A PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF TABOAN MARKET AND PASIL AREA

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An Undergraduate Thesis

Presented to the School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design

of the Univesity of San Carlos

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In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

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CO, KENNETH DOMINIC DUANE A.

PONCE DE LEON, JESSICA

May 2024
2.1 Historical Background and Significance of Taboan Market and Pasil

Taboan Market in Cebu City, Philippines, traces its roots to the post-revolutionary period

of 1898, following the Battle of Tres de Abril. As San Nicolas District faced arrests and upheaval,

Teniente Indong and released leaders revitalized the area, establishing Tagbu-an, a designated

trading site near the river of Pahina. Renamed Taboan Market, it played a pivotal role in the

economic recovery of San Nicolas, becoming a vibrant marketplace where mountain producers

and city consumers converged.

Established during a period of upheaval, the market emerged as a symbol of resilience

and community revival, contributing to the economic recovery of the San Nicolas District.

Conceived as Tagbu-an, a designated trading area near the river of Pahina, it evolved into

Taboan Market, becoming a vibrant economic hub where producers from the mountains and

city consumers converge. Beyond its role as a marketplace, Taboan stands as a testament to the

enduring spirit of Cebu's communities, preserving traditional trading practices and fostering

cultural exchanges.

Centuries before Spanish colonization, Barangay Pasil in Cebu, Philippines, served as a

coastal and riverbank settlement inhabited by fishermen and traders. The term "Pasil" denoted

a bustling trading area, facilitating barter between upland and lowland barangays, as well as

neighboring provinces like Bohol and Negros. Believed by some historians to be a landing site

for Ferdinand Magellan's search for food supplies, Pasil's significance dates back to pre-colonial

times.
 In the early 1960s, due to population growth, Pasil underwent a division resulting in the

establishment of Barangay Pasil-Abuno and Barangay Pasil Proper, along with the emergence of

Barangay Suba in 1962 under the Presidential Assistance on Community Development. "Suba,"

meaning a large natural stream of water, became its official name, reflecting the historical

importance of the lumot-covered creek in attracting fish, even though the visible stream has

since been transformed into an imburnal with cemented sides and cover. The name "Suba"

persists, encapsulating the rich history of this area.