The founding day of the town of Taytay is an historic matter of utmost and foremost significance even as we are rejoicing and aiming to fly high being a first class municipality of the Province of Rizal, Republic of the Philippines.
Taytay came into being as a town four hundred thirty five (435) years ago as of this date. True to its meaning in the old Tagalog sense, both literal and profound, “Taytay” proved to be the “bridge” of civilization and Christianization of the eastern side of Laguna Lake—of what is now the provinces of Rizal and half of Laguna. Taytay was even founded earlier than Antipolo, Rizal Province’s current seat of Capitolio and Diocese.
However, Taytay and its townspeople had failed, and continue to fail, in commemorating and celebrating such a significant occasion simply by having no recognized foundation date to begin with.
In effect, the town and people are denied of their rich heritage, history and identity, as Christians, Filipinos and Taytayeños.
Imagine, we had emerged from almost five centuries of Christian faith and culture. Such historic encounter shaped and united us as a people, town, country and nation—and that’s what we are today.
No offense, but I regret to say that we could not just shrug off and disregard the matter as for a tree to cut off its roots, or as a person having no known parents, that is, “putok sa buho” in local parlance.
Of course, we’ve got to move forward. We do it with pride and gusto, but without leaving once more our task of recognizing our beginning and founding past.
Taytay deserves to be honored and be recognized of its founding day, its birthday. That's on the 24th of June 1579, feastday of its patron, Saint John he Baptist.
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