Taguig City: Metro Manila's ProbinSyudad
Bonifacio Global City - Taguig
The City of Taguig, (formerly spelled as Tagig), is a highly urbanized city located in south-eastern portion of Metro Manila in the Philippines. From a thriving fishing community along the shores of Laguna de Bay, it is now an important residential, commercial and industrial center. The recent construction of the C-5 highway and the acquisition of the Fort Bonifacio Development Area has paved the way for the cityhood of the municipality. It will also be accessed by the future C-6 Road.
Taguig City lies on the western shore of Laguna de Bay and is bordered by Muntinlupa City to the south, Parañaque to the southwest, Pasay to the west, Cainta and Taytay on the northeast and Makati, Pateros, and Pasig to the north. Taguig River, a tributary of the Pasig River, cuts through the northern half of the municipality and Napindan River, also a tributary of the Pasig forms the common border of Taguig with Pasig City.
The city ranked first among Philippine cities in the Ease of Doing Business Index, conducted by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation.
Brief History
Before Taguig came to be, there was a settlement under the Kingdom of Tondo with a population counting 800 farmers and fishermen, believed to be mixed with Chinese settlers as revealed by archaeological artifacts like glasses, cups, porcelain plates and utensils bearing Chinese characters dug in the area.
Spain subjugated the islands in 1571, and in 1582, the Spanish rulers formally recognized the settlement as a part of the Encomienda del Tondo and placed it under the headship of an Alcalde Mayor, Captain Vergara, who ruled it up to 1583. The Christianization of the settlers was then assigned to the Agustinos in 1587. On April 25, 1587, the same year, the settlement, already known as Taguig, and comprising of nine barrios, was decreed a pueblo or town of the province of Manila and placed under Kapitan Juan Basi who ruled as Alcalde until 1588. The nine barrios were Bagumbayan, Ususan, Hagonoy, Wawa, Bambang, Toctocan(now Tuktukan), Sta. Ana, Palingon, and Tipas. Down the years of Spanish occupation, Ibayo-Tipas, Napindan, and Bicutan grew to be separate and distinct barangays.
Taguig moved through history in impact political developments:
On March 29, 1900, the Americans proclaimed Taguig an independent municipality under General Order No. 40.
In 1901, it was incorporated to the newly created province of Rizal by virtue of the Philippine Commission Act No. 137.
In 1903, it was merged with the towns of Muntinlupa and Pateros, with Taguig as the center of government under the Philippine Commission Act No. 142.
In 1905, the Philippine Commission Act 1308 separated Pateros, Taguig and Muntinlupa but Taguig remained as the government center of the two municipalities.
In 1908 Executive Order No. 20, restored the independence of Taguig as a municipality.
In 1975 Taguig became part of Metro Manila under PD 824.
In 2004, the cityhood of Taguig becomes imminent with the recount of the results of its city plebiscite held in 1998.
Origin of the Name
The original 800 farmer-fishermen settlers of the area were good at threshing rice after harvest; hence, they were referred to as "mga taga-giik," and their settlement as "pook ng mga taga-giik." Spanish friar Fray Alonso de Alvarado, together with conquistador Rey Lopez de Villalobos who crossed Pasig River to reach Taguig in 1571 found "taga-giik" difficult to pronounce, and could only produce the word sounding like "tagui-ig." So many mispronousncements later, "tagui-ig" was shortened to the present day "Taguig."
Famous Attractions
- A century-old church with altar, wall sidings, ceiling and benches that are made of pure, native bamboo, located in Ligid, Brgy. Tipas. This symbol of Filipino design and artistry stood in history as the site where over 500 men were gathered and brutalized during the tragic "sona" of December 1, 1944, conducted by the Japanese forces. The men were later imprisoned in the dungeons of Fort Santiago in Intramuros, never to be seen again, alive or dead.
Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Anne
- Built during the term of Fr. Diego Alvarez of the Augustinian Friars in 1587, this is definitely one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Located in Liwayway St., Brgy Sta. Ana, this was destroyed by an earthquake in 1645 and reconstructed in 1848. It was destroyed again by another earthquake and rebuilt in 1896.
