Calamba, officially the City of Calamba ( fil, Lungsod ng Calamba), is a 1st class
component city in the
province
A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions outsi ...
of
Laguna,
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 539,671 people.
Calamba is the regional center of the
Calabarzon region. It is situated south of
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital city, capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is Cities of the Philippines#Independent cities, highly urbanize ...
and west of
Santa Cruz. The city is known as the "Spring Resort Capital of the Philippines"
because of its numerous hot spring resorts, which are mostly located in Barangays
Pansol
Pansol is an urban barangay in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Re ...
,
Bucal, Bagong Kalsada, and Lingga.
According to the 2020 census, Calamba has a population of 539,671 people, making it the most populous local government unit in Laguna. It is the fifth-densest city in the province with more than 2,600 people per square kilometer after
San Pedro,
Biñan,
Cabuyao, and
Santa Rosa. Based on the overall rankings of the 2014 Cities and Municipalities Index, the city ranked 18th in the overall competitiveness (cities ranking) and first among cities in the
Calabarzon region. Calamba is known to be Calabarzon's richest city, followed by
Cabuyao City, because of its numerous factories.
Calamba is the hometown of the ''
de facto
''De facto'' ( ; , "in fact") describes practices that exist in reality, whether or not they are officially recognized by laws or other formal norms. It is commonly used to refer to what happens in practice, in contrast with '' de jure'' ("by l ...
'' Philippine
national hero,
José Rizal.
Etymology
The name of the city is derived from
Tagalog
Tagalog may refer to:
Language
* Tagalog language, a language spoken in the Philippines
** Old Tagalog, an archaic form of the language
** Batangas Tagalog, a dialect of the language
* Tagalog script, the writing system historically used for Tagal ...
''
kalamba
Kalamba is town found in Makueni Constituency Makueni County in Kenya. The town was started as a mission station of Africa Inland Mission in 1895 by Peter Cameron Scott. In Kalamba, there is final resting place for Peter Scott.
First AIC Churc ...
'', meaning a wide-mouthed
earthen water jar (also called ''balanga'' or ''banga'').
The origin of the name is reflected in the
Calamba Jar landmark in city
plaza, as well as the city's seal which depicts a water jar superimposed with a profile of
José Rizal.
History
Early 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 (present-day
Cabuyao). In 1639 Calamba was the site of a rebellion of Chinese farmers, who had been forcibly resettled there by Governor Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera. This rebellion spread north of the Pasig River and eventually culminated in the deaths of over 20,000 Chinese in the whole region surrounding Manila. 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 it into portions and sold the haciendas to the natives during the American regime.
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
During the Japanese occupation in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, Calamba was the location of a
massacre
A massacre is the killing of a large number of people or animals, especially those who are not involved in any fighting or have no way of defending themselves. A massacre is generally considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when per ...
committed by the
Imperial Japanese Army
The was the official ground-based armed force of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of the Army, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor ...
, in which at least 2,000 civilians were killed. 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.
Cityhood
After a process of more than seven years, Calamba became the second component city of the Laguna by virtue of Republic Act No. 9024, "''An Act Converting the Municipality of Calamba, Province of Laguna into a Component City to be known as the City of Calamba''." R.A. 9024 was signed into law by President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (, born April 5, 1947), often referred to by her initials GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician serving as one of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, House Deputy Spe ...
on March 5, 2001, at the
Malacañan Palace. The
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) then set the
plebiscite
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of ...
for Calamba's cityhood on April 21, 2001, where 15,056 residents participated. 3,413 or 22.67% voted "''No''" while the remaining 77.33% voted "''Yes"'' to Calamba's conversion into a component city.
Events leading to Cityhood
As early as 1994, the town's Sangguniang Bayan approved Resolution No. 60, Series of 1994 requesting the
Senate of the Philippines through its president and the
House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
through its speaker to co-sponsor a bill for Calamba's conversion into a city. It was only after two years that another resolution, Resolution No. 115 was passed requesting then
Congressman Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr, to co-sponsor a bill for Calamba's cityhood and requesting the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for their comments and recommendations regarding the matter. Another two years passed before House Bill No. 986 and Senate bill Nos. 1630 and 1791 were filed in the House of Representatives by Congressman Chipeco and Senate of the Philippines by Senators
Franklin M. Drilon and
Sergio Osmeña III
Sergio may refer to:
* Sergio (given name), for people with the given name Sergio
* Sergio (carbonado), the largest rough diamond ever found
* ''Sergio'' (album), a 1994 album by Sergio Blass
* ''Sergio'' (2009 film), a documentary film
* ''S ...
