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Santa Maria, Laguna

Coordinates: 14°28′30″N 121°25′30″E / 14.475°N 121.425°E / 14.475; 121.425
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the town in Laguna. For the town in Bulacan, see Santa Maria, Bulacan. For the town in Pangasinan, see Santa Maria, Pangasinan.
Santa Maria
Caboan
Municipality
Municipality of Santa Maria
Municipal Plaza
Municipal Plaza
Flag of Santa Maria
Flag
Official seal of Santa Maria
Seal
Map of Laguna with Santa Maria highlighted
Map of Laguna with Santa Maria highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Santa Maria is located in Philippines
Santa Maria
Santa Maria
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°28′30″N 121°25′30″E / 14.475°N 121.425°E / 14.475; 121.425
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceLaguna
District 4th district
Annexation to MabitacOctober 12, 1903
Re-establishedJanuary 1, 1910[1]
Barangays25 (see Barangays)
Government
 [2]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorMaria Rocelle V. Carolino
 • Vice MayorNorlito C. Briones
 • RepresentativeMaria Jamina Katherine B. Agarao
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate23,558 voters (2022)
Area
[3]
 • Total
108.40 km2 (41.85 sq mi)
Elevation
303 m (994 ft)
Highest elevation
964 m (3,163 ft)
Lowest elevation
4 m (13 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[4]
 • Total
34,511
 • Density320/km2 (820/sq mi)
 • Households
8,869
Economy
 • Income class4th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
8.55
% (2021)[5]
 • Revenue₱ 192.3 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 42.57 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 173.7 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 178.3 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityFirst Laguna Electric Cooperative (FLECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4022
PSGC
043427000
IDD : area code +63 (0)49
Native languagesTagalog

Santa Maria, officially the Municipality of Santa Maria (Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Maria), is a municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 34,511 people.[4]

History

[edit]

From Mabitac was a mountain path pointed northward leading to a village called Caboan. On this path near the village gateway gathers people and Chinese merchants selling and buying wares, livestock and other farm produce. Aetas sell their herbs, medicinal rootstocks, and wild honey. Women from Mabitac trade chickens with clay pots, pandan mats, and sabutan hats. It was a market place.

Caboan came from the Tagalog word “Kabuhuan,” which means bamboo thicket. “Buho,” is a genus of bamboo, which grows abundantly in the village. Caboan is a miracle of nature. Rare orchids and wild flowers decorated its forests. Its falls called “Ambon-ambon” located in one corner of the village looks like a stair of giant rocks going up to heaven. Its Nilubugan River was rich in exquisite white rocks and stones and its crystal-clear water seems to drift to nowhere.

Santa Maria Church

This village used to be a part of then Guiling-guiling, now Siniloan. Padre Antonio de la Llave was the first parish priest of Caboan. Residents believe that he was the one responsible for making the village a town and in renaming it into San Miguel de Caboan in 1602.

A legend tells the story of how San Miguel de Caboan became Santa María. The story says that a couple going home from the market place after trading their vegetable harvest with their basic needs, found lying on the ground an image of the blessed virgin. At first, they thought it was a porcelain piece dropped by a Chinese merchant. Porcelain was a very expensive commodity during the period as it is today. After careful examination, they recognized the image as that of the Virgin Mary. The couple made an altar in their house and enthroned the image there.

The next morning the couple was astonished. The image was gone. They looked for the image all over, until they decided to look at the place where they found it. They saw a group of women, poking with a long stick something on the ground that looked like a piece of ivory. It was the image of the Virgin. It was back at the very spot where they found it.

In 1613, Padre Geronimo Vásquez built the first church on the spot where the couple found the image of the Virgin Mary. Thus, San Miguel de Caboan became Santa María de los Ángeles, in short — Santa María. The Chinese uprising in 1639 destroyed the church. Parishioners rebuilt it in 1669, before the earthquake of 1880 leveled it again to the ground. Padre Leopoldo Arellano raised it once more in 1891. The facade of the church is still surviving and is now known as the Nuestra Señora de los Angeles Parish Church. The church was again partly destroyed during the earthquake of August 20, 1937, but was not reconstructed until after the Liberation in 1945.

