Spaniards found the Tagalogs living in large settlements along the shores of Laguna de Bay and trading with the Chinese when they first visited the region in 1571. One of the largest settlements, Bay was a center of trade and became the first capital of the province. It is after this settlement that the lake is so named. Augustinian, and later Franciscan, missionaries converted the people to Christianity and settled the population into towns.

Due to the proximity of the province to Manila, and the productivity of its soil, it became an early source of foodstuff for the city of Manila. Large friar owned haciendas were established in the western part of the province supplying rice and livestock to the capital. Chinese and Chinese mestizo traders plying the route to Manila established residence in some of the more important towns like Biñan, Pagsanjan and Santa Cruz.

Important events that affected the country also affected the towns of Laguna. In 1603 and 1639, Chinese uprisings severely affected the towns of the province. The 1639 revolt began in the hacienda of Calamba and spread to other towns around the lake. During the British invasion in 1762-1764, British troops invaded portions of Laguna in search of loot from the galleon Philippino.

In 1840, Apolinario de la Cruz, who was popularly known as Hermano Pule, led a popular movement against Spanish repression in and around Mount Banahaw. The last stand of his followers was made in the vicinity of Nagcarlan where the Spanish forces routed Hermano Pule's followers. His legacy lives on among the various religious groups that dwell around the holy mountain.

National hero Jose Rizal was born in the town of Calamba. His family and dozens of other Filipino families were involved in an agrarian conflict with the Dominican friars. The conflict was a major theme of scathing criticisms leveled by Rizal and other Filipino propagandists against Spanish misrule. The extreme measures taken by the Spanish government in ejecting the Filipino tenants in 1891 drove many Filipinos to fully support calls for reform and independence.

Laguna was one of the first eight provinces to rise in revolt. On August 31,1898 last Spanish garrison in Sta. Cruz surrendered to Filipino troops. Laguna expressed its full support to the First Philippine Republic declared in Malolos, Bulacan. During the Filipino-American War from 1899-1901, Laguna was a major battlefield between American and Filipino troops. Laguna's revolutionaries conducted one of the most successful guerrilla campaigns in the country but the struggle was eventually abandoned after the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901. Civilian government was established in June 1902.

Laguna became a center of guerrilla resistance to Japanese occupation from 1942-1945. During the American efforts to liberate the Philippines, Laguna towns suffered tremendously, as the Japanese military retaliated against the pro-American sympathies of the people. Many towns were burned and the civilian population massacred.

While development and industrialization is transforming the economy of the province, Laguna with its picturesque scenery, quaint small towns and laid back pace, retains the idyllic grace of rural Philippine life. The province has, traditionally, been the refuge of weary city-dwellers that come to Laguna for a needed change of pace.

Each town revolves around the central plaza where the centuries-old Spanish church stands vanguard. Some of the most beautiful and best-preserved churches can be seen in Laguna. Majayjay Church in the foothills of Mount Banahaw, is a very massive structure with a very tall belfry from where the surrounding countryside can be viewed clearly. Antique statues of saints adorn the church and interesting relief carvings embellish the church exterior. The church at Pakil is a graceful colonial baroque structure that houses more than a dozen antique icons of saints. A painting by 19^th century painter Jose Dans depicting the fires of hell also lends a somber atmosphere to the church. Paete Church is a monument to the prowess of indigenous woodcarvers whose statues and carvings adorn the baroque altarpiece. The church of Nagcarlan is unique in its use of old ceramic tiles in adorning the interior. Nagcarlan also has a unique underground crypt that lies within its ancient cemetery.

The churches are the focal point of colorful festivals honoring the patron saints. Pakil is especially famous for its observance of the Turumba, a festival honoring La Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). This celebration dates back to 1640 when a fisherman found the statuette of the Virgin floating in the lake. The image is borne on the shoulders of women devotees and brought to the seashore and back to the Catholic Church in a festive grand procession while bands play and the people dance.

Many towns are also known for unique products or crafts, making visits to these towns a fulfilling cultural and tourist experience. Paete is famous for its woodcraft and papier maché crafts. Pakil is noted for a unique type of filigree woodwork. Majayjay and Luisiana produce fine pandan and buri mats. Lumban excels in fine embroidery and needlework. Liliw is known for its footwear and uraro (arrowroot) biscuits. Santa Cruz is the source of kesong puti (white cheese) Los Baños is synonymous to buko (young coconut) pie and Biñan traditionally produces a very moist variety of rice cake known as puto biñan.