, respectively.
It was only in the year 2000 that the motion for Calamba's cityhood was fast-tracked. Then Mayor Severino J. Lajara requested favorable endorsement of House Bill No. 986 from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on January 3, 2000. The Sangguniang Bayan also endorsed House Bill No. 986 and Senate Bill Nos. 1630 and 1791 and also requested favorable endorsement from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the same month. A month passed and Mayor Lajara sent a follow-up letter to then Vice Governor
Teresita "Ningning" Lazaro on updates regarding the matter.
On March 8, the House Committee on Local Government approved House Bill No. 986 on 2nd reading at a hearing held at Hotel Rembrandt,
Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was foun ...
. The same House Committee conducted a public hearing on House Bill No. 986 at the Calamba Elementary School (Central II) gymnasium on March 23, approving the House Bill in principle. House Bill 986 was deliberated in April by the House of Representatives in plenary session and approved as House Bill No. 10661, which was then filed with the
Senate of the Philippines in June.
The year
2001
The September 11 attacks against the United States by Al-Qaeda, which killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror, were a defining event of 2001. The United States led a multi-national coalition in an invasion of Afghanistan ...
came and brought about approval on 2nd reading of Senate Bill Nos. 1630 and 1791 and House Bill No. 10661 in a hearing held on February 5 at the Ambrocio Padilla Hall, Senate of the Philippines. Three days later, February 8, Senate Bill Nos. 1630 and 1791 and House Bill No. 10661 was deliberated in Plenary Session and was approved as Republic Act No. 9024.
[Cityhood of Calamba http://www.calambacity.gov.ph/About-the-City/Cityhood-of-Calamba/ ]
Designation as regional center
Calamba was declared the regional center of the
Calabarzon region by then President
Gloria Arroyo by virtue of Executive Order No. 246, dated October 28, 2003.
Geography
Calamba lies on the northern slopes of
Mount Makiling, a dormant volcano. The southern terminus of the
South Luzon Expressway is in Calamba and this geographic position makes the city a gateway to the southern provinces of Luzon. The highway at the end of the South Luzon Expressway leads east to the other towns of Laguna and south towards the provinces of
Batangas
Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and ...
and
Quezon.
The city is bordered by
Cabuyao to the north and to the west,
Los Baños to the east, by the province of
Batangas
Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and ...
and
Cavite to the south, specifically the cities of
Tanauan,
Santo Tomas and municipality of
Talisay in
Batangas
Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and ...
. and the City of
Tagaytay in
Cavite.
Laguna de Bay, the country's largest lake, forms the city's northeast border. The provincial capital,
Santa Cruz, is located by road to the east.
Calamba covers a total land area of , making it is the second-largest city in Laguna province in terms of land area after
San Pablo.
Land uses
Barangays
Calamba is politically subdivided into 54 barangays, the smallest administrative unit in the city.
Climate
Calamba has a
tropical monsoon climate
An area of tropical monsoon climate (occasionally known as a sub-equatorial, tropical wet climate or a tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate) is a tropical climate sub-type that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification category ...
(type ''Am''), with a short dry season and a longer rainy season. The dry season lasts only from January to April, and the rest of the year is characterized by high levels of rainfall.
Demographics
The population of Calamba City is fast-growing with an intercensal growth rate of 5% from 1995 to 2000, repeated and more in subsequent decades (except for 2007 to 2010 census).
According to the 2020 census, Calamba has a population of 539,671 inhabitants, making it the most populated city in Laguna province, followed by
Santa Rosa,
Biñan City
Biñan (), officially the City of Biñan ( fil, Lungsod ng Biñan), is a 1st class component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 407,437 people.
Biñan, also known as Biniang, has b ...
,
San Pedro City,
Cabuyao City, and
San Pablo. Calamba City is the 24th
most populated city in the Philippines.
Calamba is predominantly
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a letter ...
(84.22%), followed by
Members Church of God International (MCGI or ADD)(4.5%),
Protestants (3.43%),
Iglesia Ni Cristo (3.14%), and
Islam (0.26%).
Economy
Calamba City is known today as the "Richest City in Calabarzon", (according to the 2014 Commission on Audit Annual Audit Report), as it registered a total income of ₱2,501,048,126.00. Calamba is also considered one of the "Next Wave Cities" for outsourcing firms.
