Laguna - Resort Province of the Philippines

Aside from being the hometown of the Philippines' National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, Laguna is considered as a resort haven. The province is filled with illustrious bodies of water; examples are Pagsanjan Falls, Seven Lakes, Caliraya Lake, Laguna de Bay, and Hidden Valley Springs. These nature-drawn wonders offer relaxation for those who wants to escape the fast city life and recline to the beauty of Mother Nature.

Demographics

1. Population – 2, 473, 530 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 1,759.7 sq. km
3. Capital – Santa Cruz
4. Language/Dialect – Tagalog, Ilokano, Bicolano, Waray, English and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (4)

• Santa Cruz
• Calamba City
• San Pablo City
• Santa Rosa City.

Municipalities (20)

• 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

Rizal Shrine
The two-storey vintage house is the residence of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Pagsanjan Falls
This is one of the most famous falls in the Philippines. The trip to the falls and the location of this natural wonder are what makes tourists go back to Laguna.

Mount Makiling
Popularized because of its myth and the legend written by Dr. Jose Rizal, this lush mountain is a favorite among campers and mountain climbers.

Mount Banahaw
This mystical mountain is famous as a pilgrimage site for many Filipinos because it is said that the mountain possesses mythical powers and psychic energy

Laguna de Bay
It is the largest lake in the Philippines and the third largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

Hot and Cold Spring resorts
Hot and cold spring resorts proliferate throughout Laguna. Water from these resorts comes from either Mount Banahaw or Mount Makiling. Most resorts are located in Pansol, Calamba City.

Paete Wood Carrving and Paper Mache
Paete is the home of the best wood sculptors and mache artists in the country. The practice has been passed on from generations. Here, tourists can find artistically crafted religious and non-religious items with various sizes at a very affordable price.

Lumban Barong Embroidery
Hand-embroidered barong is the main specialty of the residents of Lumban. This art is passed on from generation to generation. Using either jusi or Santana fabric, workers diligently embroider detailed designs on the barong, making one stand out among the rest.

Footwear from Liliw
Dubbed as the Footwear Capital or Tsinelas Capital, the main industry in this 4th class municipality is shoes and slipper making. The most prominent area for shoe-holics is at Gat. Tayao Street.

Delectable foods
Laguna has a series of mouth-watering concoction to offer its visitors that would make them come back to the province.
1. Buko pie, espasol, and cassava cake from Los Baños and Calamba
2. Puto Biñan (special rice cake) from Biñan
3. Uraro cookies (arrow root) from Liliw
4. Pineapples from Calauan
5. Native sweets and preserved delicacies from San Pablo and Calauan
6. Lanzones and rambutan fruits from Pakil and Paete
7. Kesong Puti (native white cheese) from Sta. Cruz and UP Los Baños
8. Lambanog (coconut wine) from Liliw, Luisiana and Majayjay

Cultural

Pintong Pilak
Location: Brgy. Munting Ambling and Brgy. Malaking Ambling, Magdalena, Laguna
The narrow-mouthed cave is called Pintong Pilak by the locals because of an old legend. It is said that a beautiful mystical lady lived in the cave and only those with a pure heart can enter her dwelling place. Those found with a pure heart can borrow kitchen and household utensils provided that they give a young white hen as rent for the items borrowed.

University of the Philippines – Los Baños
National Arts Center
Managed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Center has 62 cottages, auditorium, and seminar and convention facilities. It also has a scenic view of four notable places in Laguna: Laguna de Bay, Talim Island, Crocodile Lake, and the International Rice Research.

Museum of Natural History
The museum, established on September 30, 1976, now has more than 200, 000 biological creatures in its records ranging from animals, plants, microorganisms and others.

Museum of Wildlife Collections
The items displayed are collections of Dr. Dioscoro Rabor, known as the “Father of Philippine Conservation”. Dr. Rabor gave significant contributions in the field of ichthyology, fishery, mammalogy, herpetology, ornithology, and ecology.

Entomology Museum
The museum exhibits various insects found throughout the world; from the smallest insect to the biggest moth.

