LAGUNA: Point of Interest (Historical Landmarks)
Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is the only underground cemetery in the Philippines. It has 276 niches, and is owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Pablo. It was built in 1845 under the auspices of Franciscan Fr. Vicente Velloc. The town’s elite enjoyed the privilege of burial space in this distinctive cemetery. During the revolution against Spain and the war against the United States, the Underground Cemetery was used as a rendezvous of Filipino revolutionaries. Similarly, the cemetery served as a hideout for guerrillas resisting the Japanese occupation in World War II.
In 1981, the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery was declared a National Historical Landmark.
The Museum of the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery highlights the landmark’s heritage aspect: its material components and characteristics and the conservation techniques used by the national historical commission of the Philippines to restore the Cemetery’s chapel and underground crypt.
Pila Heritage Site
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If you want to go back to Spanish era in Philippines Pila Heritage Site will bring you there. It is a usual stop for educational trips in Laguna as it is declared as a national historical landmark. Pila Heritage Site features structures like old churches and houses, making you think like you are back to the Spanish era in the Philippines.
The heritage site in Pila, Laguna is “a living example of a Spanish colonial town as designed by 16th century town planners.” Miraculously, the town of Pila was spared from the bombings during World War II unlike its neighboring towns of Santa Cruz and Pagsanjan, which were reduced to rubble. As such, Pila was called “Bayang Pinagpala” or Blessed Town by the townsfolk.
Rizal Shrine
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The Rizal Shrine is a typical rectangular Bahay na Bato, reminiscent of upper-class Filipino homes built during the Spanish Colonial era. The lower portion is made of adobe stone and brick, while the upper portion consists of hardwood. The original interior flooring of the house was discovered during reconstruction and utilized. It has sliding windows made of capiz shells, the exterior walls are painted green (originally white) and the roof is constructed of red ceramic tile. In June 2009, the National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines) ordered the shrine's repainting to highlight the meaning of Rizal's surname.
The ground floor of the house historically served as a stable for horses and carriages. It contains several exhibits on Rizal's childhood, including exact copies of Rizal's writings, drawings and original baptismal certificate. The upper floor served as the family's living quarters and consisted of: the living room, dining area, bathroom and library. Containing more than 1000 books, a caida serves as Francisco Mercado's library, the largest private library in Calamba at that time. Adjacent to the library is the family's formal dining room, where Rizal's parents hosted guests and other prominent members of the society. The caida is connected to a sala, which leads to three bedrooms: the boys' room (for Jose and Paciano), the girls' room for his 9 sisters and the master bedroom. The biggest among all the rooms, the master bedroom contains the four-poster bed where Rizal was born. Going beyond the sala is an informal dining room or comedor. Prominent in this room is the punkah, a large rectangular Indian fan. Next to the comedor and the azotea is an old well, one of the only surviving features of the original house. Built in 1997, a gallery, library, audio-visual room and shop of Rizal memorabilia reside adjacent to the shrine. The shrine has a large lawn with a replica of the nipa hut and a statue depicting young Rizal with his dog. The statue was constructed in 1996 by Dudley Diaz for the centennial celebration commemorating Rizal's death. The remains of Rizal's parents, Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda, are also located in the shrine.
Japanese Garden
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Head straight to the town of Cavinti and be transported to Japan even without booking a flight. The Japanese Garden in Cavinti serves as a shrine created by the Philippine-Japan Friendship Society in memory of the Japanese soldiers who died during the end of World War II. Add this now to your Laguna tourist spot itinerary.
The Japanese Garden along Lake Caliraya in Cavinti, Laguna is a memorial park built in 1970s by the Japanese government in order to commemorate the Japanese soldiers who died during the Second World War. According to some locals and legends, it is also the burial site of General Yamashita of Yamashita treasure fame. The garden was built as a memorial and a symbol of friendship of the Japanese to the Filipinos.
An altar/shrine (made up of marble) located at an elevated portion of the garden is usually visited by the Japanese to offer prayers and gifts to the spirits of the dead soldiers.
Tatlong Krus
In the town of Paete, famous for its woodcrafts, is a hill called Tatlong Krus, with a refreshing Matabungka Falls cascading from its slopes. This hill is also identified as the Mt. Humarap of Paete since it faces the town as well as Laguna de Bay – but this label is disputed by some locals who say Mt. Humarap is elsewhere. Likewise, locals simply call Matabungka Falls as ‘Talon’, the generic Tagalog term for waterfall. What is clear, however, that this place is another wonderful destination in Laguna’s eastern side. Tatlong Krus is a local pilgrimage spot, frequented during Holy Week. It is also a picnic place for the local youth. Basic facilities such as huts and comfort rooms have been installed. The three crosses themselves face north, fronting the town of Paete beneath, then Laguna de Bay, and finally Mt. Sembrano. The peak of Mt. Tagapo can also be identified.
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