Earlier accounts on the history of Catuguian, now Talavera, may be traced from the history of the early Augustinian religious missions in lowland Nueva Ecija, particularly from the mission in Gapan in 1595.[7] Said mission laid the basis for the succeeding religious missions in Cabanatuan, as a visita of Gapan in 1750. When Cabanatuan was made a cabecera in 1780, the Augustinian missionaries assigned to Cabanatuan carried out small religious missions (visitas) within its jurisdiction. Catuguian became a visita (small mission) of the ensuing Augustinian religious mission of Cabanatuan in 1846.
The establishment of the visita facilitated the consolidation of its dispersed settlements. It ushered in a period of growth and expansion of its community, which was composed mainly of skilled Tagalog farmers. Similarly, the visita laid, in some general way or other, a foundation for its spiritual governance and religious administration. As a result, Catuguian’s population expanded further, especially when Nueva Ecija became an independent province in 1848 from being a corregimiento in 1801.[8][9]
Establishment as a visita (1846–1852)
The earliest recorded accounts of Catuguian trace back to the initial Augustinian missions in lowland Nueva Ecija, where it was regarded as a component barrio of Cabanatuan. In 1846, a visita was founded in Catuguian under the instruction of Augustinian missionaries stationed in Cabanatuan. Among the earliest settlers were skilled Tagalog farmers, whose presence contributed to the development of the community. The population grew further after Nueva Ecija was elevated into a regular province in 1848.
In 1852, the inhabitants of Catuguian submitted a petition to the alcalde-mayor of Nueva Ecija requesting the creation of a pueblo. The proposal sought to consolidate the barrios of La Torre, Concepcion, Pulong Buli (later Santo Domingo), Valle, and Baloc, with Catuguian designated as the seat of the new town. The petition was subsequently forwarded to the governor-general in Manila for approval.
Formation of the pueblo of Talavera (1852–1872)
On December 11, 1852, the petition was granted, and a new pueblo was created, with Catuguian serving as its cabecera. The consolidated barrios of La Torre, Santo Domingo, Baloc, Concepcion, and Valle formed the earliest component settlements of the town.
A subsequent petition was filed on February 4, 1853, to the governor-general in Manila, requesting that the town be renamed "Talavera", after Talavera de la Reina in Spain. The petition was approved on February 14, 1853, and Catuguian officially came to be known as Talavera.
Following a royal decree of December 20, 1863, a system of separate primary education for boys and girls was established in each pueblo, including Talavera. By 1866, the population had risen to 4,421 inhabitants. On November 20, 1872, a Royal Decree issued by King Amadeo I formally recognized the Parroquia de Talavera as an independent parish.[10]
1872-1898: between the church and the state
Talavera's population rose to 4,963 by 1876.
It experienced the rise of landed estates by 1880.
It became one of the primary suppliers of cattle to the Manila Market, owing to its rich grasslands (McLennan, 1969, 668).
Talavera became one of the tributary districts of Tobacco plantations in the province, with Valle and Concepcion (Baroman, 1993, 13).
By 1892, its population had grown to as much as 18,786 because of the migration of farm workers and tillers.
The barrios of Sto. Domingo & Dolores were separated from Talavera to create the Municipality of Sto. Domingo and its Parish (Ereccion de Pueblos, 1837 – 1897).
1898-1941: haciendas, estancias and landless peasants
The town of Talavera was occupied by Gen. Henry Lawton on November 1, 1899, owing to the Filipino-American War.[11]
The first Thomasite Teacher was assigned in Talavera in 1902 (Atkinson, 1902, 1384).
In 1907, Talavera suffered severely from drought and lost some 70 to 90 percent of its rice production (Tecson, 1908, 89).
Rinderpest became prevalent in Nueva Ecija in 1909, resulting in losses of draft animals, affecting almost all of its municipalities, Talavera included (Sherard, 1911, 132; Tecson, 1910, 40).
Steady expansion of landed estates because Spanish-owned estates were sold to Filipino elites, resulting in the expansion of the landed elites.
Sitio of Bacal, formerly Buenavista (part of San Juan de Guimba), was annexed to Talavera in 1910 upon the recommendation of Honorable Isauro Gabaldon.[12]
The Sitios of Kabisukulan, Rangayan, Rizal, Siniguelas, Pukoc, Agricultura, Pulong-Maragol, and Mataas-na-Lupa were separated from Talavera and were organized into an independent municipality under Muñoz in 1912.[13]
Nueva Ecija experienced the onslaught of locust infestations, along with Tarlac and Pangasinan in 1912 (Jones, 1912, 622).
By 1918, household industries in Talavera reached 28, with 47 household laborers, 25 of whom were women (Census of the Philippine Islands, 1921).