Philippine High School For The Arts
Location: Los Baños, Laguna
The institution serves as the training center of young children gifted in the field of dance, theater, music, voice, and visual art. Their training is accompanied by other secondary education subjects.

Pila Heritage Town
Location: Pila, Laguna
The whole town of Pila is one of the few places in the country where tourists can see an example of a typical Spanish colonial community. The plaza, church, town hall, and principalia are located near each other. The 35 ancestral houses and the Diocesan Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua have been preserved. A museum is located at the town proper which contains documents and artifacts dating back as far as the 12th century.

Historical

Rizal Shrine
Location: Calamba, Laguna
Tour Days: Tuesday – Sunday
Tour Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, and 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
The two-storey vintage house is the safe keeper of some of the valuables of Dr. Jose P. Rizal such as his childhood photos and laminated excerpts of his works. The Shrine is a replica of the original house of the national hero.

Emilio Jacinto Shrine
Location: St. Mary Magdalene Church, Magdalena, Laguna
The church erected a shrine and served as the keeper of the authentic blood-stained bolo and hut of General Emilio Jacinto. The Brains of the Katipunan was gravely injured during the Battle of Maimpis. A small obelisk was erected at the exact spot where he left the bolo and hut.

Battle of Mabitac Mural
Location: Mabitac, Laguna
The historic Battle of Mabitac happened on September 17, 1900 between the forces of Fillipino General Juan Cailles and American Colonel Benjamin Cheatham. The Americans lost the battle and in honor of this victory, a mural was erected depicting a scene in this hard-fought battle.

Trece Martires Monument
Location: Sampalok Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna
The monument, located at the south side of the lake was built through the efforts of Association of Deaconesses of the Philippine Independent Church back in 1927.

Bonifacio Monument
Location: Trece Martires St., Sampalok Lake, San Pablo City, Laguna
The monument was inaugurated during the 133rd birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, the Supremo of the Katipunan

Bantayog ng mga Bayani
Location: Brgy. Sta. Isabel, San Pablo City, Laguna
A commemorative statue in honor of those who fought for Philippine Independence during World War II.

Bantayog ng Kagitingan
Location: Brgy. San Mateo, San Pablo City, Laguna
This commemorative edifice is the venue for WWII veterans who are honored during April 9.

Homma – Yamashita Shrine
Location: University of the Philippines – Los Baños Campus
Generals Masaharu Homma and Tomoyuki Yamashita were two of the commanders during the Japanese occupation. The Shrine was built at the exact spot where the two generals were executed for their war crimes.

Japanese Memorial Garden
Location: Brgy. Kanluran Talaongan, Cavinti, Laguna
The Japanese Government built it in honor of the fallen Japanese soldiers during the WWII. The garden has served as a good venue for picnics and bike rides.

Man-made

Lake Caliraya
Location: Lumban –Cavinti – Kalayaan, Laguna
This is a man-made lake used as a water reservoir for the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant. Now, the Lake is surrounded by resorts and recreation centers, to give tourists a better view of the lake.

Enchanted Kingdom
Location: Santa Rosa, Laguna
Enchanted Kingdom opened in 1995 as the country’s first authentic theme park. Divided into seven park zones, children and child at heart visitors will enjoy the rides and thrills offered by the theme park.

Hidden Valley Springs
Location: Alaminos, Laguna
This hot springs is a secluded private resort situated near the old crater of Mount Makiling. It offers first class facilities for leisure and recreation purposes. Its main attractions include the Lovers’ Pool and the Soda Pool, similar to the Vicki and Fuji Waters of Japan.

Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort
Location: San Pablo City, Laguna
This is one of the largest coconut plantations in the province. Inside the plantation is a museum which houses several Spanish-era artifacts such as silver altars, glided carrozas (ceremonial carriages), ivory-headed saint statues, oriental ceramics, and other cultural and religious items.

Natural

Pagsanjan Falls
Location: Cavinti - Pagsanjan, Laguna
The real name of the falls is Magdapio Falls. It gained its popular name because the trip towards the falls starts from Pagsanjan River. Tourists will enjoy the two-hour boat ride called “shooting the rapids” for it involves intense boat ride across several rapids.

