Proposed Planning Study for Pila (Laguna) Tourism Development
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Pila, situated in the province of Laguna, adjacent to Laguna de Bay, has been dubbed “Bayang Pinagpala” (Blessed Town) because it was the only town spared during the Japanese bombing in the Philippines thus Pila today houses one of the most preserved and beautiful ancestral Spanish homes as well as the parish church of Saint Anthony of Padua.
Pila is a town rich in cultures and customs. As early as 1575, Pila first appeared in Spanish records with the honorable title of “La Noble Villa de Pila” in recognition of its people’s refined manners and customs. It was also in this small town that the second printing press was set-up in 1611 giving way to the printing of the first Tagalog-Spanish dictionary entitled “Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala”.
Being so close to the lake waters, the populace’s streets and agricultural land was perennially flooded thus they moved to Barangay Sta. Clara where the present day church, town hall and plaza are located. The church that used to reside in Pangalangan because of the relocation in the 18th century was moved stone per stone to its new location today but remnants of the dismantled church still stand in the present-day Victoria town adjacent to Pila.
Having survived natural calamities and armed conflicts throughout the centuries, Pila is truly a “Bayang Pinagpala” for it is the only town in Laguna to have successfully preserved its colonial Spanish heritage in town development. In May 17, 2000, Pila town center was declared a National Historical Landmark as was its church in July 9, 2002 was declared a Diocesan Shrine of Saint Anthony. Pila is the only place recognized by state and church as a historical site.
Currently, Pila’s primary source of tourism is educational tours for its ancestral homes, town hall and plaza as well as the tourism that the devotees of the Parish Church of Saint Anthony of Padua bring. It is also abundant in water and coconuts.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Pila, situated in the province of Laguna, adjacent to Laguna de Bay, has been dubbed “Bayang Pinagpala” (Blessed Town) because it was the only town spared during the Japanese bombing in the Philippines thus Pila today houses one of the most preserved and beautiful ancestral Spanish homes as well as the parish church of Saint Anthony of Padua.
Pila is a town rich in cultures and customs. As early as 1575, Pila first appeared in Spanish records with the honorable title of “La Noble Villa de Pila” in recognition of its people’s refined manners and customs. It was also in this small town that the second printing press was set-up in 1611 giving way to the printing of the first Tagalog-Spanish dictionary entitled “Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala”.
Being so close to the lake waters, the populace’s streets and agricultural land was perennially flooded thus they moved to Barangay Sta. Clara where the present day church, town hall and plaza are located. The church that used to reside in Pangalangan because of the relocation in the 18th century was moved stone per stone to its new location today but remnants of the dismantled church still stand in the present-day Victoria town adjacent to Pila.
Having survived natural calamities and armed conflicts throughout the centuries, Pila is truly a “Bayang Pinagpala” for it is the only town in Laguna to have successfully preserved its colonial Spanish heritage in town development. In May 17, 2000, Pila town center was declared a National Historical Landmark as was its church in July 9, 2002 was declared a Diocesan Shrine of Saint Anthony. Pila is the only place recognized by state and church as a historical site.
Currently, Pila’s primary source of tourism is educational tours for its ancestral homes, town hall and plaza as well as the tourism that the devotees of the Parish Church of Saint Anthony of Padua bring. It is also abundant in water and coconuts.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The