“We [Tabaqueños] did not seek for recognition. We are capable of heroism for love and freedom of our land; even if it means dying and giving up our own life,” quoted City Tourism Officer Eric Valeriano.
Known as the city of love and the “Sikad-sikad Capital,” Tabaco City is also known for its rich cultural heritages, historic landmarks and for its peace-loving and warm people. As the city embarks on its mission to spread Tabaco-ingenuity, a small part of its history unfolds.
Known as the city of love and the “Sikad-sikad Capital,” Tabaco City is also known for its rich cultural heritages, historic landmarks and for its peace-loving and warm people. As the city embarks on its mission to spread Tabaco-ingenuity, a small part of its history unfolds.
Ginikanan, the town’s history
It was during 1500s, a pre-Hispanic invasion wherein a tribe leader and priestess named “Pagkamoot” ruled the land. She was known as a woman of strength and vision. It was then one day, when a Spaniard landed on the tribe’s shore and asked “what place is this?” in Spanish. Pagkamoot didn’t understand the foreign word so she started shouting “Tabak Ko! Tabak Ko! (My Bolo! My Bolo!)” in fear of a war while the Spaniard took it as an answer for his question and left the tribe. Since then, the town assumed the name of “Tabak Ko.”
Its people, its pride
Valeriano prides Tabaqueños’ love for their land. The town has assumed the name as the City of Love and continuously lives on its name. He compared the people of the humble town to Pagkamoot who died fighting for freedom. The noble deed ignited the natives long ago to die and fight for independence as so he stated that that Tabaqueños nowadays will still do the same.
It was during 1500s, a pre-Hispanic invasion wherein a tribe leader and priestess named “Pagkamoot” ruled the land. She was known as a woman of strength and vision. It was then one day, when a Spaniard landed on the tribe’s shore and asked “what place is this?” in Spanish. Pagkamoot didn’t understand the foreign word so she started shouting “Tabak Ko! Tabak Ko! (My Bolo! My Bolo!)” in fear of a war while the Spaniard took it as an answer for his question and left the tribe. Since then, the town assumed the name of “Tabak Ko.”
Its people, its pride
Valeriano prides Tabaqueños’ love for their land. The town has assumed the name as the City of Love and continuously lives on its name. He compared the people of the humble town to Pagkamoot who died fighting for freedom. The noble deed ignited the natives long ago to die and fight for independence as so he stated that that Tabaqueños nowadays will still do the same.
The Unknown Soldier
The humble town is yet on the process on reliving the appreciation and awareness of the present generation to their “forgotten” her- itage but the town has obviously been proud of their ancestors’ gallantry. On the city plaza stood a statue of the Unknown Soldier who symbolizes the brave Tabaqueño natives who died for the land to be free. Valeriano said that the soldier will serve as a keepsake of heroism of all the Tabaqueño’s generation.
The humble town is yet on the process on reliving the appreciation and awareness of the present generation to their “forgotten” her- itage but the town has obviously been proud of their ancestors’ gallantry. On the city plaza stood a statue of the Unknown Soldier who symbolizes the brave Tabaqueño natives who died for the land to be free. Valeriano said that the soldier will serve as a keepsake of heroism of all the Tabaqueño’s generation.
Padyak: Tabaco City’s Three-Wheeled Treasure
As one of the youngest cities in the Bicol Region, Tabaco City does not only the title “City of Love”
but it also prides itself as the Padyak Capital of the Philippines. A common form of transportation for the locals, the padyak or also known locally as sikad-sikad, a bicycle with attached sidecar to it, dominantly roams the city-streets for years.
Over 2, 600 pedicabs and its drivers are registered to hit the road to the different city barangays. They seldom travel on the main road to prevent causing heavy traffic. Fedel Buelo, a pedicab driver for 17 years in the city, said that getting some passengers became a compe- tition between the drivers as time passed because of the padyak’s growing population.
As one of the youngest cities in the Bicol Region, Tabaco City does not only the title “City of Love”
but it also prides itself as the Padyak Capital of the Philippines. A common form of transportation for the locals, the padyak or also known locally as sikad-sikad, a bicycle with attached sidecar to it, dominantly roams the city-streets for years.
Over 2, 600 pedicabs and its drivers are registered to hit the road to the different city barangays. They seldom travel on the main road to prevent causing heavy traffic. Fedel Buelo, a pedicab driver for 17 years in the city, said that getting some passengers became a compe- tition between the drivers as time passed because of the padyak’s growing population.
“Less income came because of the competition, like when you happen to pass by a passenger while still having one, other drivers could pick him up before you could go back and do that yourself,” he again stated. Though these padyaks can be seen an- ywhere within the city-limits, they still have rules to follow like where to park and load the vehicle. That is why these padyaks have different sets of colors painted to serve as their codes. Not like pedicabs of other places, the Tabaco City padyaks can accommodate three persons at a time excluding the driver.
City Tourism Officer Erick Valerino stated that the growing population of this kind of business promotes eco-friendly drive and isn’t harmful for anyone. “Driving these pedicabs became a very large industry here in Tabaco, so this kind of tour- ism attraction stirs our economic growth,” Valerino said. Being labeled as the Padyak Capital of the Philippines, the pedicab industry of Tabaco turned out to be one of the major sources of income of several families in the locality and not just a mere attraction to the tourists.
Text by: Sunshine Baron & Ariane Mae Cornejo
City Tourism Officer Erick Valerino stated that the growing population of this kind of business promotes eco-friendly drive and isn’t harmful for anyone. “Driving these pedicabs became a very large industry here in Tabaco, so this kind of tour- ism attraction stirs our economic growth,” Valerino said. Being labeled as the Padyak Capital of the Philippines, the pedicab industry of Tabaco turned out to be one of the major sources of income of several families in the locality and not just a mere attraction to the tourists.
Text by: Sunshine Baron & Ariane Mae Cornejo