Pre-Spanish and Spanish Regime

[edit]

The first and patronal name of Santa Maria was San Miguel de Caboan. San Miguel was the name given by the Spanish friar who founded the tow, which was in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, the town's first patron. Caboan came from the native term "kabuhuan", a kind of bamboo abundant in the place during that time. The first church was built in the same place where the present church is erected. It was then made of cogon and bamboo. There was also the first Parochial school ran by Spanish friars. According to information, Catholic faith was well embraced by the people. It was believed that the people of this town had always been good and loyal followers. No remarkable Spanish relics could be traced in this town nowadays. It is only the facade of the church in which traces of Spanish culture could be seen as shown by the materials in which it was made of. That one could distinguish that there had been such regime in this town. However, folk tales on "Bailes and Comparsas" could still be heard among elders.

Santa Maria During American Regime

[edit]

When the Philippines was ceded to the United States of America by Spain, the Filipinos realized that they were under another authority for the second time. The people of Santa Maria were at first confused of the new kind of life. So, whenever they heard that Americans were coming, men went up the mountains to evade membership to the American Army. This according to them was due to their sad experience with the Spanish rule.

The people of Santa Maria were so afraid of the new policies they might encounter. Whenever they heard that Americans would be coming to town, all men in the family went up the mountains and hide. Until the time came when they realized that Americans were far better than the Spaniards when they were given independence on June 12, 1898.

In 1903, Santa Maria was reduced to a barrio of Mabitac under Act 939,[6] when the 30 municipalities of La Laguna was reduced to just 19. Seven years later, in 1910, Santa Maria would be restored as an independent municipality under Executive Order No. 72, s. 1909.[1]

The United States Congress passed a law which granted the Philippine Government the right to give the public lands to persons who wanted to cultivate them. This will become the policy of attraction of the late Municipal President Leoncio Real. Large tracts of public land were opened for agricultural purposes. This cause the influx of settlers from the neighboring towns and provinces then, the development of agriculture as well as the establishment of the different barrios began. People were encouraged to apply for homestead. More lands were given to the landless. The U.S. Congress helped much in the agricultural development of the country soon after peace was declared.

Many farms were abandoned and locust destroyed the crops planted in the place. The U.S. Government aided the people through importing rice to the countries.

Work animals also brought in to improve the animal resources in the country. The Bureau of Agriculture was established. The farmers were taught better farming methods and control of plant pest and diseases. Road and transportation were improved. The different means of communications such as radio telegraph, and postal services were introduced and modernized.

The town of Santa Maria was benefited by these changes. Jazz and rhumba music took the Philippine air.

Japanese occupation era

[edit]

Guerilla warfare was carried on different places in the barrios and mountains. There were also attacks made at the poblacion where there were Japanese garrisons.

The guerilla units who helped the natives of Santa Maria were Marking's Filipino-American ROTC Hunters and V-J units. Their aim was to fight for freedom against the Japanese forces. The people in the town helped these units in terms of food, clothing and cash.

There were great incident that took place in Santa Maria during the regime. The guerilla troop with the leadership of Martin Bautista, a native of this town invaded the Japanese headquarters which was located at the oldest school building. Some civilians were badly hurt. Several houses near the school building were destroyed. Another unforgettable incident that happened in 1942 was when Captain Nacamura, a high-ranking official of the Japanese Imperial Army, was killed. He and his men encountered the guerillas at Barrio Kayhacat. After his death, the natives of Santa Maria witnessed the ceremonial burning of his dead body. The people believed that the ash will be sent to his family. Another Japanese official who was killed was Captain Sakai. He was killed outside the town of Santa Maria by Colonel Pabling, a native of Antipolo, Rizal. One system made by the sponsored Republic of Japan to counteract guerilla was the zone system, where all male inhabitants suspected of being a guerilla were kept in the church without food, little water and tortured or massacred. Ponciano "Sabu" Arida of Santa Maria was the youngest guerilla in the country. He was only eleven (11) years old when he made some heroic deeds in the town. He was the runner of the guerilla spy and supply officer. In 1944, Alyas Capadudia, a Hukbalahap member, encountered the Japanese Army at Barrio Bubucal. Some guerillas died in this fight and Japanese burned several houses.