The major income sources comes from manufacturing and economic plants, tourism, agriculture and services. There are many manufacturing and economic plants located in upland barangays like
Canlubang,
Real,
La Mesa,
Milagrosa
Milagrosa (formerly named Tulo) is an industrialized barangay located on the south edge of the city of Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. The barangay's name was changed from Tulo to Milagrosa through a plebiscite held on 3 December 2011. It houses ...
,
Makiling,
Punta,
Barandal
Barandal (officially, Barangay Barandal) is an industrial barangay of the city of Calamba in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is geographically situated in the middle of the city. It houses various residential areas like Amaia Scapes by ...
,
Batino and
Prinza.
Income
Banking
As of December 31, 2013, there are 83 banking offices operating in the city that offers banking services to businesses and residents according to
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. Calamba is the top city in Calabarzon with total deposits amounting to 29,632,884 in thousand pesos from 374,122 accounts.
Industries and manufacturing
The city is a haven for industries. Considered the heart of Calabarzon due to the number of companies housed in its area, Calamba City is one of the premiere industrial hubs outside of
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the capital region, seat of government and one of three List of metrop ...
. Some of the industrial parks located in the city are:
* Allegis IT Park (Barangay Milagrosa)
*
Calamba Premiere International Park
The Calamba Premiere International Park (CPIP), established in 1999, is one of the first industrial parks in the Philippines. It is a comprehensively-planned industrial estate located at Batino, Barandal, and Prinza in Calamba, Laguna and prov ...
(Barangay Batino, Barandal and Prinza)
*
Canlubang Industrial Estate (Barangay Canlubang)
* Carmelray Industrial Park 1 (Barangay Canlubang)
* Carmelray Industrial Park 2 (Barangay Milagrosa & Punta)
* Carmelray International Business Park (Barangay Canlubang)
* Filinvest Technology Park (Barangay Punta, Burol & Bubuyan)
*
Light Industry and Science Park of the Philippines II (Barangay Real & Lamesa)
* NYK-TDG IT Park (Barangay Canlubang)
* SMPIC Special Economic Zone (Barangay Paciano Rizal)
* YTMI Realty Special Economic Zone (Barangay Makiling)
Information technology
Calamba City is also considered one of the "Next Wave Cities" for outsourcing firms and call centers, among them are
Accenture and
SPi Technologies
SPI may refer to:
Organizations
* Indian Protection Service (''Serviço de Proteção ao Índio''), Brazil
* Shotmed Paper Industries, an Egyptian paper manufacturers
* Simulations Publications, Inc., a former US board game publisher
* Sony P ...
.
Commerce and trade
Aside from the Crossing area in Barangay Uno, Barangays
Real and
Parian are also bustling with business structures, including SM City Calamba, and Liana's Discount Center Calamba.
Notable shopping centers and travel agencies in Calamba also include Southern Sky Travel & Tours (Calamba Headquarters), Walter Mart Makiling, Puregold Halang, Puregold Calamba Crossing, Checkpoint Mall, and iMall Canlubang among others.
Food processing plants in Calamba like Zenith Foods Corp. (central commissary of
Jollibee Foods Corporation), where its sauces and food products (i.e. burger, pies, fries, etc.) are first made before distributing to Jollibee outlets is currently the most advanced food processing plant in the Philippines and one of the best in Asia. Other food and beverage processing plants in Calamba are Rebisco, RC Cola, Monde-M.Y. San Corporation and Zest-O Corporation.
Some of the semiconductor companies are also located in Calamba. To name a few, they are
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (, sometimes shortened to SEC and stylized as SΛMSUNG) is a South Korean multinational electronics corporation headquartered in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, South Korea. It is the pinnacle of the Samsung chaebol, a ...
Philippines, Continental Temic Electronics Philippines,
Toshiba Storage Device Philippines Inc.,
ST Microelectronics (formerly Philips Electronics), Fuji Electric Philippines, NEC Tokin Electronics, NEC Toppan Circuit Solutions and Austriamicrosystems Phils.
Automobile manufacturer that have plants located in Calamba City are Asian Transmission Corporation and
Suzuki
is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...
Philippines Inc.
Avon
Avon may refer to:
* River Avon (disambiguation), several rivers
Organisations
*Avon Buses, a bus operating company in Wirral, England
*Avon Coachworks, a car body builder established in 1919 at Warwick, England, relaunched in 1922, following ...
