Awesome Places to Visit

The Province of Laguna

Laguna is a province of the Philippines located in the CALABARZON(Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region in Luzon. The capital of the province is Sta Cruz. The province of Laguna is situated north of Batangas, east of Cavite, southeast of Metro Manila, south of the province of Rizal, and west of Quezon Province. Laguna embraces the southern shores of Laguna de Bay, which is the largest lake in the Philippines. The Calamba City has the highest population based on 2010 census, on the other hand, the Municipality of Famy has the least population.

The province of Laguna is notable because our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was born in this province, specifically in Calamba City. There are lots of awesome places and famous attractions you can found in the province of Laguna such as Pagsanjan Falls, the hot spring resorts of Los Baños and Calamba City on the slopes of Mt. Makiling, Pila historic Town Plaza, Taytay Falls in Majayjay, the great creations by the people of Paete, the Wood Carvings and Papier-Mache, the yearly Sampaguita Festival in San Pedro, The Turumba of Pakil, the Tsinelas Footwears from Liliw, the Pandan Festival of Luisiana, the Seven Lakes of San Pablo which is the first city in Laguna,the Hidden Valley Springs in Calauan,and the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan and the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus,

The Province of Laguna is the second ISO 9001:2008 certified province in the whole country.

 

The University of the Philippines Los Baños

Also known as UPLB, UP Los Baños, and Elbi. It is a public university situated in the town of Los Baños, some sixty four kilometers southeast of Manila. It traces its roots to the UP College of Agriculture (UPCA), which was founded in 1909 by the American colonial government to promote agricultural education and research in the Philippines.

The first dean who had served the University of the Philippines was Edwin Copeland, the American botanist. The university was formally established in 1972 following the union of University of the Philippines College of Agriculture (UPCA) with four other Los Baños and Diliman-based University of the Philippines units.

The University of the Philippines has played an influential role in Asian agriculture and biotechnology because of its pioneering efforts in plant breeding and bio-engineering, especially in the development of high-yielding and pest-resistant crops. In acknowledgement of its work, it was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in 1977. Nine research centers are recognized as Centers of Excellence by presidential decree. The University of the Philippines - Los Baños hosts a lots of local and international research centers, such as the International Rice Research Institute or IRRI, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, World Agroforestry Centre, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

University of the Philippines LosBaños offers more than a hundred degree programs in different disciplines through its nine colleges and two schools. As of October 2010 the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has accredited eight academic units as Centers of Excellence and two as Centers of Development, giving University of the Philippines - Los Baños the largest number of Centers of Excellence, research and academic units combined, among all universities in the Philippines.

The UPLB alumni have been recognized in a wide range of fields. They include thirteen scientists awarded the title National Scientist of the Philippines, members of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize; Palanca Award winners; as well as political and business leaders.

Hot Spring Resorts

The Province of Laguna is popular due to its awesome and famous attractions such as the natural springs, many of which are hot springs. One of the most popular of its cities/municipalities is named Los Baños, a Spanish name that literally translates to “the baths” or “bathing place.” The waters of these springs are believed to be therapeutic, which accounts for why the springs are so popular.

Los Baños is not the only place in Laguna that has lots of known natural springs, in fact, the Hot Spring Capital of the Philippines is the Calamba City, which located just after the municipality of Los Baños. There are also a number of lesser-known hot springs in Alaminos, Pagsanjan, and San Pablo City.

The following are some resorts around Laguna with hot spring water pools that you may want to visit. In calamba City, which is the most famous in Laguna when it comes to hot spring resorts and private pools, you can visit 88 Hotspring Resort and Spa, Sun City Resort, South Wind Resort, Dona Jovita Garden Resort, La Vista Pansol Resort, Monte Vista Hotsprings & Conference Resort, Rockpoint Hotspring Resort - Hotel & Spa, Wonder Island Resort, Villa Chiesa, just to name a few. When you go to Calamba, especially in Barangay Pansol, you can find a lots of hots springs, public and private resorts and you can choose from hundreds of resorts you want your vacation to spent.

 In Los Baños, there are a few such as the City of Springs Hotel, Splash Mountain Resort, Hillspa Resort, Villa Teresita Private Pool, and more. While in San Pablo City, there is a lesser-known Rockpoint Hotspring Resort - Hotel & Spa San Pablo. There is also in Alaminos, the Hidden Valley Springs Resort, and in Pagsanjan, aside from the famous Pagsanjan Falls, you can try the Pagsanjan Falls Lodge and Summer Resort.

These are just a few from hundreds or thousands hot spring resorts in the Province of Laguna. You can go and experience the wonder of Laguna. Relaxation is more fun in Laguna.

Pagsanjan Falls

One of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines is the Pagsanjan Falls, which is located in the province of Laguna. It is probably the most popular tourist attractions in Laguna.

The Pagsanjan Falls are actually situated within the boundaries of Cavinti, Laguna, an adjacent town to Pagsanjan. But Pagsanjan, Laguna is the jump-off point to the main falls. Its indigenous name is Magdapio Falls.

The three-drop waterfalls is reached by a river trip on dugout canoe, which is locally known as "Shooting the rapids", originating from the Town of Pagsanjan.

You can reach the falls from the top by a short hike from Cavinti, Laguna. You can also get there by renting a banca or small boat. It will take you to the scenic boat ride that takes you up the Balanac and Bumbungan Rivers also known as Pagsanjan River.

There are two skilled and accredited boatmen that will help you navigate your wooden canoe past local wildlife, vines, bush and trees. Boat riding has been an attraction since Era of Spanish Colonia with the oldest written account in year 1894.

If you prefer a more exciting and thrilling experience, you may take into account to visit the Pagsanjan Falls during the rainy season. Rapids are more turbulent at this time. But, you may take first safety precautions and always be careful.