On January 2, 1942, the Japanese Military Administration was established headed by Director General. All public officials in the town were ordered to stay at their post. Civil liberties of the people were suppressed. Economy was geared to the demands of the occupying forces. Education was revamped to reorient Filipino thinking along Japanese lines. Political life was limited to the Japanese. Jose P. Laurel was appointed the President of the Japanese sponsored Republic. Japanese did not allow any political parties except the KALIBAPI. Land farm products, commerce, transportation and prime commodities were ceased. Japanese restricted freedom of movement of the Filipinos. Social activities in and out of town were very few. Orientation classes were held to spread Japanese culture. Niponggo, the Japanese language, was taught in all schools as well as in government and private officers.

Post-War to the Present

[edit]

Rehabilitation began little by little after the liberation. Aids and war damages arrived painting a new the town. Schools were open, bridges were rebuilt, roads were constructed and the economy of the people was gradually elevated. Adoption of the policies of a newly independent nation was at last accepted by the people.

At present, the Municipality of Santa Maria, situated in the Province of Laguna, having 25 barangays and possessing a population of more than 30,000, faces numerous challenges for the future. Being agricultural town and having a big land area, the place promises to be one of the quality producing citrus in Southern Tagalog. It has also been named as the "Rice Granary of Laguna". Endowed with agricultural lands, the place calls for knowledgeable agriculturist, soil technologist and the like to help develop and improve more of its undeveloped areas. At present, there is also a need for more doctors, lawyers and other kinds of professionals who are really native of the town to really look for the welfare of the people. There is a lack of these careers at present that the town folks still go to other places whenever the need arises. This is one of the great challenges that the people looks forward too.

Geography

[edit]
Political subdivisions of Santa Maria
Himao River

Santa Maria is the northernmost town in Laguna.

Bounded by the provinces of Rizal and Quezon from the western portion up to the northern tip down northeastern part, the town has a mountainous terrain. With the MARILAQUE Sub-Regional Plan (Manila-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon), the municipality functions as link between the highly industrialized capital and the marine life-rich Quezon province. Marikina–Infanta Highway physically connects to the eyed site for the International Port. Silangan Railway Express 2000 (MARILAQUE Railway) is another infrastructure project proposed for implementation under the PPP Scheme.

Barangays

[edit]

Santa Maria is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. [7] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Currently, there are 6 barangays classified as highland/upland barangays, while 12 are inland barangays, and the remaining 7 are situated in the lowland (Valley area).

Barangays Classification 2020 Pop. 2015 Pop. 2010 Pop. 2007 Pop.
Adia Inland 1,120 1,140 1,002 920
Bagong Pook Lowland 2,310 2,283 2,239 2,314
Bagumbayan Inland 2,083 1,744 1,584 1,688
Bubucal Inland 1,267 1,141 1,022 889
Cabooan Inland 1,981 1,862 1,716 1,629
Calangay Inland 1,479 1,312 1,043 1,099
Cambuja Inland 2,139 2,131 1,532 1,540
Coralan Inland 2,647 2,550 2,393 2,063
Cueva Upland 1,117 1,043 717 733
Inayapan Inland 810 868 566 558
Jose P. Laurel, Sr. Upland 691 529 432 365
Jose P. Rizal Lowland 1,148 1,094 1,074 1,113
Juan Santiago Upland 3,856 1,846 1,376 1,630
Kayhacat Lowland 1,387 1,231 1,106 1,068
Macasipac Inland 584 566 555 588
Masinao Inland 851 900 717 700
Matalinting Upland 477 630 491 456
Pao-o Upland 827 776 643 545
Parang ng Buho Upland 949 886 780 702
Poblacion Uno Lowland 1,219 973 838 1,034
Poblacion Dos Lowland 627 621 642 706
Poblacion Tres Lowland 812 855 836 934
Poblacion Quatro Lowland 504 525 500 609
Talangka Inland 1,881 1,831 1,678 1,580
Tungkod Inland 1,745 1,493 1,357 804
TOTAL (Santa Maria) 34,511 30,830 26,839 26,267

