Calamba City, Laguna

History

 

The oldest part of Calamba is believed to be Barangay Sucol where its first settlers remained. With the arrival of Spaniards, the whole area was converted into a hacienda, then a part of Tabuco (now known as Cabuyao City). Calamba became an independent pueblo on August 28, 1742, and formed into the town of Calamba in 1770. In 1813, Calamba was placed in the hands of “encargados” by the Dominican Brothers, who divided into portions and sold the haciendas to the natives during the American regime.

During the Japanese occupation in World War II, the city was the theater of a massacre when the Imperial Japanese Army killed at least 2,000 civilians.The St. John the Baptist Church, established in 1859, was burned by the Japanese during World War II. It was reconstructed by Fr. Eliseo Dimaculangan. It was the christening site of José Rizal. The original baptismal font has been preserved and refurbished.

Population/ Language/ Area

 

Calamba City is bordered by Cabuyao City to the north, Los Baños to the east, by the province of Batangas to the south, specifically the municipalities of Santo Tomas, Tanauan City and Talisay, and by the province of Cavite to the west, with Tagaytay City and Silang. Laguna de Bay the country’s largest lake, forms the city’s northwest border. The provincial capital, Santa Cruz, is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) by road to the east.

Calamba covers a total land area of 14,950 hectares (36,900 acres),  making it is the 2nd largest city in Laguna province in terms of land area after San Pablo City.

As of 2010, Calamba City has a total population of 389,377.

Products and Services

 

The city is a favorite getaway of many people from Metro Manila. It has numerous resorts fed by hot springs. Moreover, its historical significance in addition to its booming economy attracts many visitors both local and foreign. The rapid industrialization of the city coupled with the influx of tourists has made the city a haven of real estate investors. The conversion of the former Canlubang sugar plantation into mixed used locality presents opportunity for further growth of the city. Its former rice fields have been turned into residential and commercial areas. New shopping centers such as the Calamba Trade Center, Calamba Shopping Mall, WalterMart in addition to the Calamba Wet and Dry Market were established.

Business Opportunity

 

As Calamba City continues to develop, certain investments to food establishments, commercial complexes and resorts are good in the city.

Tourist Spots

 

  • St. John the Baptist Church – this is a historic church visited by locals and tourists because this is the place where the National Hero, Jose Rizal, was baptized. The original baptismal font has been preserved and refurbished.
  • Tallest Monument of Jose Rizal – the statue is 22 feet tall which symbolizes the 22 languages that Rizal can speak fluently. This statue serves as the reminder for all that Calamba, Laguna was the place where the national hero was born.
  • Rizal Shrine – reconstructed in 1949, the Rizal shrine is now maintained by the National Historical Institute, and the houses furnitures a nd kitchenware of the colonial era, a s well as Dr. Rizal’s clothes, paintings, sculptures, other paraphernalia and laminated excerpts of his written works.