, the leading global beauty company has a manufacturing plant (Avon Products Manufacturing) located at Calamba Premiere International Park.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Tricycles, buses, and
jeepneys, are popular modes of transportation in Calamba.
Calamba is served by the
Philippine National Railways (PNR)
Metro Commuter Line. Stations include:
*
Calamba, at the city proper. This will serve as the terminal for the
North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and a stop for intercity trains headed for Bicol and Batangas.
*
Pansol
Pansol is an urban barangay in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Re ...
- flag stop, served by trains between Manila and the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in
Los Baños.
Roads
The only expressway currently operational in Calamba is the
South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), which passes through the city with four exits. SLEX is part of
AH26 up to Calamba Exit.
Main national highways include the
Manila South Road
National Route 1 (N1) is a primary national route that forms part of the Philippine highway network, running from Luzon to Mindanao. Except for a gap in Metro Manila and ferry connections, the highway is generally continuous. Most sections of N ...
(also known as Maharlika Highway, Daang Maharlika, or National Highway), which passes through the city and curves toward
Santo Tomas in
Batangas
Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( tl, Lalawigan ng Batangas ), is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. Its capital is the city of Batangas, and is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and ...
, and
Calamba–Pagsanjan Road (also called "National Highway") links Calamba with
Los Baños and
Santa Cruz.
Other arterial roads includes Chipeco Avenue and its Extension, which passes near the city hall,
Tagaytay–Calamba Road, which picks up near Tagaytay Highlands, and
Mayapa–Canlubang Cadre Road
Mayapa–Canlubang Cadre Road, also known as Mayapa Road, is a two- to four-lane, tertiary national road, located in Calamba, Laguna in the Philippines. It spans stretching from the "Checkpoint" area at the intersection with Manila South Road i ...
, a spur of Maharlika Highway serving Canlubang and Canlubang/Mayapa Exit (Exit 47)
Proposed expressways include the
Calamba–Los Baños Expressway, which spurs from SLEX, traverses along
Laguna de Bay and ends on a national highway at
Bay
A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
, and
Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike
The Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike is a proposed expressway in the Philippines that will start from the coastal area of Laguna de Bay from Taguig in Metro Manila to Calamba and Los Baños in Laguna.
The project will involve the construction o ...
, an expressway and dike that will run on the coast of
Laguna de Bay. The projects will cost an estimated
₱
The Philippine peso sign (₱) is the currency symbol used for the Philippine peso, the official currency of the Philippines. The symbol resembles a Roman letter P with two horizontal strokes. It differs from the currency symbol used for the pe ...
5.9 billion (
$131.11 million) and
₱
The Philippine peso sign (₱) is the currency symbol used for the Philippine peso, the official currency of the Philippines. The symbol resembles a Roman letter P with two horizontal strokes. It differs from the currency symbol used for the pe ...
18.59 billion (
$413 million).
File:Calamba,Lagunajf2637 04.JPG, Stop Light in Halang
File:Paciano Rizal at Night.jpg, Checkpoint, captured at Paseo De Calamba in Paciano Rizal
Health care
There are 9 private and 1 government-run hospitals in Calamba. Some of the health centers in the city are the
Calamba Medical Center,
Calamba Doctors' Hospital
Calamba may refer to:
* Calamba, Laguna, a city in the Philippines
** Calamba Poblacion, a barangay district in Calamba, Laguna
** Calamba Island, an island in the city of Calamba situated at the Laguna de Bay
** Calamba Institute, a private schoo ...
, Pamana Golden Care Hospital, St. John the Baptist Hospital, San Jose Hospital and Trauma Center, St. Marks Hospital Medical Center, Holy Angel General Hospital, CH Garcia Medical and Diagnostic Center, Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital, and Jose Yulo Foundation Canlubang Industrial Hospital...
Utilities and communication
Communication concerns are managed by different agencies found in the city: postal affairs rests on the Philippine Postal Corp. with three operating offices located in Barangays. Canlubang, Mayapa and the main office located at the back of City Hall. Telecommunications as well as internet connections are under the four major telecom companies such as PLDT (Smart Communications), Globe Telecom, Dito Telecommunity and Converge ICT. Aside from these, print and radio services are also present, with Calambalita DZLN-AM and DZJV – a local radio station catering to the whole Calabarzon area.
A major part of the city is currently served by Meralco, with two substations of the company located in Brgys Mayapa and Brgy 1 facilitate the flow of power throughout the entire city. All the 54 barangays are equipped with electricity, with only a few barangays such as part of Canlubang, Pansol, Bucal and Lecheria under NAPOCOR.
