Laguna (province)
| Province of Laguna | |
Provincial seal of Laguna |
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 Map of the Philippines with Laguna highlighted |
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| Region | CALABARZON (Region IV-A) |
| Capital | Santa Cruz |
| Divisions | |
| - Highly urbanized cities | 0 |
| - Component cities | 3 |
| - Municipalities | 27 |
| - Barangays | 674 |
| - Congressional districts | 4 |
| Population | 6th largest |
| - Total (2007) | 1,965,872 |
| - Density | 1,117 /km² (2,893 /sq mi) (3rd highest) |
| Area | 17th smallest |
| - Total | 1,759.7 km2 (679 sq mi) |
| Founded | March 10, 1917 |
| Spoken languages | Tagalog, English language |
| Governor | Teresita S. Lazaro (Lakas-CMD) |
Laguna is a province of the Philippines found in the CALABARZON region in Luzón. Its capital is Santa Cruz and the province is located southeast of Metro Manila, south of the province of Rizal, west of Quezon, north of Batangas and east of Cavite. Laguna almost completely surrounds Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. The province got its name from the Spanish word lago, which means lake or lagoon.
Laguna is notable for being the birthplace of José Rizal, the country's national hero. Laguna is also famous among tourists for the Pagsanján Falls, the University of the Philippines campus and the hot spring resorts in Los Baños on the slopes of Mount Maquiling, Pila, Laguna Town Plaza, Taytay Falls, Majayjay, the wood carvings and papier mache created by the people of Paeté, the turumba of Páquil, and Hidden Valley Springs in Alaminos.
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History
The Province of Laguna was named after Laguna de Bay, the body of water that forms its northern boundary. Laguna de Bay, in turn, was named after the town of Bay (Laguna de Bay is Spanish which means "Lake of Bay"), the first provincial capital. Captain Juan de Salcedo with a band of one hundred Spanish-Mexican soldiers and many Bisayan allies conquered the province and its surrounding regions for Spain in 1571. Seven years later, two Franciscan friars started the work of Christianization.
In 1577, the Franciscan missionaries arrived in Manila, and in 1578 they started evangelizing Laguna, Morong (now Rizal), Tayabas (now Quezon) and the Bicol Peninsula. Fathers Juan de Placencia and Diego de Oropesa were the earliest Franciscans sent to these places. From 1580, the towns of Bay, Caliraya, Majayjay, Nagcarlán, Liliw, Pila, Santa Cruz, Lumbán, Páñguil and Sinilóan were founded. In 1678, Fray Hernando Cabrera founded San Pablo de los Montes (now San Pablo City) and built a wooden church and convent considered as the best and finest in the province.
In 1670, delimitation of borders were made between Lucban, Majayjay and Cavite. The populous town at that time was Bay, the capital of the province until 1688, when the seat of the provincial government was moved to Pagsanján, and later, in 1858, to Santa Cruz. In 1754, the Province of Laguna and Tayabas were divided, with the Malinao River separating the towns of Majayjay and Lucbán.
The province became a bloody battle ground for the Chinese during the two instances that they rose in revolt against Spain. In 1603's, the Chinese made their last stand in the mountains of San Pablo, and in 1639, they fortified themselves in the highlands of Cavinti and Lumbán, surrendering in Pagsanján a year later.
The loyalty of the people of Laguna to the crown was tested during the British invasion (1762-1764) when thousands of Filipinos rallied to its defense. When a detachment of British troops under Captain Thomas Backhouse entered the province in search of the silver cargo of the galleon Filipino, Francisco de San Juan of Pagsanján led a band of volunteers that fought them in several engagements in and around the town which was then the provincial capital (1688-1858). Captain Backhouse plundered the town and burned its newly reconstructed church but San Juan succeeded in escaping with the precious hoard to Pampanga where the treasure greatly bolstered the defense effort of Simón de Anda. For his heroism, San Juan was made a brigade commander and alcalde mayor of Tayabas (now Quezon) province.
The people's loyalty gradually degenerated into bitter hostility. Grave abuses by the colonizers, including that of the clergy, caused the resentment of the natives to be fanned into a rising flood of insurrection. In 1840 for instance, religious intolerance led the people of Majayjay, Nagcarlán, Bay, and Biñán to join the revolt of Hermano Pule (Apolinario de la Cruz) of Lucbán, Tayabas.
