San Pablo’s café by the lake Year-round Roman Catholic spectacles in Laguna

A guide to Laguna’s Visita Iglesia (Part 1)

CalaEx Laguna part

set to open in July

Laguna’s explosive growth

Laguna mom, others urge UN

not to delist desaparecidos

LN_v1n10.indd 1 02/04/2019 11:24 AM

 2 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 10

Laguna mom, others urge UN not to delist desaparecidos

Desaparecidos (Families
of the Disappeared for
Justice) appealed to the
United Nations Working
Group on Enforced or In-
voluntary Disappearance
(UN-WGEID) not to ac-
cept the Philippine gov-
ernment’s move to delist
the desaparecidos.
Signed by 24 relatives
of victims of enforced
disappearance across the
years, from the Marcos
dictatorship up to the
Erlinda Cadapan has been searching for her daughter Sherlyn Duterte government, the
since 2006. (Photo by Bulatlat.com) letter appealed to Ber-
nard Duhaime, chairman
RELATIVES of several desaparecidos, and rapporteur of the WGEID, “not to ac-
among them the mother of one missing cept the said proposal, and hear the voice
activist from Laguna, have petitioned of the families of the victims who have
the United Nations to reject the Philip- been searching and seeing justice for our
pine government’s attempt to delist 625 missing loved ones — the same families of
victims of enforced disappearances from victims who sought for the help of the UN
1975 to 2012. WGEID many years back to raise the issue
In a letter, the human rights group of enforced or involuntary disappearance
in the Philippines.”
Among the signatories was Erlinda
Cadapan, mother of Sherlyn Cadapan
from Los Baños who was abducted by sol-
diers in 2006 along with Karen Empeño.
They pointed out in the letter that “even
with the existence of a law criminaliz-
ing enforced disappearance, there is no
assurance that justice will be obtained:
justice which means the abducted will be
surfaced and the perpetrators brought to
justice.”
They expressed the fear from that,
“from our experience with the Philippine
justice system, we know that unless the
institutions cooperate and comply, the
laws are useless.”
Delisting the desaparecidos, they said,
“runs contrary to the state’s so-called
‘adherence to the principles and stan-
dards’ set by the nation’s laws as well as
international instruments that provide a
venue for victims to seek justice outside
the country. It defeats the purpose of
providing relief and respite for victims of
enforced disappearance so they may be
surfaced, their rights recognized, and
for justice to be served.”
Among the signatories of the letter
were Edita Burgos, mother of missing
farmer-activist Jonas Burgos, and Con-
cepcion Empeño, mother of Karen.
They also complained about “slow
justice” under the current Duterte gov-
ernment that, they said, vilifies the dis-
appeared despite their continued disap-
pearance.
“We respectfully hope that the UN
WGEID echo the stand of the families
of victims as the Philippine government
has yet to fully implement the said laws
and its provided mechanisms. We re-
spectfully ask the UN Working Group on
Enforced or Involuntary Disappearanc-
es to visit the country and investigate the
cases. Even before giving audience to the
proposal to ‘delist’ the victims, we ap-
peal to the UN WGEID to hear the fami-
lies of the victims on the ground. We ask
to maintain the list of the 625 victims,
and raise this concern to the Philippine
government,” the relatives said. L

