Categories
Batangas

Tanauan Cityhood Anniversary

Tanauan Cityhood Anniversary is a celebration of Tanauan (in Batangas, Philippines) becoming a city in 2001 every March 10. The date is sometimes declared a holiday like Proclamation No. 114 that was issued by President Benigno Aquino in 2011.

The city also celebrates Apolinario Mabini Day every 23rd of July by virtue of Republic Act No. 9430.

History of Tanauan City, Batangas

Tanauan was founded by Christian missionaries in the 16th century. According to the city government, the town together with Sala was established earlier in 1572. The first poblacion was located near Taal Lake. However, the cataclysmic explosion of Taal Volcano in 1754 brought ruin that its people transferred to its present-day location.

One of its famous citizens in history is the national hero Apolinario Mabini, who was born in the village of Talaga on July 23, 1864. The city celebrates his birth anniversary every year.

During the American occupation, it was one of the municipalities that comprised the province of Batangas by virtue of Act No. 958 that was passed on October 23, 1903. Later, it was divided to give birth to the town of Talisay through Act No. 1514 on July 23, 1906. World War II destroyed its municipal building that in the reconstruction that followed in succeeding decades, the municipal government was moved to its present site in March 1960.

Tanauan was transformed from a town to a city through Republic Act No. 9005, otherwise known as An Act Converting the Municipality of Tanauan, Province of Batangas into a Component City to be Known as the City of Tanauan. The law was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on February 2, 2001 and it was ratified through a plebiscite on March 10, 2001. This is the date that the cityhood anniversary commemorates annually.

Founding anniversary and Festival Parade of Lights

On March 8, 2014, the first ever Festival Parade of Lights was launched and it was participated by 26 lighted and artfully decorated floats. Spearheaded by Mayor Tony Halili with Sports Development Council led by Tato Dimayuga, it was organized “to showcase the ingenuity and brilliance of our constituents” according to Halili. Through the years, it was mounted to coincide with the cityhood anniversary, highlight the attractiveness of the city for investors, and showcase the unity of its people.

Starting at least in 2021, the festival was no longer organized.

In some years, the cityhood anniversary was also held in conjunction with founding anniversary. For instance, news article in 2019 mentioned that it was the city’s 434th year as a town while a post in the city government social media page in 2021 stated it was its 437th year.

Jose P. Laurel Birthday Anniversary

The calendar of the anniversary may also include the birthday anniversary of former President Jose P. Laurel every 9th of March. Laurel was born in Tanauan in 1891 and served as the president of the Philippines during World War II.

Tanauan Cityhood Anniversary Activities

Its calendar varies, with activities that may begin as early as March 4 (as in 2023) and may culminate to as late as March 16 (as in 2019). Events include parties, sports, exhibits, film fest, street dance, parade, dancecopetition, concerts, and fireworks display.

How to reach Tanauan City, Batangas

Bus trips from Metro Manila are available to Batangas, which might take about two to three hours.

References

Tanauan Cityhood Anniversary Summary

NameTanauan Cityhood Anniversary
CelebrationCityhood
Contact+43 7289 800
CountryPhilippines
DateMarch 9
DurationVaries
Established2001
Facebookwww.facebook.com
Historical eventConversion of Tanauan from municipality to city in 2001
LocationTanauan City, Batangas
OrganizerCity Government of Tanauan
Previous NameFestival Parade of Lights
Websitetanauancity.gov.ph