Laguna was also exposed to the aspirations of its most famous son, Dr. José Rizal, who was born in Calamba. The persecution of Dr. Jose Rizal and his parents toward the end of the century further aggravated the situation, so that by 1896, thousands of patriotic inhabitants, especially of Bay, Los Baños, Nagcarlan, Magdalena, Santa Cruz, and Pagsanjan had joined the revolutionary Katipunan.
Laguna was one of the eight provinces to rise in revolt against the Spanish misrule led by Generals Paciano Rizal of Calambâ, Severino Taino of Pagsanján, Agüeda Kahabagán (woman general) of Calauan, and Miguel Malvar of Batangas. The ill-equipped Filipino forces fought the well-armed enemy until on August 31, 1898, when the last Spanish garrison surrendered to the victorious patriots in Santa Cruz. The province was cleared of Spaniards. There had been only one respite, the Pact of Biac-na-Bató on December 14 to 15, 1897.
Laguna actively supported the first Philippine Republic proclaimed at Malolos on January 23, 1899. Her two delegates to the Malolos Congress, Don Higino Benitez and Don Graciano Cordero, were natives of Pagsanján.
Upon the outbreak of the Filipino-American War (1899-1901), General Juan Cailles and General Paciano Rizal led the defense of Laguna until June 30, 1901, when surrender became inevitable. Cailles became the first Filipino Governor of Laguna under the American flag.
The Province of Laguna progressed rapidly in peace. Roads were built, schools were established, and in 1917, the Manila Railroad Company extended its line to Laguna as far as Pagsanjan.
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines (1942-1945), Laguna was a center of Filipino resistance despite the presence of Makapili collaborators. Beginning in 1945, attacks by the Filipino soldiers and local guerillas against Japanese forces in Laguna increased in anticipation of the Liberation of the Philippines by the Filipino & American forces.
Present-day Laguna shows a thriving economy. Peopled by 1,734,618 (1997 estimated population) industrious citizens and possessing a total area of 1760 km² of land, Laguna produces millions of pesos worth of coconuts, rice, sugar, citrus fruits, lanzones and other products. Tourists flock to its beauty spots, especially Pagsanjan Falls, Los Baños Hot Springs, Makiling National Park, Caliraya Lake and many others. Levels of development vary. The towns near Metro Manila have become industrialized whereas the inner towns continue to engage in agricultural production or pursue agri-based industries and cottage and small-scale industries.
Laguna was one of the first sites of the Philippine Revolution. Calamba City is the birthplace of José Rizal, the country's national hero.
Government Members
- Governor: Teresita "Ningning" S. Lazaro (Lakas-CMD)
- Vice-Governor: Ramil L. Hernandez (PMP)
House of Representatives
- 1st District: Dr. Danilo Ramon "Dan" S. Fernandez
- 2nd District: Justin Marc "Timmy" S.B. Chipeco
- 3rd District: Ma. Evita Roda Arago
- 4th District: Edgar S. San Luis
Board Members
1st District:
- David "Dave" M. Almarinez
- Emilio "Emil" M. Tiongco
- Ramon "Monching" C. Carillo
2nd District:
- Rolando "Rolly" S. Bagnes
- Juan M. Unico
- Neil Andrew "Neil" N. Nocon
3rd District:
- Katherine C. Agapay
- Reynaldo D. Paras
4th District:
- Benedicto Mario C. Palacol, Jr.
- Domingo G. Panganiban
Economy
- Natural Resources: Laguna is endowed with abundant natural resources. Its forests are filled with bamboo, rattan, and soft hardwood. Its wide fields and vast forests are ideal for growing rice, coconuts, vegetables, tropical fruits, orchids, and other ornamental flowers and exotic plants. The province is also rich in mineral resources such as clay, jasper and basalt glass.
There are about forty rivers in Laguna with a total area of almost 0.5 square kilometres. In the forests of Mount Makiling and in the waters of Laguna de Bay are an abundance of flora and fauna. The Laguna de Bay has an approximate area of 3800 km² broken down into 2900 km² of land and 900 km² of lake proper with 220 km shoreline.
Laguna's greatest natural resource is water. It has an estimated 300 million US gallons (1,100,000 m³) of underground water, capable of generating energy for Laguna's expanding power needs. At least seven principal water basins in the province with a total of 5,773 km² drainage area and 1,316 km² level area provide an estimated 9.238 km³ total run-off annually.
