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Laguna (province)

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This article is about the province of Laguna. For the biggest lake in the Philippines, see Laguna de Bay. For other uses, see Laguna.
Province of Laguna
Lalawigan ng Laguna
Province
Flag of Province of Laguna
Flag
Official seal of Province of Laguna
Seal
Nickname(s): 
"Resort Capital, Detroit and Silicon Valley of the Philippines"
Motto(s): 
BAGONG LAGUNA, Una sa Lahat!
(NEW LAGUNA, First of all!)
Map of the Philippines with Laguna highlighted
Map of the Philippines with Laguna highlighted
Country Philippines
RegionCALABARZON (Region IV-A)
FoundedMarch 10, 1917
CapitalSanta Cruz
Government
 • TypeProvince of the Philippines
 • GovernorEmilio Ramon Ejercito (PMP)
 • Vice GovernorCaesar Perez (Bigkis Pinoy)
Area
 • Total
1,823.6 km2 (704.1 sq mi)
 • Rank65th out of 80
Population
 (2007)
 • Total
2,473,530
 • Rank6th out of 80
 • Density1,400/km2 (3,500/sq mi)
  • Rank3rd out of 80
Divisions
 • Independent cities0
 • Component cities4
 • Municipalities26
 • Barangays674
 • Districts1st to 4th districts of Laguna
Time zoneUTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP Code
4000-4033
Spoken languagesTagalog, English
Websitewww.laguna.gov.ph

Laguna (PSGC: 035400000; ISO: PH-LAG) 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 acquired its name from the Spanish word lago, which means lake or lagoon. The city with the highest population (based on 2007 census) is Calamba City, while the least poluation is the Municipality of Famy.

Laguna is notable for being the birthplace of Jose 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 and Calamba City, on the slopes of Mount Makiling, Pila Town Plaza, Taytay Falls, Majayjay, the wood carvings and papier mache created by the people of Paeté, the turumba of Pakil, the Seven Lakes of San Pablo City (San Pablo City is the first city in the province) and Hidden Valley Springs in Calauan.

History

Luisiana Catholic Church
Liliw Catholic Church

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 Christianisation.

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. Juan de Plasencia 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, Lumban, Pángil 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 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 1603s, 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 natives of Laguna proved loyal to the Spanish crown during the British invasion (1762–1764) when thousands 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). 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, leader of the resistance movement. 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, especially those 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. José Rizal, who was born in Calamba City. The persecution of the Rizal family, along with their fellow landowners toward the end of the century further aggravated the situation. In 1896, thousands of inhabitants, especially of Bay, Los Baños, Nagcarlan, Magdalena, Santa Cruz, and Pagsanjan had joined the revolutionary Katipunan.

A Spanish colonial church in Paete, Laguna, with the Sierra Madre mountain range at the background.

Laguna was one of the eight provinces to rise in revolt against the Spanish misrule led by Generals Paciano Rizal of Calamba City, Severino Taino of Pagsanján, Agueda Kahabagan of Calauan, and Miguel Malvar of Batangas. The ill-equipped revolutionaries 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 Biak-na-Bato on December 14 to 15, 1897.

Laguna actively supported the first Philippine Republic proclaimed at Malolos on January 23, 1899. Its two delegates to the Malolos Congress were Don Higino Benítez and Don Graciano Cordero, both natives of Pagsanján.

Upon the outbreak of the Filipino-American War (1899–1901), Generals Juan Cailles and 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.

The establishment of the military general headquarters and military camp bases of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary is a military unit organization was founded on 1942 to 1946 in the province of Laguna, and aided of the local military regular units of the Philippine Commonwealth Army 4th and 42nd Infantry Division and the Philippine Constabulary 4th Infantry Regiment. Started the engagements of the Anti-Japanese Military Operations in Southern Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan from 1942 to 1945 against the Japanese Imperial forces.

Beginning in 1945, attacks by the Filipino soldiers of the 4th, 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 45th, 46th and 47th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 4th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary and the recognized guerrillas against Japanese forces in Laguna increased in anticipation of the Liberation of the Philippines by joint Filipino & American forces.

