History of Tanauan

   Tanauan, a second class municipality in Leyte, is a coastal town divided into 54 barangays. It is also considered as one of the oldest towns of the province. It was established in 1710 when the Spanish authorities appointed its first officials.

       The town’s name, Tanauan, was derived from a very tall tree used as a watchtower along the coast to spy on  Moro pirates and marauders. The Molave tree served as the “taran-awan” or “tan-awan” which means “to look-out” in Waray-waray.

            The municipality of Tanauan is bounded by Palo Municipality on the north, municipalities of Tabon-tabon and Dagami on the west, Tolosa Municipality on the south and the San Pedro Bay on the east. Tanauan is about 18 kilometers south of the Capital City of Eastern Visayas Region, Tacloban. During the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in November 2013, it is one of the towns that was heavily damaged.

                         

             MUNICIPAL HALL OF TANAUAN

PASAKA FESTIVAL

             “Pasaka” is a Waraynon word and local term which means “to invite progress, good health and good fortune” for the years to come.       

          The festival showcases Tanauan’s pottery, banig weaving, farming and fishing as its source of livelihood. It also highlights its natural and marine resources.       

Skimboarding

Tanauan is recognized as the “Skimboarding Capital” of the Philippines. It is told by tradition that Skimboarding was first introduced in Tanauan in 2000, when an American national came to Tanauan to win the heart of a local lass. Since Tanauan is situated along the coast facing San Pedro Bay, the American national started making a skimboard which he eventually finished. However, he was not able to teach the local youths on how to use it since he had to leave back to the States. He left the skimboard and the local youths started to train themselves on how to use it.

 Young people from Barangay San Roque and Barangay Sto. Nino started making prototypes of the skimboard which were sold to the enthusiasts. It was told that the first skimboarder in the Philippines named Darwin Maceda, together with his brother Mervin Kenneth "Bayvan" Maceda has made the first local made skimboard, and with their enthusiasm of the sports they introduce and teach the local to ride the skimboard. The first skimboarding competition was organized by Darwin Maceda together with his friends Alexander Cumpio and Nerizza Reynera at Tanauan Leyte Bantay Dagat dated March 31, 2002.

      Since then, skimboarding started to spread to the nearby towns and later on throughout the country. Currently, National and International Skimboarding Competitions are held annually at the Bantay Dagat Area in Tanauan.

 HISTORIC CHURCH IN TANAUAN

Our Lady of Assumption Church

         Leyte is filled with fascinating landmarks that highlight the province's rich history. If you happen to visit Tanauan in Leyte, there is one colonial church that has withstood the passage of time and continues to enthral pilgrims throughout the province and beyond– Our Lady of Assumption Church.

            Our Lady of Assumption Church is one of the heavenly places that are frequented by many faithful to rejuvenate their faith and spirits.

 

Short History

           The church was finished in 1704. Fr. Francisco de Paula Marquez enlarged it and added a chapel across the Gospel side. Through the years, there have been many renovations and reinforcements done inside and outside the church. The Stations of the Cross and statue of Our Lady of the Assumption still remain.

 

 HANDICRAFTS FOUND IN TANAUAN

Local Industries and Crafts

Tanauan is known for various locally made crafts which include bamboo craft, mat-weaving, bolos, brooms, hats, bricks, pottery, nipa shingles, and virgin coconut oil - most of which are made of local and indigenous materials. These trades have been the source of local pride, like the talented bricks and pottery makers of Barangay Canramos. Tanauan is also one of the best source of clays in the Region. These trades are mainly promoted by the Federation of Tanauan Women's Club with the support of the local government of Tanauan.

 POTTERY (DABA)

       

 BAMBOO (USUALLY MADE-UP OF TANGNAN)  

 BANIG

 

 DRIED FISH (BULAD)

                    

Parks and playgrounds

                            

Tanauan currently has one large municipal plaza which is located right at the heart of the town across the back of the old municipal hall. It has a mini-amphitheater and a large outdoor grounds which is often used as a venue for large open air activities such as the annual Pasaka Festival Competition and other various outdoor gatherings of the town, It also has two outdoor basketball court and one outdoor tennis courts. Surrounding the plaza are various centuries-old acacia trees that is one of the well-preserved in the Region. 

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