Mount Makiling
Shaped like a woman lying on her back, this extinct volcano towers 1,090 m above sea level is now an eco-tourism site where nature-loving tourists can engage in mountain-climbing, hiking, camping, mountain biking and bird watching.

Laguna de Bay
It is the largest lake in the Philippines and the third largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Shaped like a letter ‘W’, it spreads throughout areas of Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna.

Taytay Falls / Imelda Falls
Location: Brgy. Gagalot, Majayjay, Laguna
The cold, clear-flowing water from this falls is from Mount Banahaw. Nature-loving tourists can build campsites near the falls. A 30-minute hike is the only way to reach this place.

Crocodile Lake
Location: Laguna de Bay, Laguna
It is a ‘lake within a lake’. It got its name because the Crater Lake is shaped like a crocodile.

Wawa Park
Location: Laguna de Bay, Laguna
Parallel to the Paete River, Wawa Park has pavilions used as coffee shops where tourists can have a good cup of coffee while enjoying the view.

Seven Lakes
Location: San Pablo City, Laguna
The city of San Pablo is popularly known as the “City of Seven Lakes” because of the seven interconnected lakes that surrounds the whole city. The lakes pass through Mt. Cristobal, Tayak Hill, Mt. Kalisungan, and Mt. Mabilog. The lakes originated from craters of ancient volcanoes, thus the area is known as “San Pablo Volcanic Field”.

1. Sampaloc Lake
Location: Poblacion (Town Proper)
a. Sampalok Lake Staircase (Hagdang Bato)
Location: Trece Martires St., San Pablo City, Laguna
This staircase has been incorporated in the official seal of San Pablo City. Construction of this 89-step began in 1915.

2. Mojicap Lake
Location: Brgy. Santa Catalina

3. Palakpalin Lake
Location: Brgy. San Buenaventura

4. Calibato Lake
Location: Brgy. Santo Angel

5. Pandin Lake
Location: Brgy. San Lorenzo

6. Yambo Lake
Location: Brgy. San Lorenzo

7. Bunot Lake
Location: Brgy. Concepcion

Luisiana, Laguna Falls
For the record, there are seven falls located throughout the town of Luisiana. Maapon Falls’ headwater comes from Brgy. San Pedro Luisiana, Laguna and outlets in Mauban, Quezon. Its height is approximately 30 meters. Bongbonga, Malaog, Cabute, and Alimang Munti Falls are all located in Brgy. San Buenaventura. Hulugan Falls is the tallest waterfall in Luisiana with the height of approximately 70 meters.

Religious

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
Location: Nagcarlan, Laguna
Tour Days: Monday - Sunday
Tour Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Built in 1851 by Father Vicente Belloc, a Franciscan Missionary, this underground cemetery is considered by the National Historical Institute as a National Historical Landmark. It was buit to stop the spread of an unknown disease. The crypt is the only underground part of the cemetery. To get there, tourists have to crawl down a plight of stone steps inside the Baroque Spanish chapel. This baroque structure also served as a secret meeting place of the Katipuneros.

Salinbada "Sto. Niño" Festival
Place: Paete, Laguna
Date: First Sunday of January
Celebrated together with the Feast of Sto. Niño, locals dance around the town in ala-mardi gras, pouring water on each other, recreating the baptism of the Child Jesus.

Barong Tagalog Festival / Burdang Lumban Festival
Place: Lumban, Laguna
Date: Third week of September
In honor of the long tradition of Barong Tagalog-making in Lumban, the locals celebrate it by exhibiting their best work. Also, locals cook their notable dishes such as kesong puti (white cheese) and ginataang hipon (shrimp sauté in coconut milk). Other cottage industries are exhibited and sold during the event.

