Los Baños, Laguna
Encyclopedia
The Nature and Science City of Los Baños is a 1st class urban city in the province of Laguna
, Philippines
. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,631 inhabitants in 17,030 households. It has a total land area of 56.5 square kilometers and is bordered on the south and southwest by Mount Makiling, on the north by Laguna de Bay
, on the northwest by Calamba City
and on the east by the town of Bay
. The town is located 63 kilometers southeast of Manila
and is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway
.
The town lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano Mount Makiling
and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts that dot the area. Los Baños also hosts the University of the Philippines
, along with other foreign and local and international research centers, such as the International Rice Research Institute
, the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Philippine Rice Research Institute
, Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB, and SEAMEO-SEARCA, making the town a temporary home for tens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and expatriates.
Aside from its importance in academics, science and research, Los Baños is a well-known tourist destination. Because of the town's proximity to Metro Manila
, Los Baños' hot spring
resorts are frequent weekend or summer getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the Philippines and abroad. Tourists who visit Los Baños also come to the several native delicacies stores in the town to buy the town's famous Buko pie (coconut meat pie).
, called Mainit, the Tagalog term for "hot" and alludes to the thermal springs at the foot of Mount Makiling
. By 1589, through a Franciscan Friar, it became popularly called by its present name: "Los Baños," which is Spanish for "bathing place."
In 1595, a temporary building made of bamboo and cogon was built to serve as shelter for the patients who journeyed to Mainit to seek cures for their ailments. It was on September 15, 1615 when the Friars administered Los Baños as a separate town from Bay.
The early traders from Las Pinas such as the "Eusebio clan" and from Manila the "Lopez clan" are considered the earliest to have established farming and business establishment in the area followed by the Kalaws, Bernardos, Clemente and De Castro clan whom are all related to each other. Presently although most of these pioneering families have migrated to other municipalities and overseas, the clan are still in monopoly on agriculture, business and education. In 1671, more permanent structures like churches and hospitals were built only to be destroyed by a fire in 1727. The structures were re-erected at a slow rate. The church which now stands in the municipal center of Los Baños dates back to 1851. The Spanish Governor's palace was built in 1879 but was only completed in 1892.
The UPCA became a Japanese camp for prisoners of war, an internment camp for allied nationals, a target of Kempetai punitive measures, and the headquarters of a secret organization of guerrillas. On February 23, 1945, US forces of the First Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment led a combined amphibious and airborne raid
against the Japanese prison of war camp, rescuing over 2,000 allied nationals. In order to haste the evacuation of civilians from their belongings, US forces and Filipino guerrillas were forced to burn the barracks before Japanese reinforcements would arrive to the area. Only Baker Hall, the armory-gymnasium, remained. Among those liberated, was a civilian purser named Frank W. Buckles, who subsequently lived to become America's eldest survivor of World War I.
In early 50's a batch of bright young Filipino forestry graduates of the University of The Philippines College of Forestry (UPCF) made their way to "British North Borneo" (Sabah) on a pioneering quest that has contributed in the establishment of the "Sabah Forestry Department" in Malaysia, including the famous "Sepilok Research Centre" where it also shelters the world famous orang utan sanctuary. (Prominent UPLB foresters in Sabah, Malaysia, retired Forestry Officers: Mendoza, T.V.Eusebio Sr, Udarbe, Alavaso, Sario, Pascua, Dotimas, Padua, Siruno)
In 1959, the 10th World Scout Jamboree was held in Los Baños, with the theme "Building Tomorrow Today" with an attendance of 12,203 scouts.
In 1962, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) began its operation.
to declare the municipality as "A Special University Zone", granted on 15 June 1982 by virtue of letter of instruction No. 883.
Los Baños was further declared as an "Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences Community" on 17 March 1982 by virtue of Executive Order No. 784 (Section 23).
On August 7, 2000, Los Baños was declared as a "Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines" through Presidential Proclamation No. 349 in recognition as a center for science and technology in the development of agriculture and preservation of the environment.
The 6th Flora Malesiana, a triennial gathering of people with botanical expertise regarding "Malesia
," was held from September 20 to 24 in 2004. It provided a forum for Flora Malesiana members and encouraged publications on Malesian plants.
During the 2005 Southeast Asian Games
, Los Baños played host to the aquatics events, with the newly-built Trace Aquatic Center serving as the venue.
The headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Center for Biodiversity was opened on August 8, 2006 at the DOST-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, located at the College of Forestry, University of the Philippines, Los Baños
. It coincided with the foundation day celebrations of the organization. The Philippines assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 and played host to the 12th ASEAN and East Asia Summit
s (held in Metro Cebu
, January 2007).
In January 2007, the 5th ASEAN Inter-Club Age-Group Swimming Championships was held in the Trace Aqua Sports Center.
Los Baños also played host to the UAAP when the swimming competitions of the 70th
, 71st
and 72nd
seasons were held at the Trace Aquatics Center.
Presently, Los Banos has the largest scientist community in South East Asia. Although it is a small town, it has contributed widely through scientific achievements and contributions locally and worldwide particularly on agriculture. A search through Google results in a list of international scientists in a range of fields who have come here to study.
s.
Laguna province
Laguna is a province of the Philippines found in the CALABARZON region in Luzon. Its capital is Santa Cruz and the province is located southeast of Metro Manila, south of the province of Rizal, west of Quezon, north of Batangas and east of Cavite. Laguna almost completely surrounds Laguna de Bay,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,631 inhabitants in 17,030 households. It has a total land area of 56.5 square kilometers and is bordered on the south and southwest by Mount Makiling, on the north by Laguna de Bay
Laguna de Bay
Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in the Philippines and the third largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia after Tonle Sap in Cambodia and Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia. It is on the island of Luzon between the provinces of Laguna to the south and Rizal to the north...
, on the northwest by Calamba City
Calamba City
Calamba City is a first class component city located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Situated only 54 kilometers south of Manila, about an hour by chartered bus, Calamba City is a popular tourist destination with its hot spring resorts, most of the resorts are located in Barangay Pansol...
and on the east by the town of Bay
Bay, Laguna
Bay is a 3rd class also considered as 2nd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 60,756 inhabitants in 15,194 households...
. The town is located 63 kilometers southeast of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway
South Luzon Expressway
The South Luzon Expressway ', which is formerly called the South Superhighway ', and officially known as Radial Road 3 or R-3, is a network of three expressways that connects Metro Manila to the provinces of the CALABARZON region in the Philippines...
.
The town lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano Mount Makiling
Mount Makiling
Mount Makiling, also rarely Mount Maquiling, is a potentially active volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It rises to 1,090 m above mean sea level.-Legend:...
and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts that dot the area. Los Baños also hosts the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines, Los Baños
The University of the Philippines Los Baños is a public university located in the towns of Los Baños and Bay in the province of Laguna, some 64 kilometers southeast of Manila...
, along with other foreign and local and international research centers, such as the International Rice Research Institute
International Rice Research Institute
The International Rice Research Institute is an international NGO. Its headquarters are in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, and it has offices in sixteen countries...
, the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Philippine Rice Research Institute
Philippine Rice Research Institute
The Philippine Rice Research Institute is one of the Philippines' rice research institutes, and collaborates with the International Rice Research Institute also headquartered in the Philippines. PhilRice plays a key role in building and sustaining a competitive rice economy through research into...
, Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB, and SEAMEO-SEARCA, making the town a temporary home for tens of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and expatriates.
Aside from its importance in academics, science and research, Los Baños is a well-known tourist destination. Because of the town's proximity to Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
, Los Baños' hot spring
Hot spring
A hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.-Definitions:...
resorts are frequent weekend or summer getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the Philippines and abroad. Tourists who visit Los Baños also come to the several native delicacies stores in the town to buy the town's famous Buko pie (coconut meat pie).
Precolonial Times and the Spanish Colonial Period
Los Baños started as a settlement, a barrio of BayBay, Laguna
Bay is a 3rd class also considered as 2nd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 60,756 inhabitants in 15,194 households...
, called Mainit, the Tagalog term for "hot" and alludes to the thermal springs at the foot of Mount Makiling
Mount Makiling
Mount Makiling, also rarely Mount Maquiling, is a potentially active volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It rises to 1,090 m above mean sea level.-Legend:...
. By 1589, through a Franciscan Friar, it became popularly called by its present name: "Los Baños," which is Spanish for "bathing place."
In 1595, a temporary building made of bamboo and cogon was built to serve as shelter for the patients who journeyed to Mainit to seek cures for their ailments. It was on September 15, 1615 when the Friars administered Los Baños as a separate town from Bay.