A big part of the city is served by the Calamba Water District, providing water to 23,655 households, 1,238 commercial establishments and 53 public buildings. Most of the city's water supply comes from the faucet community water system.
Government
Like other cities in the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
, Calamba City is governed by a city mayor and city vice mayor who are elected to three-year terms. The city mayor is the executive head who leads the city's departments in the execution of city ordinances and in the delivery of public services. The city vice mayor heads a legislative council that is composed of 14 members: 12 councilors and two ''ex-officio'' offices: one for the
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, representing the youth sector, and one for the
Association of Barangay Chairmen
The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (League of Barangays in the Philippines) and the Asosasyon ng mga Kapitan ng Barangay (Association of Barangay Captains) or ABC are formal organizations of all the barangays in the Philippines. Presently, al ...
President as the barangay sectoral representative. The council is in charge of creating the city's policies in the form of ordinances and resolutions.
By virtue of Republic Act no. 11078, Calamba has been separated from the
2nd District of
Laguna to form its own, the Lone district of the City of Calamba.
Elected officials
The 2022 local elections in Calamba City, held on May 9, 2022, replaced some members of the city government, primarily on the members of the city council. The mayor and vice mayor are term limited.
Elected officials for the 2022–2025 term are:
List of former chief executives
Jose Rizal wrote a manuscript called ''Jefes del pueblo de Calamba (ang nangagsipagpuno sa bayan ng Calamba: sapol ng maging bayan, hangan sa panahon, 28 de Agosto, 1742 - hasta 1891)'' that is now kept in the National Library of the Philippines. It lists the names of local chief executives of Calamba since its founding as a town independent from Cabuyao.
[http://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph/RI01/NLPJRMN00350/datejpg1.htm/ ] Their names were:
The following are the individuals that served as local chief executive of Calamba since the American occupation of the Philippines up to the present-day:
City seal
The seal of the City of Calamba has evolved and has been modified throughout the years. From being a municipality to a component city, a new seal was necessary to symbolize the new thrust of Calamba. In a citywide seal-making contest, Reyjon de Guzman emerged as winner, for his work best symbolized the ideals, pride and achievements of the city. Each color, shape, number and object has its own meaning relative to what is Calamba in the past, present and future.
* Shield shape – The shield shape in the center, with a slight circular bottom, flat top and curved edges at the top corners project solidity and congruence.
* Banga shaped twined with Dr. Jose Rizal's image – The historical ambience is depicted in this twin image. The abstract represents the influence of Dr. Jose Rizal and the Banga in the history of the City of Calamba.
* Numbers – the engraved "1742" mentions the year when Calamba was founded and seceded from the town of Cabuyao, while "2001" was identified as the year of Calamba's cityhood.
* Objects – the mountain in the background and the water current at the bottom part relate to land and water resources of the city pertain to the vast natural resources of
Mount Makiling and the aquatic benefits of Laguna de Bay. The water beneath Mt. Makiling shows that Calamba City touches a body of water notably
Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country, and that's why Calamba City is also known as the "City by the Lake". The silhouette image of rice field on the left and the industrial buildings on the right symbolizing Calamba City's rapid modernization, urbanization, and industrialization. With both signs located beside each other, it shows everyone that nature and progress can efficiently coexist in Calamba City.
* Colors – Except for silver grey and metallic gold, all others are similar with the national seal. However, additional meanings are attached to each.
* Metallic gold – This represents the radiating image of Dr. Jose Rizal and Banga that reflects in the minds and deeds of Calambeños.
* Red – This symbolizes the burning patriotism of residents as exemplified by Rizal.
* Blue – As land and water represent wealth and prosperity, the color blue signifies productivity and tranquility of the constituents.
* Silver grey – This represents the transformation of development from an agricultural pueblo in the 1700s to an agro-industrial town in the 1900s and finally to an industrial city.
* White – This projects purity, transparency, efficiency and prudence pertaining to governance.
* Calamba City has a golden edge etched at the upper half with the words Lungsod ng Calamba depicting Calamba City as a Philippine component city. Laguna at the bottom part means that Calamba City is still part of Laguna province.