7 Classrooms were constructed for the Talavera Central School in 1924.
The barrio of San Francisco was separated from Talavera and was annexed to Sto. Domingo in 1937.[15]
Wave of migration to Talavera because of the rising demand for agriculture and livestock grazing, as haciendas grew in size.[16]
Rise of landlordism and the Shared Tenancy System became more prevalent as a result of the growing landed estates in Talavera.
Peasant struggles became evident in San Ricardo, Bantug, Casili, and Morcon, because of landlordism and shared tenancy, including unfair farm practices on rations and tenant pays.[17]:11
Land tenure became a problem owing to the government’s failure to effect genuine land transfer of land ownership to peasant farmers.[18]
Galvanization and forging of the peasant movement in Talavera, especially in San Ricardo.[17]:31
1941–1946: bullets, blood, and bravery
Shortly after Christmas, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied Talavera in December 1941.[17]:62
San Ricardo experienced the horrors of the war through regular “zona”.[17]:62–66
Land disputes became more pronounced alongside waves of resistance against the Imperial Japanese Army.
Squadron 8 of the Hukbalahap was formed in Talavera, with more than 100 members.[17]:70
Talavera became a strategic line of defense, especially San Pascual and Pinagpanaan, against the retreating Imperial Japanese Army.[19]
Barangay Sibul became a rendezvous point for 510 rescued prisoners of war at Camp Pangatian.[20]
1946–1972: laying bricks, building bridges
Talavera experienced the expansion of the Huk forces in Nueva Ecija, where Nueva Ecija became part of what is known as Huklandia.[21]
Armed rebellion among the peasants of Talavera continued, owing to unfair land practices.[17]:209[22]
Some barrios of Talavera, namely General Luna, Morcon, Mabini, Ricarte, Casili, and Picon, along with Plaridel and Bosque, were annexed to Llanera in 1955.[23]
Infrastructure projects were implemented covering key impact areas like road development, barangay government centers, greening of the municipal plaza, puericulture centers, and schools.
Rise of women revolutionaries in Talavera, with Manuela Sta. Ana Maclang – the first woman to be elected into the Sangguniang Bayan in 1955.
Massive campaigns for peace and order in the latter part of the 1970s were carried out in Talavera.
1972–1986: freedom, frustration, and flourishing
Institutionalized curfew hours were imposed in Talavera.
Establishment of Barangay Assemblies in the municipality, helping maintain public safety and peace, and order.
Creation of the Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces.
Promotion of health and education services through various infrastructure support to health and education programs.
Construction of the Talavera Extension Hospital during the term of Mayor Marcelo D. Diaz.[24]
Conversion of various barangay High Schools into National High Schools.[25][26]
1986-2004: laying the foundations
Talavera experienced a government re-organization through the Interim Local Government and the provisional constitution, with Mayor Romeo F. Maliwat at the helm.
There was a massive promotion of civil liberties through human rights education[27]
Talavera was re-classified as a First-Class Municipality in 2001 under the leadership of Mayor Manolito V. Fausto.
Expansion of Social Programs (HS in Sibul and Tabacao, Barrio Markets in San Pascual, San Ricardo, Tabacao, Socialized Housing Projects, and other rehabilitation efforts, including fiscal deepening).
Talavera entered into a territorial conflict over annexation claims involving Barangays Bakal I, Bakal II, Bakal III, and Matingkis with the newly chartered Science City of Muñoz. The annexation claims were nullified in 1999 through the determined efforts of then Municipal Mayor Manolito V. Fausto.
2004 - present: a better Talavera
Talavera bore witness to an age of reform through various projects in key decision areas like health, education, social welfare, and infrastructure services.
Establishment of the flagship college of the Municipality – the NEUST-MGT, whose acknowledged founding father was Mayor Nerito L. Santos, Sr.
Renovations and constructions of the Public Library, SPED Building, Botika ng Bayan, Health Center, and Greening Program.
Beginning of a paradigm shift in Talavera’s political consciousness, after a century of male-dominated leadership.
Elected the first woman mayor of Talavera in the person of Mayor Nerivi S. Martinez.
Continuing reforms and innovations in major decision areas in health, education, social welfare, environment, and infrastructure.
Establishment of various critical facilities like Talavera Dialysis Center, Balay Silangan Reformation Center, Food Bank, and Bakery ng Bayan.
Key innovations in health programs through Nutri-Wheel and Gulayan sa Barangay.
Integration of modernized agriculture, farm mechanization (including distribution of farm machinery like combined harvesters, tractors), urban growth and development into the local institutional framework through the farmers’ forum, convened under the leadership of Mayor Nerito S. Santos, Jr.
Enhanced and wider accessibility in well-being domains through expanded social protection programs, such as but not limited to, localized TUPAD, Lingap Pangkabuhayan Program, Expanded Student Scholarship, and Enhanced Aid to Barangay Tanod.
Integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into the local institutional framework through urban resilience and development.
Extensive Road Infrastructure Development Projects covering various barangays in Talavera, including Farm-to-Market Roads.
Enhanced Youth Participation and Empowerment through the establishment of key Teen Centers in Talavera.
Institutionalization of the KADIWA ng PANGULO.
Serious fiscal deepening.
Partnership with the University of the Philippines-Diliman, through the College of Architecture, for the conceptualization and design of its proposed Government Center.
Collaboration with LGU Suite, Inc. and the Philippine Statistics Authority for the implementation of RA 11315 or the Community-Based Monitoring System, 2022.
The people of Talavera elected their 37th Municipal Mayor (based on local elections) or 43rd Municipal Mayor (including the order of succession within a term) since the local election of 1895, Mayor Aries Vincent Patrick Gaboy Lim, the youngest to be elected to the highest office in the Municipality of Talavera.
Geography
Talavera is relatively flat, with a slope ranging from 0 to 3%. Its elevation, which ranges from 31m to 61m above sea level, with an average elevation of 42m, is importantly suitable for agricultural, commercial, and industrial developments. Its aggregate arable land amounts to 12,698.1 ha or 89.075% of its total land area, of which less than 70% is irrigated or cultivated. Its land form consists generally of a broad expanse of low-lying level plains, with leveled terrains covered usually with greens or grasslands.
While Talavera was undergoing significant fiscal deepening from 1996 to 1999, it entered into a seemingly intractable territorial conflict with the newly chartered Science City of Muñoz, then, under the leadership of Mayor Efren L. Alvarez, over claims involving the Barangays of Bakal I, Bakal II, Bakal III, and Matingkis. The latter claimed that these barangays were “replete with facts” that they once belonged to the Science City of Muñoz, and as such, must be annexed as its component barangays.[28] The latter further characterized that these barangays were like “uncommon arrows”, being part of the territorial boundary of Talavera, piercing the “belly of development” of the Science City of Muñoz.
Owing to this territorial dispute, the Local Government of Talavera was compelled to act to protect its territorial integrity over these disputed areas.[29] It passed several resolutions, affirming firmly, its sovereignty over these barangays, thereby outrightly invalidating the former’s claims over them as said barangays were annexed to Talavera as early as 1910 through Executive Order No. 39, series of 1909. In October 1998, for example, the local government of Talavera, through its Sangguniang Bayan, issued a resolution blatantly disapproving of the former’s claim over the disputed barangays.[30] At the same time, Barangay Resolutions from these disputed areas were issued in October 1998 as well, expressing generally the residents’ disapproval of the annexation claims.[31][32][33]
By February 1999, the LGU of Talavera created the “Task Force Bacal District” to address this highly tenacious concern, elevating it, in fact, to Congress for possible arbitration.[34] In March 1999, the LGU Talavera submitted to some members of Congress pertinent documents relevant to address, if not totally resolve, the problem.[35] By the end of March 1999, because of the interventions of some members of both Houses, and through the collective efforts of the residents of Talavera and its officials, the “annexation claims” were nullified, resulting to Talavera’s territorial jurisdiction and integrity. The outcome was a meritorious and legitimate exercise of Talavera's sovereign powers to protect its territorial integrity as a local government unit from the then-rising Science City of Muñoz.
8 out of 10 individuals in Talavera are Catholic. Roman Catholicism remains one of the most dominant religious affiliations in Talavera, embracing an outstanding 85.59% of its total household population. The religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo comes in second, with a little less than 6 percent of its total household population. Other religious affiliations, roughly around seventy-nine (79), accounted for 8.44% of the total population, with IEMELIEF, as its leading religious affiliation, at 1.12%.
Interestingly, although Talavera is home to several religious organizations, 0.2% of its households possess no religion.[43]
Ethnic Groups and Languages
Ethnic Groups and Languages (CBMS,2022)
Ethnic Groups
Population
Tagalog
119,669
Ilocano
2,830
Bisaya/Binisaya
785
Bikol/Bicol
206
Kapampangan
189
Maranao
143
Waray
100
Pangasinan/Panggalatok
94
Hiligaynon,Ilonggo
84
Cebuano
57
Others
118
A significant majority of Talavera’s households identified themselves as belonging to the Tagalog ethnic group, accounting for 96.29% of its total population. Other ethnolinguistic groups in Talavera included Ilocano(2.28%), Bisaya (0.63%), and many others.
