcano straddling the provinces of Laguna and Quezon. It is the highest mountain in the Calabarzon region (2,170 m a.s.l.), and a sacred monument for the Tagalog people.
- 5 Tayabas Parke Rizal, J. Rizal Street. Open 24 hours. Great place for relaxation and family bonding at the heart of Tayabas. Free.
- 6 Saint Joseph Chapel (Santuario de las Almas), Tayabas-Lucena Road. A Spanish-era Catholic chapel.
- 7 Ermita Church (Ermita de la Virgen de las Angustias), M.H. del Pilar Street. Spanish-era chapel dedicated to St. Diego de Alcala.
- 8 Tayabas Cemetery Chapel (Mortuario de Cementerio de los Indios), Tayabas Roman Catholic Cemetery, Tayabas-Sariaya Road. A Spanish-era chapel in the middle of the town's main cemetery.
Do
[edit]Tayabas has its reputation for festivals at various times of the year.
Festivals
[edit]- Taytsinoy Festival (February 2–5) Part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, it is celebrated as appreciation to the Filipino Chinese community in the city.
- Turumba Festival (Holy Week) - a celebration in honor of the Nuestra Senora de Turumba, Tayabense dance as a thanksgiving to the virgin Mary in the main thoroughfares of Tayabas. Thousands of devotees from Quezon visits the Nuestra Senora de Dolorosa Church.
- Mayohan Sa Tayabas - (May) Celebrated since 1989, it blends Flores de Mayo celebrations with the colorful local traditions like Parada sa Baliskog.
- Hagisan ng Suman - Bundles of suman, a kind of rice cake, are paraded in bamboo bundles called bagakay, and as the image of St. Isidore the Worker passes, the suman bundles are thrown into houses and crowds.
- Pa'yas kay san Isidro (May 13-15) - Houses throughout town are decorated with native material. This celebration rivals Lucban's Pahiyas Festival festivities.
- Aguyod Festival - Showcases the local arts and the commitment to sustainable development.
- Hermano Pule Day - Commemorates the martyrdom of Apolinario dela Cruz (Hermano Pule or Ka Pule), a local of nearby Lucban who led a religiously-motivated rebellion against the Spaniards from 1832 until 1841.
- Araw ng Tayabas (August 13) - Commemorating the heroism of the locals of the city.
- Feast of San Miguel Arcangel - (September 29)- Celebration dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel.
- Festejo de los Angeles (September 22-29) - People wearing angel costumes parade through the major streets.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Primark Center-Tayabas Branch, General Luna Street. 8:30AM–8PM. Shopping mall.
- 2 Tayabas Public Market, Luis Palad Street (facing Primark).
Eat
[edit]- 1 Buddy's Restaurant, General Luna Street. A branch of a provincial restaurant chain based in Lucban serving Quezon dishes such as pancit habhab, longganisa and hardinera and has an interior decoration inspired by the Pahiyas festival.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Mallari Distillery, J.P. Rizal Street (in front of Tayabas Rizal Park), [email protected]. 7:30AM-5PM M-Sa, 7:30AM-12NN Su. A producer of premium lambanog (spirit made from coconut) owned by the same family since 1901. It is one of a few lambanog-makers selling vintage bottles of the drink, similar to French wine production systems, and one of a few allowed to export lambanog to overseas market. ₱130-8500.
Sleep
[edit]Accommodations in town are at a premium, but there are many forest resorts, a few with rooms for guest who will spend the night.
- Villa Cecilia Resort and Hotel, Calumpang-Tayabas Road, Malao-a.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Next to Tayabas is Lucban, a charming little town east of Mount Banahaw, with the Kamay ni Hesus shrine and Pahiyas Festival as its major tourist draws.
| Routes through Tayabas |
| Manila/San Pablo ← Sariaya ← | W  E
|
→ Lucena → Naga |
| Pagsanjan ← Lucban ← | N  S
|
→ Lucena |