CalaEx Laguna segment scheduled to open in July

CalaEx (left) is expected to ease traffic in the provinces of Laguna and Cavite. (MPTC photo)
THE construction of the Laguna seg-
ment of the Cavite Laguna Expressway
(CalaEx) is in full swing and is expected
to open to the public in three months,
officials said last week. Meanwhile, the
construction of the Cavite segment of the
45-kilometer expressway has started with
the groundbreaking on March 27 of the
portion of the highway that will connect
the two provinces.
Officials of MPCala Holdings Inc. (MP-
Cala), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Toll-
ways Corporation (MPTC), attended the
groundbreaking in Imus, Cavite, of the
27-kilometer segment of the expressway.
The construction of the Laguna seg-
ment is ongoing and is expected to be
finished and opened by July next year. Of-
ficials said the Cavite segment would be
completed by July 2022.
“With the Laguna segment well under-
way and substantially completed by July
of this year, we will simultaneously push
for the Cavite segment to meet Laguna in
a timely manner, completing the project
by 2022,” public works secretary Mark
Villar said during the groundbreaking
ceremony last week. MPCala earlier an-
nounced that the Laguna segment would
open by July.
The Cavite segment starts from Kawit,
Cavite, and will traverse the Imus Open
Canal, Governor’s Drive, Dasmariñas,
Aguinaldo Highway, and Silang. It will
connect to the Laguna segment that starts
in Santa Rosa exiting to Mamplasan in
Biñan town toward the South Luzon Ex-
pressway (SLEx).
“We are pleased that our project is
moving as it should and jobs are being
generated. As a socially responsible cor-
porate citizen, we would like to add value
to our presence, not just in terms of bring-
ing solutions to the traffic congestion but
as a source of livelihood for the provinces
of Cavite and Laguna,” Roberto Bontia,
MPCala president and general manager,
said in a statement.
He added that the Laguna segment now
in full swing would employ up to 1,200
people. Bontia expects the Cavite segment
to generate “close to 1,300 sites and office
personnel.”
The Laguna segment begins at the
Government officials and proponents of the CalaEx (right) during the March 27 groundbreaking
ceremony in Imus, Cavite. From left: DPWH undersecretary Catalina E. Cabral; J. Luigi L. Bautista,
president of MPT North; Rodrigo E. Franco, president of MPTC; DPWH secretary Mark Villar; Cavite
governor Boying Remulla; Cavite congressman Alex “AA” Advincula; Imus City vice mayor Arnel
Cantimbuhan; Christopher C. Lizo, COO and CFO of MPT South; Arturo H. Monge, vice president
for tollways development and engineering of MPT South. (Contributed photo)
toll barrier coming from SLEx while the barrier-less entry at the toll gates.
Cavite segment starts at the Silang Inter- An improved RFID system, which will
change. Motorists will be charged Php4.5 result in higher and more efficient lane
per kilometer once the four-lane Laguna throughput, will also be in place, as well
segment opens. CalaEx will have eight in- as sensors that will detect overloaded ve-
terchanges. hicles. IP-based speed detection Cameras
CalaEx, which is among the first “pri- and high-definition CCTVs cover the en-
vate-public partnership” projects initi- tire expressway for traffic monitoring and
ated by the previous administration of incident detection.
President Noynoy Aquino, is expected to CalaEx will connect to Cavitex and the
cut travel time from 2.5 hours to under C5-South Link which will make trans-
45minutes and will help decongest the fers from Laguna, Cavite, Las Piñas,
streets of the two provinces. It is sup- Parañaque and CP Garcia Avenue seam-
posed to serve approximately 50,000 mo- less, officials said.
torists every day. Earlier, the project proponents closed a
Php24.2-billion loan agreement between
World-class features MPCALA and a group of banks composed
The estimated cost for the Cavite seg- of BDO Unibank Inc., UnionBank of the
ment is at Php12 billion and will have state- Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Is-
of-the-art, world-class features to ensure lands, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.,
safety and security for motorists. Among Land Bank of the Philippines and Secu-
these features is the “Automatic License rity Bank Corp. MPCala was awarded a
Plate Recognition System” that provides 35-year concession to build and operate
additional vehicle identification to enable CalaEx. L

LN_v1n10.indd 2 02/04/2019 11:24 AM

 April 4 - 10, 2019
PART 1 A guide to Laguna’s Visita Iglesia
Laguna’s centuries-old churches are the perfect venues for the annual Visita Iglesia, when faith, culture, and tradition take centerstage.
Story and photos by NEAL ANDREI LALUSIN
OF all the Holy Week customs that fascinates people, the
Visita Iglesia stands out. In Laguna, buses of devotees
from different provinces visit at least seven churches to
recite different sets of prayers. Some say the rosary, some
pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but most recite
the 14 stations of the cross.
During the Visita Iglesia, a devotee visits seven to 14
churches in order to commemorate the Passion of Jesus
Christ on Maundy Thursday, the day of the Last Sup-
per.  It is based on the first sorrowful mystery of the Bi-
ble, in which Jesus asks three of His disciples — Peter,
James, and John — to accompany him and keep vigil, but
they fall asleep thrice. Judas then kisses Jesus in an act of
betrayal. This is the beginning of the Lord’s Passion. In
the Visita Iglesia, the faithful keep vigil with Jesus.
