Navigating Laguna Loop: Magdalena

The welcome arch of Magdalena, Laguna.

Situated at the foothills of Mt.Banahaw, Magdalena is considered as one of the most peaceful towns in Laguna. The town is surrounded by Sta.Cruz on the north, Pagsanjan on northeast, Nagcarlan on the west, Majayjay on southeast, and Liliw on the south. You can go there via jeepney from Santa Cruz for less than fifteen minutes.

Magdalena is a town where the people are living on a typical provincial life. You can feel the rural ambiance through the coconut plantations, rice fields, clear rivers, lush vegetation and the traditional simple life among the people living in this town. 


I went there to experience the peaceful life and it is part of my journey in the Laguna Loop. First, I visited the Bahay Laguna. This landmark was established 14 years ago and it serves as a museum dedicated to Former Governor Felicisimo San Luis, who lead the province for almost 33 years. I had a chance to visit the house and it was surprising that Mrs. Felicidad San Luis, the wife of the former governor, was there during that time. She was able to conduct a leadership training in that house, along with the youth leaders from different parts of Laguna. I had a chance to tour around the museum and I saw all the memorabilla of Governor San Luis which reflects the progress in the province of Laguna during his administration for three decades. I also read a poem entitled "Pangarap" (Dreams) written by Gov. San Luis where it can be sung in the tune of Matt Monro's "The Impossible Dream." In the end of the house visit, I gave a souvenir to Mrs. San Luis as a token of appreciation for meeting her. I also visited the house for the second time where we exchange messages through letters as a remembrance.

The landmark in the foothills of Mt. Banahaw, Bahay Laguna which serves as a museum
for memorabilla of things and achievements during the administration of
 Felicisimo San Luis, the governor who served Laguna for three decades.
 In addition, it is also a museum of different local objects
which can be found in the province.

The office of Governor Felicisimo San Luis.

The statue of Gov. Felicisimo San Luis and below his figure,
the poem he wrote entitled "Pangarap" (A Dream).

The poem "Pangarap" can be sung in a tune of Matt Monro's classic "The Impossible Dream." 

The products from Laguna which can be found inside the museum.

In front of Bahay Laguna, there is a marker near in Maimpis River where Emilio Jacinto was shot by the Spaniards during the Philippine Revolution on 1898. He was brought to St. Mary Magdalene Church in order to sought refuge. Today, the markers found in front of Bahay Laguna and in St. Mary Magdalene Church are historical spots which shows that the town served an important role in country's history.

The Emilio Jacinto Marker which serves as a place where he was shot near in Maimpis River in 1898.

Also, the St. Mary Magdalene Church is one of the Spanish Baroque churches around the Laguna Loop. It was started constructing on 1825 and finished on 1851. It is located in the town plaza of Magdalena along with Rizal Park, a central elementary and secondary school, a stage, and the municipal hall. I had a chance to go around in the plaza where children were able to guide me to Emilio Jacinto marker inside the church.

The St. Mary Magdalene Church in Magdalena, Laguna founded in 1851
where Emilio Jacinto sought refuge in this church after he injured
because he was shot by the revolutionaries.

The Emilio Jacinto Marker inside the church. There is a part where his blood stains
 was covered by glass and  also a pair of bolo and his hat.

The municipal hall of Magdalena, Laguna.

The town plaza of Magdalena.

Children were able to play football as their pastime.

The most important thing I discovered about Magdalena is the simplicity of life. I enjoyed my trip there because of the rustic ambiance of the town in terms of the location where you can feel the cool air, verdant environment, the tranquil mood of the community, and the cleanliness of roads, rivers and farms. In my case, it was also rare to see the old ways of people which shows the typical life in a rural Filipino area that I witnessed in Magdalena. For example, there are men who used horses in transportation, some women made their laundry in the river, and residents enjoying their life in the farm. Finally, there are past events in the town that takes part in our colorful history of our country that reflects in different landmarks in the town. Therefore, Magdalena is a classic example of a place situated in the lush and verdant foothills which shows a peaceful and typical rural life among the residents and a historical glimpse that you can learn from the town's landmarks.

Navigating Laguna Loop: Paete

In the eastern part of Laguna province, there is a town that lies in the mountains of Sierra Madre  which is known for artistic and ornamented woodcarvings. This is the town of Paete. It is one of the lakeshore towns in Laguna de Bay where it is known as "The Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines" because of the ornamented and well-shaped wood works made from the town. Surrounded by Pakil on the north and Kalayaan on the south, Paete is a town where you can feel the ambiance of verdant mountains through the Sierra Madre, as well with the refreshing view of Laguna de Bay. 

