City of Calamba, Philippines

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City of Calamba, Philippines

Region: Laguna

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Geographic Coordinates: 14.216700, 121.167000

Climate: Calamba has a tropical climate with no distinct seasons, but experiences more rainfall from May to October.

Population: 539671

Language: Filipino

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The City of Calamba is a first-class city located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is situated 54 kilometers south of Manila and has a total land area of 14, 573 hectares. The city is named after its patron saint, St. John the Baptist. Calamba City has a rich history and culture, Being the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal, One of the country’s national heroes who fought for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule in the late 19th century. Visitors can explore his ancestral home turned museum that showcases his life and works.

Other attractions that showcase Calamba City’s cultural heritage include Rizal Shrine Park and Museum featuring an exhibit on traditional Filipino costumes and handicrafts; Casa de Segunda which was once owned by Jose Rizal’s grandmother; and Museo ni Jose Rizal which houses various artifacts related to his life. For nature lovers, Mount Makiling National Park offers hiking trails while Lake Caliraya provides water sports activities like kayaking or fishing. Pagsanjan Falls can be reached by boat ride along a river surrounded by lush vegetation.

Calamba City also serves as a hub for commerce and industry with several industrial parks providing employment opportunities to thousands of people living in Calamba City and nearby areas. Access to major highways like South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) makes it accessible to Metro Manila within an hour or less depending on traffic conditions. Two major bus terminals provide transportation to different parts of the country.

Foodies will enjoy trying out specialties such as Buko Pie made from young coconut meat or local dishes such as Sinigang na Hipon (shrimp sour soup), Adobo sa Gata (chicken adobo cooked in coconut milk), And Bicol Express (spicy pork dish). Overall, Calamba City offers visitors a unique blend of history, Culture, Nature, Industry, And cuisine making it an ideal destination for tourists who want to experience the best of what the Philippines has to offer.

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1. Rizal Shrine is a historical landmark and museum that pays tribute to the national hero, Jose Rizal, who was born in Calamba.
2. Mount Makiling is a popular hiking spot that offers breathtaking views of Laguna de Bay and its surroundings.
3. Calamba is famous for its natural hot springs, which are tourist attractions and wellness destinations.
4. Enchanted Kingdom is an amusement park that features rides, shows, and attractions suitable for all ages.
5. Pagsanjan Falls is one of the most renowned natural landmarks in the area located nearby in the town of Pagsanjan.
6. The Church of St. John the Baptist is an old church built during Spanish colonial times that still stands today as a symbol of Calamba’s rich history and culture.
7. The Plaza Complex is a public park with fountains, gardens, statues, and other amenities that attract both locals and tourists alike.
8. Jose Rizal Memorial School Museum- It’s one of Calamba City’s oldest museums showcasing artifacts related to Philippine history particularly about Dr.Jose Rizal’s life story
9. Casa De Segunda- A well-preserved ancestral house turned into museum showcasing traditional Filipino architecture
10. Lake Caliraya- A man-made lake situated between Cavinti,Laguna,Lumban & Kalayaan Towns providing water sports activities such as kayaking,jet skiing etc

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1. Manufacturing – The city is a hub for manufacturing with many factories producing electronics, automotive parts, food products and other goods. These factories are located in various industrial parks throughout the city.
2. Tourism – Calamba is a popular tourist destination due to its numerous attractions such as the Rizal Shrine (birthplace of national hero Jose Rizal), hot springs resorts like Pansol and Los Baños as well as theme parks like Enchanted Kingdom.
3. Agriculture – The city has a thriving agricultural sector that produces crops such as rice, corn, vegetables fruits and livestock.
4. Retail – There are several malls and shopping centers in Calamba offering a wide range of products from local to international brands.
5. Service sector – The service industry in the city includes banking institutions healthcare facilities like hospitals clinics hotels restaurants catering to tourists visiting the area among others.
6. Education – With several universities located within or near the city limits including University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Calamba Campus (UPHSD), Don Bosco College – Canlubang (DBCC) among others; education is also an important contributor to the economy here.

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1. Birthplace of Jose Rizal: The national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal was born in Calamba on June 19, 1861. His birthplace is now a national shrine and museum.
2. Japanese Occupation: During World War II, Calamba was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945.
3. Industrialization: In the late 20th century, Calamba became an industrial hub with the establishment of various manufacturing companies such as Honda and Nestle.
4. Gat Jose Rizal Monument: A monument dedicated to Jose Rizal stands in front of the city hall as a tribute to his contributions to Philippine history.
5. Hot Springs: The city is known for its hot springs that are believed to have therapeutic properties.
6. Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora): A revolutionary heroine during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonization, Melchora Aquino also known as Tandang Sora lived in Calamba before her death at age 107.
7. Lake Sampaloc: Located within the city limits is Lake Sampaloc which provides water supply for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
8. Juan Cailles- He was a Filipino general who served under Emilio Aguinaldo during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and later served under Aguinaldo’s government until his capture by American forces during the Philippine–American War in November 1900.
9. Manuel Quezon- He was a Filipino statesman, soldier and politician who served as president of Commonwealth Republic from 1935 until his death in August 1944.
10. Gat Andres Bonifacio-He was a Filipino revolutionary leader who founded Katipunan which sought independence from Spain through armed revolt.He spent some time hiding out in Mount Nagpatong in Calamba.