Here, we give you glimpses of the churches in Laguna
for the Visita Iglesia.
First church: Saint John the Baptist
Parish Church (Calamba City)
This church is in the middle of a very crowded city. It
might be tough to visit on busy days but the place overall
is easy to walk around in. On the right side, you can find
the Garden of Gethsemane with its life-sized Stations of
the Cross. The  Balon ng Pagbabalik Loob  (Well of Re-
pentance) can also be found in the garden.
Inside the stone church is a beautiful array of décor.
Baroque pillars support the altar walls, with the images
of saints and Jesus on the cross gorgeously lit during
Mass. On the right side of the church entrance, an ad-
oration chapel can be found with a sculpture inside of
the Mahal na Senior Hesus Nazareno, along with other
religious sculptures.
There hasn’t been any record left of the church’s history
earlier than the day when Jose Rizal was baptized here.
The parish was formed in 1779 but the stone church wasn’t
built until 1859 and was sadly destroyed in 1945 during
World War II. Father Angel Villaruz, the first Filipino
priest, served in the church in 1901 and the next 43 years.
Second church: Immaculate Conception
Parish Church (Los Baños)
The image of the Immaculate Conception in the chapel
has been full of mystery. It has been said that the image
can sometimes be seen with amor seco, a type of weed
whose seeds can get stuck in the hair or fabric upon con-
tact. Foot prints leading up to the altar are also said to
have been found, too, as well as the Virgin’s damp robes
that are sometimes even soaked in water.
LN_v1n10.indd 3
Built originally as a hospital chapel 20 years after the
discovery of hot springs by San Pedro Bautista (hence Los
Baños) in 1590, the then-called Aguas Santas was built
to solve the lack of churches here until 1613. It was de-
stroyed by fire in 1727 and the succeeding chapel, built
with  nipa  and cane, was engulfed by fire as well. The
stone church was built in its place in 1790 and has had
various renovations since then.
Third church: Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish
(Alaminos)
In the quiet town of Alaminos, infamous these days for
its heavy traffic, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish (Our
Lady of Pilar Parish) can be located just by the highway.
A very spacious church, it has pristine images of saints,
along with the Holy Trinity, the Lady of Pilar and Virgin
Mary.
The church was built in 1815, when Alaminos was just
a barangay of San Pablo City. It is said that an image of
the Virgin Mary of Pilar miraculously appeared in a well
east of Alaminos, prompting many devotees to troop to
the town to pray. The Lady of Pilar image went missing
for almost half a decade but was recovered last February
27, 2018.
Fourth church: Catedral Parroquia de San Pablo
el Primer Ermitaño (San Pablo City)
Just like Calamba City’s Saint John the Baptist Parish
Church, the Catedral Parroquia de San Pablo el Primer
Ermitaño (Saint Paul, the First Hermit Cathedral Parish)
is a very packed church. Easily found in the middle of
the city, it is a very convenient place for devotees to visit.
LagunaNow 3
The cathedral was built out of wood in 1586, the same
year the city was renamed to San Pablo de las Montes to
honor Saint Paul the First Hermit. A second stone church
was built from 1618 to 1629.
Inside the cathedral is a long aisle with little sunlight
pouring in, keeping a quiet atmosphere for devotees to
easily find solitude. However, the age of the cathedral is
showing as the paint on the walls is starting to fade. Al-
gae is also growing on the cornerstones of the pillars.
Fifth church: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle
Parish Church
(Nagcarlan)
Many will remember this church in the 1974 mov-
ie Kampanerang Kuba starring Vilma Santos, as well as
the 2005 TV series remake starring Anne Curtis. This is
a massive fort-like church, with its front designed as a
park. Built in 1752, it was partially ruined by fire in 1781.
With a four-story bell tower, brick-laden walls inside out,
and a glorious altar striking beauty in your eyes as you
enter the church, it is a wonder to behold.  
The church is very close to the Nagcarlan Underground
Cemetery, a national historical landmark and museum,
making a quick stopover quite tempting.
Sixth church: San Antonio de Padua Parish
Church (Pila)
Part of the Pila Historic Town Center, which comprises
35 old houses and the original town center of Pila, La-
guna, the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church was pro-
claimed as a national historical landmark in 2002. Built
originally in Pagalangan (known today as Victoria) back
in 1617, it was transferred to Pila in 1800.
It is most known for its historic value, as well as the site
of the first Sacred Heart of Jesus monument in Laguna.
The inside of the church has an unspoiled atmosphere;
entering the church brings the visitor a sense of peace.
Seventh church: Santa Maria
Magdalena Parish Church
(Magdalena)
Dedicated to Mary Magdalene, the woman who trav-
eled with Jesus and witnessed His crucifixion, burial,
and resurrection, the church was originally built out
of cogon grass and wood in 1820. In building the stone
church starting in 1829, townsfolk were forced to pay
taxes and quarry sand and stone from the river. The con-
struction was halted 10 years later but was continued in
1849 and was finished in 1855. The church’s convent is
said to have blood stains from the Filipino revolutionary
leader Emilio Jacinto.  L
02/04/2019 11:24 AM
 4 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 10

