Submitted to: Mr.

John Paulo
Hubahib

Submitted by: Tajul, Maria

Regina D.
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.

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.
Economy

Present-day Laguna shows a thriving economy. With a population of 2,669,847 (2010

Census),[7] and a total area of 1,760 km2 (680 sq mi) 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 and Los Banos
hot springs, Mount Makiling, 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.

Natural resources

Laguna is located in the foothills of three mountains namely, Mount Makiling, Mount
Banahaw, and the Sierra Madre Range.

There are about forty rivers in Laguna with a total area of almost 0.5 square kilometres.
[citation needed] 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.[citation
needed]

Laguna has an estimated 300 million US gallons (1,100,000 m³) of underground water.
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.[2]

Agricultural activities

Laguna has 60,624 hectares of alienable and disposable agricultural land. About 41,253
ha or 23.44% of Laguna’s total land area is forest land.

Laguna de Bay, with a surface area of 900 km, is the province's main fishing ground
producing 410,000 mt(?) of fish. Carp and tilapia fingerlings are also being grown in
inland ponds and freshwater fish pens. The research institutions located in Los Baños
are: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB)
and the Southeast Asian Regional center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA), among others.

Infrastructure

Laguna is labeled as the Detroit of the Philippines because of the presence of major
vehicle manufacturers in the city of Santa Rosa. It is also considered as the Silicon
Valley of the Philippines because of the vast number of electronic and semi-conductor
companies operating in the province. Laguna is also the Resort Capital of the
Philippines for it houses more than 700 hot spring resorts in the areas of Calamba and
Los Baños.
The land area of Laguna has a total area of 175,973 hectares or about 1,759.7 square
kms. and it is considered as the third largest province in Region 4. Laguna has 28
municipalities and divided into two cities.

26 Municipalities

Alaminos Luisiana Pangil

Bay Lumban Pila
Cabuyao Mabitac Rizal
Calauan Magdalena San Pedro
Cavinti Majayjay Santa Cruz
Famy Naglarcan Santa Maria
Kalayaan Paete Siniloan
Liliw Pagsanjan Victoria
Los Baños Pakil

4 Cities

Calamba City
San Pablo City
Santa Rosa City
Biñan City

Festivals is celebrated in each town here are the list of festivals:

Ana Kalang Festival - Nagcarlan,

Laguna, Philippines

Nagcarlan, Laguna, located 105 kms.

South of Manila, supposedly got its name
from the legendary head of the tribe
before Christianity was brought to the
Philippines- Ana Kalang. This beautiful
and capable leader, allegedly saw the
Virgin Sta. Ana, who took the poison out
of the lanzones fruit so that it can be
edible, thus, the name Ana kalang
Festival, in honor of the fruit which is one
of the town’s main agricultural product.
 Coconut Festival - San Pablo
City, Laguna

Coconut is one of the main

products of the city. To make the
most of the “Tree of Life”, and to
show the world the talents and
ingenuity of the local townsfolk,
the Coconut Festival came into
existence. Now on its 10th year,
having its maiden year on
January, 1996, the coco fest is
held during the celebration of the
city’s patron saint, St. Paul the
First Hermit, which falls every
15th of January.

Bangkero Festival -
Pagsanjan, Laguna

The Bangkero Festival was

launched in May, 1999 as a
showcase for the bravery of its
boatmen (bangkeros).

The Bangkero Festival was

conceptualized in honor of the
people who has worked hard to
present the world their
hometown’s natural wonder. Not
minding the strong river current, these boatmen carry people to the site of the
famous waterfall. It is just apt that the city government gives tribute to them
through the Bangkero Festival.
The 5-day festival opens with Best Bangka Presentation, Best Float and Street
Dancing. This activity is a contest for decorated boats and floats being paraded
through the town’s main thoroughfare while the street dancing is a parade of
students from different schools donned in colorful and attractive costumes
swaying to the beat of upbeat music.

Tsinelas Festival - Festivals of

Laguna Islands Philippines

Tsinelas Festival - Liliw, Laguna

This little town is actually the

Footwear Capital of Laguna,
being the source of quality
footwear, most notably tsinelas
(slippers). No wonder not only
residents of neighboring towns
patronize their products but
balikbayans as well.

Because of the thriving footwear industry, the local government, through the
encouragement of the Southern Tagalog Tourism Council whose main concern is
to develop tourism in Region IV through the implementation of FESTIVALS,
conceptualize the Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival. The festival is dubbed as such in
honor of the town’s founder-Gat Tayaw- and its major industry-tsinelas.

First held in April 5-7, 2002, the Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival was a raging
success with no less than Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the
guest of honor.
Pinya Festival - Festivals of Laguna
Islands Philippines

Pinya Festival - Calauan, Laguna

Calauan, Laguna, located 74

kilometers south of Manila is known
for its prime agricultural product-
pinya (pineapple). Claiming their
local product is the sweetest in the
Philippines, the town is trooped by
people from near or far alike. It is just natural that their local officials create a
festival using their most treasured possession.