Tourism
File:CalambaCityjf2751 08.JPG, Calamba City Hall
File:Calamba Church.jpg, Saint John Baptist Church (Calamba Church)
File:401Calamba, Laguna Town Proper Landmarks 09.jpg, Calamba Claypot
File:The wake park at Nuvali in Laguna.jpg, Republic Wakepark Canlubang
File:Rizal Shrine Outdoor (Calamba, Laguna).jpg, Rizal Shrine
Calamba is the location of
José Rizal's birthplace,
Rizal Shrine, found in the ''poblacion'' (city proper), and
St. John the Baptish Parish Church, the location of Rizal's baptism. A park built to commemorate José Rizal,
Rizal Park (or the Plaza) hosts a tall statue of Rizal, with the number symbolizing the 22 languages and dialects used by Rizal. The statue sits on top of a 15-step podium, symbolizing one decade since Rizal was born. The monument was once cited as the tallest Jose Rizal Monument in the World,
until a monument of Rizal was built in
Santa Cruz, Laguna for the
Palarong Pambansa 2014. The monument was inaugurated by
President Benigno Aquino III in preparation for the Jose Rizal's sesquicentennial birth anniversary on June 19, 2011.
Other tourist attractions include the
Calamba Claypot
Calamba Claypot, also known as the Calamba Jar and The Banga, is a landmark in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines believed to be the largest claypot in the world. It is located at the City Plaza near Calamba Church and Rizal Shrine. Built in 1937, it ...
(''Banga'' or ''Calambanga''), a large pot that is the namesake of the city, Republic Wakepark, a water sports park in the Nuvali mixed-use residential development in Canlubang, and
Calamba Island, an islet off Laguna de Bay.
Being near to
Mount Makiling, Calamba also hosts hot spring resorts, concentrated at barangays Pansol, Bucal and Bagong Kalsada near the boundary with Los Baños.
Culture
Festivals
The Buhayani Festival, the official festival of the City of Calamba was the brainchild of Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco during his first year as Mayor in 2013. Mayor Timmy wanted the city to have a festival that will best characterize its culture, progress and tourism potential. He wanted to capitalize on the city's historical heritage as the birthplace of unofficial Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Thus, the Buhayani Festival was born.
The term "Buhayani" was coined by joining two Filipino words, ''"buhay"'' meaning life or the state of being alive and lively and ''"bayani"'' or hero. The festival's tagline "Buhay ng Bayani, Buháy na Bayani" literally translates to "Life of the Hero"pertaining to the life of our famous kababayan, Dr. Jose Rizal and "Living Hero"which refers to the common man who has the capacity and potential to become everyday heroes in their own small ways.
"We want everyone who revere our kababayan, Dr. Jose Rizal to come to Calamba and join us in honouring him on his birthday and in celebrating the modern Rizal in us. We want to make our National Hero modern and relevant in today's challenging times and we want to celebrate the spirit of heroism that lives in each Filipino, not just in us Calambeños," Mayor Chipeco was quoted saying.
Different activities were lined up for this year's Buhayani Festival: Kuwentong Bayani for selected Grade 5 students, Talinong Rizal Quiz Bee, Buhayani Football Cup, Independence Day Job Fair, SayawIndak Street Dancing Competition, Marching Band Competition, Baile de Gala, Hawig Rizal (Rizal Look-a-Like), Buhayani Eye Care Mission, and a whole lot more. Highlighting this year's celebration is the Morning Program wherein Philippine National Police Chief, Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa is the Guest of Honor and Speaker. A special wreath-laying ceremony shall also commence at the Museo ni Rizal sa Calamba after a simultaneous floral offering at five different Rizal monuments around the city.
"Jose Rizal is not just the pride of Calamba, he is the pride of the entire country as he was the Greatest Malay to have lived. His works, teachings and ideals have inspired and will continue to inspire us as we strive to live up to his ideals of nationalism and love of country. In the Buhayani Festival, we celebrate an ideal and an advocacy that through this festival, we can rekindle the fire of patriotism and heroism in the hearts of every Filipino. Come to Calamba – retrace history's footsteps, rediscover the richness and uniqueness of our heritage, fire up our Filipino pride and be inspired to share and spread what you have experienced and be part of the force that will bring about a renewed love of country in every Filipino," Mayor Chipeco challenged.
Education
File:2680Calamba City Laguna Roads Landmarks Barangays 26.jpg, AMA Computer College Calamba White Bldg.
File:ACC Annex.JPG, Asian Computer College Annex Bldg.
File:CityCollegeofCalambajf3164 04.JPG, City College of Calamba
City College of Calamba (CCC) is a public school in Laguna established in 2006. The institution was founded to provide education to the underprivileged. It is also subsidized by the city government and offers free tuition.
