Rafael Rabaya Road, Talisay City, Cebu

It is the street within the jurisdiction of Barangay Tabunoc, Talisay City, Cebu. The street is named in honor of Rafael Campo Rabaya, he served for 25 years as mayor of Talisay.

Rafael, became mayor of Talisay in 1947, during that time mayors were part of the municipal board and most of the times presided over its sessions, unlike today that the vice mayor automatically becomes the presiding officer.

He was born on October 24, 1908, married Ambrosia Bacus, and had the following children: Cecilia who married a Mina, Glenda married a Villagonzalo, Rafael Jr., Chona, Monina married a Coyoca and Nestor. His children from his second wife (Generosa Legaspina) were Lucille and Joselito.

Among his many accomplishments as chief executive of Talisay were expansion and beautification of the Tabunoc Public Market, Construction of the Talisay Tennis Court, Construction of Jaclupan Primary School, Construction of additional rooms of Talisay Central School, Tabunoc Elementary School and San Roque Primary School.

He was responsible for the creation of Barangay Manipis, the installation of telephone lines that connect Cebu City to Talisay, concreting of the principal streets of Talisay such as Rizal Street and Burgos Street. It was during his term that Rural Health Centers were constructed in many of its barangays such as in Pooc, Bulacao, Manipis, Jaclupan, and Lawaan. Artesian wells were also installed in the different barangays.

In 1965, Mayor Rabaya was assisted with the following officials of Talisay: Andres Y. Sabido, Vice Mayor, his councilors were Dr. Mariano Fernandez, Marciano Bacus, Ignacio Rabaya, Eugenio Abastillas, Edilberto C. Ruiz, Francisco Abalo, Eleuterio Delima, and Bibiano Gabison. The municipal secretary was Fortunato L. Cabanero while the municipal judge was Gabriel B. Ybanez, the municipal treasurer was Manuel L. Pareja, the chief of police was Severino Canton, the health officers were Doctors Rodulfo Azucena and Policarpo C. Alisoso.

Mayor Rabaya died on May 30, 1989, his record yet unbroken for having been the longest running mayor of Talisay.

Before him, when the Americans established a civilian government, the following served as municipal presidents and mayors of Talisay: Castor La Rosa, Narciso Canton, Panfilo Canton, Fidel Bas, Vicente Garces, Ignacio Cabrera, Santos Abarquez, and Benoni Cabrera.

Talisay was converted into a component city on December 30, 2000 by virtue of Republic Act 8979. Talisay's first gobernadorcillo was Silverio Fernandez while its first city mayor was Eduardo Rivera Gullas, the author/father of Talisay cityhood.