- Agricultural Activities: Crop Production, Livestock and Poultry Production, Fishing
- Investment Opportunities: Ecotourism enterprises; Convention centers; Coconut inter-cropping; Forest Trees, Cutflowers & ornamentals; Fruit & vegetable processing; Herbal medicines; Herbal essences; Gifts and housewares; Metalcraft (Industrial equipment, Engines, Surgical instruments, Agricultural machinery, tools); Service Facilities (Packaging, Warehousing, Trucking services, dryers); Electronics (Consumer electronics, Telecommunications, Computers & peripherals, Semi-conductors); and Garments and footwear; Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Tourism.
- Financial Institutions: Banking institutions maintain an extensive branch network in Laguna. Commercial banks, savings and mortgage banks, private development banks, stock savings and loan associations, and rural banks operated a total of 267 branches in the province.
Non-bank financial institutions provide supplementary financial services to Laguna residents and businesses. A total of 394 offices have been set up by lending investors, pawnshops, financial companies, nonstock savings and loan associations, and investment houses with quasi-banking functions.
- Exports: US$7.0 Billion (1997) out of total Philippine exports of $25 Billion
US$1.5 billion (1996)
Geography
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Political
Laguna is subdivided into 27 municipalities and 3 cities.
Cities
- Calamba City
- San Pablo City
- Santa Rosa City
Municipalities
- Alaminos
- Bay
- Biñán
- Cabuyao
- Calauan
- Cavinti
- Famy
- Kalayaan
- Liliw
- Los Baños
- Luisiana
- Lumbán
- Mabitac
- Magdalena
- Majayjay
- Nagcarlán
- Paeté
- Pagsanján
- Páquil
- Pêñguil
- Pila
- Rizal
- San Pedro
- Santa Cruz
- Santa María
- Sinilóan
- Victoria
Physical
Laguna lies on the southern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. On the southern border of the province are Mt. Makiling (Maquiling) and Mt. Banahaw, both are long dormant volcanoes, but still sources of geothermal energy. Mt. Makiling is popular for the numerous hot spring resorts that are found on its slopes. Pagsanjan Falls, is a popular waterfall that tumbles down a deep gorge in the hills.
The eastern portion of Laguna straddles the southernmost portions of the Sierra Madre mountain range.
Climate
The province is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year for a small portion near the southern boundary. The other parts, west of Santa Cruz municipality, experience a dry season from November to April and rainy season during the rest of the year. The eastern and southern most portions do not have distinct season, with rainfall more evenly distributed throughout the year.
Major attractions
Historical
| City/Municipality | Name of Landmark | Roads from Manila | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calambâ City | Rizal Shrine | South Luzón Tollway - Calambâ Exit via National Road to J.P. Rizal Avenue | The Rizal Shrine is located in Calamba City and features the home of José Rizal. |
| Los Baños | Homma-Yamashita Shrine | SLEX - Calamba Exit via National Road | |
| Pagsanján | Pagsanjan Falls | ||
| Cavinti | Japanese Garden | SLEX - Calambâ Exit via National Road to Famy-Cavinti Road | |
| Nagcarlán | Underground Cemetery | SLEX - Calamba Exit via Maharlika Highway to San Pablo-Nagcarlan Road | |
| Los Baños | The Battle of Mabitac Mural, Mabitac Cultural: National Arts Center, UP Los Banos |
SLEX - Calamba Exit via Maharlika Highway to National Road | |
| Pila | Pila Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes | ||
| Pinagbayanan Crematorium | The Philippines' oldest crematorium ever. | ||
| Los Baños | Baker Hall, UP Los Banos | ||
| Biñán | Biñan Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes | SLEX- Biñán Exit |
Natural
- Pagsanjan Falls, Pagsanjan (The Magdapio Falls used to be called the Magdapio Falls but have become popularly known as the Pagsanjan Falls because the trip starts in Pagsanjan.
