What’s in Calamba, Laguna Bayan?
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Here are some places you might want to see in Calamba, Laguna Bayan.
1. Rizal Shrine
Are you a fan of history that wants to know more about José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or just simply Dr. José Rizal? Well, you must travel in a place where you can learn José Rizal’s life. Jump in Calamba, Laguna Philippines, where you can find “Rizal Shrine/museum” or (Rizal House.) It is a mansion type of house, it’s architectural type is what they call “Bahay na Bato” because it was made of adobe stone and brick.
Calamba, Laguna is the birthplace of the Philippines National Hero, that’s why many people came to see the place. According to the (NHI) National Historical Institute “It was in that house that José Rizal’s body replica was shaped and form and who would become the finest expression of his race." The house in Calamba was just a duplicate of the original house because the original one was demolished during WWII (World War II.)
When you get there, make sure to ask question like “where did they burry José Rizal’s parents?” I’m pretty sure you’ll be amazed. In June 19, people in Calamba also celebrate Rizal day, where people gather around and honouring Rizal’s statue and house. The Watawat ng Lahi, the Knights of Rizal and the Masons meet to celebrate a very special fete called Fiesta Rizalista.
Reminder:
If you are going to visit the shrine you must mark up the day and time you want to travel because museum hours and day must be followed.
MUSEUM HOURS:
Rizal Shrine – Calamba City (RSC), Laguna.
Museum is available – Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30am to 12:00nn and 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Or Contact: (63) 49-54520110
(Source: National Historical Institute)
2. Banga
When you’re done visiting Rizal shrine, make sure to visit a see the biggest banga or “jar” in the city. When tourist tours in Calamba, they make sure to visit the city plaza where the banga is located. People call it instituted water jar or just simply “banga”.
Trivia: The name Calamba came from the legend of banga or “jar.”– Wikipedia
The banga was a large concrete water jar built in the city plaza with the names of the city's barangays written on its surface.
They say that during the Spanish period, there’s two soldiers or “guardia civil” who got lost in the city now called Calamba.
The soldiers met a young lady who came from a river carrying a jar of water and a clay stove. The soldiers unwittingly in Spanish language and in authoritative tone, to conceal the fact that they were lost, asked the local maiden the name of the place they were in. The lady, who speaks only her native language, naturally thought she was being interrogated about what she was carrying and nervously uttered "kalan-banga", meaning "clay stove" (kalan) and "water jar" (banga); Because the Spaniards could not pronounce it properly, the town has been called Calamba supposedly since then.
3. Saint. John the Baptist Chruch (Calamba)
Within the city plaza are Rizal’s house, the instituted water jar or commonly called “banga” and St. John the Baptist Church.
The oldest Roman Catholic church in Calamba, Laguna Philippines is St. John the Baptist Chruch. It was built way back in 19th century, it was made of adobe and it was under the Baroque style. Some says that the church was where Jose Rizal was baptized by Fr. Pedro Casaqas three days after his birth.
Rizal Shrine was only beside the St. John the Baptist Chruch. When you get the chance visiting and taking part of the church mass, you’ll be able to get the sentimentality of the place. You’ll get the chill of déjà vu the wistful affection for the past. There’s a replica of The Garden of Gethsemane it was located at the right side facing the church entrance is a small garden designed for devotees who wants to meditate and offer prayer. It contains life size sculpted images of the Stations of the Cross and a Well of Repentance or "Balon ng Pagbabalik Loob".
The church was pretty century-old but it is highly maintenance, Calambeño’s takes fully solemn promise upon attending the mass because people are really devoted by their beliefs. So, if get the chance to come in Calamba attend the mass and offer your deepest prayers