Calamba, officially the City of Calamba (), is a
component city in the
province
A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 539,671 people making it the largest city in the province.
Calamba is the regional center of the
Calabarzon region. It is situated south of
Manila
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
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, 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
Biñan (), officially the City of Biñan (), is a component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 407,437, making it the third largest in population in the province of Laguna, after ...
,
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 because of its numerous industries.
Calamba is the hometown of the ''de facto'' Philippine
national hero,
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
.
Etymology
The name of the city is derived from
Tagalog ''
kalamba'', meaning a wide-mouthed
earthen water jar (also called ''balanga'' or ''banga'', cf.
Balanga, Bataan).
The origin of the name is reflected in the
Calamba Jar landmark in city
plaza
A town square (or public square, urban square, city square or simply square), also called a plaza or piazza, is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town or city, and which is used for community gatherings. Rela ...
, as well as the city's seal which depicts a water jar superimposed with a profile of
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
.
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 Sebastián 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
During the Japanese occupation in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Calamba was the location of a
massacre
A massacre is an event of killing people who are not engaged in hostilities or are defenseless. It is generally used to describe a targeted killing of civilians Glossary of French words and expressions in English#En masse, en masse by an armed ...
committed by the
Imperial Japanese Army
The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA; , ''Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun'', "Army of the Greater Japanese Empire") was the principal ground force of the Empire of Japan from 1871 to 1945. It played a central role in Japan’s rapid modernization during th ...
, 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
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
. 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 as PGMA or GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician who served as the 14th president of the Philippines from Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 2001 to 2010 ...
on March 5, 2001, at the
Malacañan Palace. The
Commission on Elections
An election commission is a body charged with overseeing the implementation of electioneering process of any country. The formal names of election commissions vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and may be styled an electoral commission, a c ...
(COMELEC) then set the
plebiscite
A referendum, plebiscite, or ballot measure is a direct vote by the electorate (rather than their representatives) on a proposal, law, or political issue. A referendum may be either binding (resulting in the adoption of a new policy) or adv ...
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
The Senate of the Philippines () is the upper house of Congress of the Philippines, Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the House of Representatives of the Philippines, House of Representatives as the lower house. The ...
through its president and the
House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entities. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often ...
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, 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 (, ; ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read and pronounced in Filipino language, Filipino as Kyusi), is the richest and List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 c ...
. 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
The Senate of the Philippines () is the upper house of Congress of the Philippines, Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the House of Representatives of the Philippines, House of Representatives as the lower house. The ...
in June.
The year 2001 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.
Designation as regional center
Calamba was declared the regional center of the
Calabarzon region by then President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal-Arroyo (; born April 5, 1947), often referred to as PGMA or GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician who served as the 14th president of the Philippines from Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 2001 to 2010 ...
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 ( ), is a first class province of the Philippines located in the southwestern part of Luzon in the Calabarzon region. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,908,494 people, making ...
and
Quezon
Quezon, officially the Province of Quezon () and historically known as Tayabas, is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon Regions of the Philippines, region on Luzon. Lucena, a highly urbanized ci ...
.
The city is bordered by
Cabuyao to the north, by the province of
Cavite
Cavite, officially the Province of Cavite (; Chavacano: ''Provincia de Cavite''), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region. On the southern shores of Manila Bay and southwest of Manila, i ...
to the west, specifically
Silang and
Tagaytay,
Los Baños to the east, and by the province of
Batangas
Batangas, officially the Province of Batangas ( ), is a first class province of the Philippines located in the southwestern part of Luzon in the Calabarzon region. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,908,494 people, making ...
to the south, specifically the cities of
Tanauan and
Santo Tomas.
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, as indicated in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of
purok
A ''purok'' () is an informal division within a barangay in the Philippines. While not officially considered a local government unit (LGU), a ''purok'' often serves as a unit for delivering services and administration within a barangay. ''Pur ...
s and some have
sitios
A ''sitio'' (Spanish language, Spanish for "site") in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay. Typically rural, a ''sitios location is usually far from the center of the barangay itself and could be its own bar ...
.
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 subtype 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 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
Biñan (), officially the City of Biñan (), is a component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 407,437, making it the third largest in population in the province of Laguna, after ...
,
San Pedro City,
Cabuyao, and
San Pablo. Calamba is the 24th
most populated city in the Philippines.
Calamba is predominantly
Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
(84.22%), followed by
Members Church of God International (MCGI or ADD)(4.5%),
Protestants
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
(3.43%),
Iglesia ni Cristo
The (INC; ; ) is an independent Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, church founded in 1913 and registered by Felix Manalo, Félix Manalo in 1914 as a corporation sole, sole religious corporation ...
(3.14%), and
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
(0.26%).