| City/Municipality | Name | Road from Manila | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calamba City and Los Baños | Mount Makiling | SLEX - Calamba Exit via Maharlika Highway to National Road | The place where Maria Makiling, the Laguna's only goddess named after it. |
| Calauan | Hidden Valley Springs | The only hot spring in the province. | |
| Los Baños | Crocodile Lake | ||
| Nagcarlan | Eight mountains | It includes Mt. Atimla, Mt. Mabilog, Mt. Nagcarlan, Mt. Malauban, Mt. Lansay, Mt. Bayaquitos, Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. | |
| San Pablo City | Seven Lakes | It includes like Sampaloc Lake, Lake Bunot, Lake Calibato, Lake Pandin, Lake Yambo, Lake Palakpakin, and Lake Muhikap. | |
| Botocan, Majayjay | Dalawitan River | ||
| Sinilóan | Buruwisan Falls |
Man-Made
| City/Municipality | Name | Road from Manila | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pila | Diocesan Shrine of St. Anthony of Pádua | SLEX - Calambâ Exit via National Road | |
| Pila | Pila Municipal Museum | ||
| Los Baños | Boy Scouts of the Philippines Camp, UP | ||
| Los Baños | Pook ni Maria Makiling | ||
| Calamba City | Hot Spring Resorts | ||
| Paeté | Paete's Woodcarving | The woodcarving of Laguna is made here | |
| Majayjay | St. Gregory Church | A catholic church | |
| Paeté | St. James the Apostle Church | ||
| Pakil | San Pedro de Alcantara Church | also known as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Turumba | |
| San Pedro | Centro Pacita | Commercial Center in Pacita | |
| San Pedro | Sto. Rosario Parish Church | ||
| Landayan, San Pedro | Santo Sepulchre | National Road | |
| Mabitac | Our Lady of Candelaria | ||
| Biñán | San Isidro Labrador Church |
Educational Attractions / Schools and Universities
Alaminos
- Marcelino Fule Memorial College
Bay
- Little People's School
Biñán
- La Consolacion College-Biñán
- Brent International School
- De La Salle-Canlubang Campus
- Santa Catalina College
- Colegio de San Agustín
- University of Perpetual Help Jonelta System (Biñán Campus)
- Saint Michael's College of Laguna
- Holy Spirit School
- Lake Sho Educational Institute (LSEI)
- Biñan National High School (BNHS)
Cabuyao
- Laguna State Polytechnic University (Cabuyao Campus)
- Our Lady of Assumption College-Cabuyao Campus (Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna)
- Malayan Colleges Laguna (Former Mapua Institute of Technology)
- Pamantasan Ng Cabuyao
- Saint Vincent College of Cabuyao (Mamatid, Cabuyao, Laguna)
- Cabuyao National Highschool
- Liceo de Cabuyao
- Liceo de Mamatid
- Cabuyao Institute
Calamba City
- Colegio de San Juan de Letrán (Calambâ City, Campus)
- University of Perpetual Help System DALTA - Calamba Campus
- Calambâ Doctors' College (Parián, Calambá City)
- Don Bosco College (Canlubang Campus)
- Canossa Academy
- Asian Computer College - Main
- Asian Computer College - Annex
- Rizal Institute - Canlubang
- Mary Help of Christians School, Inc.
- North Marie Montessori Academy
- Santa Cecilia Catholic School
- Calambâ Institute
- Saint John Colleges
- Lyceum of the Philippines - Laguna
- Laguna College of Business and Arts
Los Baños
- University of the Philippines Los Baños
- University of the Philippines Rural High School
- National Arts Centre & Philippine High School for the Arts
- UPLB Museum of Natural History
- UPLB College of Agriculture Agricultural Park
- UPLB Makiling Sining Gallery
- Makiling Botanical Gardens
- Makiling Forest Reserve
- Riceworld Museum, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Complex
- Trace Aquatic Centre and Computer College (Los Baños Campus)
- Laguna State Polytechnic University (Los Baños Campus)
- Los Baños National High School
- Los Baños Community National High School
Pagsanján
- Pagsanjan National High School
- Liceo de Pagsanján
- Unson National High School
- STI. Pagsanján
- AMA Computer University
- AMA Computer Learning Center
- Harvard University Pagsanjan
- Laguna State Polytechnic University (Pagsanjan Campus)
Paete
- Eastern Laguna Colleges
- Liceo de Paeté
- Poten and Eliseo Quesada Memorial National High School
Pila
- Pila Museum, Pila, Laguna
- Liceo de Pila
- Pila Central(Elementary)
San Pablo City
- Ateneo de San Pablo
- Aera Museum (Escudero Private Museum)
- Laguna State Polytechnic University (San Pablo City Campus)
- Laguna College
- San Pablo Colleges
- Canossa College
- Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo (DLSP)
- Montesorri Professional College
- CREST Christian School
- MSC Institute of Technology
- Grace and Truth School
San Pedro
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines - San Pedro Campus (new site)
- Our Lady of Assumption College (San Pedro Campus)
- San Pedro College of Business Administration (SPCBA)
- STI San Pedro
- Saint Louis Anne College
- AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC)-San Pedro Campus
- Laguna Science and Technology College
- Colegio de San Pedro
- San Vicente Livelihood Program (Adelina II Subdivision)
- IETI (Magsaysay)
- Saint Francis College
- Laguna Northwestern College (LNC-Main Campus in San Antonio)
- Laguna Northwesten College (LNC-Annex in Pacita I)
- San Pedro Relocation Center National High School (SPRCNHS Main Campus in Langgam)
- San Pedro Relocation Center National High School (SPRCNHS Cuyab Campus)
- San Pedro Relocation Center National High School (Landayan Campus)
- Amazing Grace School(San Vicente Road)
- Pacita Complex National High School
- Sampaguita National High School (Main Campus in Sampaguita Village)
- Sampaguita National High School (Annex in Adelina I)
- Our Lady of Assumption College (OLAC)
- San Pedro Manpower Training School (Elvinda Village Ice Plant)
- Liceo de San Pedro (LDSP-Main building is located in front of the municipal plaza)
- Liceo de San Pedro (LDSP-Annex building is located beside the town church)
Santa Cruz
- AMA Computer University
- AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC)
- Pedro Guevarra Memorial National High School
- Laguna State Polytechnic University (formerly the Laguna School of Arts and Trades)
- Immaculate Conception Catholic School
- Basic Christian International School & Special Education Center
- Don Bosco High School
- Our Lady of Maulawin Educational Foundation INC.
