Santa Cruz, Philippines
Region: Laguna
Geographic Coordinates: 14.599800, 120.980000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Population: 126735
Language: Tagalog
Santa Cruz is a fourth-class municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. It is located on the western coast of Luzon Island and faces the South China Sea. The town has an area of 98 square kilometers and a population of approximately 23, 000 people. Tourists from all over the world visit Santa Cruz for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. Some popular spots include Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, And Silanguin Cove which are accessible only by boat. Aside from its natural beauty, Santa Cruz also has several historical landmarks that showcase its rich culture and heritage.
One such landmark is the St. Michael Archangel Parish Church built during Spanish colonial times in 1607 with stunning Baroque architecture. Another notable attraction in Santa Cruz is the Capones Island Lighthouse built by Spanish authorities in 1890 to guide ships entering Subic Bay. The town’s economy relies heavily on agriculture with rice being one of its primary crops along with corn, Vegetables, Fruits, Coconuts and sugarcane. Fishing is also an important industry with fishermen bringing fresh seafood daily to local markets.
Santa Cruz celebrates several festivals throughout the year including Feast Day celebrations for St Michael Archangel (September) and Our Lady Of Peace And Good Voyage (May). These festivals are colorful events filled with traditional music performances called Kapampangan dances which showcase local traditions passed down through generations.
In recent years Santa Cruz has seen significant growth due to tourism development initiatives by both government agencies as well as private investors who have recognized its potential as a tourist destination leading to increased infrastructure development including new roads connecting different parts of town making it easier for visitors to explore its many attractions. Overall, Santa Cruz offers visitors an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Philippines while learning about its past through stunning beaches, Historical landmarks and vibrant festivals making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Zambales.
- Santa Cruz Church
- Pagsanjan Falls
- Caliraya Lake
- Mount Banahaw
- Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center and Shrine
- Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort
- Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery
- Liliw Church and Footwear Industry
- Taytay Falls
- Lake Pandin
- Agriculture
- Rice
- Corn
- Coconut products
- Livestock
- Fishing
- Tourism
- Beaches
- Mount Pinatubo
- Manufacturing
- Garments
- Other products
- The Battle of Santa Cruz – a significant battle during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule.
- Dr. Jose Rizal – a national hero of the Philippines who visited Santa Cruz in 1881 and wrote about his experiences in his book Noli Me Tangere.
- The Japanese Occupation – during World War II, Santa Cruz was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945.
- President Diosdado Macapagal – born in Lubao, Pampanga but grew up in Santa Cruz where he attended elementary school before moving to Manila for high school.
- The construction of Laguna Lake Highway – a major infrastructure project that connects Metro Manila to Laguna Province and passes through Santa Cruz.
- The town’s patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel – celebrated every September with colorful processions and various festivities.
- The establishment of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) – formerly known as Laguna College of Arts and Trades (LCAT), which is one of the leading universities in Southern Luzon that provides quality education to students from different parts of the country.
- The promotion of ecotourism – due to its natural beauty, scenic spots like Bunga Falls, Bukal Falls, Kalbaryo Hill are being developed into tourist destinations that attract visitors from other places within or outside the province.
- Santa Cruz Church is a historic church that was built in the 1700s.
- Pagsanjan Falls is a popular tourist spot with beautiful waterfalls and scenic views.
- Rizal Shrine is a museum dedicated to the life and works of national hero Jose Rizal.
- Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is an underground cemetery that dates back to the Spanish colonial period.
- Liliw Church is a beautiful church with intricate designs and architecture.
- Taytay Falls is another stunning waterfall located in Majayjay, just outside of Santa Cruz.
- Laguna Provincial Capitol Building is an impressive structure that serves as the seat of government for Laguna province.
- San Pablo City Museum showcases the history and culture of San Pablo City, located just north of Santa Cruz.
- Lake Caliraya is a man-made lake surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for outdoor activities like kayaking or hiking.
