Laguna (province)

Template:Infobox Philippine province Laguna （Chinese: 内湖）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, The Seven Lakes of San Pablo City and Hidden Valley Springs in Alaminos.

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 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 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:

2nd District:

3rd District:

4th District:

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)

Political

Laguna is subdivided into 27 municipalities and 3 cities.

Cities

Municipalities

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
Mabitac	The Battle of Mabitac Mural, Mabitac
Pila	Pila Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes
Pila	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

Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish

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
Santa Catalina College
Colegio San Agustín - Biñan
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 High School
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
Brent International School (IRRI Campus)
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)
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
Los Baños Adventist Elementary School [1]

Nagcarlan

St. Mary's Academy of Nagcarlan
Rizal Standard Academy
Elyon Academia
Nagcarlan Montessori Center
Mizpah Christian School
Cornerstone Christian Academy of Nagcarlan
Bright Shiners Elementary School
Crisanto Guysayko Memorial Elementary School
Yukos Elementary School (Main)
Yukos Elementary School (Annex)
Plaridel National High School
Calumpang National High School
Talangan National High School
Upland National High School
Laguna State Polytechnic University (Nagcarlan Campus)

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)

Rizal

Antipolo-Sulsuguin Elementary School
Ashton Faith Academy
Rizal National High School
GV Montessori
Rizal Elementary School
Pook Elementary School

San Pablo City

The Laguna College
Niño Jesus Science Oriented Montessori School, Inc., Maharlika Highway, Calihan
Ateneo de San Pablo (Currently The Liceo de San Pablo)
Aera Museum (Escudero Private Museum)
Laguna State Polytechnic University (San Pablo City Campus)
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

San Geronimo Emilliani School

Polytechnic University of the Philippines - San Pedro Campus (new site)

Casa del Niño Montessori & Science High School
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
Colegio de Sta. Rosa de Lima, Inc.
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)

Luisiana

Liceo de Luisiana
Luis Bernardo Memorial High School

Recreational/Commercial