Processions, parades
Laguna is a province of rich culture
and heritage. Though urbanization, mod-
ernization, and gentrification are slowly

Year-round Roman Catholi

creeping into the towns, a number of
Roman Catholic festivals and celebra-
tions that date back to the Spanish era
still endure. Most of these events are in
the fourth-district towns, which are still
mostly rural. Witnessing these events is By KIMMY BARAO
like traveling back in time. Get a taste of
the old Laguna through these religious
observances.
Lupi in Lumban
January 20 marks Lumban’s town fi-
esta honoring Sebastian the Martyr, the
patron saint of policemen, soldiers, and
athletes. Celebrations start on the eve
of January 20, when townspeople, after
Mass, would carry the statue of Saint Se-
bastian from the San Sebastian Chapel
down to the Pagsanjan River that flows
through the town. The figure would be
placed on a decorated boat, which would
travel to the edge of the town and back.
The image would then be brought to the
San Sebastian Parish Church.
While the procession takes place, the
locals would splash water on their own
Saint Sebastian statues displayed outside
their homes, and sometimes on each oth-
er and passersby.
Saint Francis of Assisi was the town’s
original patron saint. According to leg-
end, a statue of Saint Sebastian was found
by the riverbank. The locals learned that Lumban locals splash water on a Saint Sebastian statue (left) during the eve of the town fiesta. Male penitents in Pakil (right) prepare for their annual self-flagellation on
(File photos by Chris Quintana)
it came from the adjacent town of Pagsan-
jan, so they returned it. Soon, the figure “Martir sa Golgota,” a dramatization of can see. They whip their backs with wood- Turumba in Pakil
found its way back to Lumban. The saint en pegs, usually in an upward direction,
the life of Jesus Christ. It starts with the The months of March or April signal
was adopted as the town’s patron since. moving to a silent rhythm that makes it
Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary the beginning of the longest religious
The last Sunday of January is the cul-
and ends with the Last Supper. The be- look like they’re dancing. festival in the Philippines. Spanning six
mination of the town fiesta celebration.
trayal of Jesus Christ up to his crucifixion Flagellants in Pakil use dried banana to seven months, the Turumba Festival
Called Lupi or Paligong Poon, the cel-
is performed on Good Friday. leaves for their skirts, and some also don attracts devotees from nearby towns and
ebration includes a fluvial parade along
the Pagsanjan River, with locals splashing a headdress made of palm leaves. Like the provinces like Quezon and Batangas.
Good Friday flagellation ones in Kalayaan, the penitents’ faces are
water on Saint Sebastian statues, visitors, According to church records, it was in
in Kalayaan and Pakil covered with cloth. Most of them are in
and fellow locals. Lupi is a Filipino word September of 1788 when a group of fish-
During Holy Week, especially on Good worn-out shirts with a portion cut out to ermen saw a framed image of the Our
that means “fold” or “to close.” This year’s
Friday, most streets are empty, but not in expose the back. The penitents also whip Lady of Sorrows floating in Laguna Lake.
Lupi was celebrated last January 27.
the towns of Kalayaan and Pakil where their backs with wooden pegs, usually The framed image is believed to have be-
Maundy Thursday Paete scrimmage male locals take to the streets and flagel- sideways. longed to a Franciscan missionary whose
During Maundy Thursday, groups of late themselves. Penitents do flagellation The Pakil penitents are members of Hu- vessel was ravaged by a storm. The fish-
male Paete locals roam the streets, clad in as a form of penance for sins committed gas Dugo, an all-male group of locals who ermen were unsuccessful in getting hold
centurion costumes, which usually con- or akò (taking the burden), in hopes of do self-flagellation every Lent. The group of the image but the next day, a group of
sist of a tunic underneath a leather armor, healing a sick loved one. has been in existence since at least the ‘80s. female locals saw it on top of a rock. They
sandals, and sometimes a cape. There’s a In Kalayaan, the flagellants wear skirts Locals are used to this annual bloody tried to lift the frame but it did not budge.
Filipino twist to this foreign religious tra- and headdresses made of woven palm ritual, but sensitive tourists might find it a The female locals went to the church to
dition: Instead of wielding a Roman gla- leaves that adorned with bougainvillea bit discomforting. The penitents consider inform the parish priest about the image.
dius, the costumed men carry arnis sticks flowers. Their faces are covered with cloth this a solemn act and do it out of faith and The priest called upon the cantor, sacris- Devotees ra
made of yantok (rattan). or an old shirt with holes cut out so they devotion, not as a mere spectacle. tans, and other churchgoers and proceed-
The groups start
roaming the streets in
the morning and be-
come more and more
visible downtown after
lunch. At the plaza, lo-
cals and tourists gather
and wait for the 3 pm
Lenten performance
onstage.
Once these groups
chance upon each other
at a street corner near
the plaza, a melee en-
sues. A first-time visitor
would think that a real
fight had broken out
due to the impromptu
nature of the scrim-
mages (there is no cho-
reography). The skir-
mishes showcase the
men’s skills in arnis, a
form of martial art.
The fights are a pre- Male locals dressed as centurions (left) stage a fight using arnis sticks on Maundy Thursday at the Paete town plaza. Older women in floral dresses and male locals of Barangay San Anton
lude to the main show, in Bay (right) participate in the Eleher in honor of the village’s patron saint. (File photo by Chris Quintana)

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 April 4 - 10, 2019 LagunaNow 5

des, and flagellations:

lage of San Antonio in Bay town through
a simple thanksgiving parade, the Eleher.
Originally called Pinagsimbahan, Ba-

