The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
St. Augustine – 354 to 430 AD.
While it is true that the Municipality of Talavera, generally, is not especially endowed with naturally picturesque spots to support its local tourism development, it nonetheless has a number of importantly recognized cultural landmarks. Foremost among them is the Diocesan Shrine of St. Isidore the Worker, whose origin and foundation are as old as the early Augustinian missions in Cabanatuan in 1700. Originally built as a chapel of ease by the Augustinian Missionaries in 1846 for the spiritual growth of the people of Catuguian (Talavera’s former name).
Another historical landmark is the Sicsican Bridge, a 148m steel truss bridge constructed during the American period. It was later on bombed by the Japanese Imperial Army (IJA) during World War II when it occupied the town proper shortly after Christmas in 1941. The Sicsican Bridge was reconstructed in 1962 under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (Herein after, DPWH). It was declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as an important cultural property in 2020 following Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act
An equally important cultural property of Talavera is the Gabaldon structure found at the Talavera Central School. It is the sole remaining vestige of the Gabaldon School Building in Talavera. Originally designed by Architect William E. Parsons and funded under Act No. 1801. In February of 2019, through a DepEd memorandum order no. 16-2019, in consonance with Republic Act No. 11194, said Gabaldon School Building is recognized as a built heritage and therefore is included as part of the country’s cultural properties under Republic Act No. 10066.
Oftentimes ignored as a cultural property in the Municipality of Talavera is the 68-year-old Murcon Mini-Dam, located at Barangay Minabuyoc. Constructed in 1954 to provide ample water supply to an estimated 4000 ha of farm lands in both Talavera and Aliaga, Murcon Dam borders the towns of Llanera and General Mamerto Natividad.
The monument of Jose P. Rizal, sculptured without the obelisk between 1922 and 1931 under the administration of Mayor Timoteo Parungao following the classical style dominating the 1920s to 1930s, is an equally important cultural property. It is initially erected at the left side of the old St. Isidore the Worker Parish facing the Municipal Compound. It bears a dedication made by the people of Talavera, which reads “To Jose Rizal Apostle of the Fatherland”. In 2010, the monument is relocated to the municipal compound with a newly built pedestal made of granite stones.
The Municipality of Talavera is honored to have another cultural property – the Tal-Acacia, a century-old and more Acacia tree found at the Talavera National High School. Its lower trunk measures 6.1 meters while its main trunk measures 5.76 meters. The Tal-Acacia heritage tree is commonly known as “Samanea Saman”. It is native to northern South America but grows as well in Tropical countries like the Philippines. Its typical height reaches 15 to 25 meters tall with a broad crown that extends up to 30 meters in diameter. In the Philippines, samanea saman is colloquially known as acacia tree.
Cultural Properties of Talavera
