Traveling A–Z: Laguna

By Jacky Lynne A. Oiga

September 29, 2010, 2:43pm

Mount Makiling in Los Baños (www.mysupernaturalstories.com)

Popularly known as the proud birthplace of Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, the province of Laguna, which is brimming with natural wonders and cultural caches, is so much more than that. Just 30 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila, Laguna offers exciting and affordable options for leisure and travel activities for friends and families looking for some time off.

Since ancient times, Laguna has always been a fertile and verdant garden blessed with nature’s bounty: waterfalls, lakes, hot springs, and other fluvial charms that would capture the heart of every visitor. Nestled in the shadows of mystical mountains, Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw, the province is a sanctuary for nature lovers.

Laguna is also a window to a rich centuries-old heritage evident in its Spanish colonial architecture and churches. Within its borders are historical and religious attractions along with interesting museums and picturesque towns and houses.

For gastronomic travelers, one shouldn’t miss Laguna’s world famous buko pie. Memento collectors are sure to unearth a wealth of delightful wooden carved items from Paete and woven mats and delicately embroidered fabrics from Lumbao.

Getting around Laguna is easy with its generally well-developed road network. For those traveling without tour groups, commuting between towns is easy, as there are many jeepneys, tricycles, and buses plying the main roads connecting town centers to one another. So whether you are a history junkie, a nature-lover, or a traveling gourmand, Laguna has something fascinating in store for you.

Fast facts

Local Dialect: Tagalog

Festival: Bangkero Festival in Pagsanjan, Anilag Festival in Sta. Cruz

Points of Interests:

• Mt. Makiling – an extinct volcano 1,090 meters above sea-level, Mt. Makiling is the center for biodiversity and conservation in Laguna. Located in Los Baños, Laguna, this legendary mountain is home to over 2,000 species of flora and fauna.

• Pagsanjan Falls – Shooting the rapids in Pagsanjan Falls is a thrilling and scenic boat ride as seasoned bankeros expertly maneuver a narrow banca through 14 twisted rapids down to the falls.

• Barong Embroidery in Lumban – This town has kept the time-honored tradition of creating intricate and detailed embroidery on native textiles to fashion out the barong Tagalog.

• Wood carving and paper mache of Paete and Pakil – Communities of artisans demonstrate woodwork artistry practiced since the Spanish times where wood sculptures, religious images, as well as paper mache items are always treasure finds.

• Rizal Shrine in Calamba – The ancestral home and birthplace of the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, the house standing now is a replica of the original house that was burned down and rebuilt in 1950.  
How to get there:

Laguna is a two hour drive via the South Luzon Expressway. Take the Susana Heights, Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao or Calamba exits or via the Manila East Road, through the towns of Antipolo and Tanay in Rizal Province.

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