The early traders from Las Pinas such as the "Eusebio clan" and from Manila the "Lopez clan" are considered the earliest to have established farming and business establishment in the area followed by the Kalaws, Bernardos, Clemente and De Castro clan whom are all related to each other. Presently although most of these pioneering families have migrated to other municipalities and overseas, the clan are still in monopoly on agriculture, business and education. In 1671, more permanent structures like churches and hospitals were built only to be destroyed by a fire in 1727. The structures were re-erected at a slow rate. The church which now stands in the municipal center of Los Baños dates back to 1851. The Spanish Governor's palace was built in 1879 but was only completed in 1892.
The American Colonial Period and UPLB
In 1909, the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture (UPCA) was established.The UPCA became a Japanese camp for prisoners of war, an internment camp for allied nationals, a target of Kempetai punitive measures, and the headquarters of a secret organization of guerrillas. On February 23, 1945, US forces of the First Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment led a combined amphibious and airborne raid
Raid at Los Baños
The raid at Los Baños in the Philippines, early Friday morning on 23 February 1945, was executed by a combined U.S. Army Airborne and Filipino guerrilla task force, resulting in the liberation of 2,147 Allied civilian and military internees from an agricultural school campus turned Japanese...
against the Japanese prison of war camp, rescuing over 2,000 allied nationals. In order to haste the evacuation of civilians from their belongings, US forces and Filipino guerrillas were forced to burn the barracks before Japanese reinforcements would arrive to the area. Only Baker Hall, the armory-gymnasium, remained. Among those liberated, was a civilian purser named Frank W. Buckles, who subsequently lived to become America's eldest survivor of World War I.
In early 50's a batch of bright young Filipino forestry graduates of the University of The Philippines College of Forestry (UPCF) made their way to "British North Borneo" (Sabah) on a pioneering quest that has contributed in the establishment of the "Sabah Forestry Department" in Malaysia, including the famous "Sepilok Research Centre" where it also shelters the world famous orang utan sanctuary. (Prominent UPLB foresters in Sabah, Malaysia, retired Forestry Officers: Mendoza, T.V.Eusebio Sr, Udarbe, Alavaso, Sario, Pascua, Dotimas, Padua, Siruno)
In 1959, the 10th World Scout Jamboree was held in Los Baños, with the theme "Building Tomorrow Today" with an attendance of 12,203 scouts.
In 1962, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) began its operation.
From "Special University Zone" to "Special Science and Nature City", and Onwards
In 1979, the evolution and development of academic excellence in Los Baños moved the people of Los Baños to request then president Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
to declare the municipality as "A Special University Zone", granted on 15 June 1982 by virtue of letter of instruction No. 883.
Los Baños was further declared as an "Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences Community" on 17 March 1982 by virtue of Executive Order No. 784 (Section 23).
On August 7, 2000, Los Baños was declared as a "Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines" through Presidential Proclamation No. 349 in recognition as a center for science and technology in the development of agriculture and preservation of the environment.
The 6th Flora Malesiana, a triennial gathering of people with botanical expertise regarding "Malesia
Malesia
Malesia is a biogeographical region straddling the boundaries of the Indomalaya ecozone and Australasia ecozone, and also a phytogeographical floristic region in the Paleotropical Kingdom.-Floristic province:...
," was held from September 20 to 24 in 2004. It provided a forum for Flora Malesiana members and encouraged publications on Malesian plants.
During the 2005 Southeast Asian Games
2005 Southeast Asian Games
The 23rd Southeast Asian Games were held in the Philippines from November 27 to December 5 in 2005. The games were participated by the eleven nations of Southeast Asia. This was the first time that the opening and closing ceremonies were held in a large open field, despite the fact that Manila...
, Los Baños played host to the aquatics events, with the newly-built Trace Aquatic Center serving as the venue.
The headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, commonly abbreviated ASEAN rarely ), is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has...
(ASEAN) Center for Biodiversity was opened on August 8, 2006 at the DOST-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, located at the College of Forestry, University of the Philippines, Los Baños
University of the Philippines, Los Baños
The University of the Philippines Los Baños is a public university located in the towns of Los Baños and Bay in the province of Laguna, some 64 kilometers southeast of Manila...
