# Tayabas

Tayabas is a city, the former provincial capital of Quezon. The city is home to many Spanish-era architecture, including historic ancestral houses and stone bridges, and is also eligible for inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

## Understand

The city lies in the middle of Quezon, at the foot of Mt Banaha]. It once served as the provincial capital of Quezon (then Tayabas) until that honor is transferred to nearby Lucena. The old town houses many old Spanish-era houses, enough to rival those in Vigan or Taal.
Despite being designated a city after long legislative debates, Tayabas feels more like a town, and is far quieter than nearby Lucena.

### History

Tayabas is founded as a Spanish Augustinian mission to evangelize the local Tagalog population, and have been the capital of the province of Tayabas (now Quezon) until 1901. The town have contained many Spanish-era stone houses that once rivalled those in Vigan and Taal, but many have been burned down during the World War II. Tayabas became a city through a plebiscite in 2007, but controversial court cases about the constitutionality of its city charter have interrupted Tayabas's cityhood for years.

### Climate

Tayabas has a rainforest climate, with no dry season. Temperatures vary little by year, and rainfall is distributed all throughout the year.

## Get in

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 Hwy (Rte 1) which passed through barangay Calumpang; the town connected by a two-lane provincial. Rte 603 (Pagsanjan-Lucban-Lucena Rd) from Lucena directly serves the old town, where it becomes the narrow Quezon Ave and Luis Palad St. Tayabas-Mauban Rd (Rte 605) runs from the coastal town of Mauban and ends at Tayabas.

## See

* 14.026253121.5903751 Tayabas Basilica, Apolinario de la Cruz St. (updated Dec 2018)
* Casa Comunidad de Tayabas. 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. (updated Dec 2018)
* 14.01294121.6168442 Malagonlong Bridge, Malagonlong. A Spanish-era stone bridge along the highway (Rte 603) to Mauban, built between 1840 and 1850. The bridge is no longer passable, but is still in good condition. (updated Dec 2018)
* 14.066667121.4833333 Mount Banahaw. A mountain and extinct volcano (or a potentially active 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.
* 14.02533121.592764 Tayabas Parke Rizal, J. Rizal Street. Open 24 hours. Great place for relaxation and family bonding at the heart of Tayabas. Free. (updated Sep 2023)

## Do

Tayabas has its reputation for festivals at various times of the year.

### Festivals

* 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

* 14.02426121.594071 Primark Center-Tayabas Branch, General Luna Street. 8:30AM–8PM. Shopping mall. (updated Sep 2023)

## Sleep

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. (updated Dec 2018)

## Go next

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.