Economy
Calamba 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, Makiling,
Punta
Punta is an Afro-Indigenous dance and cultural music deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the Garifuna of Honduras. It heavily incorporates West African/Central African drumming, the dance primarily of Angola and Congo origins. The musi ...
, Barandal, 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 is one of the premiere industrial hubs outside of
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila ( ), commonly shortened to Metro Manila and formally the National Capital Region (NCR; ), is the capital region and largest List of metropolitan areas in the Philippines, metropolitan area of the Philippines. Located ...
. Some of the industrial parks located in the city are:
* Allegis IT Park (Barangay Milagrosa)
*
Calamba Premiere International Park (Barangays Batino, Barandal and Prinza)
*
Canlubang Industrial Estate (Barangay Canlubang)
* Carmelray Industrial Park 1 (Barangays Canlubang)
* Carmelray Industrial Park 2 (Barangays Milagrosa & Punta)
* Carmelray International Business Park (Barangay Canlubang)
* Filinvest Technology Park (Barangays Punta, Burol, and Bubuyan)
*
Light Industry and Science Park of the Philippines II (Barangays Real and La Mesa)
* NYK-TDG IT Park (Barangay Canlubang)
* SMPIC Special Economic Zone (Barangay Paciano Rizal)
* YTMI Realty Special Economic Zone (Barangay Makiling)
Information technology
Calamba is also considered one of the "Next Wave Cities" for outsourcing firms and call centers, among which is
SPi Technologies.
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, Puregold Calamba-Bayan, Checkpoint Mall, and among others.
Food processing plants in Calamba like Zenith Foods Corporation (central commissary of
Jollibee Foods Corporation
Jollibee Foods Corporation (abbreviated as JFC; doing business as, dba Jollibee Group) is a Philippine multinational corporation, multinational company headquartered in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. JFC is the owner of the fast food brand ...
), 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 Electro-Mechanics Philippines, Continental Temic Electronics Philippines,
Toshiba
is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Its diversified products and services include power, industrial and social infrastructure systems, elevators and escalators, electronic components, semiconductors ...
Storage Device Philippines Inc.,
ST Microelectronics (formerly Philips Electronics), Fuji Electric Philippines, NEC Tokin Electronics, NEC Toppan Circuit Solutions and Austriamicrosystems Phils.
Automobile manufacturers that have plants located in Calamba are Asian Transmission Corporation and
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational mobility manufacturer headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shizuoka. It manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a va ...
Philippines Inc.
Avon, the leading global beauty company has a manufacturing plant (Avon Products Manufacturing), is located at Calamba Premiere International Park.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Tricycle
A tricycle, sometimes abbreviated to trike, is a Human-powered transport, human-powered (or gasoline or electric motor powered or assisted, or gravity powered) Three-wheeler, three-wheeled vehicle.
Some tricycles, such as cycle rickshaws (for pa ...
s, buses,
jeepney
A jeepney (), or simply a jeep (), is a type of Public transport, public utility vehicle (PUV) that serves as the most popular means of Transportation in the Philippines, public transportation in the Philippines. Known for its crowded seating ...
s, and
UV Express 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 – 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, the
Pan-Philippine Highway (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 ( ), is a first class province of the Philippines located in the southwestern part of Luzon in the Calabarzon region. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,908,494 people, making ...
, 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, 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, and
Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike, 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 Latin script, Latin letter P with two horizontal strokes. It differs from the currency symbol u ...
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 Latin script, Latin letter P with two horizontal strokes. It differs from the currency symbol u ...
18.59 billion (
$413 million).
File:Calamba,Lagunajf2637 04.JPG, Stop Light in Halang
SLEX Calamba with NGCP transmission line (Laguna; 12-30-2021).jpg, South Luzon Expressway (view from northbound) approaching Calamba Exit
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, 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
Smart Communications Inc., commonly referred to as Smart, is a wholly owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT Inc., a telecommunications and digital services provider based in the Philippines. As of November ...
),
Globe Telecom,
Dito Telecommunity and
Converge ICT Solutions Inc., commonly referred to as Converge. 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
Local government
Like other cities in the
Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
, Calamba 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, ABC) are formal organizations of all the barangays in the Philippines. Presently, alm ...
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, 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 touches a body of water notably
Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country, and that's why Calamba 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'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.
* 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 has a golden edge etched at the upper half with the words Lungsod ng Calamba depicting Calamba as a Philippine component city. Laguna at the bottom part means that Calamba is still part of Laguna province.
Tourism
File:CalambaCityjf2751 08.JPG, Calamba City Hall
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
File:Calamba City Plaza, Laguna, March 2023.jpg, Calamba City Plaza
File:Calamba Veteran's Monument, March 2023.jpg, Calamba Veteran's Monument
Calamba is the location of
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
's birthplace,
Rizal Shrine, found in the ''poblacion'' (city proper), and
St. John the Baptist Parish Church, the location of Rizal's baptism. A park built to commemorate José Rizal,
Rizal Park
Rizal Park (), also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta, is a historic urban park located in Ermita, Manila. It is considered one of the largest urban parks in the Philippines, covering an area of . The site on where the park is situated was ...