City College of Cala ...
File:9908Calamba City Roads Barangays Landmarks 38.jpg, Citi Clobal College Annex
File:1809Calamba City Laguna Roads Landmarks Barangays 05.jpg, Don Bosco College, Canlubang
File:LCBA Quad.jpg, Laguna College Business and Arts
File:302Calamba, Laguna Town Proper Landmarks 06.jpg, Liceo de Calamba
File:2094Calamba City Canlubang Roads Landmarks Barangays 46.jpg, Mary Help of Christians, Canlubang
File:2204Calamba City Canlubang Roads Landmarks Barangays 48.jpg, University of Perpetual Help System - Dalta
File:Xavier School Nuvali.jpg, Xavier School Nuvali
File:2785Calamba City Laguna Roads Landmarks Barangays 04.jpg, ''Saint Benilde International School (Calamba) Inc.''
Calamba has a literacy rate of 98.9%. , there are 120 elementary schools, 51 of which are public and 69 private. There are 50 secondary schools, 16 public and 34 private. Post-secondary education include 17 universities and colleges, and 9 technical and vocational schools.
[
The city has four ]NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges and ...
affiliate schools that set up branches in the city, namely as the Colegio de San Juan de Letran ( Calamba Campus), Lyceum of the Philippines University ( Laguna Campus), San Sebastian College – Recoletos (Canlubang Campus) and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA ( Calamba Campus).
Some private schools that are also located in Calamba are City College of Calamba
City College of Calamba (CCC) is a public school in Laguna established in 2006. The institution was founded to provide education to the underprivileged. It is also subsidized by the city government and offers free tuition.
City College of Cala ...
, Don Bosco College, Canlubang, Calamba Institute, Laguna College of Business and Arts, Saint Benilde International School, Asian Computer College, Inc., Asian Institute of Computer Studies, Inc. Active Community Contributor Calamba Churchitute, Inc. and the new university National University - Laguna, Philippine Women's University, Saint John Colleges
In religious belief, a saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. However, the use of the term ''saint'' depends on the context and denomination. In Catholic, Eastern Ort ...
, Maranatha Christian Academy. In Nuvali Calamba, there are two other schools located which are the Miriam College and Xavier School. In the near future, Everest Academy
Mount Everest (; Tibetan: ''Chomolungma'' ; ) is Earth's highest mountain above sea level, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The China–Nepal border runs across its summit point. Its elevation (snow heigh ...
, a renowned Catholic and international school will also open its second campus in Nuvali.
The City College of Calamba is the only public college in the city.
Notable personalities
* José Rizal – Philippine national hero, nationalist and reformist
* Paciano Rizal – revolutionary general, and the older brother of José Rizal
* Trinidad Rizal – feminist leader and co-founder of the Philippines' first feminist organization, the Asociacion Femenista Filipina.
* Delfina Herbosa de Natividad – one of the three women, together with Marcela Agoncillo and her daughter Lorenza, who seamed together the Flag of the Philippines
The national flag of the Philippines ( tgl, Pambansang watawat ng Pilipinas; ilo, Nailian a bandera ti Filipinas; ceb, Nasudnong bandila ng Pilipinas; es, Bandera Nacional de Filipinas) is a horizontal List of flags by design#Bicolour, bicol ...
. Niece of José Rizal.
* Vicente Lim – World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
Brigadier General
* Leopoldo B. Uichanco – Second Filipino Dean of UP College of Agriculture, Father of Philippine Entomology[https://nast.ph/images/pdf%20files/Publications/NAST%20Transactions/NAST%202001%20Transactions%20Volume%2023/BSD%201%20Directions%20of%20Systematic%20Entomology%20in%20the%20Philippines,%20Acd%20Clare%20R.%20Baltazar%202001.pdf.// ]
* Dolores Ramirez – National Scientist of the Philippines for Biochemical Genetics & Cytogenetics[http://philsciletters.net/2014/PSL%202014-vol07-no01-p241-244%20Flores.pdf/ ]
* Bienvenido O. Juliano – National Scientist of the Philippines for Biochemistry
* Jose Juliano
Jose O. Juliano is a Filipino physicist and chemist.
Biography
Jose Juliano was born on October 16, 1932 and obtained his master's degree in chemistry from the Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. from the University of California. He also has ...
– Filipino nuclear physicist and chemist
* José Yulo – 5th Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, 6th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court ( fil, Kataas-taasang Hukuman; colloquially referred to as the ''Korte Suprema'' lso used in formal writing is the highest court in the Philippines. The Supreme Court was established by the Second Philippine Commission on J ...