The town named after the Tagalog word "paet" meaning chisel where it is used as a tool for woodcarving. It is also the home of skilled craftsmen who had an expertise in woodcarving and its embellishment. In addition, Paete is also a place where you can appreciate artworks through the town's masterpieces like statues, pulpits, murals, papier maches and bas reliefs. Most of these artworks are used in cathedrals and churches in different parts of the world such as the Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The town's hero is a woodcarver named Mariano Madrinan who made the artwork Mater Dolorosa who honored the King of Spain and won a major award in Amsterdam on 1882.  In 2005, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared Paete as "The Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines."

I went to the town of Paete after thirty to forty minutes travel from Santa Cruz City. The first thing I've done is to visit a carpenter shop where the woodworkers made their woodcarvings such as handicrafts, furniture and statues. In addition, I also visited the stores where authentic and embellished woodcarvings and colorful paper maches are sold. In addition, I also entered the art gallery which shows that Paete is not just only focus on sculpture but also in painting.

The ornamented woodcarvings of Paete, Laguna.

The vibrant and colorful papier maches of Paete.

I also visited the Paete Church which considered as one of the Baroque churches in Laguna. The brownish gray color of the church and the Sierra Madre mountain range on the background seems to be captivating. Paete is not just only known for woodcarving industry, farming and fishing are the other sources of living among the people in this town. 

The busy scene in the town proper of Paete.

The view of Laguna de Bay from Paete.

Sierra Madre mountain range reaches from north to south including Laguna.

The Paete Church.

This travel experience in Paete shows that we should appreciate the Filipino talent in visual arts particularly in sculpture, woodcarving and even in painting. The town is a perfect nature getaway as well with the fact that it is the art capital of the province.

The effort of woodcarvers in creating artworks from wood. Courtesy: Cagayat Woodcarving Shop

The town hero of Paete is Mariano Madrinan, who bring honor to our country in 1882 by his work entitled "Mater Dolorosa" which was shown in Amsterdam Exposition.

Navigating Laguna Loop: Pila

Pila is one of the towns near in the Laguna de Bay. It is surrounded by the towns of Victoria in the west, Santa Cruz in the east and Nagcarlan in the south. The town is popular because of its heritage houses preserved from the Spanish period as well with the Saint Anthony de Padua Church, the first Antonine church in the country.


Pila and other towns in Laguna de Bay is one of the oldest settlements in the Philippines according to archaeologists where they retrieved potteries and artifacts from the Tang Dynasty. Then in 1578, Spaniards evangelized the town of Pila by the Franciscan friars. They named the town with an exceptional title of La Noble Villa de Pila because of nobility and mildness of characters among the inhabitants. During the time, the demesne of Pila includes Victoria, Laguna and Jala-jala, Rizal. In addition, Don Felizardo Rivera who donated lands in the town was considered the founder of Pila where he is the ancestor of families in the town such as Alava, Rivera, Relova and Agra.

I went there as a part of my travel in the Laguna Loop. From Victoria, you will pass the arch welcoming you to Pila followed by different houses and establishments, rice fields and lush trees as you go along the way to the town proper. Then you will see the junction where you can go to the town proper.

The old houses along with the urbanization and progress in the town of Pila.

Pila Municipal Hall

Pila Church and a basketball court in Pila Heritage Town.

The school beside the church, Liceo de Pila

Pila Museum

The heritage houses along with the urbanization in the town of Pila

A popular convenience store in the town, Pila Delights.

Plaza Delights is a popular restaurant and coffee shop in Pila.

When I was in the Pila Heritage Town, the place truly reminds me of the society during the Spanish period. The church and the town hall are near with each other which shows the unity of Church and State during the Spanish era in the Philippines. Then, the heritage houses dating back from the Spanish era where those families lived in these houses near in the plaza are members of the elite society. There are also places there which you can visit such as the Pila Museum where you can see the memorabilla of different things from the town and we also have a convenience store called Pila Delights where you can buy your stuff at affordable price. Beside the store, there is also Plaza Delights where you can enjoy your coffee break and eat your favorite delicacy. Aside from old houses, Pila is known for its industry of fishing and farming.


Today, although Pila goes with the progress in the modern period, the heritage town is still preserved in order for us to have a glimpse from the past as well with the urbanized but clean ambiance of the town of Pila.

Pila Municipal Hall

Pila Church

Today, Pila goes in the flow of urbanization. However, the old houses and buildings as well with the cleanliness of the plaza remain, that is why the town is peculiar in some ways.