Lakbay: San Pablo City, Laguna

Dear Travelers,

I am Alexandra Angeles, currently taking Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at MAPUA University. This digital magazine will be used to promote the editor's hometown-San Pablo City, Laguna. She has been living there for 18years. This magazine will talk about the cultural performances, religious rites and rituals, food delicacies, historical and tourist spots in San Pablo City, Laguna. This digital magazine will also cover the trips going to San Pablo City, Laguna. As well as the cost of food and travel.

In Laguna, there is a town named San Pablo, another location brimming with tourist attractions. San Pablo, also known as the City of Seven Lakes, is rich in natural resources, cultural legacy, entertaining festivals, historical landmarks, and superb cuisine. This magazine is to be launched in October 2021.

San Pablo City, Laguna

Laguna is a province in the South known for its' nature tourists spots and historical places. When people hear Laguna, they think about the mountains (especially for hikers) and the hot springs in Los Banos and Calamba, Laguna. San Pablo City is known as the City of 7 Lakes and food delicacies (or kakanin). The earliest historical record of San Pablo dates back to pre-Spanish times when Sampaloc was comprised of four (4) large barrios surrounded by Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Makiling. Before the arrival of the Spaniards. San Pablo was known as "Sampalok village" due to the abundance of tamarind trees in the area. It was a Bay village in Laguna.

When Father Juan de Nicolas was elected church prior in 1696, he began a long-term coconut tree planting project, anticipating that the economic success of San Pablo de los Montes would be largely dependent on the coconut. He hoped that one day, the people would be prosperous enough to pay their taxes on time and donate more to the church fund. In 1756, Governor Arandia placed San Pablo under Batangan (Batangas) administration. Pagsanjan was the provincial capital of Laguna at the time. In 1883, it was reverted to Laguna province, with Sta. Cruz serving as the provincial capital.

Cultural Festivals

San Pablo City's Coconut Festival is a week-long celebration of Paul the Hermit, the patron saint. The festival began in 1996, intending to promote the city and its principal product, the coconut. Around November-December, many schools (from Elementary level to College level) confirm their Mardi Gras participation. Aside from the dance competition, they are also compelled to make the most creative costumes by using products from coconuts while dancing to the rhythm of local indigenous music in a live broadcast on national TV. The famous Coco Festival in San Pablo City, Laguna, is held every 15th of January. Although the feast celebration usually starts on January 12-14. Banderitas all over the plaza and the city proper is closed for the passageway of vehicles. It is a tradition in our hometown to spend a night with a couple of friends and family at the plaza with music performed by local OPM bands. There are also performances of celebrities every night, and beauty competitions occur at the central plaza, which is broadcasted on national TV. Also, there is often a live broadcast of Umagang kay Ganda that showcases the food delicacies of San Pablo City, Laguna. The image below shows an enormous Buko Pie in town that Gretchen Ho for Umagang Kay Ganda hosted.

Reference: Discover more fun! (philippines.travel)

Religion

San Pablo City had over 285,348 total population in 2020. There are a lot of religious groups and communities in every corner of this town. Yet Roman Catholicism is dominant. The city is also known for its' Church - the Cathedral Parish of Saint Paul the First Hermit. The Augustinian friars founded the Cathedral Parish of Saint Paul the First Hermit, also known as the San Pablo Cathedral, in 1586. A second church was built in 1629, and the current structure was built in 1714. Fr. Juan Labao placed the solid foundations in 1680. The Church holds different masses for weddings, first communion, baptism, Sunday masses, and more. Many people go to church, especially during Simbang Gabi, Holy Week, and Misa de Gallo. Many people attempt to complete the nine days series of mass gatherings on Simbang Gabi. The people and the priests believe that you have to wish once you have completed the nine-day series of masses. One of the attractions you will see at Sampaloc Lake is the Iglesia ni Kristo. Most San Pableños who are jogging, walking, or biking around know that they are at the end of the loop when they are already close at the Lokal.

Reference: San Pablo City, Laguna Profile – PhilAtlas & Should St. Paul Cathedral in San Pablo, Laguna have paletada? | Heritage Is People

Livelihood

Thousands of people live in San Pablo, and as market prices rise, so does the demand for food by San Pableños to feed their families. Many people make a living by driving jeepneys and tricycles. There are also several street food vendors in every corner of the city. Many people also work in public markets, shopping malls, and fast-food joints. Some work in agriculture, such as fishing, coconut planting and harvesting, selling kakanin, and creating local handicrafts from coconuts and palm trees. Many people work in the eco-tourism industry as well.

Language

The majority of the people living here speak Filipino and English. However, there is a variety of languages typically spoken by San Pablenos, such as Tagalog. The neighboring town of San Pablo City is Lipa City, part of the Batangas province. As a result, when speaking Tagalog, other San Pableos adopt aspects of the diction and accents of Batangueños.

Best Places to Eat

Colette's

Address: San Pablo Daang Maharlika Highway

Buko pie is a young coconut-filled pie made in the traditional Filipino pastry technique. For Filipinos, it has proven to be a popular dish. It's similar to a coconut cream pie, but it's made entirely with young coconuts (buko in Tagalog), with no cream. The pie is made with malakanin-textured buko meat. Various varieties of the pie are similar but use slightly different ingredients, such as macapuno pie, which uses a unique form of coconut that is thicker and stickier than regular coconut.

Reference: Buko Pie - Laguna, Philippines. (weebly.com)

Cusina de Sabang 602

Address: Concepcion Rd, San Pablo City, Laguna

Cusina de Sabang 602 is a restaurant offering traditional homemade cooking in a picnic environment for the whole family and guests. The menu is a combination of the best regional recipes, and it is always evolving to meet the needs of its guests. Bunot Lake's combination of amazing food and natural ambiance makes an ideal setting for meetings and eating with excellent service.

Reference: Cusina de Sabang 602 San Pablo City - Reviews, Location, Photos (hungryfoody.com)

Sulyap Gallery Cafe

Address: Cocoland Compound, Barangay, San Pablo City, 4000 Laguna, Philippines

Sulyap is the Filipino word for "to take a look." Sulyap is more than simply a café; it's also a bed and breakfast and a museum in its own right. It offers a glance of experience on how life was during the Spanish Colonial era.

Si Christina Gateau Sans Rival

Address: NO.6 Rizal Avenue, San Pablo City, 4000 Laguna, Philippines

Si Christina is well-known for its one-of-a-kind sans rival treats. People come here for the warm, rustic ambience as well as the diverse menu of American, Italian, and Filipino dishes. It is a convenient dining option because it is close to the city's schools, workplaces, and transportation terminals.

Reference: Si Christina Gateau Sans Rival - Biyaheng Laguna

Night Market

Located near the city proper

For people who loves street food galore for an affordable price, this is the right place for you to visit. There are variety of foods sold by food vendors such as the tusok-tusok, pork sisig buns, fries and burgers & sandwiches, takoyaki, japanese cake, and some homecooked meals to buy for your family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjjC_BcpAn4