Present-day Laguna shows a thriving economy. Peopled by 2,473,530 (2009 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, Calamba City and Los Banos hotsprings, 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.

Government Members (2010-2013)

House of Representatives

Board Members

1st District:

  • Gabnulang "Gab" A. Alatiit
  • Carlo M. Almoro
  • Emilio "Emil" M. Tiongco

2nd District:

  • Neptali "Ninoy" B. Bagnes
  • Neil Andrew "Neil" N. Nocon
  • Juan "Johnny" M. Unico

3rd District:

4th District:

  • Joseph Kris Benjamin "Benjo" B. Agarao
  • Benedicto Mario "Bong" C. Palacol, Jr.

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)

Laguna West Metropolitan

Currently, the province has a metropolitan area namely the Laguna West Metro, as it has the cities and towns nearest the National Capital Region. Laguna West Metro consists of 3 cities (Biñan City, Calamba City and Santa Rosa City) and 4 municipalities (Bay, Cabuyao, Los Baños and San Pedro). Laguna is also considered as the richest and the most progressive province in the Philippines because of the billionaire cities like Calamba City and Santa Rosa City. The population of Laguna West Metropolitan is 1,543,403, respectively.

Political

Laguna is subdivided into 26 municipalities and 4 cities.

Cities

City Type District Population
(2007)		 Mayors No. of Barangays
Biñan City 1st Class City 1st District 262,735 Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat 24
Calamba City 1st Class City 2nd District 360,281 Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr. 54
San Pablo City 1st Class City 3rd District 237,259 Vicente B. Amante 80
Santa Rosa City 1st Class City 1st District 266,943 Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno 18
Los Baños1 Nature and Science Capital of the Philippines 2nd District 98,631 Anthony Genuino 14
San Pedro2 Cityhood Process 1st District 281,808 Calixto Cataquiz 20
Cabuyao3 Cityhood Process 2nd District 205,367 Isidro L. Hemedes, Jr. 18
1 Los Baños is one of the Special Zones of Laguna and declared as Nature and Science Capital of the Philippines. (considered as a municipality.)
2 San Pedro is declared as the Rooster City of the Philippines and the Sampaguita Capital of the Philippines. (considered as a municipality and under the cityhood process.)
3 Cabuyao Cityhood is already filed to the senate. (considered as a municipality and under the cityhood process.)

Municipalities

Municipality Type District Population
(2007)		 Mayors No. of Barangays
Alaminos 3rd Class 3rd District 40,380 Eladio Magampon, M.D. 15
Bay 2nd Class 2nd District 50,756 Jose Ortiz Padrid 15
Calauan 3rd Class 3rd District 54,248 Felisa L. Berris 17
Cavinti 4th Class 4th District 20,469 Florcelie Esguerra 19
Famy 5th Class 4th District 13,577 Renonia B. Muramatsu 20
Kalayaan 5th Class 4th District 21,203 Teodoro Adao, Jr. 3
Liliw 4th Class 3rd District 32,727 Cesar C. Sulibit 33
Luisiana 4th Class 4th District 19,255 Manuel R. Rondilla 23
Lumban 3rd Class 4th District 28,443 Wilfredo O. Paraiso 16
Mabitac 5th Class 4th District 17,608 Gerardo C. Fader 15
Magdalena 5th Class 4th District 20,204 Teresa Nieva B. Reodica 24
Majayjay 4th Class 4th District 23,681 Teofilo C. Guerra 40
Nagcarlan 3rd Class 3rd District 57,070 Nelson Osuna 52
Paete 4th Class 4th District 24,696 Emmanuel B. Cadayona 9
Pagsanjan 2nd Class 4th District 35,944 Girlie Ejercito 16
Pakil 5th Class 4th District 20,242 Vipops R. Martinez 13
Pangil 4th Class 4th District 23,421 Juanita C. Manzana 8
Pila 4th Class 4th District 44,227 Edgardo A. Ramos 17
Rizal 5th Class 3rd District 15,459 Antonino A. Aurelio 11
Santa Cruz 1st Class 4th District 101,914 Domingo G. Panganiban 26
Santa Maria 4th Class 4th District 26,267 Antonio Carolino 25
Siniloan 3rd Class 4th District 34,877 Juanita Realeza-Acero 20
Victoria 4th Class 3rd District 33,829 Nonong Gonzalez 9