Talavera is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the province, and proposals have been planned for cityhood. The town's revenue-generated income as of 2017 is ₱298,361,401.93 and with over 124,829 inhabitants, the town meets the requirements for cityhood.[52] In July 2019, Congresswoman Estrellita B. Suansing has filed House Bill No. 184, regarding the cityhood of Talavera.[53] It was later filed in the Senate in February 2021.[54]
According to the National Competitiveness Council in Cities/Municipalities Competitiveness Index, during the past years, Talavera maintained their rankings as one of the most competitive municipalities in the Philippines.
Tourism
Landmarks
Talavera has several important cultural landmarks:
Diocesan Shrine of St. Isidore the Worker
Sicsican Bridge (declared as a cultural property in 2020)
Gabaldon Building (Recognized as a built heritage in February 2019)
Rizal Monument (Built between 1922 and 1930)
Tal-Acacia Tree (Declared as a Cultural Property in 2020)
Festivals
Linggo ng Magsasaka - The Linggo ng Magsasaka is a week-long celebration held in honor of Talaverano Farmers. It culminates on the 15th day of May - the Town Fiesta. Highlights of the celebration generally include Cultural Dance Competition, Harana, Gandang Kalabaw, Float Parade, Street Dance, and Kesong Puti Festival.
Gatas ng Kalabaw - Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival is celebrated annually from May 12 to 15. It culminates in the celebration of the Town Fiesta, whose patron saint is Saint Isidore the Worker. The festival aims to actively encourage, promote, and enhance carabao's milk as a nutrition and livelihood industry. Highlights of the festival are street dancing, followed by a float parade, a parade of carabaos, a carabao race, an agri-trade fair, a milk drinking contest, and an ice cream making competition, among others.[55]
Semana Santa - During Holy Week, the members of the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church commemorate Jesus' Paschal mystery. The church even has a community where each member owns a religious image called the Cofradia de la Sagrada Pasión del Nuestro Señor. Every Holy Wednesday and Good Fridays, the members of the Cofradia place the images of their saints in carozzas or karo and exhibit them for the townspeople to witness through a procession.
Transportation
There are 24.77 kilometres (15.39mi) of national roads, including the 16.93-kilometer (10.52mi) section of Maharlika Highway (Asian Highway 26) that passes through the municipality. Due to its central location, Talavera is one of the pivotal transport points in Central Luzon.
Talavera is regularly serviced by various means of public transportation, from jeepneys, tricycles, to buses. Several bus companies also use the Talavera route from Cagayan Valley and Aurora to Manila, Cabanatuan, San Jose City, Baguio, and other destinations.
Healthcare
Talavera General Hospital
Talavera's populace is served by Talavera General Hospital, a national government-funded hospital formerly known as Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Hospital - Talavera Extension Program. Medical and dental clinics also serve the municipality.
Education
Talavera is served by both public and Department of Education-accredited private schools. The largest elementary school is Talavera Central School, situated in the town proper. The largest secondary educational institution is Talavera National High School (TNHS).
↑ Elviro J Peres. Catalogo Bibliografico de los Religiosos Agustinos de la Provincia del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de las Islas Filipinas Desde su Fundacion Hasta Nuestro Dias. (Manila: Establicimiento Tipografico del Colegio de Sto. Tomas, 1901, p.818)
↑ Enrique G. Mhartin. Apuntes Geograficos de las Islas Filipinas. (Madrid: Imprenta De Ramon Angelo, 1889), p. 42
↑ Rafael Maria de Aguilar. Papeles Interesantes a los Regulares que en las Islas Filipinas Administran la Cura de Almas. (Valladolid: En La Imprenta de la Viuda de Roldan, 1838), p. 12
↑ National Archives of the Philippines. Ereccion de los Pueblos Nueva Ecija 1779–1898. SDS 14058, Exp. 16, S340–380b.
↑ Elihu Root. The Military and Colonial Policy of the United States: Addresses and Reports.(Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1916), p. 231
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kerkvliet, Benedict J. (2002). The Huk Rebellion: A Study of Peasant Revolt in the Philippines. Rowman and Littlefield. ISBN9780742518681.
↑ Lawrence M. Greenberg. The Hukbalahap Insurrection: A Case Study of Successful Anti-Insurgency Operation in the Philippines, 1946-1955. (Washington, D. C.: Analysis Branch, U. S. Army Center of Military History, 2005), p. 6.
↑ Bruce Palmer, Jr. Report: 6th Infantry Division, (July 17, 1945), 23-27.
↑ Ralph Teatsorth. “510 Allied Prisoners Rescued in Daring Raid by Rangers on Luzon; All near Death,” Dunkirk Evening Observer, (Thursday, February 1, 1945), p. 1.
↑ Edward J. Mitchell. “Some Econometrics of the Huk Rebellion,” The American Political Science Review, volume 63, number 4 (December 1969), p. 1159
↑ “Huks Kill Twenty-One in Outbreak on Luzon,” The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, (Saturday, February 10, 1951), p. 12.
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