holic spectacles in Laguna

rangay San Antonio is a fishing commu-
nity along the coast of Laguna Lake, and it
is said to be the original settlement of the
town. Residents of Pinagsimbahan recov-
ered a statue of Saint Anthony from the
MMY BARAOIDAN lake and adopted the saint’s name since.
The Eleher honors the village’s patron
which is the culmination of saint. It also serves to appease the lake
the Turumba Festival and spirits who are believed to claim the lives
the anniversary of the dis- of local fisherfolk, according to legend.
covery of the framed image, Participants of the Eleher are mostly
will be celebrated on Sep- older women of the community clad
tember 15. in traditional floral dress with match-
ing hats. They dance on the streets to
Flores de Mayo and the music played by a marching band.
Santacruzan Some men, who cross-dress, also join the
The Spaniards intro- thanksgiving parade. They take the place
duced Flores de Mayo of the women who have grown too old to
and Santacruzan around participate. A statue of Saint Anthony,
the mid-1800s. Flores de which is carried by a local, leads the danc-
Mayo (Flowers of May) is ing women and men.
celebrated throughout the Fiesta del Pilar in Alaminos
month of May to honor the
October 12 is the feast day of the Virgen
Virgin Mary. Girls dressed
Del Pilar in Alaminos. A series of celebra-
in white offer flowers to the
tions occur nine days leading up to the
church altar and sprinkle
feast day to honor the Virgin Mary.
petals on their way.
The town’s original patron saint was
The Santacruzan (Holy
Saint Joachim (San Joaquin), father of
Cross) is the culmination
the Virgin Mary. “However, a small ivory
of the month-long celebra-
and wood image of Our Lady of the Pil-
tion, which commemorates lar was retrieved from one of the town’s
self-flagellation on Good Friday. Devotees toss petals toward the statue of the Virgin Mary in Alaminos during a home- Empress Helena’s search wells, and many favors have been received
coming celebration. (File photo by Kimmy Baraoidan) for the cross on which Jesus by praying to Our Lady.
In gratitude, the town
has made her the pa-
troness of the church
and the town,” said Je-
rome Cayton Barradas,
social communication
coordinator of the Our
Lady of the Pillar Par-
ish Church.
The celebrations be-
gin with a novena from
October 3 to October
11. During these days
that lead up to the 12th,
afternoon novenas and
Masses are held, fol-
lowed by an evening
procession around
town, according to Bar-
radas. “With lit candles
in their hands, devotees
Devotees raise their hands up toward the statue of the Virgin Mary (right) in Pakil during the Turumba procession. (File photo by Kimmy Baraoidan) Devotees close in on the statue of accompany the patron-
the Virgin Mary (left) in Pakil during the Turumba procession. (File photos by Chris Quintana) ess while singing the
‘Dalit sa Birhen,’ the
ed to the rock where the frame was Franciscan priest. From this description, Christ was nailed. Helena was the mother traditional hymn to the patroness. This
located while singing the litany for the word “turumba” was coined, which of the Roman emperor Constantine who ends with the hymn ‘Pamamaalam,’ a
the saints. When the congregation might have originated from the Spanish- put an end to Christian persecution. farewell song imploring the Virgin’s bless-
arrived, the priest prayed over the Portuguese words “tururu,” which means Also called tapusan, the religious pro- ing before everyone leaves,” he explained.
frame, and when he tried to lift it, “losing oneself,” and “tarumba,” meaning cession takes place usually in the late af- On the ninth day, a sunduan is held
he was able to do so with ease. “delirious.” ternoon or early evening, toward the end with the image of San Joaquin, accompa-
The townspeople, especially the One of the unique miracles of the Our of May, with beautiful young women of nied with marching bands, in a procession
women, burst into celebration and Lady of Sorrows of Turumba and a belief the community dolled up and dressed in toward the house of the camarero (custo-
chanted “Sa Birhen! Sa Birhen!” that the locals observe to this day is the dis- gowns, representing female biblical and dian) of the festejada image, an antique
as they clacked their wooden clogs, tribution of estampitas or small religious historical figures. They walk around town ivory image of the patroness used during
clapped, danced, and sang with joy. pictures. According to church records, escorted by young men, with an ornate the town fiesta. Recently, the sunduan
They brought the image to the Saint around 300 estampitas survived the fire arch held above their heads. was made livelier by the Karakol, a prayer
Peter of Alcantara Parish Church. that burned down the church in 1851. In more urbanized municipalities, the dance. “This begins after the sundo and
The bishop had the original im- Another is the public swimming pool, Santacruzan has become grander in terms would end with the Putong, a dance of
age of the Our Lady of Sorrows where the statue of the Our Lady of Sor- of adornments and costumes. Some towns welcome initiated by female devotees from
searched in Spain, and it was found rows of Turumba was brought during the even get beautiful “imports” or celebrities Barangay San Benito,” Barradas said.
in the name of the Virgen de la An- First Lupi. Father Mario Rivera, the parish to participate in their Santacruzans to at- The highlight and culmination of the
tigua (Virgin of Antiquity). Not long priest, said the water is believed to have tract more spectators. The simpler and nine-day celebration happen on October
afterward, a replica of the Our Lady healing properties, and so ailing devotees more authentic celebrations are in the 12, with Masses from dawn until around
of Sorrows was made from Spain as go there to bathe several times after the smaller, more rural towns and villages in lunchtime, followed by another Mass in
per the bishop’s request. procession. the province. the afternoon. A parade of the images of
The joy of the locals over the This year, the seven Turumba proces- the patroness and the patron saints of
feast was beyond explanation — the sions will be on the following dates: April Eleher in Bay the town’s barangays will then take place,
angay San Antonio locals almost collapsed, as if los- 12, April 23, May 1, May 10, May 19, May Every June 13, the feast of Saint Antho- complete with marching bands and fire-
ing themselves, as described by a 31, and June 9. The Domingo de Dolores, ny of Padua is celebrated in the small vil- works. L

