 Tayabas
Quezon
was founded in the year 1578 by Franciscan Missionaries, Fr. Juan
De Placencia and Fr. Diego de Oropesa, this town became famous in
1841 when Apolinario "Hermano Pule" De La Cruz, led the
Confradia de San Jose, a prayer group that became a mass movement
against the Spanish Tyranny. According to historical records, on
Oct 23, 1841 a major battle was fought in barrio Isabang were the
Confradia won and killed many Spanish leaders including Joaquin
Ortega, that time Alcalde Mayor. But on another battle in Alitao
river dated Nov 1, 1841 hundred members of Confradia were masacred
by the Spanish soldiers and Hermano Pule was captured. Then the
Spaniards ruthlessly beheaded Hermano Pule in the town plaza. To
avenge the death of Hermano Pule and the Confradia martyrs Sgt.
Samaniego, head of the Tayabas Regiment based in Malate Manila furiously
attacked Fort Santiago (Intramuros) on January 20, 1843 . They were
able to take the said fort but on the second day due to the strong
company and superior guns of Spanish Soldiers, Samaniego along with
his men were captured and executed on Jan 21, 1843.
Tayabas
is a breathtaking scenic town quietly nestled at the foot
of that mystical and legend-filled Mt.
Banahaw. It is only 150 km or three-and-a-half-hour drive away
from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway and the Batangas, San
Pablo route. It is bounded by Lucban to the North; Pagbilao to the
Southeast; Lucena to the South; and Sariaya to the West.
Prior to the
coming of the Spaniards, the natives of Tayabas lived in scattered
villages. These Tayabenses had their own system of government, strict
code of ethics, communal type of economy, and a very indigenous
form of religion. Just like any rural village in the Philippines,
social order in Tayabas effected by the barangay setup that was
headed by a chief or a council of elders. Retribution was facilitated
as the set of norms was known by everyone in the village. There
was a strong sense of cooperation among the people as evidenced
by the turnohan or bayanihan system. Communal landhondings
were prevalent at that time. Peasants of Tayabas helped one another,
on a rotation basis, in connection to their agricultural activities
such as planting and harvesting of crops.
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