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BARANGAYS Projected 2008 population |
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| LIVELIHOOD Agriculture is the main source of income and livelihood. Gateway town to coconut country, coconut is not its Tiaong's mainstay economic product. A decimated industry, local production is mostly sold its to neighboring towns for the manufacture of end products. But it still contributes to agri-income, together with palay, corn, lanzones, rambutan and rainy-season cash crops like ampalaya, sitaw, talong and kalabasa. Income is supplemented by the risky raising of animals –·horses, cows, pigs, goats, chickens and carabaos - to tide over existence through drought periods, or provide rainy-day sources of cash for celebratory needs (weddings, fiestas, birthdays), illnesses and funereal needs, that is, if the livestock survives the marauding on-site slaughterers and rustlers who come in the dark of night. Many of the farmers have learned secondary skills for dry-season work as masons and carpenters. Many are increasingly seeking employment in the neighboring towns. There is also a burgeoning local education industry —28 elementary schools in 28 barangays, 5 high schools and colleges (Southern Luzon Polytechnic University in Lagalag) and ALS for out-of-school youth—with the essential and peripheral livelihoods that caters to the needs of schools and students. |
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. . . Many say it's haunted. Headless soldiers in Japanese uniforms, helmets in hand. An elderly couple in white slowly descending the circular steps, sometimes completing the descent as a headless apparition. The rattling of doorknobs. Doors that suddenly refuse to open. The sound of shackled walking and the dragging of chains.The heavy cold air that wraps around the intruding guests. Many have tried to brave through a night. My brother's karate group, brown and black belters, visiting for a weekend of instructions and exhibition of their martial art skills. Another, a nephew and his barkada, aware of the ghosts, intent to tease and draw them out of their ethereal habitats, their nerves augmented by alcohol and fraternity. None lasted to the midnight hour, skedaddling back to Manila, their machismo bruised and tempered. Some believe the spirits have claimed the space and have joined together to hinder and stall all efforts to sell or demolish it. Some say evil spirits taken a penchant of hanging around the crocodile sculpture in the garden. Recent caretakers continue to tell of an old lady in the traditional ghostly garb of white, her white hair loose on her shoulders, lingering around the rooms, with a penchant for conversing with their little children, bringing them to giggles and laughter. From the street, at dusk and the early evening hours, on the friday nearing a full moon, an old lady with white hair is often seen, gazing out of a second floor window. It hauntedness is kept alive by the townfolk – stories from diminishing number of old-timers who remember the olden days and a constant replenishing source of sightings from passers-by as they steal glances at the framed glass windows and doors sometimes catching shadowy forms moving about – stories that resuscitate as the October days march into Halloween night. . . |
| TIAONG PHOTOS: PEOPLE & PLACES |
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A collection
of Tiaong photographs by Godofredo Umali Stuart. |
Claro M Recto |
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| Tiaong
Paper Workshop The genesis of Philippine paper-making with Luis Umali-Stuart at the helm of this grass roots industry. From Its early days of fledging paper production from banana leaves and kogon, his paper produce is now a merging of science, art and function. If you're lucky, you might chance your visit into a day of actual paper production. Address: Barangay Lusacan |
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| Ugu
Bigyan An in-resident potter-artist producing ceramic art for a wide range of applications. His workshop grounds showcase quaint huts and a garden trimmed and decorated by his artistry. Address: 490 Alvarez Village, Barangay Lusacan Telephone: 042 545-9144 Lunch by Reservation |
| POINTS OF INTEREST
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IN
THE NEWS
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| RELATED
TOPICS Sabong Lambanog The Division of Quezon The Rural Wedding The Tiaong Jeepneys |
COW
FESTIVAL |
Godofredo
Umali Stuart |
Please email comments, contributions and corrections. Postings for events and news worthy items are most welcome. |
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The
town switches off at dark, the shallow breathing of nightlife provided
by about a dozen beer houses marked by out-of-season christmas lights,
a few passing off as roadside cantinas, most others unmistakable in
providing for the town folk's generic testosterone needs of wine,
women and song, or rather, beer, bar girls and videokes.
I am one of those who came back to Tiaong, a decision slow in the
making, brewed from many nights of tippling on lambanog with my brother.
Returning after a long absence, delusional with a vision and possibilities,
I built 
A resort replete with
all the essentials for a memorable experience. The slow carabao-drawn
cart ride around the grounds while being serenaded by native folk songs.
. . The Museum that houses a unique collection of religious art and
antiques and eclectic miscellany that could easily absorb two hours
of your visit. A wading lunch by the waterfalls indulging on a spread
of native cuisine. Bamboo rafting, a cooling dip into the pool, and
on weekends, a cultural show to highlight your visit. 
.
. . AN EFFORT THAT LASTED
TWO YEARS. . FLOUNDERED, THEN. . . OOONGED-OUT AND PFFT!