On the rugged northwestern coast of Cebu lies the town of Tabuelan, tucked between the municipalities of Tuburan and San Remigio. Cebuanos love it for its beaches, from Durhan to Maravilla , and its scenic rivers. While many are familiar with its natural beauty, only a few know its history.
Tabuelan holds the distinction of being the youngest municipality in Cebu. In fact, it is the only one created after the second world war. Young heart with an old soul.
Created by Executive Order No. 621 issued by President Elpidio Quirino on October 23, 1953, Tabuelan was born out of the desire for better governance and closer services for the people living in the far barangays of Tuburan. With a sense of purpose and hope, 12 barangays were carved out of Tuburan to form what would become Tabuelan.
The Town That Found Its Voice
In its early years, Tabuelan was what many would call a frontier town , distant, rural, and largely unknown. Life was simple and self-sufficient. Residents relied on farming, fishing, and raising livestock to make ends meet. Roads were rough, public services were limited, and opportunities were scarce. But what the town lacked in infrastructure, it made up for in resilience.
Local leaders, teachers, and farmers became the quiet builders of a new identity. Schools were established. A municipal hall rose on the hill. Community life began to take shape, with town fiestas and civic events giving people a sense of pride and belonging.
A Scenic Gem Waiting to Be Discovered
Today, Tabuelan is a vibrant town but remains a largely agricultural town, one look at its landscape reveals a place of untapped beauty. Rolling hills stretch toward the sea, and in places like Maravilla Beach, powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters surprise first time visitors. For years, only a few locals and backpackers knew of this hidden paradise — but in recent years, word has begun to spread.
With improved road access and a growing interest in countryside tourism, Tabuelan is now positioning itself as a peaceful beach destination for those looking to escape the busier shores of Cebu.
A Vital Link to Negros and Iloilo
The port facility of Tabuelan is one of the busiest in the province because of its strategic location serving roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) services for the movement of cargos between the neigboring Visayan islands of Panay and Negros.
From the bosom of Tuburan, Tabuelan was born, and today, it has fully grown into a promising locality with immense potentials. It is home and source of pride for its constituents, yet within it, still dwells the soul and memories of Tuburan, its mother town in the not so distant past.
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