(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 (''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
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 College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...
affiliate schools that set up branches in the city, namely as the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran (), also referred to by its acronym CSJL, is a private Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution owned and run by the friars of the Order of Preachers in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. I ...
( 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, 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., NU Laguna & INSPIRE Sports Academy, Philippine Women's University, Saint John Colleges, 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, 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
File:Jose Rizal full.jpg, Dr. Jose Rizal
File:Dolores Ramirez NAST.jpg, National Scientist Dolores Ramirez
File:Vicente Podico Lim (1888–1944) at West Point in 1914.png, Vicente Lim
File:Jhoanna at Billboard K POWER 100 (2) (cropped).jpg, Jhoanna Robles
File:Ronato Alcano.jpg, Ronato "Ronnie" Alcano
* José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...
– 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 () is a horizontal List of flags by design#Bicolour, bicolor flag with equal bands of royal blue and Crimson, crimson red, with a white, equilateral chevron at the Glossary of vexillology#Flag elements, hois ...
. Niece of José Rizal.
* Vicente Lim – World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
Brigadier General
* Florencio Pesquesa – farm worker and labor leader during the Martial law
Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties ...
era that was abducted and disappeared. His name is inscribed in the Bantayog ng mga Bayani
* 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 – nuclear physicist and chemist
* José Yulo – 5th Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives
The speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines (), more popularly known as the House speaker, is the presiding officer and the highest-ranking official of the lower house of Congress of the Philippines, Congress, the House of R ...
, 6th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court (; colloquially referred to as the ' (also used in formal writing), is the highest court in the Philippines. It was established by the Taft Commission on June 11, 1901, through the enactment of Act No. 136, which abolished th ...
, former senator, 13th and 35th Secretary of the Department of Justice
* Ruth Mariano-Hernandez incumbent member of the House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entities. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often ...
from Laguna's 2nd district
* Ramil L. Hernandez – 18th and incumbent Governor of Laguna
* Dominador E. Chipeco, Sr. – 12th Governor of Laguna
* Restituto L. Luna – 14th Governor of Laguna
* Teresita S. Lazaro – 16th Governor of Laguna
* Ronnie Alcano – professional pool
Pool may refer to:
Bodies of water
* Swimming pool, usually an artificial structure containing a large body of water intended for swimming
* Reflecting pool, a shallow pool designed to reflect a structure and its surroundings
* Tide pool, a roc ...
player
* Maybelline Masuda – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner
* John Vic De Guzman – volleyball player and actor
* Jerrold Tarog – film director and screenwriter
* Palito – comedian and actor
* Teody Belarmino – film actor
* Aruray – actress and comedian
* Menggie Cobarrubias – film and television actor
* Therese Malvar – actress
* Lester Avan Andrada – Film actor
* Thea Tolentino – actress, Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break winner
* Jeric Gonzales – actor, Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break winner
* Sam Mangubat – singer, 2nd placer of Tawag ng Tanghalan
* Gigi De Lana – singer-songwriter, actress, dancer and commercial model, Tawag ng Tanghalan Semi-finalist
* Jhoanna Robles – member of Pinoy pop group Bini
Sister cities
Local
* Bacoor
Bacoor (), officially the City of Bacoor (), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city in the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 664,625 ...
, Cavite
* Biñan
Biñan (), officially the City of Biñan (), is a component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 407,437, making it the third largest in population in the province of Laguna, after ...
, Laguna
* Cabanatuan
Cabanatuan, officially the City of Cabanatuan (; ; kapampangan language, Kapampangan: ''Lakanbalen/Ciudad ning Cabanatuan''), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Acco ...
* Cabuyao, Laguna
* Imus
Imus (), officially the City of Imus (), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and ''de jure'' Capital city, capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 cens ...
, Cavite
* Mabalacat, Pampanga
* Mabitac, Laguna
* Naga, Camarines Sur
* Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental
International
* Geumcheon (Seoul), South Korea
* Guri, South Korea
* Jinjiang, China
* Litoměřice
Litoměřice (; ) is a town in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 23,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an urban monument reservation.
The town is the seat of the Roman C ...
, Czech Republic
* Walnut
A walnut is the edible seed of any tree of the genus '' Juglans'' (family Juglandaceae), particularly the Persian or English walnut, '' Juglans regia''. They are accessory fruit because the outer covering of the fruit is technically an i ...
, United States
* Wilhelmsfeld, Germany
See also
* Turbina, Calamba
* Real, Calamba
References
External links
*
Calamba Business Directory Website
* Philippine Standard Geographic Codebr>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