It's more fun in Laguna!

Around Philippines, there's Laguna, a province with 25 municipalities and 5 cities with the sweetest tropical fruits, tons of science parks, hot spring resorts, posh earth friendly communities and historical landmarks are just some of the reasons why tourist; foreign or local are flocking to this province to experience these adventures and just some of the reasons why the Philippine Information Agency under the Presidential Communication Group dubbed Laguna as the Number 1 Province in the Philippines.

Laguna Tourism folder for everyone

Last September 26, 2012 from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Laguna Tourism, Culture, Arts and Trade Office (LTCATO) of the provincial capitol of Laguna which is located at the Municipality of Santa Cruz under the Provincial Government led by Governor Jeorge "ER" Estregan Ejercito treated 20 local and national media men that includes writers from Kliping Times, Philippine Information Agency CALABARZON, Ronda Balita and Bloggers from Laguna and Manila to a one-day Laguna heritage tour in selected historical landmarks with the endorsement of the 2nd district Board Member Andrew Neil Nocon and was organized by Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas for the First Laguna Blogging Summit (1LaBS) volunteers and media sponsors.

The tour was started with a miryenda sponsored by Chowking Santa Cruz, SM Santa Rosa under Pam Peters and Gardenia. Chowking also provided lunch meal for the group.

Chowking Santa Cruz Laguna branch managers

Gardenia breads are manufactured at Binan, Laguna

LTCATO friendly and energetic tour guides led by Ronnie Mora and Yvann Pamilacan accommodated the group and brought them to five municipalities using the very colorful provincial La Laguna bus.


First stop was the town of Lumban, known as Embroidery Capital of the Philippines. Two types of handmaid works are done here; Embroidered and Hand painted Barong. Bloggers and mainstream media were all amazed with the delicate and intricate works done by the locals who are striving to make this major means of living to be alive, they are also helping the native folks by making it as their livelihood program.


The owner of this embroidery facility even treated the whole group with their native rice cake (Puto), rice porridge (lugaw) and Gulaman.

Provincial media coordinator under the Philippine Information Agency Allan Ortillano at Lumban checking the paint designing

At Lumban famous for the "burdahan ng barong."

Colored thread for a Barong

Lumban puto for all the Laguna tour participants

Second stop was Lake Caliraya, a man-made lake situated in the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti, and Kalayaan. The man made lake, created in 1939, has developed into a popular spot for water sports and outdoor recreation including fishing and a backdrop to multiple movie films. In here, participants maximize the beauty of the surroundings.



Third was the town of Paete, home of the sweetest Lanzones, wood curvings and paper mache products.
According to Allan Ortilliano article under Philippine Information Agency CALABARZON who was also present as one of the participants in the Laguna tour, here, participants and other travelers were treated to an ice sculpture, fruits and vegetables carving demonstrations led by Willie Fabrig, a veteran in this field who has been given international recognition. After viewing the demonstration, LTCATO personnel led the group to St. James Church where a tourism officer gave a brief history of the church.

Ice curvings at Paete, Laguna

Paete Church

Fourth stop was the Underground cemetery at Nagcarlan. The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery holds 36 crypt and literally beneath the church. The tourism officer under the National Historical Institute said that the underground cemetery was declared a national historical landmark by the National Historical Institute(NHI) in 1978 and that only those known, privileged or came from powerful elite catholic families were buried here. 120 plus more crypts welcomed everyone facing the marvelous entrance gate above the underground cemetery which was built and designed for funeral mass in 1845 by the Franciscan priest Fr. Vicente Velloc.

Lastly was the town of Liliw, best known for a huge shoe industry for export in the South. Affordable prices of slippers and shoes are available for everyone. Sweet Lanzones fruits are abundant in this part also with prices ranges from Php 50.00 to 70.00 a kilo.

At Liliw, we met up also with two representatives from SM Supermalls. Santa Rosa SM Mall Manager Pam Peters and Calamba City Public Relations Officer Em Mabesa provided the group again with miryenda. They came all the way from SM just to meet the participants.

Line of Liliw famous shoes and tsinelas stores

After the tour, Governor Jeorge "ER" Estregan Ejercito treated everyone with a sumptuous buffet dinner at Asia Blooms hotel located at Santa Cruz under the management of Ms. Check Lo. Asia Blooms Hotel with more than 30 rooms is your home away from home with WIFI connection, swimming pool, conference center that could cater up to 200 people and good food rolled into one with the friendliest attendants ready to serve you with affordable hotel room rates for everyone.

laguna.gov.ph

It's more fun in Laguna!