Tayabas In Prespective

When I was a young child Tayabas was a place I rarely visit. This was because during that time the roads from Lucena to Tayabas was not paved well. I only frequented the Baranggay of Wakas because firstly our protestant church was situated there (UCCP) and my music teacher lived there at that time.

Trips to the Tayabas market to get carabao meat (a family favorite) were an adventure and were relished by myself. This one done using our family owner-type jeep and the only other means was to either take the large jeepneys or take the minibus up to Tayabas.

Times have indeed change from those days Tayabas now is an easily accessible City and has even an FX taxi service. The ever famous 7-11 exist and so do other franchise establishment. Even with all this the City still maintains the rustic and secluded aura that makes for a town in between the past and the future.

Where does the best Lambanog come from?

There is an ongoing debate that still rages today among the Lambanog drinkers of Southern Tagalog. This has waged on since the invention of the drink and probably will keep on going till all the coconut trees are cut in the region. Where does the best Lambanog come from?

Many proponents would support the premise that Lambanog from San Juan, Batangas is the best and they would stake their lives and honor to prove this point.

Personally I prefer the Wakas, Tayabas variety of Lambanog. It has a less bitter taste than the batangueno drink which is due to the milder clime of Wakas, Tayabas compared to the hot and harsh environment of San Juan, Batangas.  It is colloquially known as “Chivas Wakas”.

I believe my townsfolk and clansmen of San Juan, Batangas wil disown me after they read this post but hey I will stand up for what I think is right. 🙂

For more information click on http://tayabas.ph/.

City of Tayabas turns a new Page (web)

If you find wikipedia’s entry of the City of Tayabas sparse a for you needs you can aptly go to the City’s web page located at http://tayabas.ph/. It contains information such travel destinations, hotels, restaurants, food & drinks, events and other pertinent information about the City of Tayabas.

It has more detailed information than the entry in wikipedia and has a less wikish look. Try and visit it sometime if ever you need to find information about the City of Tayabas

Kalye Budin of the City of Tayabas

Tayabas has always been one bastions of Quezon’s limited but tasty cuisine. In fact a particular area is named after one of its famous cassava cake know in Quezon and nearby province as Budin. This area is located in and around Emilio Jacinto street of the City of Tayabas and is colloquially known as Kalye Budin (Budin street).

Kalye Budin is filled with stalls that sells Quezon delicacies such as Budin (a baked cassava/tapioca/manioc pudding), Espasol (sticky rice snack), Tikoy (the Tagalog steamed variety not the Chinese one), Nilupak (cassava or banana pounded to a sticky pudding consistency) and assorted biscuits and candies.

There are other things you can but at Kalye Budin like Lambanog ( a coconut spirit), Longganisang Lucban (Lucban Sausage), many types of chicharon such as chicharon baboy (pork rind withy fat), chicharon bulaklak (fried pork intestines), chicharon manok (fried chicken skins) , also a selection of fried noodles (singaling) can be seen in the stalls.

This place is not a tourist trap and most stalls welcome a healthy dose of haggling and negotiation. Most sellers can understand a bit of English just mind that you must speak slowly and clearly for some of the vendors to understand.

Kalye Budin has its share of tragedies like fires & floods but still continued to prosper just like the spirit of the residents of the City of Tayabas.

Pictures courtesy Qtechbpo.

Budin

Lambanog