Tayabas

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.