Laguna (province) Totally Explained

Everything about Laguna Province totally explained

Laguna is a province of the Philippines found in the CALABARZON region in Luzon. 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.
Laguna is notable for being the birthplace of José Rizal, the country's national hero. Laguna is also famous among tourists for the Pagsanjan Falls, the University of the Philippines campus and the hot spring resorts in Los Baños on the slopes of Mount Makiling, Pila, Laguna Town Plaza, Taytay Falls, Majayjay, the wood carvings and papier mache created by the people of Paete, the turumba of Pakil, and Hidden Valley Springs in Calauan.

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 Orepesa were the earliest Franciscans sent to these places. From 1580, the towns of Bay, Caliraya, Majayjay, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Pila, Santa Cruz, Lumban, Pangil and Siniloan 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 Pagsanjan, 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 Lucban.
   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 Lumban, surrendering in Pagsanjan 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 Pagsanjan 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 Simon 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, Nagcarlan, Bay, and Biñan to join the revolt of Hermano Pule (Apolinario de la Cruz) of Lucban, Tayabas.
   Laguna was also exposed to the aspirations of its most famous son, Dr. Jose 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 Calamba, Severino Taino of Pagsanjan, Agueda Kahabagan (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-Bato 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 Pagsanjan.
   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 Filipino 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

Biñan

Cabuyao

Calauan

Cavinti

Famy

Kalayaan

Liliw

Los Baños

Luisiana

Lumban

Mabitac

Paete

Pakil

Pangil

Pila

Rizal

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 don't have distinct season, with rainfall more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Major attractions

Historical

City/Municipality	Name of Landmark	Roads from Manila	Description
Calamba City	Rizal Shrine	SLEX - Calamba 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
Cavinti	Japanese Garden	SLEX - Calamba Exit via National Road to Famy-Cavinti Road
Nagcarlan	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
Pila	Pinagbayanan Crematorium		The Philippines' oldest crematorium ever.
Los Baños	Baker Hall, UP Los Banos
Biñan	Biñan Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes	SLEX- Biñan Exit

Natural

Pagsanjan Falls, Cavinti (The Pagsanjan Falls used to be called the Magdapio Falls but have become popularly known as the Pagsanjan Falls because the trip starts in Pagsanjan. The falls are actually located upstream in Cavinti, and not in Pagsanjan as many think. The boat ride goes through many rapids before reaching the falls.)

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
Siniloan	Buruwisan Falls

Man-Made

City/Municipality	Name	Road from Manila	Remarks
Pila	Diocesan Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua	SLEX - Calamba 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
Paete	Paete's Woodcarving		The woodcarving of Laguna is made here
Majayjay	St. Gregory Church		A catholic church
Paete	St. James the Apostle Church
Pakil	San Pedro de Alcantara Church		also known as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Turumba
Mabitac	Our Lady of Candelaria
Biñan	San Isidro Labrador Church

Educational Attractions / Schools and Universities

Alaminos

Marcelino Fule Memorial College Biñan

La Consolacion College-Biñan

Brent International School

De La Salle-Canlubang Campus

Santa Catalina College

Colegio de San Agustin

University of Perpetual Help Dalta System (Biñan Campus)

Saint Michael's College of Laguna Cabuyao

Laguna State Polytechnic University (Cabuyao Campus)

Our Lady of Assumption College (Cabuyao Campus)

Malayan Colleges Laguna (Former Mapua Institute of Technology)

Pamantasan Ng Cabuyao Calamba City

Calamba Doctors' College (Parian, Calamba City)

Don Bosco (Canlubang Campus)

Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Calamba City Campus)

Canossa Academy

Asian Computer College

Rizal Institute - Canlubang

Mary Help of Christians School, Inc.

Santa Cecilia Catholic School

Calamba Institute

St. John Colleges

Lyceum Institute of Technology

Laguna College of Business and Arts

University of Perpetual Help Dalta System (Calamba City Campus) 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 Paete

Kamalig Gallery, Paete Pila

Pila Museum, Pila, Laguna 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

MSC Institute of Technology San Pedro

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (San Pedro Campus)

Our Lady of Assumption College (San Pedro Campus) Santa Cruz

Pedro Guevarra Memorial National High School

Laguna State Polytechnic University (formerly the Laguna School of Arts and Trades)

Immaculate Conception Catholic School

Don Bosco High School

Our Lady of Maulawin Educational Foundation INC.

Laguna University

Saint Therese School

Saint Jhon 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 Siniloan

Laguna State Polytechnic University (Siniloan Campus)

Recreational/Commercial

Biñan

Splash Island

Pavillon Mall Calamba City

Liana's Discount City

SM City Calamba

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 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

Maria Paz Royal 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

Robinsons City Santa Rosa

Enchanted Kingdom

El Cielito Inn - The First Hotel in Sta. Rosa LagunaFurther Information

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