LN_v1n10.indd 5 02/04/2019 11:24 AM

 6 LagunaNow
EDITORIAL
A missed
opportunity
THE UP Los Baños community held a forum
on March 25 on the gubernatorial race in Lagu-
na. Nine candidates were invited but only three
were there: Berlene Alberto, Bronson Grajero,
and Brother Rico San Sebastian. The top two
candidates — incumbent governor Ramil Her-
nandez and ER Ejercito — did not attend.
Hernandez’s and Ejercito’s failure to show up
was unfortunate.
It would have been a chance for the two most
popular gubernatorial candidates to present
their plans for the province and allow them-
selves and the Lagunenses present to consider
their ideas, particularly on pressing issues that
are not normally tackled in showbiz-oriented
campaign sorties. Issues like the environment,
gender equality, the economy, education, and,
yes, even the bad traffic in many parts of the
province.
It would have been an excellent opportunity
for Lagunenses to watch not the usual movie
stars and comedians but politicians and lead-
ers offering their thoughts about the state of
the province’s affairs.
We can only speculate why Hernandez and
Ejercito failed to show up. Was it a scheduling
problem? Or was it a lack of appreciation for
these types of dialogues? Whatever it was, the
two candidates missed an opportunity to en-
gage with their constituents in a more mean-
ingful way.
As a result of their absence, those who at-
tended or followed the forum were left with no
choice but listen to the three candidates present
their programs. Some of their ideas were gen-
erally sound, some laughable. But even if they
had the best plans, they won’t matter because
none of those present will ever win against ei-
ther Hernandez or Ejercito.
It was important, therefore, to hear both men
weigh in and convince people why they should
vote for either of them.
Laguna’s leaders need to take these seem-
ingly small engagements seriously.
They should accord Lagunenses the respect
they deserve, especially at a time when these
politicians are expected to come up with solu-
tions to the province’s problems. L
www.lagunanow.ph
Editor Reb Abanador Contributing Editor Dana Batnag Contributing
Writers Leobel Bernadette C. Colona, Eve Matta, Kimmy Baraoidan,
Jervis Gonzales, Neal Andrei A. Lalusin, Shane Valerie B. Muallam,
Aya Jallorina, Emeterio SD. Perez Contributing Photographers
Raffy Lerma, Chris Quintana, Edmund Bariring Layout and Design
Ayishah M. Conde Graphic Designer Maricris R. Santilles
Marketing Manager Laarni M. Bautista Administrative Officer
Rosiedin G. Lanao Operations Liaison Yasir S. Muallam Legal
Counsel Atty. Dana Batnag
Laguna Now is published every Thursday by Conde Media
Publishing Services, a duly registered company in Santa Rosa City,
Laguna, Philippines. Editorial and business offices at 140 BelAir
Drive, Laguna BelAir 1, Barangay Don Jose, Santa Rosa City,
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LN_v1n10.indd 6
Sachet nation
EARLY last month, an envi-
ronmental group released the
results of a five-year audit of
Metro Manila’s plastic trash.
The results were staggering:
Every day, people tossed out
163 million plastic sachets,
48 million plastic shopping
THROUGH MY LENS bags, 45 million thin-film
Kimmy Baraoidan bags, and more than three
million diapers. All that trash
could submerge the country’s capital in knee-high plastic
garbage in a year, according to the report.
What comes to mind immediately is what a former col-
league in the academe said that the poor are the reason
there is so much plastic trash because they buy products
in sachets instead of in bulk. This twisted logic is shared
among the middle and upper classes, who tend to be dis-
connected from realities other than their own.
Banning the use of sachets is just a knee-
jerk reaction and a shortsighted solution to
our growing trash problem.
Many people, not only the poor, buy products in sa-
chets because of convenience. Sachets are easier to carry
around and store. Imagine having to haul one-liter bot-
tles of shampoo, conditioner, dishwashing liquid, fabric
conditioner, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and cooking oil,
and one kilogram each of coffee, creamer, sugar, salt, and
pepper, all by yourself, and having to use public trans-
portation to take all of these home. Imagine cramming
all these groceries in a small kitchen cupboard of a one-
bedroom apartment no larger than 30 square meters.
Also, buying products in sachets is actually practical
in a country where food spoils easily because of heat and
One country, one flag
IMAGINE yourself as the
owner of a tract of land that
you have lived in, cultivated
and used for as long as you
can remember.
Then you saw the need
to expand and embellish
it to be more useful to the
THE RUDE TRUTH family. But you are cash-
Aya Jallorina strapped, and here’s a seem-
ingly friendly and harmless
neighbor awash in cash who offers to upgrade your place
on the condition that, in case you defaulted, he will take
over your prized property and all things in it. While dis-
advantageous, you bite the bullet. And then you wake up
to find yourself suddenly without a roof over your head,
without a piece of land to use.
This scenario is real. The friendly neighbor is an in-
truder who wants to strip you of what you own because
of a one-sided agreement. I bled inside myself as I wrote
this allusion to the ugly side of the Philippine-China re-
lationship that is too painful for me even to comprehend.
This repulsive facet of the Philippine-China alliance
started showing when President Duterte opened up the
Philippine economy to China. From mere hundreds,
thousands of Chinese from the mainland now begun
flooding into the country. As compassionate people op-
posed to discrimination and racism, we don’t label immi-
grants as undesirable aliens, as Trump does. The influx
of foreigners like the Chinese is not something we see as
inherently wrong. What makes it repugnant is when our
own government’s subservience to Beijing results in the
displacement of more Filipino workers.
This shows that the father of our nation has become
hostile to his children, allowing them to be robbed of
their precious source of livelihood. From infrastructure
to marine resources, the government is openly giving
away everything while maintaining an awkward stance
for the Chinese people. The president’s high-handedness
against those he perceives as enemies is the opposite of
how he treats China, unable to resist every encroach-
Vol. 1 No. 10
humidity and in households without a refrigerator. If you
buy three pounds of ground coffee in a can and you’re the
only one who drinks coffee, the coffee would have expired
before you even got to the bottom of the can. Buying in
bulk, in this context, actually leads to more food wastage.
But more than convenience, people buy products in
sachets because of affordability. As of February 2019, the
daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers in Re-
gion IV-A is 400 pesos or roughly 8,800 per month. A
person earning only this much with four other mouths
to feed and with bills to pay would not buy shampoo in
a 900ml bottle that costs around 330 pesos. He would
rather spend a large chunk of his 400-peso-per-day sal-
ary on food for the family.
Banning the use of sachets is just a knee-jerk reaction
and a shortsighted solution to our growing trash problem.
Forcing people to buy products in bulk is more financially
wasteful and more impractical in terms of storage space.
Unfortunately, local government units (LGUs) are quick
to resort to policing and regulation when it comes to gar-
