|
Laguna - History
The province of Laguna was named after Laguna de Bay, the body of water that forms the province’s northern boundary. In turn, Laguna de Bay was named after the town of Bay, which was the first provincial capital.
Laguna, along with its surrounding regions, was conquered for Spain by Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1571, after which, for seven years, the Franciscan friars started the Christianization of the province.
The province became a bloody battleground during the Chinese revolts in 1603 and 1693. The British invasion in 1762-1764 saw thousands of Filipinos fighting against the Spaniards, fanned by the execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. By 1896, thousands of patriotic citizens of the province have joined the revolutionary movement, Katipunan. The battle led by Captain Thomas Backhouse met resistance from the band of Filipino volunteers led by Francisco de San Juan of Pagsanjan.
Laguna was one of the first eight provinces to rise in revolt against the Spanish rule. The ill-equipped Filipino forces, led by General Paciano Rizal of Calamba, General Severino Taiño of Pagsanjan, General Agueda Kahabagan of Calauan, and General Miguel Malvar of Batangas, fought the Spanish authorities and won – on August 31, 1898, with the surrender of the last Spanish garrison in Sta. Cruz.
On January 23, 1899, Laguna expressed its full support for the First Philippine Republic, which was proclaimed in Malolos, Bulacan. Two citizens of Pagsanjan, Don Higino Benitez and Don Graciano Cordero, were sent to witness and participate in this historic event.
The eruption of the Filipino-American war in 1899-1901 saw Generals Juan Cailles and Paciano Rizal leading the defense of Laguna until surrender was inevitable. Under the American Flag, Cailles was named the first Filipino Governor of Laguna.
After the war, Laguna progressed rapidly in peace. Schools were established, various public services were instituted, and roads were built. In 1917, the Manila Railroad Company extended its line to Laguna, as far as Pagsanjan.
Today, Laguna is a thriving province. Its fertile lands produce millions of pesos’ worth of coconuts, rice, sugar, citrus fruits, lanzones, and other agricultural products. Its tourist spots attract a multitude of foreign and domestic tourists
|
