Ninety six kilometers south of Muntinlupa, Tiaong in Quezon Province is the quintessential “old hometown” that’s been coming into its own and positioning itself among the many steadily modernizing towns in the country.
It holds bittersweet memories among its locals who have left its hills and lakes and the watchful presence of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal for the big cities here and abroad. Hence, the publication of the new coffeetable book called Tiaong: Coming Into Its Own is very timely.
The book was launched recently at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Nielson Tower in Ayala Avenue, Makati City.Published by the Tiaong Lubid-Lubid Foundation, Inc. under the helm of its president Cris Aquino, the book is written by journalist Abe Florendo, with archival research done by Dulce Festin-Baybay and Dr. Luis Camara Dery, images by Donald Tapan and Ramon Jeffrey Florendo, and book design by Teody Hidalgo.
The book revives Tiaong’s illustrious place in history since its establishment as a visita then as encomienda of Nayum in the early 1600s: its important role in the coconut economy and political expansion during the Spanish colonial times, its contributions to the independence efforts during the war, the inspiring heroism and nationalism of its sons and daughters, among them, Claro M. Recto and the “Anak ng Tiaong” who was sent by his father to study in China and went on to become the distinguished commander of Mao Tse Tung’s People’s Liberation Army, Gen. Ye Fei.