- Standing as the centerpiece of the Sta. Ana Catholic Cemetery is the Simboryo, located in Brgy Tuktukan. It was constructed through Filipino labor and supervised by Spanish friars in the year 1700. The dome is made of tiles and the walls of stones. The structure is 12 meters in diameter. It has retained its quaint, mysterious appeal despite the minor repairs it has undergone in 1980 and in 1993.
Parola
- Built in the 17th century, it stands guard at the mouth of Napindan Channel where the Pasig River crosses into the Laguna Lake. It became the secret rendezvous point of the Katipunan as it planned its moves to achieve Philippine Independence. The Parola was chosen by KKK Supremo, Gat Andres Bonifacio, as a meeting place because of its strategic location being the most accessible channel from Tondo, Manila and from the Municipios along the Pasig River and the Province of Laguna.
The VFP Museum
- At this Museum located in Veteran's Road, Western Bicutan, history comes alive in life-sized tableaus depicting ambuscades and encounters between invading Japanese and the defending Filipinos. War stories are retold here using all forms of art fused with state-of-the-art technology. It has a library, an archive, and an audiovisual theater. It is a place to experience, relive, learn, and appreciate the sacrifices our predecessors went through to give us the kind of life and freedom we have now.
- A marvel on its own, this 440 hectare Global City is based on a Master Plan that has been molded after the functionality of Seoul, the excellent systems of Singapore, the innovation of Vancouver and the Visionary outlook of Paris. It is both a quiet residential paradise with areas designed for international educational tourism and is also the heart of Asian Commerce.
- Large crescent gardens interspersed with a series of green ways and wide breezy lanes abound in the City. Plazas and fountains flourish in open spaces. Huge majestic trees adorn streets, creating a peaceful, green dome for pedestrians. There are classy shopping centers and restaurants galore for world-class shopping and fine or exotically casual dining complementing every lifestyle. Numerous events are lined up year in and year out from grand parties to sports festivals and concerts to cater to various cultures.
- It is the location of the Government Center for Investment, the Philippine Stock Exchange, and business headquarters of the world's largest banks, and a campus zone for institutional schools, and a seminary. It is a 5-minute drive from the current central business district of Makati and only 15 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Libingan ng mga Bayani
- Located in Fort Bonifacio, the Libingan ng mga Bayani is the memorial ground of 33,520 Filipino soldiers who were killed in Corregidor, Bataan, and in other battlefields during World War II. It lies side by side with the American War Memorial.
The Bantayog ng mga Bayani ng Tipas
- Located in Ligid, Tipas, this is an endearing monument in memory of hundreds of men from Brgy. Tipas who were captured and killed by the Japanese in the prison cells in Intramuros, Manila. Names of victims were carved on the monument. Commemorative events of the "sona" victims are held every 23rd day of February.
The American Cemetery and Memorial
- Established in May 1947 at Fort Bonifacio, this is dedicated to American soldiers who fought in the Philippines and in New Guinea during World War 2. Set among masses of a wide variety of trees and shrubbery, the lovely and serene memorial ground is a favorite destination of tourists, war veterans, and their families and descendants.
The Bantayog ng Bayani
- Located at the City Hall Complex, this stands as a fitting tribute to the heroes of Taguig who sacrificed, died or lived in defense of freedom during the Second World War. Many of the sons of Taguig played key roles and many gave up their lives in the various battlefields during the war either as regular members of our armed forces or as guerillas. Veterans who are still alive share stories and provide witness accounts of the Taguigenos' courage and heroism.
Festivals
Sta. Anang Banak Taguig River Festival
(July 26 - Whole day event)
A grand fluvial parade in honor and devotion to the patroness Saint Anne, the Sta. Anang Banak annual river festival rises from a wide spectrum of traditionally religious, yet culturally folk and mythical beliefs and practices that make up the unique ethnic base of the people once called "taga-giik". The festival is kept alive by a four-century-old legend of the miracle of the "banak" fishes that happened every July for countless years. The faith tells the town's patroness St. Anne gathered thousand of schools of Banak fishes in the river near Her church to give to the "taga-giiks" and the people on the lakeshore towns whose farmlands are drenched with the floods of the season and are hard up due to poor harvest from stormy seas. Every part of the legend is highlighted in the festivals events.
Activities
"Karera ng mga Bangkang Lunday" (native boat race)
- Held from 6:00 am onwards. This regatta depicts the race of fisherman from all over to get the biggest "banak" catch. Participants dressed in distinctive colors come in groups of five where four are rowers and one is a drummer. The fastest rowers get cash prizes.