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1. Rizal Shrine: This museum is located at the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. It showcases his life and works.
2. Museo ni Jose Rizal Calamba: This museum is dedicated to the life and works of Jose Rizal and is located in Calamba city proper.
3. Calamba Church: This historic church was built during the Spanish colonial period and is known for its beautiful architecture and religious significance.
4. Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort: A popular eco-tourism destination that features a museum showcasing Filipino culture, plantation tours, and a waterfall restaurant experience.
5. The National Arts Center: A government-run center for arts education that offers workshops and performances in various disciplines including theater, dance, music, visual arts, literature.
6. Bahay Kalakal (Trade House) Museum: This restored 19th-century building served as a trading post for Chinese merchants in Calamba.
7. Gat Tayaw’s Old House & Restaurant – An ancestral house turned restaurant that serves traditional Filipino cuisine while preserving its heritage charm.
8. Paciano Mercado Park- Named after Dr.Jose P.Rizal’s elder brother who was also an important figure during the Philippine Revolution against Spain.
9. Lake Pandin- One of Laguna province’s hidden gems where visitors can enjoy nature at its finest by swimming or kayaking on this serene lake surrounded by lush trees.

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1. Rizal Day is a national holiday celebrated on December 30th to honor the life and works of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal who was born in Calamba.
2. Flores de Mayo is a month-long celebration held in May to honor the Virgin Mary with parades and pageants featuring colorful floral floats.
3. Coconut Festival is also held in May, celebrating the importance of coconuts to the local economy with street dances and food fairs.
4. Pista ng San Juan Bautista takes place on June 24th, honoring St. John the Baptist through processions and traditional games.
5. Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival occurs on September 27th-28th as a tribute to local hero Gat Tayaw featuring cultural performances and a parade of giant slippers or tsinelas.
6. Kalayaan Festival takes place from June 12th-15th, celebrating Philippine Independence Day with concerts, street parties, and fireworks displays.
7. Feast of Our Lady of Turumba happens every September 8th-9th as an annual pilgrimage to honor the patron saint of Pakil town in Calamba through processions and religious rites.
8. Buhayani Festival commemorates Bonifacio Day from November 30th-December 2nd by showcasing Calamba’s rich history through cultural presentations and exhibits.
9. Christmas celebrations include Simbang Gabi (night masses) from December 16-24; Noche Buena (Christmas Eve feast); Misa de Gallo (dawn mass) on Christmas Day; caroling; parol-making contests; among others

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1. Buko pie – A popular local pastry made with young coconut meat and sweet custard filling. Some popular places to try this include The Original Buko Pie Bakeshop and Colette’s Buko Pie.
2. Sinaing na Tulingan – A slow-cooked dish made with tuna, vinegar, and spices. It is commonly served in restaurants like Kusina Salud and Kanin Club.
3. Adobo – A classic Filipino dish made with chicken or pork cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and other spices. You can find it at many local eateries including Adobo Connection and Max’s Restaurant.
4. Sinigang – A sour soup made with tamarind or other sour fruits, vegetables, and meat or seafood. Try it at Batangas Bulalo House or Gerry’s Grill.
5. Lechon Kawali – Deep-fried pork belly that is crispy on the outside but tender on the inside. Popular places to try this include Isdaan Floating Restaurant and Kamayan sa Palaisdaan.
6. Halo-halo – A refreshing dessert made with shaved ice, milk, various fruits like banana or jackfruit, beans like mung beans or kidney beans topped off with ube (purple yam) ice cream! You can find it at Razon’s of Guagua or Nathaniel’s Bakeshop.
7. Tapsilog- a breakfast staple consisting of beef tapa (cured beef), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and sunny-side up egg usually served all day long! Try it at Tapsi ni Vivian!
8. Bulalo- a hearty soup dish consisting of beef shank boiled for hours along with vegetables such as corn on the cob , bok choy , onions etc.. Try it out at Rose & Grace Restaurant
9. Pinakbet- a vegetable stew consisting of squash , okra , bitter melon, eggplant and string beans cooked with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). You can find it at Kanin Club or Kusina Salud.
10. Sisig- a sizzling dish made from chopped pig’s face and ears, seasoned with calamansi juice, onions and chili peppers. Try it out at Aling Taleng’s!

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1. Rizal Park is a popular public park situated in the heart of Calamba City. It features a statue of national hero Jose Rizal.
2. Bucal-Bucalan Public Swimming Pool is located in Barangay Bucal and offers affordable rates for families and individuals who want to enjoy swimming.
3. Mount Makiling National Park is a protected area that offers hiking trails, camping sites, picnic areas, and natural hot springs for visitors to enjoy.
4. Nuvali Evoliving is an eco-friendly community that provides various recreational activities such as biking, fishing, kayaking, and bird watching for tourists.
5. Laguna Sports Complex is a sports facility that hosts numerous events and tournaments throughout the year to promote physical activity among people of all ages.
6. The Greenhouse at Casa San Pablo is an organic farm and garden that conducts workshops on gardening and sustainable living practices to educate people about eco-friendly lifestyles.
7. Calamba City Plaza is a historic public park with landscaped gardens and fountains located near the city hall which serves as an ideal spot for relaxation or picnics with family or friends.
8. Ayala Greenfield Golf Course features an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., offering scenic views of Mount Makiling while playing golf amidst lush greenery surroundings.

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