bage — passing the problem down to their constituents
instead of providing solutions themselves. While munici-
pal ordinances are also needed to minimize littering, they
don’t entirely solve the problem, especially when govern-
ment prohibits littering but provides no trash bins.
Opportunities can arise out of this seemingly unsolv-
able problem. Because there is now a clamor for manu-
facturing companies and businesses to shift toward more
sustainable, eco-friendly, or biodegradable packaging,
some businesses are already adapting, like a zero-waste
store in Los Baños that sells vinegar, soy sauce, cooking
oil, starch, sugar, coffee, chocolate drink, and shampoo
in bottles or dispensers. LGUs can also initiate the re-
vival of local industries like bayong or basket-making.
The plastic trash problem is not the fault of consum-
ers entirely, and just a few individuals cannot solve it. If
the LGUs can engage local businesses and their constitu-
ents, then maybe the nightmare of being buried in plastic
trash won’t turn into reality. L
The Chinese government has the
upper hand, thanks but no thanks to
its economic might and our very own
government’s capitulation to Beijing.
ment Beijing has done. “May magagawa ba tayo?” says
his spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
Heck, the government is being so cozy with China that
the sentiment in the air is that China is preparing to plant
its flag not only on Scarborough but in every area where
the Filipino flag is hoisted.
Heaven forbid that the Build, Build, Build mantra of
the present administration is just laying the groundwork
for China’s takeover. This seems to be the prevailing
view. Over the past few days, no less than Justice Antonio
Carpio expressed the fear that “in case of default by the
Philippines in repayment of the loan, China can seize, to
satisfy any arbitral award in favor of China, patrimonial
assets and assets dedicated to commercial use.” Among
the loans from China that appears suspiciously disadvan-
tageous is the one for the controversial Kaliwa Dam.
Makabayan’s Neri Colmenares believes that the Philip-
pine-China partnership is a sellout. He accused “the gov-
ernment of turning a blind eye because of China’s loans.”
Fortunately, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Mo-
rales, former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary
Albert del Rosario and the nameless aggrieved fisher-
men filed a case against Chinese President Xi Jinping
before the International Criminal Court for the atrocious
actions of Chinese officials in the South China Sea and
within Philippine territory.
The Chinese government has the upper hand, thanks
but no thanks to its economic might and our very own
government’s capitulation to Beijing. We should expect
it to resist any opposition to its onerous claims.
The challenge for Filipinos is to continue making
noise, to continue asserting that there’s only a room for
one flag in our land, the Filipino flag. The time to be cor-
dial to foreign lenders like China ends when their dia-
bolical plan to seize our birthright begins.
We are riding high on the hope that more Filipinos will
stand up for national patrimony. We long for patriots
who have a cause greater than themselves and whose in-
tegrity cannot be traded for a few pieces of silver. L
02/04/2019 11:24 AM
 April 4 - 10, 2019
LAGUNA 101
Laguna’s explosive growth: From technoparks
and BPOs to eco-cities and ‘balut’
Considered one of the wealthiest provinces in the Philippines, Laguna owes its eco-
nomic prowess to its agricultural lands, industrial zones, and its proximity to the capital.
By LEOBEL COLONA
CONSIDERED one of the richest prov-
inces in the Philippines, Laguna owes
its economic prowess to its agricultural
lands, industrial zones, and its proximity
to the capital. In recent years, the cities of
Santa Rosa, Calamba, and Biñan rose to
prominence by being among the fastest-
growing cities in the country. The devel-
opment of these cities paved the way for
the construction of additional infrastruc-
ture and provided jobs for locals.
As the trading center of the south, Bi-
ñan is home to two major industrial parks:
the Laguna International Industrial Park
and the Laguna Technopark Incorporat-
ed, which contributed to the rise of local
employment, foreign exchange and local
revenues. Different manufacturing com-
panies like Integrated Microelectronics
Inc. are among those that can be found
inside the Technopark. Car manufactur-
ers such as Honda, Isuzu, and Nissan are
also here.
The city of Santa Rosa has risen to be-
come one of the fastest growing economies
in the Philippines, from being a fourth-
class municipality in 1986 to become a
first-class town by 1993. As of 2007, it has
reached new heights as the city’s income
increased to one billion pesos. Santa Rosa
LN_v1n10.indd 7
LagunaNow 7
City has four PEZA (Philippine Economic Corporation, the
Zone Authority) accredited zones and also central commis-
major car dealerships such as Chevrolet, sary of Jollibee,
Toyota, and Mitsubishi. It also hosts sev- operate here as
eral BPO (business process outsourcing) well.
companies such as Convergys, Conduit The sustained
Global, among others. Residential and development of
recreational areas are being developed these cities and
to attract more visitors and potential in- their proxim-
vestors to the city. Eco-cities like Nuvali, ity to the capital
Greenfield, and Eton City provide the par- require a more
ticular needs of these communities and efficient system
developments. These eco-cities stretch of transportation
out from Santa Rosa to the neighboring to avoid traffic,
city of Calamba. especially in the
Meanwhile, the city of Calamba is con- Calamba area.
sidered the richest city in the region with This led to the
The Laguna International Industrial Park is a key attraction for investors.
an income of more than two billion pesos planning and (LIIP Photo)
a year. The city is hailed as a viable place construction of
for banking, with 83 offices and branches. the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CalaEx), famous (or infamous) fertilized duck
With 11 technoparks, the city is home to a four-lane, 45-kilometer highway con- egg delicacy. Vast rice fields can be seen
the Calamba Premier International Park necting Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite, and the throughout the province, which is one of
(CPIP), one of the biggest industrial parks South Luzon Expressway (SLEx). This the top producers of rice in the country.
in the country outside of the Metro Ma- project is spearheaded by the Department Ecotourism is also another profit mak-
nila area. Aside from the CPIP, there’s of Public Works and Highway in partner- er. The towns of Los Baños, Nagcarlan,
Carmelray and the Light Industrial and ship with MPCala Holdings Inc. Paete, and Liliw are the most visited,
Science Park of the Philippines, where This boom notwithstanding, other mu- blessed as they are with mountains and
most of the companies are manufacturers nicipalities in the province still rely on vast greenery where families and visitors
of semiconductors. Transnational com- agriculture. Fishery and aquaculture are spend their weekends. These municipali-
panies like Samsung and Toshiba have active industries in the lakeside towns like ties are also known for their native prod-
established their manufacturing base Victoria, whose main livelihood is in rais- ucts that attract local and foreign tour-
here. Food companies like Zenith Foods ing ducks and producing balut, the world ists. L
02/04/2019 11:24 AM
 8 LagunaNow Vol. 1 No. 10

