Laguna is home to a multitude of charming finds. From the fascinating natural resources of hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and mountains, to the endearing handicrafts that make up the most gorgeous Filipiniana gowns and barong Tagalogs in the country and not to mention the food – oh, the delectable food of Laguna!
Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex. The pristine cave features crystalline white stalactites, stalagmites and columns. The cave is nestled deep inside the forest at the foothills of the Sierra Madre range.
The capital town of Laguna is Santa Cruz. Located 82 kilometres southeast of the Metro, it’s a good 2-3 hour drive going there depending on traffic, but the travel is well worth it with the heap of finds and experiences you take back from a Southern trip here.
To give you a taste of what Laguna has to offer, more specifically the towns near Santa Cruz, an event called “Sa Pantalan – Byaheng Pangkatagalugan Food and Heritage Festival” was organised to showcase the Lagueno craftsmanship in the food and the arts. “Pantalan” means dock, and during the pre-hispanic era, ease in traveling via ships/boats made the town as the centre of trade and commerce and also became a melting pot of different cultures in the Southern Tagalog region.
The event was held at TED’s Santa Cruz (check out the country chic dining experience article here.)
It will be hard to finish this article without thinking where to personally make use of the following delightful finds next – maybe to complete your Christmas shopping list, to your next Filipiniana event, on your living room wall or to just simply travel to Laguna and soak in all that it has to offer.
Wood Shavings and Wood Whittlings from Pakil
Pandan Weaving and Painting in Luisiana
Tsinelas Making in Liliw
Various Carvings and Paper Mache Making from Paete
Crafts Made from Water Lillies and Padan from Pila
Embroidery Works from Lumban
Patis Tesoro creation (from San Pablo)
Pandan Weaving and Painting from Luisiana
More Woven Crafts from Cavinti