- Laguna University
- Saint Therese School
- Saint John Bosco
- New San Luis Recreational, Educational, Culture & Sports Village
- Union Collage Of Laguna
- STI Sta. Cruz
Santa Rosa City
- The Coca-Cola Pavilion, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. Plant
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Santa Rosa City Campus)
- Our Lady of Assumption College
- Holy Rosary College
- Canossa School (Intermediate Department located beside the Church and the Primary and Highschool Department located at Zavalla Street near Buena Rosa)
- University of Santo Tomas - Santa Rosa (operational by 2011)
Sinilóan
- Laguna State Polytechnic University (Sinilóan Campus)
Recreational/Commercial
Biñán
- Splash Island
- Pavillon Mall
- Olivares Plaza
- Laguna Technopark
Cabuyao
- Paseo de Cabuyao (Under Construction)
Calambâ City
- Liana's Discount City
- SM City Calamba(under construction)
- Monte Vista Resort and Hotel
- Waltermart
Los Baños
- Robinsons Town Mall Los Baños
- Vega Centre and Arcade
- Olivarez Plaza
- Splash Mountain Resort and Hotel
- City of Springs Resort and Hotel
- Trace Suites
- SEARCA Residence Hotel
- Los Baños Square
Pagsanján
- Areza
- Jollibee, Pagsanjan
- Pagsanján Falls Lodge Resort
- Kamalig
- Villa Monte ville
- Pagsanjan Rapids
- Magdapio Resort
- Yellow Bell
- SM Pagsanján(still being planning)
- Pagsanján Plaza
San Pablo City
- Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort
- San Pablo Shopping Centre
- Ultimart Shopping Plaza
- Centro Park Department Store and Supermarket
- Tierra de Oro Resort and Hotel
- María Paz Royal Garden Resort
- San Pablo City Shopping Mall (the Palengke)
- Villa Amante Garden Resort
Santa Cruz
- Sunstar Mall
- Centro Park Department Store and Supermarket
- Good Will Supermarket
- Joy Joy Supermarket
- Irene Mall
- SUC Save U Cash Discount Store
- Mega fun party,Gift & Accessories stores
- Mercury Drug Stores (Two Branches in Town)
Santa Rosa City
- SM City Santa Rosa
- Teletech Santa Rosa BPO Company
- Robinson's City Santa Rosa
- Enchanted Kingdom
- El Cielito Inn - The First Hotel in Sta. Rosa Laguna
- Paseo de Santa Rosa
- Convergys Santa Rosa (under construction)
- KGB company - BPO Company formerly known as INFONxxx
- Laguna Technopark
- Bel-Air Santa Rosa
San Pedro
- Centro Pacita
- San Pedro Town Center
- Rey-Sal Supermarket
- Madison Square
- Friday Market (Landayan)
- Mercury Drug Stores (Four branches in town;along the National Road in San Pedro, downtown in San Pedro town, along the National Road in Pacita, Centro Pacita branch)
See also
- Battles of the Philippine-American War
- Laguna Lake Development Authority
- Mount Makiling
External links
- Official Website of the Provincial Government of Laguna
- San Pablo City Premier Web Magazine
- Cavinti, Laguna Philippines
- Paete, Laguna, Philippines
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