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Santa Maria, Laguna
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 26
(79) 		27
(81) 		29
(84) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		26
(79) 		29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58
(2.3) 		41
(1.6) 		32
(1.3) 		29
(1.1) 		91
(3.6) 		143
(5.6) 		181
(7.1) 		162
(6.4) 		172
(6.8) 		164
(6.5) 		113
(4.4) 		121
(4.8) 		1,307
(51.5)
Average rainy days 13.4 9.3 9.1 9.8 19.1 22.9 26.6 24.9 25.0 21.4 16.5 16.5 214.5
Source: Meteoblue[8]

Demographics

[edit]
Population census of Santa Maria
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 669—    
1918 698+0.28%
1939 2,524+6.31%
1948 3,851+4.81%
1960 8,378+6.69%
1970 12,575+4.14%
1975 13,731+1.78%
1980 15,744+2.77%
1990 20,525+2.69%
1995 22,296+1.56%
2000 24,574+2.11%
2007 26,267+0.92%
2010 26,839+0.79%
2015 30,830+2.68%
2020 34,511+2.24%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[4][9][10][11][12]

In the 2020 census, the population of Santa Maria, Laguna, was 34,511 people,[4] with a density of 320 inhabitants per square kilometer or 830 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Santa Maria

5
10
15
20
25
30
2006
20.60
2009
16.82
2012
20.55
2015
16.56
2018
6.18
2021
8.55

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Government

[edit]
Main article: Sangguniang Bayan
Santa Maria Municipal Hall

Elected officials

[edit]
Elected municipal officials (2022–2025)[21]
Position Name Party
Mayor Atty. Ma. Rocelle "Cindy" Carolino Aksyon
Vice Mayor Atty. Norlito C. Briones Aksyon
Councilors Romualdo Manuel "Sir Egloy" Aguja Aksyon
Elmer Montales Aksyon
Jeffry Ariola Independent
Lorna Alban Aksyon
Cynthia Tamares Aksyon
Wennie Jude Nipay Aksyon
Ronald Ilagan Independent
Roselle Arcillas Independent

Education

[edit]
  • Sta. María (Laguna) Academy, Inc.
  • Santa María National High School – Main
  • Gaudencio Octavio National High School (Formerly Bagumbayan Annex)
  • Santa María National High School – J. Santiago Annex
  • Santa María National High School – Calangay Annex
  • Our Lady of Los Ángeles School
  • Adia Elementary School
  • Bagong Pook Elementary School
  • Bagumbayan Elementary School
  • Cabooan Elementary School
  • Calangay Elementary School
  • Cambuja-Bubucal Elementary School
  • Coralan Elementary School
  • Cueva Elementary School
  • J. Santiago Elementary School
  • J.P. Laurel Elementary School
  • Macasipac Elementary School
  • Matalinting Elementary School
  • New Little Baguio Elementary School
  • Paang Bundok Elementary School
  • Paoo Elementary School
  • Parang Ng Buho Elementary School
  • Pulóng Mindanáo Elementary School
  • Talangka Elementary School
  • Tungkod Elementary School
  • Santa María Elementary School

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b William Cameron Forbes (19 August 1909). "Executive Order No. 72, s. 1909". Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  2. ^  Municipality of Santa Maria | (DILG)
  3. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ^ Act No. 939 (October 12, 1903), "An Act reducing the thirty municipalities of the Province of La Laguna to nineteen", Lawyerly, retrieved July 10, 2023
  7. ^ "Province: Laguna". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  8. ^ "Santa Maria: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  9. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  10. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  12. ^ "Province of Laguna". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  15. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  16. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  17. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  19. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  20. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Halalan 2022 SANTA MARIA, LAGUNA Election Results". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
[edit]
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