Laguna Hotels & Resorts News and Events

The province of Laguna was named after Laguna de Bay, the body of water that forms the province’s northern boundary. In turn, Laguna de Bay was named after the town of bay which was the first provincial capital.

This province along with its surrounding regions were conquered for Spain by Capt. Juan de Salcedo in 1571 and seven years hence, the Franciscan friars started the Christianization of the province.

Laguna became a bloody battleground several times. The first instance was the Chinese revolt in 1603 and then again in 1639. The British invasion in 1762-1764, saw thousands of Filipinos fighting in defense of the province. This battle led by Captain Thomas Backhouse met resistance from the band of Filipino volunteers led by Francisco de San Juan of Pagsanjan.

The first Filipino uprising against the Spanish misrule was led by Hirmano Pule in 1840. Filipino resentment against the Spaniards was aggravated by the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal and thus, by 1896, thousands of patriotic inhabitants of the province had joined the revolutionary Katipunan.

Laguna was one of the first eight provinces to rise in revolt against the Spanish rule. The ill-equipped Filipino forces, led by Gen, Paciano Rizal of Calamba, Gen. Severino Taino of Pagsanjan, Gen, Aueda Kagabagan of Calauan, and Gen. Miguel Malvar of Batangas, fought the Spanish enemies until they won on August 31,1898 with the surrender of the last Spanish garrison in Sta, Cruz.

On January 23,1899, Laguna expressed its full support to the First Philippine Republic which was declared in Malolos, Bulacan. Two natives of Pagsanjan namely, Don Higino Benitez Abad, Don Graciano Cordero, were there to witness and participate in this historic event.

The eruption of the Filipino-American war in 1899-1901 saw Generals Juan Cailles and Paciano Rizal leading the defense of Laguna until surrender was inevitable. Under the American Flag, Cailles was named the Filipino Governor of Laguna.

After the war, Laguna progressed rapidly in peace. Schools were established, various public services were instituted and roads were built. In 1917, the Manila Railroad Company extended its line to Laguna as far as Pagsanjan.

With the onset of the Japanese occupation, Laguna was the center of resistance despite the presence of some "Makipili" traitors.

Today, Laguna is a thriving province. Its fertile lands produce millions of pesos worth of coconuts, rice, sugar, citrus fruits, lanzones, and other agricultural products. Its tourist spots also attract a multitude of both foreign and domestic tourists.

By and large, Laguna’s economy is still based on agriculture. However, in the recent years, agricultural development has been complemented by the proliferation of light to medium scale industries.

Before 1973, the processing of agricultural products and making light handicrafts were the major manufacturing activities in Laguna. Today, textile spinning, weaving and finishing, chemical, automotive parts, ceramics, wood and paper products industries have been established.

It is foreseen that more factories will be put up in Laguna in the near future.

Rizal Shrine (Calamba) - This two-storey, red-tiled roof, Spanish vintage house is being maintained as a national shrine by the national government. It houses all kinds of Rizalian memorabilia ranging from pictures of the late hero and the women in his life, sculptures by Rizal, to laminated excerpts of some of his written works. The house is by no means an all-original. Except for the old will, which is now dry, everything is a reconstruction of the original house of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero. Even then, it has maintained much of its colonial appeal. The presence of Rizal still seems to linger in the house.
Underground Cemetery (Nagcarlan) - The underground cemetery is a circular wall structure. From the wrought iron gate a 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.
Japanese Garden (Caliraya, Lumban) - The Japanese Garden is 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-American troops at the close of World War II. According to the people of the locality, the remains of Yamashita are enshrined in the marble "altar" located in the elevated area of the garden. In this altar, Japanese visitors usually offer prayers and material things to the spirits of the Japanese soldiers who died during the war. The Japanese Garden sprawls on several hectares of slightly rugged and rolling land. The topography of the garden and the cool gentle breeze provide an excellent opportunity for a leisurely walk around the area. There are picnic huts on the lower level of the garden where visitors can sit and enjoy a snack.

The sampaguita is the Philippines' national flower. It symbolizes the chaste and strong character of the Filipinos. Sampaguitas are grown practically all over the Laguna. However, it is said that a large percentage of the sampaguitas supplied in Manila come from San Pedro. Shrubs of this white fragrant flower are planted along the sides of the highway.

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