The more I travel the more I realize that there are more places of interest that I need to explore. Being a first-timer in Tabaco City I enjoyed taking photos and learning something new even just for a short time.
Wanna update you of my latest destination- Tabaco City, Albay. Here are three photos that would best describe Tabaco City (for me).
Many say that Tabaco got its name from “Tabak ko” (or bolo) but history would tell us the land’s primary product was “tobacco,” yes the ones we use in our cigarettes. Even before the Spaniards came the locals of Tabaco are already planting tabako. Nevertheless, the city followed the legend of “Tabak Ko” and made “tabak” (bolo) their official seal.
Tabak Ko Legend: “When the Spanish first arrived in Tabaco, they approached a native and asked the name of the place. The native, who was a jealous father and didn’t understand Spanish, thought they were trying to take his daughter. His response was Tabac Co! Tabac Co! meaning My Bolo! My Bolo! His daughter brought his bolo, but by that time, the Spanish had already assumed he was referring to the name of the place.”
You would see Mt. Mayon everywhere in Albay and in Tabaco City you would have a different perspective. This shot was taken early morning at the fish port area with the iconic “padjak” (trike) and its driver enjoying the morning glory. Mayon showed her full glory again, what does that mean?
The Tabaco Church or Parish Church of San Juan Bautista. It was completed in 1879 and the materials used for building this stately church was volcanic stones which was replete in the area since Mt. Mayon has lots of major eruptions. There is genius on how this church was made, the masons used the local materials meaning they are already practicing localism.
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I want to thank RoamingRome for hosting me and touring me around his hometown. Dude, astig yung Jupiter kaninang umaga.
Coordinates: 13°21’33″N 123°43’45″E
Date: October 15-16, 2013
Quickie Section is my shortest blog feature where I just post 3 photos with a short caption or a snippet. Made especially for those who don’t want to read.
How Tabaco got its name. It had nothing to do with tobacco or the tabak. As an advance party of Spanish soldiers were approaching the area they came to rest on its outskirts. While they rested they fell asleep, when they awoke, their horses were gone. They decided to walk and upon reaching the pueblo, there they saw their horses. They of course would want to know why their horses were there. Approaching a villager they greeted him and asked the name of the place. The villager answered “ata bako ako” meaning “it’s not me” thinking that he was being asked if he was the one who took the horses. And so it was that the Spaniards called the place Tabaco.
The “Tabak” word was not used when the Spaniards came, the blade weapon was referred to as “Sundang” it was only when there were many migrants from other provinces that the word “Tabak” was used. I will go with the “ata bako ako” story.