About San Pablo City

The City of San Pablo, a first-class city in the Province of Laguna, is one of the Philippines ’ oldest cities. It lies in the southern portion of Laguna province. This city is otherwise known as the “City of Seven Lakes” because it has seven lakes – Sampaloc, Palakpakin, Yambo, Bunot, Pandin, Mohikap, and Calibato. By land area, it is the largest in the province of Laguna. By population, it ranks fifth in the Province of Laguna. San Pablo City was once part of the Archdiocese of Lipa since 1910 but on November 28, 1967, it became an independent diocese, the Diocese of San Pablo.

It is located at 14° 4” north latitude and 121° east latitude. It is about 87 south-southwest of the City of Manila, with Rizal Park as a reference point. The City is the center of other progressive cities in Southern Luzon as it belongs to a vital economic hub. San Pablo has a cool climate owing to its location. It is nestled in the foothills of three mountains: Mount Banahaw, Mount Makiling, and the Sierra Madre Mountains. These mountains do not only provide attractions for the tourism industry (such as waterfalls) and sources of many forest-based products but also serve as stewards for the clean air. Its soil is suitable for those seeking opportunities in agriculture and horticulture given its richness and fertility. The different barangays have coconut, lanzones, and rambutan plantations and rich in orchid plants. It’s major income sources are agriculture/farming and fishing. The city’s main product is coconut. The city is also known for its buko pie where the coconut used to make these are mainly products of the city.

San Pablo City has a cool rural-like climate that provides a relaxing alternative for tourists who are tired of fast-paced, draining, and stressful urban life. Among its major tourist attractions are: The Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Cathedral, Fule-Malvar Mansion, City Hall, Old Municipio, Sampaloc Lake Staircase, City Plaza, Doña Leonila Park, Boundary Arc of San Pablo City- Tiaong, Veterans Monument, Villa Escudero, and more. Today, San Pablo City wows thousands of visitors with the beauty, the richness of culture, and warmth of its people. Development arises as time passes by which helps the city add more attractions as well as preserve its natural beauty.

Historical Background:

In ancient times, San Pablo was known as the Village of Sampaloc. It was an upland realm surrounded by mountain ranges and quiescent volcanic peaks. It was believed that mountain making movements or orogeny had thrust lower-lying areas to uplands and low rolling plains after extensive volcanism took place millions of years ago and where Caesal piniaceus tamarind or Sampaloc trees grew in wild abundance. This upland realm became the town, San Pablo de los Montes.

SPECIAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS:

Town Fiesta & Coconut Festival (January 15)
The festival consists of street dancing, float parade, street concerts, nightly programs before the city fiesta, and some other important events like the yearly “Lakan at Mutya ng San Pablo”, “Mr. & Ms. CocoStar”, CocoArt contest, CocoPhoto contest, TikTok Contest, etc.

Holy Week – Lenten Procession. The Samahan ng Mahal na Pasyon of San Pablo City, Laguna invites Holy Week devotees to its annual procession on Good Friday. The procession starts from the St. Paul the Hermit Church in the afternoon with over 60 carrozas (floats) carrying tableaux depicting the various scenes of the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Santacruzan & Flores de Mayo (end of May). The offering of flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary is done by young girls to teen-aged ones donned in gowns. Before the offering of the flowers, these lovely ladies parade in the streets at night. Santacruzan is a reenactment of the finding of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. This activity included sagalas (muses) wearing beautiful gowns with their consortes (escorts) parading at night accompanied by lights and arches. The highlight of this procession is the Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) and son, Constantino (Constantine) who have allegedly found a part of Christ’s Cross.

All Saint’s Day & All Soul’s Day (November 1 & 2). All Saint’s Day is an important day in the Philippines as the world’s third-largest Catholic country. It celebrates the saints who were not awarded their own feast days. It also marks a celebration of the lives of the deceased. Filipinos flock to their family plots in cemeteries, like a family reunion where groups of the extended family gather together. They decorate the graves with flowers and candles. The day is filled with music and food. There are also prayers and religious traditions. At the end of the day, people will often camp overnight in the cemetery to pay their respects to their dead relatives. The cemeteries come alive during this period.

Christmas Day (December 25)

New Year’s Day (January 1)