Liliw Gat Tayaw Festival (Tsinelas Festival)
Place: Liliw, Laguna
Date: Last week of April – first week of May.
First held in April 2002, the Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival is celebrated yearly for the continued growth of the slippers and shoe industry of Liliw, which has made the town popular as the ‘Footwear Capital of Laguna”. Named after the local hero of Liliw, Gat Tayaw, the festival is filled with cultural dance presentation, street dancing, competitions, and the search for Mutya ng Liliw. Also, the infamous native delicacies uraro (arrow root) and lambanog (coconut wine) is served for everyone to enjoy.

Bangkero Festival
Place: Pagsanjan, Laguna
Date: Last Saturday and Sunday of May
This is a yearly event for the boatmen or bangkeros of the province. Events such as boat racing, tug-of-war, and singing competition are held during the festival. The highlight is the bantillan and gantungan, a boat and float decoration spectacle.

Yugyugan Festival
Place: Pagsanjan, Laguna
Date: December 3 -12
The first week of December is Pagsanjan day and the town fiesta. The streets are filled with street dancers and cultural events make up most of the fiesta program.

Coconut Festival
Place: San Pablo City, Laguna
Date: January 11 – 15 (Second Sunday of January)
The feast is a joint celebration of the city’s patron saint, St. Paul the First Hermit and the bountiful harvest of the city’s main product, coconut. Participants dressed in coconut-inspired costumes dance around the city followed by floats designed using coconut materials. There are concerts, exhibits, games, and other activities throughout the day.

Turumba Festival / Pistang Lupi
Place: Pakil, Laguna
Date: Friday before Palm Sunday to Pentecost Sunday
The Turumba Festival is in honor of the Our Lady of Sorrows, or the Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba. It is celebrated seven times during the Lenten Season; each corresponds to the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. This is considered as the longest feast here in the country.

1. Unang Lupi – Biyernes de Dolores
Date celebrated: Friday before Palm Sunday

2. Ika-2 Lupi – Pistang Martes
Date celebrated: Tuesday after Easter Sunday

3. Ika-3 Lupi – Pistang Biyatiko
Date celebrated: a three-day event beginning six days after Pistang Martes

4. Ika-4 Lupi – Pistang Biyernes
Date celebrated: Second Friday after the last day of Pistang Biyatiko

5. Ika-5 Lupi – Pistang Linggo
Date celebrated: One week after Pistang Biyernes

6. Ika-6 Lupi – Pistang Pag-akyat
Date celebrated: Second Friday after Pistang Linggo

7. Ika 7 Lupi – Pistang Pagpanaog
Date celebrated: Pentecost Sunday

Other celebrations during Pistang Lupi
1. Extra Lupi - Pistang Pakileña
Date celebrated: May 12

2. Daan ng Krus sa Ping-as
Date celebrated: Last Saturday of May

3. Pistang Domingo de Dolores
Date celebrated: Third Sunday of September

Manok ni San Pedro Festival
Place: San Pedro, Laguna
Date: Good Friday
The celebration is in honor of St. Peter the Apostle. During the festival, government and private sector participate in float making contest and street dancing throughout the day.

Ana Kalang Festival
Place: Nagcarlan, Laguna
Date: Third Wednesday of October
The feast is derived from the myth of Ana Kalang, a beautiful, wealthy, generous woman, who saw the Virgin of Santa Ana picked the lanzones, removed its poison and made it edible. It was named after Ana Kalang in honor of the bountiful harvest of lanzones, Nagcarlan’s main product and their agro-industrial products. Locals create ‘kalang-kalang’, a giant statue made from different fruits, vegetables, and other indigenous products, and dance on the street together with their creations.

Itik Festival
Place: Victoria, Laguna
Date: second week of November
Itik-raising is the main industry of the Duck Capital of the Philippines. Since November 2002, the local government of Victoria pays tribute to this simple creature that has contributed to the prosperity of the town. Street concerts, games, exhibits, float parade, beauty pageant, and the duck fest comprise this three-day event.

Pinya Festival
Place: Calauan, Laguna
Date; First – Second week of May
Started in 2003, the Pinya (Pineapple) Festival is celebrated together with the feast of San Isidro Labrador (May 15). Events such as trade exhibit, culinary contest, and float parade showcase products made from this home-grown product.