San Pablo’s café by the lake

Café Lago has become a go-to place for tourists who want to experience San Pablo’s
seven lakes that the café’s owners help to rehabilitate. By LEOBEL COLONA
TOURISTS who visit San Pablo will be suggested he build a café. “It was all for from time to time.
awed by the natural scenery of the city’s fun,” he reminisces in an interview with “Sometimes we have
seven lakes. Among these lakes is the Lifestyle Laguna. Mandy and his younger jazz nights. Jazz mu-
more accessible and the biggest of them, brother Tony, who retired from his work sicians from Manila
the Sampaloc Lake. Located near the po- as a Broadway actor, decided to go along travel all the way
blacion, the lake treats visitors to differ- with the suggestion and built Café Lago here to perform,”
ent activities such as biking around the inside the family compound. They named Mandy says, adding
104 hectares of the lake, birdwatching or it after lago, the Spanish word for lake. that there are also
just taking a stroll and admiring the view Being nature lovers, the brothers made acoustic nights. The The view of Mount San Cristobal from Sampaloc Lake with Mount Ba-
of Mount San Cristobal nearby. Because sure to incorporate different kinds of café also hosts art nahaw in the background. (Photo by Leobel Colona)
of the influx of visitors in this area, some plants in the interior. A patron of the arts, workshops, like the
restaurants and cafés were established by Tony was the one responsible for the de- watercolor workshop recently held by Café Lago is located on Dagatan Bou-
the lakeside, and one of them is Café Lago. cor. While his younger brother takes care Lito Ballaran. levard, San Pablo City, and is open from
The story of Café Lago is deeply rooted of the aesthetics, Mandy, along with his While Café Lago is important to Mandy 10 am to 9 pm on weekdays and from
in the history of Sampaloc Lake, and it all wife Dr. Emma Mariño, is responsible for and his family, he says it’s all about the 7 am to 9 pm on weekends. It is closed
began with an advocacy. At 80 years old, overseeing the operations in the café. health of the lakes that he hopes people on Mondays. For more information, call
Armando “Mandy” Mariño is still an ac- Although a bit unassuming on the out- will continue to enjoy. L 09175016694.
tive participant in the call for the rehabili- side, Café Lago is al-
tation and the saving of the seven lakes most magical inside: It
from pollution and overfishing. But it all transports guests to an
started in the ‘80s. enchanted forest with
Upon returning home from the US wide open spaces. “I’d
where he worked in consumer engineer- like our establishment
ing for 25 years, Mandy became active in to cater to families and
uniting his fellow lakeside residents of children, so we made
the Sampaloc Lake Homeowners Associa- our place is spacious
tion. Mandy witnessed the dismal state of and wide for kids to
Sampaloc Lake where all people saw were run around in,” Mandy
trash and fish pens. “Back then, many says. Since its inaugu-
people lived near the lake. Because of this, ration in 2008, Café
trash monitoring was difficult, so together Lago has become a go-
with the SLHA, we decided to put a stop to place and a house-
to it,” he says. hold name among
Mandy remembers every detail of the tourists who want to
development in the lakeside area, every experience San Pablo’s
politician they had to talk to, and every seven lakes.
hurdle he and like-minded individuals Aside from their
had to face. As a result, what was a simple menu of Italian, Ameri-
lakeside slowly turned to a cemented park can, and Filipino fare,
complete with a boardwalk. Fishing opera- Café Lago is also known
tions in the lake were kept to one part only. for the cultural perfor-
It was at this point that his friends mances that it hosts

Quaint and unassuming, Café Lago (above) used to have a huge signage that
helped tourists locate it. Part of the dining area of Café Lago (top) at night.
(Photos by Leobel Colona)

LN_v1n10.indd 8 02/04/2019 11:24 AM