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 and Mt. Banáhaw, 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

Underground Cemetery
City/Municipality Name of Landmark Roads from Manila Description
Calamba City Rizal Shrine South Luzón Tollway - 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.
Biñan City Alberto House South Luzón Tollway - Southwoods, Carmona, and Mamplasan Exits, via National Road Ancestral House of Teodora Alonzo's (Jose Rizal's mother) clan.
Los Baños Homma-Yamashita Shrine South Luzón Tollway - Calamba Exit via National Road to Los Baños
Cavinti Japanese Garden South Luzón Tollway - Calambâ Exit via National Road to Famy-Cavinti Road
Nagcarlán Underground Cemetery South Luzón Tollway - Calamba Exit via National Road to San Pablo-Nagcarlan Road
Mabitac The Battle of Mabitac Mural, Mabitac Ortigas Avenue heading to Manila East Road (Rizal)
Pila Pila Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes South Luzón Tollway- Calamba Exit via National Road to Pila
Pinagbayanan Crematorium South Luzón Tollway- Calamba Exit via National Road to Pila The Philippines' oldest crematorium.
Los Baños Baker Hall, UP Los Baños, South Luzón Tollway - Calamba Exit via National Road to Los Baños
Santa Cruz Emilio Jacinto Shrine Burial Site, Villa Valenzuela and Santa Cruz Town Plaza South Luzón Tollway- Calamba Exit via National Road to Santa Cruz

Natural

Pagsanjan Falls
City/Municipality Name of Landmark Roads from Manila Description
Pagsanjan Pagsanjan Falls 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.
Calamba City and Los Baños Springs Mount Makiling SLEX - Calamba Exit via National Road to Brgy. Pansol and Bucal to National Highway of Los Baños
Calauan Hidden Valley Springs
Los Baños Crocodile Lake City of Springs
Nagcarlán Eight mountains It includes Mt. Atimla, Mt. Mabilog, Mt. Nagcarlán, Mt. Malauban, Mt. Lansay, Mt. Bayaquitos, Mt. Cristóbal and Mt. Banaháw.
San Pablo City Seven Lakes of San Pablo It includes like Sampaloc Lake, Lake Bunot, Lake Calibato, Lake Pandin, Lake Yambo, Lake Palakpakin, and Lake Muhikap.
Botocan, Majayjay Dalitiwan River, Taytay Falls
Famy Natural Drinking Water, Mayatba & Spill Way Resort Natural Drinking Water in the middle of the town proper, near Famy Municipal Hall
Siniloan Buruwisan Falls

Man-made

File:Enchanted kingdom.jpg
Enchanted Kingdom
File:The Plaza Calamba.jpg
The Plaza Calamba
City/Municipality Name Road from Manila Remarks
Santa Rosa City Enchanted Kingdom SLEX - Calamba Exit via National Road
Los Baños Boy Scouts of the Philippines Camp, University of the Philippines, Los Baños
Calamba City Hot Springs, Private and Public Resorts Calamba City has 661 resorts, respectively. Making the city as the Resort Capital of the Philippines.
Calamba City The Plaza Calamba A park along the Calamba City Hall Complex with the tallest Jose Rizal monument.
Los Baños Pook ni María Makiling
Pila Pila Municipal Museum
Paeté Paete's Woodcarvings
Cabuyao St. Polycarp Church A catholic church
Mamatid, Cabuyao Diocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer SLEX - Cabuyao Exit via Mamatid Road
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 Diocesan Shrine of Santo Sepulchre National Road
Mabitac Our Lady of Candelaria
Biñán City Splash Island, San Isidro Labrador Church, Biñan City Plaza
San Pablo City St. Paul the First Hermit Cathedral
Santa Cruz Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church

References

See also

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