Talavera, Nueva Ecija


Talavera, officially the Municipality of Talavera, is a municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the, it had a population of people.
WWW talavera.gov.ph

History

Early settlement and religious missions (1595–1846)

Early historical accounts of Talavera, which was then known as Catuguian, came from Catholic missions in the lowland regions of Nueva Ecija, particularly the Augustinian mission in Gapan which was established in 1595. These missions led to the successive establishment of a series of subsidiary missions, or visitas, in the surrounding areas. The Augustinian mission in Catuguian was set up as a subsidiary of the visita in Cabanatuan. When Cabanatuan was made a capital city in 1780, the Augustinian missionaries assigned to Cabanatuan carried out small religious missions within its jurisdiction. Talavera or Catuguian, then, became a visita of the Augustinian religious mission in Cabanatuan in 1846.
The establishment of the visita in Talavera facilitated the consolidation of its dispersed settlements, ushering in a period of growth and expansion for its community, which was mainly composed of skilled Tagalog farmers. Likewise, the visita laid the foundation for spiritual governance and religious administration. This contributed to the population growth of Talavera or Catuguian, especially after Nueva Ecija became an independent province in 1848 from being a district in 1801.

Establishment of the town (1852–1853)

In 1852, the inhabitants of Catuguian submitted a petition to the mayor of Nueva Ecija requesting the creation of a pueblo. The proposal sought to consolidate the barrios of La Torre, Concepcion, Pulong Buli, 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.
The town was formally established on 11 December 1852. Catuguian was designated as the cabecera, with the initial jurisdiction comprising the barrios'' of La Torre, Santo Domingo, Baloc, Concepcion, and Valle.
A subsequent petition was filed on February 4, 1853, to the governor-general in Manila, requesting that the town would 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.

Spanish colonial administration and growth (1853–1898)

Following a royal decree of 20 December 1863, a system of separate primary education for boys and girls was established in each pueblo, including in Talavera. By 1866, the population had risen to 4,421 inhabitants. On 20 November 1872, a Royal Decree issued by King Amadeo I formally recognized the Parroquia de Talavera as an independent parish.
Due to its extensive grasslands, Talavera emerged as a major cattle supplier for the Manila market.

American colonial period and territorial changes (1898–1941)

During the Philippine-American War, Talavera was occupied by General Henry Lawton. In 1910, the Sitio of Bacal, formerly Buenavista, was annexed to Talavera in 1910 upon the recommendation of Isauro Gabaldon. In 1912, the Sitios of Kabisukulan, Rangayan, Rizal, Sineguelas, Pukoc, Agricultura, Pulong-Maragol, and Mataas-na-Lupa were separated from Talavera and were organized into an independent municipality under Muñoz in 1912. In 1914, the barrio of Lomboy was annexed to Talavera. In 1937, the barrio of San Francisco was separated from Talavera and was annexed to Santo Domingo in 1937.
During the American occupation, a wave of migration to Talavera occurred because of the rising demand for agriculture and livestock grazing, as haciendas grew in size. 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. Land tenure became a problem owing to the government's failure to effect genuine land transfer of land ownership to peasant farmers.

Japanese occupation and World War II (1941–1945)

In December 1941, shortly after Christmas, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied Talavera. Squadron 8 of the Hukbalahap was formed in Talavera, with more than 100 members. In 1945, Talavera became a strategic line of defense, especially San Pascual and Pinagpanaan, against the retreating Imperial Japanese Army. Barangay Sibul became a rendezvous point for 510 rescued prisoners of war at Camp Pangatian.

Postwar period and administrative changes (1945–1955)

After the war, Talavera experienced the expansion of the Huk forces in Nueva Ecija, where Nueva Ecija became part of what is known as Huklandia. Some barrios of Talavera, namely General Luna, Morcon, Mabini, Ricarte, Casili, and Picon, along with Plaridel and Bosque, were annexed to Llanera in 1955.

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 highly 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.
Talavera is part of the Cabanatuan conurbation as an adjacent urban center in the heart of Nueva Ecija. It is bordered by Cabanatuan, Llanera, Muñoz, Aliaga, General Mamerto Natividad, Santo Domingo and San Jose.
Talavera is from Cabanatuan, from Palayan, and from Manila.