, former senator, 13th and 35th Secretary of the Department of Justice
* Dominador E. Chipeco, Sr. - 12th Governor of Laguna
* Restituto L. Luna – 14th Governor of Laguna
* Teresita S. Lazaro
Teresita Santiago Lazaro (born November 18, 1942) commonly known as Ningning Lazaro is a Filipina educator, businesswoman, and politician who served as the governor of Laguna from 2001 to 2010. Previously, she served as Vice Governor of the provin ...
– 16th Governor of Laguna
* Ramil L. Hernandez
Ramil Laurel Hernandez (born July 26, 1972) is a Filipino politician from Calamba City, Laguna. He currently serves as the Governor of Laguna since 2014. He previously served as Sanguniang Kabataan Chairman of Barangay Mabato in Calamba, Laguna ...
– 18th Governor of Laguna
* Ronnie Alcano – professional pool player
* Maybelline Masuda – Filipino Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting ( ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...
practitioner
* John Vic De Guzman
John Vic Ortiz De Guzman (born September 23, 1993) is a Filipino athlete, volleyball player, actor, and singer.
Early life and education
De Guzman lived in Laguna in his early years and became involved in various extracurricular activities. In ...
– volleyball player and actor
* Palito
Reynaldo Alfredo Hipolito (September 4, 1933 – April 12, 2010) was a veteran Filipino slapstick comedian and actor who was at the height of his career in the 1970s and '80s. He was well known for his unusually light build and thin anatomy ...
– Filipino comedian and actor
* Teody Belarmino
Teody Belarmino (1922-1984) was a Filipino actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, ...
– Filipino film actor
* Menggie Cobarrubias – Filipino film and television actor
* Therese Malvar
Therese Martin Alcala Malvar (born September 16, 2000) is a Filipina actress.
Personal life and acting career
Malvar is the third great-granddaughter of two Philippine heroes, General Miguel Malvar and Dr. José Rizal
José Protasio Riz ...
– Filipina actress
* Lester Avan Andrada – Film actor
* Thea Tolentino
Thea Loise Señerez Tolentino (born August 13, 1996) is a Filipino actress known for her role as Ashley Mercado Alcantara in the GMA Network television drama ''The Half Sisters''. She started her career as one of the winners of the second sea ...
– actress, Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break winner
* Jeric Gonzales – actor, Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break winner
* Sam Mangubat – Filipino singer, 2nd placer of Tawag ng Tanghalan
* Gigi De Lana – Filipina Singer-Songwriter, Actress, dancer and commercial model, Tawag ng Tanghalan Semi-finalist
Gallery
File:Jose Rizal full.jpg, Dr. Jose Rizal
File: Delfina Herbosa de Natividad.jpg, Delfina Herbosa de Natividad
File:Brigadier General Vicente Lim.jpg, Gen. Vicente Lim
File:Ronato Alcano.jpg, Ronato "Ronnie" Alcano
Sister cities
Locals
* Bacoor, Cavite
* Biñan, Laguna
* Cabanatuan
* Cabuyao, Laguna
* Imus, Cavite
* Mabalacat, Pampanga
* Mabitac, Laguna
* Ozamiz
International
* Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea
* Guri, Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Its name, ''Gyeonggi'', means "京 (the capital) and 畿 (the surrounding area)". Thus, ''Gyeonggi-do'' can be translated as "Seoul and the surrounding areas of Seoul". Seoul, the na ...
, South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
* Litomerice, Ústí nad Labem Region, Czech Republic
* Walnut, California, United States
* Wilhelmsfeld
Wilhelmsfeld is a municipality in the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis of Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
Geography
Wilhelmsfeld is a state-certified climatic health resort in the hills of the southern Odenwald, between 260 and 533m above sea-level. The surrou ...
, Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg (; ), commonly shortened to BW or BaWü, is a German state () in Southwest Germany, east of the Rhine, which forms the southern part of Germany's western border with France. With more than 11.07 million inhabitants across a ...
, Germany
References
External links
*
Calamba City Business Directory Website
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
br>Philippine Census Information
Local Governance Performance Management System
Visit Laguna – Tourist Spot in Laguna, things to do in Laguna
{{Authority control
Cities in Laguna (province)
Populated places established in 1742
1742 establishments in the Philippines
Populated places on Laguna de Bay
Component cities in the Philippines