Tanjay, city of the Philippines in the province of Negros Oriental
Tanjay is a component city in Negros Oriental, Philippines, situated along the coast with views toward the Tañon Strait. The city spans flat coastal lowlands and inland hills with rice terraces, housing roughly 80,000 residents across numerous barangays that vary from seaside neighborhoods to mountain communities.
Tanjay was founded as a mission in 1580 and became a parish in 1589 under the name Santiago de los Ríos de Tanay. The church dedicated to St. James the Greater still stands today as a testament to that early settlement. The city achieved official city status in 2001, marking its transformation from a mission station to a modern urban center.
The name Tanjay traces back to a mission established in 1580. Catholic faith deeply shapes the city, with religious festivals like Sinulog de Tanjay dominating the calendar and public spaces through colorful street dances and processions. These celebrations weave history and spirituality into daily life, visible in how residents gather and participate in their seasonal traditions.
Tanjay is easily accessible from Dumaguete by frequent buses and vans that take about one hour at affordable fares. The city experiences a tropical climate with hot, rainy periods from May to February, while summer months are drier and better for visiting. Plan your trip to avoid the wetter months to make the most of outdoor activities.
Tanjay is known for Budbod, a local sticky rice treat wrapped with a thin strip of chocolate that has been made for generations using family secret recipes. This delicacy is so tied to the city that locals claim only Tanjayanons can make the best Budbod in the Philippines.
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