"Boys and Girls Festival Parade"
- A revelry of high school students going to the streets to hang or offer fish cone streamers as gifts to happy house owners along the way. Happens amid band music and cheers from 8:00 am, passes through the main streets of the four barangays comprising the parish and through the bridges of Tuktukan and Bambang.
"Banak Fish-Cone Tossing Ceremony" (tossing of fish-cone streamers tied to bunches of balloons)
- Led by the Mayor, the coterie of city and barangay officials, the parish priests and the townspeople, this symbolical tossing reminds people of the schools of banak literally jumping out of the waters to fill the fishermen's boats. This miracle fired the generosity that made fishermen toss their hoard to throw to the fishermen their offering of fruits and delicacies. The flying fish cone streamers are a symbol of hope for real live fishes to return to Taguig River below.
"Pagodahan"
- With the fish cone streamers aloft and flying, the revelers board their bancas, the bands start playing, and the Pagoda of the Patroness St. Anne leads the fluvial parade. From a special wharf behind St. Anne's Church, the Pagoda goes up all the way to the mouth (wawa) of Laguna de Bay and returns down to Ususan. A fluvial parade of what is used to be; people from all cultural backgrounds coming in themed boats depicting the culture and stations in life to join the river festival in honor of St. Anne, the giver of the fish banak. There is an exciting exchange of gifts called "Pasubo." People in the pagoda and the revelers at the riverbanks toss or throw to each other gifts of fruits and food items like boiled eggs, balut, itlog na maalat, and various kinds of native delicacies. Be alert or be surprised with an apple crashing to your head.
"Pandangguhan"
- Just as soon as the fluvial parade participants touch ground, the dancing procession of the image of St. Anne automatically starts, sending one and all to the sway of music or to catch more pasubo gifts from happy homeowners along the major streets of the parish. Devotees in native costumes dance to the music of the pandanggo or the wasiwas depicting how women light the riverbanks to guide their fishermen home. The general public is free to join the fun with or without the candles or lamps.
Other Town Fiestas
- Piyesta ng Bayan, Sta. Ana, Bambang, Tuktukan, Wawa (every Sunday before Ash Wednesday - features 9-day series of cultural events highlighted by the Grand Serenata - festival of classical symphony of music by the town's bands.
- Feast of St. Ignatius, Ususan (July 31)
- Feast of San Bartolome, Tuktukan (Aug. 24)
- Feast of San Felipe de Apostol, Sta. Ana (May 4)
- Feast of Nuestra Senora de Aransazu, Sta. Ana (May 3)
- Feast of San Antonio de Padua, Calzada (June 13)
- Feast of Sta. Cruz, Palingon (May)
- Feast of St. John the Baptist, Ligid (June 24)
- Feast of St. John, Ibayo (June 24)
- Feast of Sagrada Familia, Bagumbayan (Last Sunday of December)Feast of San Isidro Labrador, Napindan (May 15)
- Feast of St. John de Sahagun, Bambang (June 12)
- Feast of San Sebastian, Wawa (3rd Sunday of January)
- Feast of Sto. Nino, Wawa (4th Sunday of January)
- Feast of St. Michael, Hagonoy (1st Sunday of May)
- Feast of Sto. Nino, Signal Village (Last Sunday of January)
- Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Lower Bicutan (1st Sunday of October)
- Feast of St. Joseph, Upper Bicutan (2nd Sunday of March)
- Feast of Our Lady of the Poor, Western Bicutan (2nd Sunday of January)
- Feast of San Isidro Labrador, North Daang Hari (2nd Sunday of March)
- Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 15-16)
Accommodations
- Rosewood Pointe - Ususan, Taguig City
- The Luxe Residences - 28th Street corner 4th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
- Global City Hotel - 28th Street, Taguig City
- The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion - Park Avenue, Taguig City
- Napindan Castle - Labao, Taguig City 1638
- Best Western Premier F1 Hotel - 32nd St. Bonifacio Global City
- Cypress Towers Condominium - Corner C5 and Diego Silang Street
Transportation Around the City
Jeepneys are the main way of transportation around the city and its shopping center in the fort. Buses take routes around the shopping center in a daily basis.