Laguna

The Laguna province takes its name from Laguna de Bay, the body of water to the north of the province, which in turn takes its name from the town of Bay, the first province capital. Laguna was placed under Spanish rule in 1571. The province became a bloody battleground on several occasions. The Chinese revolted in 1603 and 1639, and the British invasion of parts of Laguna 1762 - 1764. In 1840, Apolinario de la Cruz (known as Hermano Pule) led a Filipino uprising against the abuses and injustices of Spanish rule. It is from Laguna that the national hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal was born. Laguna again became a battlefield in the revolution against Spain, with Laguna being one of the eight provinces placed under martial law, in the war against the Americans, and against the Japanese with Filipino guerrilla resistance in World War II.

City of Calamba

There is a legend as to how Calamba got its name. In the early days of Spanish occupation, a Guardia Civil asked a woman, who had just been to a nearby river carrying a jar of water, the name of the place. In her confusion, she replied kalan-banga. To immortalise the legend, a big concrete jar was constructed in the town plaza with the names of the barrios inscribed in it. Calamba was part of Tabuco (now Cabuyao) until separation on August 28, 1742. It became a city on April 21, 2001. Most significantly, Calamba is the birthplace of the national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Rizal Shrine

The Rizal Shrine, a reconstruction of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's home. A museum containing some artefacts from the national hero's childhood. (June 2003)

Calamba is most well known as the birthplace of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The only original part of the house is an old well. (June 2003)

The Rizal family were the first in Calamba to own a carruaje or horse-drawn carriage. (June 2003)

Close by to the reconstruction of the house is a museum. One of the items there is this model of Rizal's original house. (June 2003)

Rizal was executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896, in the area now known as Rizal Park. His remains lie within the Rizal monument in Rizal Park. (June 2003)