Barangays

Talavera is politically subdivided into 53 barangays, as shown below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Barangays in italics are exclaves of Talavera and are surrounded by Science City of Muñoz, while barangays emboldened are disputed with neighboring Santo Domingo.
  • Andal Aliño
  • Bagong Sikat
  • Bagong SilangBakal IBakal IIBakal III
  • Baluga
  • Bantug
  • Bantug Hacienda
  • Basang Hamog
  • Bugtong na Buli
  • Bulac
  • Burnay
  • Calipahan
  • CamposCasulucan Este
  • Collado
  • Dimasalang Norte
  • Dimasalang Sur
  • Dinarayat
  • Esguerra
  • Gulod
  • Homestead I
  • Homestead II
  • Cabubulaunan
  • Caaninaplahan
  • Caputican
  • Kinalanguyan
  • La Torre
  • Lomboy
  • Mabuhay
  • Maestrang Kikay
  • Mamandil
  • Marcos
  • Matias Matingkis
  • Minabuyoc
  • Pag-asa
  • Paludpod
  • Pantoc Bulac
  • Pinagpanaan
  • Poblacion Sur
  • Pula
  • Pulong San Miguel
  • Sampaloc
  • San Miguel na Munti
  • San Pascual
  • San Ricardo
  • Sibul
  • Sicsican Matanda
  • Tabacao
  • Tagaytay
  • Valle

Dispute with Science City of Muñoz

From 1996 to 1999, Talavera, Nueva Ecija was involved in a territorial dispute with the newly established Science City of Muñoz, then led by Mayor Efren L. Alvarez. The dispute concerned the barangays of Bakal I, Bakal II, Bakal III, and Matingkis. Officials of Muñoz claimed that these areas had previously been part of the city and should be annexed as component barangays.
In response, the Talavera local government took steps to assert its jurisdiction over the disputed areas. The municipal government passed a series of resolutions affirming that the barangays had been part of Talavera since 1910, following their annexation under Executive Order No. 39. In October 1998, the Sangguniang Bayan of Talavera formally rejected the annexation claims. During the same period, barangay councils in the affected areas passed their own resolutions opposing the proposed transfer.
In February 1999, the Talavera local government created the Task Force Bacal District to address the dispute and referred the matter to members of Congress for possible arbitration. The following month, Talavera officials submitted supporting documents to legislators. By the end of March 1999, following legislative intervention and consultations with local officials and residents, the annexation claims were set aside, reaffirming Talavera’s jurisdiction over the disputed barangays.

Demographics

Religion

8 out of 10 individuals in Talavera are Catholic. Roman Catholicism remains the most common religious affiliation in Talavera, embracing an outstanding 85.59% of its total household population. Second is Iglesia Ni Cristo, with a little less than 6 percent of its total household population. Another seventy-nine religious affiliation account for 8.44% of the total population, with IEMELIEF, as its leading religious affiliation, at 1.12%.
Although Talavera is home to several religious organizations, 0.2% of its households possess no religion.

Ethnic Groups and Languages

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, Bisaya, and many others.

Economy

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 and with over 124,829 inhabitants, the town meets the requirements for cityhood. In July 2019, Congresswoman Estrellita B. Suansing has filed House Bill No. 184, regarding the cityhood of Talavera. It was later filed in the Senate in February 2021.
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:

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.
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 of national roads, including the section of Maharlika Highway 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'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.
There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are Talavera North Schools District Office, and Talavera South Schools District Office.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Bagong Sikat Elementary School
  • Bagong Silang Elementary School
  • Bakal I Elementary School
  • Bakal III Elementary School
  • Bantug Elementary School
  • Bantug Hacienda Elementary School
  • Basang Hamog Elementary School
  • Bugtong na Buli Primary School
  • Bulac Elementary School
  • Burnay Elementary School
  • Cabubulaunan Elementary School
  • Calipahan Elementary School
  • Campos Elementary School
  • Caputican Elementary School
  • Casulucan Este Elementary School
  • Collado Elementary School
  • Dimasalang Norte Elementary School
  • Dimasalang Sur Elementary School
  • Dinarayat Elementary School
  • Faith Christian Academy
  • Gulod Elementary School
  • Holy Angels Academy
  • Homestead I Elementary School
  • Homestead II Elementary School
  • Kinalanguyan Elementary School
  • Kobayashi Learning Center
  • La Torre Elementary School
  • Les Meridien Montessori
  • Lomboy Elementary School
  • Mabuhay Elementary School
  • Mamandil Elementary School
  • Mary's Little Angels Academy
  • Matingkis Elementary School
  • Minabuyok Elementary School
  • Pantok Bulak Elementary School
  • Paludpod Elementary School
  • Poblacion Sur Elementary School
  • Prairie House Learning Center
  • Pula Elementary School
  • Royal Heir Christian Academy
  • Sacred Heart School of Talavera Inc.
  • Sampaloc Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School
  • San Miguel Na Munti Elementary School
  • San Ricardo Elementary School
  • San Ricardo IEMELIF Learning Center
  • Schola Christi
  • Sibul Elementary School
  • Sicsican Matanda Elementary School
  • Tagaytay Elementary School
  • Talavera Central School
  • Talavera North Elementary School
  • Talavera South Central School
  • Valle Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Aski Skills and Knowledge Institute
  • Bakal II Integrated School
  • Bulac National High School
  • San Pascual Integrated School
  • San Ricardo National High School
  • Sibul National High School
  • Tabacao National High School
  • Talavera National High School
  • Talavera Senior High School

Higher educational institutions