Tanay, Rizal

Parola

2010-11-23T00:35:00.000-08:00

The first stop on my itinerary; I honestly didn’t know what to expect and I was just taking it literally, a simple lighthouse obviously by a body of water. After I met up with my tour guide, anxious about the day ahead I started interrogating my tour guide on how the people are, questions basically about how life is in Tanay. While he was enthusiastically answering every question I threw at him he was also signaling me to turn left or right at the same time, cruising by neighborhoods and small side streets, taking my time taking in the scenes we were passing by.

Then suddenly we were at the sea. Amusingly surprised by the fact that I forgot that we were heading here and true enough, it was a befitting “first stop” by all means. Entering the gate, I noticed a sign attached, saying that there was a certain time where vehicles could not enter the dike leading to the lighthouse, I was about to ask my guide about it but I was taking in too much scenery that it just escaped me. We passed rice fields where their respective farmers were already working on their crops and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they were there since the crack of dawn. Livestock such as goats and cows also seemingly getting ready for the day ahead, lying around and taking in the sun, scenes of fishing boats, fishermen and fisheries quarried and made with bamboo, looked from afar as tall white grass sprouting from the sea. All of it caught me off guard because it all seemed so surreal being that near to the town proper and I was expecting a longer drive. I can only describe what I felt as this: The entire scene seemed to have suddenly been dropped in front of me from the heavens without warning, I was truly in awe.

The Lighthouse, commonly known as the “Parola” or “dike” by Tanay’s locals is as poetic and fitting as a foreground for any painting of any landscape I have ever seen, an adjective snatcher. A working vanguard to incoming sea bearing vehicles, it sits proudly perched on the Laguna de bay and was built in 1960 under the administration of then Mayor Hon. Theodulfo Bernados, painted bright blue and white (truly a maritime color scheme), its a four-story spire, with a wrap-around spiral staircase all the way to the top, elegantly simple in its design.

Although it is the centerpiece of the entire area, for me it wasn’t actually what sets it apart from any lighthouse that I‘ve been to before, what sets it apart to me are the events or a much better a word, “rituals” that happen there and what the dike means and represents to the people who live near and around it. I arrived late sadly, a few minutes short of witnessing the daily ritual of whole Tanayan families and individuals alike, of taking in the fresh sea air and basking in the early light of morning. I then remembered the sign we passed and how it all made sense that they restricted vehicles entering the area, reserving it exclusively for people alone to enjoy the untainted fresh air that would all be replaced by gas fumes if they would have been allowed to enter, that little thing made my heart smile.

Though pictures of what I have missed did somewhat quench my imagination of what that would actually feel like to be there I’m sure it would never even come close to actually being there among all those people. Nevertheless, I could see why it would be the perfect place to start the day.

Although I did arrive a few minutes too late, there were still a few groups of people still hanging around, getting ready for the day ahead with coffee in their hands, chatting and sitting around the edges of the dike, little food stalls still filled by patrons having breakfast by the sea. A bunch of kids in school uniforms apparently finishing their assignments, helping each other out before heading in for first period were on a bench across from where I was sitting and writing down notes and ideas, observing and listening to the music emanating from the lampposts surrounding the entire dike and simply just being “there”, relaxing after a long commute on a structure recently built by the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) with help of the local government, endearingly called by the locals “Asotea” or back porch. A quaint Spanish inspired shade with benches and tables welcoming and ready to receive.

Looking around the edges of the asotea, I could see it was wrapped in light and I began imagining this entire area coming to life at night and being told that videoke/karaoke machines were put out during the night right were I was sitting for everyone to enjoy, completed the picture in my mind. A picture truly Filipino; of lovers meeting, people unwinding after a days worth of work, friends simply enjoying each others company, sharing collected stories from the day that was about to pass and singing the night away nestled in a picturesque landscape as this.

Written by Alexander "Tuts" Calinawan
Source: Tanay Geographic

Places

2010-11-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

The following are some distinctive places and cultures of Tanay...