The Pinya Festival started in May, 2003 as the highlight in the celebration of the
town’s fiesta, the feast of San Isidro Labrador. The festivities include Trade Fair
Exhibit, Nightly Cultural Presentations, Culinary Contest, Search for Binibining
Calauan, Grand Float Parade and Mardigras Street Dancing.

Itik Festival - Victoria, Laguna

Itik ( Anas Plathrhynchos Linn )

a breed of duck, is the main
product of the town of Victoria in
Laguna. This small, bustling
town is the center of the duck
industry in the province. In this
regard, on the occasion of its
52nd year as a municipality, the
local government launched the
Itik Festival on November, 2002.

Turumba Festival - Festivals of

Laguna Islands Philippines
Turumba Festival - Pakil,
Laguna

One of the most celebrated

religious festivals in the country is
the Turumba festival in honor of
Our Lady of Sorrows – Nuestra
Señora de los Dolores de
Turumba. Based on research the
original framed Image of the
Virgin is the picture of the Virgin
of Sorrows with the name “Virgin
de Las Antiguas”. This is now the
Image placed in a special nook at
the Church Altar, the same image
exulted in the Turumba festival during the “Lupi Season” in the months of March
and April.

Keso Festival - Sta. Cruz, Laguna

Sta. Cruz, Laguna, located 96

kms south of Manila, the
province’s capital is developed
as the administrative,
commercial and service center
of the province. But aside from
this, Sta Cruz has still a lot
more to offer- it is the site of
the famous Keso Festival.

In celebration of the town’s

quadricentennial as a
municipality in April, 2002, the Keso Festival came into existence. Kesong Puti is
an authentic Filipino cheese which originated from Laguna. It is made from the
freshest carabao’s milk and is made hard using a coagulating agent- either
vinegar or rennet (part of the cow’s stomach). A small amount of salt is added to
give it added flavor. It is said that kesong puti originated from Sta. Cruz, the
reason why the municipal officials put up a festival in its honor
Laguna Religious Attractions

San Pedro De Alcantara Church (Pakil Church)

Completed in 1767 after 35 years of construction, the architectural design of the

Pedro de Alcantara Parish Church is reminiscent of the Corinthian and Ionic
styles. Through the years, the church has survived great calamities. Along with
the rectory, Now, the church is a major attraction of the area. It's belfry four small
bells and one huge bell, which are rung daily at 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m.

St. Gregory Church

(Majayjay Catholic
Church)

One of the oldest

churches in the
Philippines built in 1575
using forced labor.
Antique relief statues of
saints, which were
brought by the
Spaniards, are
preserved in this church. Its belfry houses four small bells and one big bell –
which are probably the oldest in the country.

Our Lady Of Candelaria

(Mabitac Church)

Mabitac Church stands mighty

high atop its 126 stone steps.
Its façade is definitely old
Spanish style but the interior is
quite modern. Like most old
churches, it has a belfry
connected to the main church.

St. James The Apostle Church (Paete Church)

Paete Church was built during the early Spanish period. But the novelty of this
church lies in the fact that all the religious images found here were carved and/or
painted by the residents of Paete long ago.
Laguna Historical Attractions
Rizal Shrine, Calamba City
Pride of Calamba, Laguna, where Dr. Jose P. Rizal grew up. is a two-storey building
that boasts of a Spanish-vintage architecture where Juan Nakpil was responsible.

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark

The underground cemetery is a circular wall structure, built in 18th century by the
Franciscan Missionaries. The intricately designed gate on the red-tiled walk crosses the
grounds leading straight to the opposite side, where an altar-like structure is located.
The tombstones are embedded on the brick walls of the cemetery. At the crypt of the
cemetery, according to history, is where the Katipuneros plotted against Spanish rule.

Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Founded in 1687. Father Agustin dela Magdalena was the first cura assigned at the
Parish. It is originally chapel of bamboo and nipa.

Homma – Yamashita Shrine Los Baños

Four years of war occupation destroyed many buildings, roads, and bridges in and
around Los Baños. In quick succession the College of Agriculture becomes a Japanese
camp for prisoners of war, an interment camp for allied nationals, a target of Kempetai
punitive measures, and the headquarters of a secret organization of guerillas.

Battle of Mabitac Mural

Battle of Mabitac is considered to be one of the first successful battles fought against
the American Regime during the Filipino-American War that happened on September
17, 1900. In the said encounter, the Filipino Forces headed by General Juan Cailles
killed the US Commanding General Cheatam.

Japanese Garden, Caliraya, Cavinti

A shrine created by the Japanese Government in memory of the many Japanese
soldiers who died during the bloody encounter between the Japanese troops and the
Filipino-Americantroops at the close of World War II.

Pila Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes, Pila

Pinagbayanan Crematorium, Pila
Biñan Town Plaza and Ancestral Homes, Biñan