A trip to Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - Way before the popular long stretches of white sand beaches at Mactan became the favorite destination for Cebuano excursionists and picnickers, there was Talisay. The place was then a flourishing town some 12 kilometers southeast of Cebu City. Talisay’s famous beaches gave rise to complementary industries – food and entertainment.

Talisay was the big beach destination in the 70s. Its fine brown sand and crystal clear seawaters drew entire families and groups of friends from neighboring places. It was where people would go to celebrate momentous private occasions. 

Marine resources were abundant in the town then. Fishing bancas were an accent in the scenic view of the town’s seascape. Beachgoers would buy fresh catch from the local fishermen, for the seafood component of the beach feasts.

Larawan Beach and Yaro Beach Resort were the most visited public beaches at the time. These were located in Barangay Poblacion, Talisay. Food stands lined up along the approaches to the beaches; in fact, these also functioned as landmarks to alert first-time visitors that they had come very close to their ultimate destinations.

There were stalls selling kinilaw, boiled camote, sinugbang isda and sweet preserves, particularly “konselba,” fried banana chips dipped in caramelized brown sugar. Some vendors peddled their products right in the close vicinity of the beaches. One food item sold at the food stands was an attraction in itself – the Talisay lechon.

It was Talisay that first brought to public attention the now famous Cebu lechon. The beaches of the town were responsible. Particularly in the Yaro area, a line of lechon stalls met beachgoers for them to take as part of the fare of their seaside feasts. Lechon stalls tried to outdo one another in the taste of their lechon, resulting in excellent quality that Cebu lechon would eventually come to be known for.

In recognition of the role that lechon had played in its economy, Talisay holds an annual Lechon Festival during its fiesta every 15th of October. Over a hundred lechons are paraded around the main streets, amid dancing by parade contingents and cheers from spectators, both locals and foreigners.

The name “Talisay” is said to be derived from the “magtalisay” trees that were once common in the area. These trees can still be found there, although in numbers which are a far cry from its previous abundance. The remaining magtalisay trees can be seen at the street sides, having been purposely grown there by civic-minded local citizens. 

Talisay has since become a city – officially called City of Talisay, purposely to distinguish it from another city, in Negros, with the same name. The lechon stalls in Yaro are no longer there, as the throngs of visitors to the beach resort have diminished. But several lechon stores can still be found around the city.

The beaches of the City of Talisay have ceased to interest visitors. Most of the people that still troop to the beaches on weekends and holidays are locals. To some degree, the beaches that once put Talisay on visitors’ itinerary are still an attraction.

Tennis courts now abound near Larawan Beach. In the same area stands a monument commemorating the landing of American-Filipino soldiers during the crucial days World War II. Nearby is the Talisay Public Plaza and a police station, so visitors are assured of security.

Other attraction have since captured the attention of visitors to Talisay. The city’s old Sta. Teresa de Avila Church is one of the unique Greco-Roman churches in the Philippines. There is also a crocodile zoo/park, where people can get up close with nature and wildlife.

Visitors looking for a place to stay may book at a budget hotel in Tabunok, Talisay or at a private resort located near the Poblacion. Public utility jeepneys and tricycles ply the Tabunok-Poblacion route, which takes about 15 minutes ride.

Visitors coming from Cebu City may course through the South Coastal Highway of the South Road Properties for a smooth ride. But whichever way is taken, Talisay is really worth the trip.