- The House of Sweets is a famous local shop known for their delicious halo-halo (a traditional Filipino dessert).
- Santa Cruz Football Club – This is a local football team that participates in various tournaments and leagues in the region.
- Santa Cruz Warriors – Since 2012, the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate team has held training camps and games in Santa Cruz.
- Santa Cruz Skateboards – Richard Novak, Jay Shuirman, and Doug Haut founded this iconic skateboard brand in 1973 in Santa Cruz.
- UCSC Banana Slugs – The University of California’s athletic teams are known as the Banana Slugs and compete at the NCAA Division III level.
- Surfing Community – With its proximity to world-class surf breaks like La Union and Siargao Island, surfing is a popular sport among locals and visitors alike in Santa Cruz.
- Kadaugan sa Mactan Festival: This festival commemorates the historic Battle of Mactan, where Lapu-Lapu, a local chieftain, defeated Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
- Tostado Festival: Celebrated every January, this festival is all about the town’s famous delicacy called tostado – a sweet and crunchy pastry made from rice flour.
- Sinulog sa Santa Cruz: This religious festival is held every third Sunday of January in honor of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus).
- Santa Cruzan: A colorful procession that takes place during the month of May to honor Queen Helena’s search for the Holy Cross.
- Feast Day of St. Isidore Labrador: Celebrated every May 15th, this feast day honors St. Isidore Labrador – the patron saint of farmers and laborers.
- Kasadyaan Festival: A week-long celebration held every August that showcases various cultural performances and competitions such as traditional dances and music.
- Christmas Lantern Parade: Held during Christmas season where different barangays showcase their own lanterns which are judged based on creativity and originality.
- Paskuhan sa Santa Cruz: A month-long celebration held during December which includes parades, concerts, bazaars and other activities to celebrate Christmas season.
Traditional Filipino Dishes
- Adobo – a traditional Filipino dish made with chicken or pork, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and other spices. You can find it at many local eateries.
- Sinigang – a sour soup made with tamarind paste and vegetables such as spinach or kangkong (water spinach). It’s a staple dish in the Philippines.
- Lechon – roasted pig that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It’s often served during special occasions like weddings or fiestas.
- Sisig – a sizzling dish made from chopped pork cheeks, ears, and liver mixed with onions and chili peppers.
- Pansit – stir-fried noodles that can be served as an appetizer or main course.
Popular Restaurants in Santa Cruz
- Kusina ni Mang Urot – a casual eatery that serves Filipino comfort food like adobo and sinigang.
- Balai Ilocos Restaurant – specializes in Ilocano cuisine such as bagnet (crispy pork belly) and pinakbet (vegetable stew).
- Villa Del Sol Resort & Restaurant – offers seafood dishes like grilled squid and shrimp cooked in coconut milk.
- Dencio’s Grill & Restaurant- serves classic Filipino dishes like sisig along with grilled meats and seafood options.
- Angel’s Kitchen- A vegetarian restaurant serving healthy meals using locally sourced ingredients.
- Santa Cruz Beach is a popular public beach where visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Mount Pinagbanderahan is a hiking trail that leads to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the town of Santa Cruz.
- Liliw Falls is a series of cascading waterfalls that are perfect for swimming and picnicking.
- Bunga Falls is another set of waterfalls located in the nearby town of Nagcarlan, which is also great for swimming and relaxing.
- Pagsanjan Falls is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Laguna province, which can be reached by taking a boat ride through a beautiful gorge.
- Lake Caliraya is a man-made lake located near Santa Cruz that offers activities like fishing, boating, wakeboarding, and jet skiing.
- Villa Escudero Plantations & Resort features cultural shows featuring traditional Filipino music and dance performances as well as its buffet lunch served on bamboo tables set in shallow riverbeds.
- Hidden Valley Springs Resort offers natural hot springs surrounded by lush tropical gardens with various pools with varying temperatures to relax in after exploring trails or taking part in outdoor activities such as horseback riding or bird watching tours offered here too!