Calinawan Cave and Rawang Pass: Stronghold of the Filipinos in the Revolution against Spain and in the Filipino-American War in April-May 1900. It also housed the towns people during the Second World War, beginning the Invasion of Tanay in March, 1945 from the Filipino soldiers and recognized guerrillas against the Japanese Imperial forces.
Daranak Falls and Batlag Falls: A popular local tourist attraction.
Masungi Rock, in the Sierra Madre mountains near Cuyambay, may be of interest to hikers and geologists.
Parola, the historic lighthouse of Tanay, offers a picturesque view of Laguna de Bay as well as several nearby restaurants.
Tanay Catholic Church: Also known as San Ildefonso Parish Church, it was built between 1773-1783 using forced labor, and is the second oldest church in the province.
Tanay Coliseum, near the Municipal Hall, features cockfights and local boxing matches.
Tanay Plaza and T.Q. Bernados Park: Adjacent to the church, this is the main social gathering place in the town, where during festivals one may observe performances of the Tariki dance, or the Subok. A monument of Jose Rizal also stood there.
"Tanay Town Center (SaveMore)": The First Community Mall ever established at Tanay, showing the start of Business Development in the Area.
"George Town": A nightclub for all except for minors who wants to have enjoyment in their life.
"Jollibee":first fast food in the town

History

2010-11-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

Tanay was settled by early Austronesian people. Shortly after the conquest and subjugation of Manila by the Spaniards and the surrounding lake areas by Juan de Salcedo in 1570-1574, Franciscan missionaries arrived to Christianize the inhabitants of what is now the Morong-Pililla area. In 1583, both Morong and Pililla were created as separate towns with Tanay forming part of Pililla.

Tanay was founded as a separate pueblo (town) in 1606 under the name "Monte de Tan-ay". In 1620, administration was moved to San Antonio (now called Inalsan or Pantay) and Tandang Kutyo. In 1638, the town was burned during an uprising of Chinese living in the area, and the town was rebuilt in 1640 at the present day location.

In 1747, the town of Tanay was consisted of only eight barangays, namely Nuestra Senora del Rosario, Sa Josep, San Ildefonso de Tanay, San Francisco de Maytubig, San Pedro de Alcantara, San Lucas y San Antonio, San Apostol and San Agustin de Balugbog.

In 1853, a new political subdivision was formed. The town of Tanay together with Morong, Baras, Pililla, Angono, Binangonan and Jalajala form the Province of La Laguna, with the capital at Morong. This district was later changed to Distrito Politico-Militar de Morong after four years.

Tanay became a Municipality in 1894 as an effect of the Spanish Maura Law. The first election of Public Office took place in 1895-1898 and 1898-1900 under the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines.
Tanay members of the Katipunan fought valiantly during the Revolution against Spain. The town was the headquarters of the second military area of the Philippine Revolutionary Government under General Emilio Aguinaldo. And for a brief period between 1899 and 1900, Tanay served as the capital of the then Morong Province after Philippine-American War broke out and the American forces invaded the lake towns and captured Antipolo.

In 1900-1901, Tanay as was under the Government appointed by the American Military under Taft Commission. From 1903-1934 the town leadership was under the American Rule then in 1934 Tanay was under the Commonwealth of the Philippines as the Tydings-McDuffie Act was approved on March 24, 1934 until the Philippines fell to the hands of the Japanese during the Second World War in 1942.

In 1942-1945 the Mountains of Tanay served as the Guerrilla base for 'Marking's Guerrilla's, beginning the Liberation of Tanay on March, 1945 a very decorated by the Filipino soldiers of the 41st and 42nd Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 4th Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and the recognized guerrillas against the Japanese occupation forces during World War II. Gen. Marking is buried by the road beside his son's farm in Daraitan.

In October 2003, deposed Philippine president Joseph Estrada was transferred to a rest home in Sampaloc, a mountain barangay. He remained under house arrest until he was given executive clemency by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

During the Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) in September 26, 2009. Tanay was one hardest hit due to the rising of Laguna Lake and the flooding of Tanay River.

Geographical Location

2010-11-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Tanay is a 1st class municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is located 57 kilometers east of Manila, although a typical commute between Manila and Tanay will take between one to three hours depending upon traffic conditions. It contains portions of the Sierra Madre Mountains and is bordered by Antipolo City in the northeast, Baras, Morong and Teresa in the west, General Nakar (Quezon Province) in the east, and Pililla, Santa Maria (Laguna province) as well as the lake Laguna de Bay in the south.

Tanay is MUNICIPALITY IN THE SKY.

According to the latest census, it has a population of 94,460 people in 15,720 households.

The majority of the population consists of Tagalogs who live near Laguna de Bay, though there is also a significant percentage of mountain dwelling people living in the northern portions of the municipality. The town's major trades consist of fishing, agriculture and regional commerce.

Tanay is also believed to be the birthplace of the Sambal language.