Laguna is resort province that offers not only the beauty of its surroundings, but also mineral springs, lakes and waterfalls. During the Spanish times, Los Baños was the home of a friar run spa called the Aguas Santas or Holy Waters. Hot springs that flow from out of Mount Makiling's foothills have fed hundreds of resorts in the town as well as in neighboring Calamba. Pagsanjan is the most popular tourist destination in Laguna, what with its rapids deftly traversed by small bancas manned by agile boatmen. The trip culminates at on of the river's many falls. San Pablo is the city of seven lakes and along Sampaloc Lake, one can dine on freshly caught tilapia from the numerous pens in the lake.

The province is also enveloped in indigenous mystical tradition. Mount Makiling, the 1090 meter mountain that rises above Los Baños, is said to be the abode of the goddess/fairy named Mariang Makiling who bestows favors upon people with pure hearts and who protects the forests that cover the mountain. Mount Banahaw along the border with Quezon is considered a powerful mystical energy source and dozens of indigenous cults, mystics, spiritualists and pilgrims live in the mountain's shadow to draw from this energy.

Proximity to Metropolitan Manila, allows Laguna to make full use of its resource to march towards industrialization. The province is prime agricultural land. Its fertile soil and favorable climate provide bountiful harvests of rice, coconut, sugarcane, bamboo, fruits and vegetables, cutflowers and ornamental plants and excess production finds its way to Metro Manila. The 900,000-hectare Laguna de Bay, as well as smaller lakes and inland fishponds supply the fresh water fish needs of Laguna and the nearby provinces.

The province has one of the most extensive infrastructure systems among the country's provinces. The province is accessible from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway, while the Philippine National Railway services some of the towns along the route to Southern Luzon. The province has a full complement 825 kilometers of national, provincial, city and municipal roads that are fully developed and well-maintained. Twelve operators provide land-based telephone service while three firms allow cellular telephone connections. Power and water supplies are adequate to meet the needs of industry. There are 117 banking and financial institutions operating in the province.

Laguna is pushing for industrialization and is encouraging investments in industrial and manufacturing concerns along the southern growth corridor, which links Metro Manila and the port of Batangas. There are six major industrial estates that helped made the province as the premier location for high-technology manufacturing activities. These industrial estates provide investors all the services and amenities they require, such as power, water, telecommunications, sewerage, waste water treatment facilities, and commercial and residential areas.

At the same time, Laguna seeks to match industrial development in the west by strengthening the participation of eastern towns in complementary endeavors. The province continues to promote its traditional industries. These thriving industries, such as woodworking, food processing, footwear and garments manufacture can support additional investments geared towards the export market. High-value crop production, like cutflowers, fruits and vegetables can complement the expanding requirements of the industrial zone.

Tourism remains a viable investment area because of its scenic beauty, abundance of water resources, mild climate and rustic charm. The province provides numerous opportunities for investments in resort and hotel development, theme parks, restaurants and other tourist support industries.

As the province of Laguna marches towards industrialization, there is an increasing need to ensure that food production keeps in pace with demand. Ensuring food security has been a major concern of the provincial government and a program has been focused in such a way that each family may have a reliable source of foodstuff.

The FAITH or Food Always in the Home was launched by the provincial government in coordination and partnership with municipal and barangay officials specifically to reach the families. Educational programs, technical assistance and agricultural inputs have been channeled through various municipal and barangay offices to extend the province's program to families. Family members were obliged to join in one or more local organizations, like the Girl Scouts and the Kababaihang Lingkod Bayan ng Laguna, that are affiliated with FAITH. Through these organizations additional information and assistance are also conveyed. A demonstration farm was also established in Santa Cruz to allow the people to see the viable models for backyard farms.

With the FAITH program in place, the province hopes to secure food in each Laguna home even in the face of future economic uncertainties.

Development Initiative Highlights:

• To continue to attract light and medium industries to locate in the southern growth corridor of CALABARZON

• To complement the urban and rural economies of the province and promote a balanced development of both

• To reduce incidence of poverty

• To generate more employment and business opportunities