. It coincided with the foundation day celebrations of the organization. The Philippines assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 and played host to the 12th ASEAN and East Asia Summit
East Asia Summit
The East Asia Summit is a forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian region. Membership will expand to 18 countries including the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011. EAS meetings are held after annual ASEAN leaders’ meetings...
s (held in Metro Cebu
Metro Cebu
Metro Cebu is the main urban center of the province of Cebu in the Philippines. Metro Cebu is located along the central eastern portion of the island including the nearby island of Mactan...
, January 2007).
In January 2007, the 5th ASEAN Inter-Club Age-Group Swimming Championships was held in the Trace Aqua Sports Center.
Los Baños also played host to the UAAP when the swimming competitions of the 70th
UAAP Season 70
UAAP Season 70 was the 2007-2008 season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, which was hosted by the University of Santo Tomas. The De La Salle University-Manila's Green and Lady Archers and De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School's Junior Green Archers returned after being...
, 71st
UAAP Season 71
-Awardees:*Most Valuable Player: Rabeh Al-Hussaini *Rookie of the Year: Ryan Buenafe -Elimination round:Host team in boldface.-Bracket:-Awardees:*Most Valuable Player: Mark Kevin Juruena...
and 72nd
UAAP Season 72
-Awardees:* Most Valuable Player: Dylan Ababou, University of Santo Tomas* Rookie of the Year: Jeric Teng, University of Santo Tomas-Bracket:-Awardees:* Most Valuable Player: Analyn Almasan, Adamson University-Bracket:-Awardees:...
seasons were held at the Trace Aquatics Center.
Presently, Los Banos has the largest scientist community in South East Asia. Although it is a small town, it has contributed widely through scientific achievements and contributions locally and worldwide particularly on agriculture. A search through Google results in a list of international scientists in a range of fields who have come here to study.
Barangays
Los Baños is politically subdivided into 14 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
| Barangay | Captain |
|---|---|
| Anos | Celerino L. Balasoto |
| Bagong Silang | Rufino A. Maloles |
| Bambang | Joselito C. Manzanares |
| Batong Malake | Nilo R. Lapiz |
| Baybayin | Anselmo M. Lapitan |
| Bayog | Cesar L. Moldez |
| Lalakay | Gaudencio P. Macatangay |
| Maahas | Arnulfo P. Soriano |
| Malinta | Rolando L. Erroba |
| Mayondon | Victorio A. Reyes |
| Putho Tuntungin | Ronaldo N. Oñate |
| San Antonio | Mario E. Mundin |
| Tadlac | Juan Marvin S. Bautista |
| Timugan | Florencio D. Bautista |
Places of interest
- University of the Philippines, Los BañosUniversity of the Philippines, Los BañosThe University of the Philippines Los Baños is a public university located in the towns of Los Baños and Bay in the province of Laguna, some 64 kilometers southeast of Manila...
and other places of interest within its administered area- Mount MakilingMount MakilingMount Makiling, also rarely Mount Maquiling, is a potentially active volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It rises to 1,090 m above mean sea level.-Legend:...
- Makiling Botanical Gardens
- ASEAN Center for Biodiversity
- UPLB Museum of Natural History
- Flatrocks - creek usually frequented by hikers
- Mudspring - Presumed volcanic crater of Mt. Makiling
- Peak 2 - Highest peak of Mt. Makiling
- Pook ni Maria Makiling, an eco-tourism site adjacent to the Jamboree Site, National Arts Center and U.P. Los Baños
- Boy Scouts of the PhilippinesBoy Scouts of the PhilippinesThe Boy Scouts of the Philippines is the national Scout organization of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute in nation-building.The BSP was chartered under...
and Jamboree Site - a campsite at the foot of Mount Makiling adjacent to U.P. Los Baños, which is being managed by the Boy Scouts of the PhilippinesBoy Scouts of the PhilippinesThe Boy Scouts of the Philippines is the national Scout organization of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute in nation-building.The BSP was chartered under...
and the site of the 10th10th World Scout JamboreeThe 10th World Scout Jamboree was held in 1959 and was hosted by the Philippines at Mount Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna. Dubbed as the "first World Jamboree in the Far East" and "The Bamboo Jamboree" due to nipa palm and Bamboo City, there were a total 12,203 Scouts from 44 countries. The theme was...
World Scout JamboreeWorld Scout JamboreeThe World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
in 1959, the 1st and 12th Asia Pacific JamboreeWOSM-Asia-Pacific RegionThe Asia-Pacific Scout Region is the divisional office of the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, headquartered in Makati City, Philippines, with satellite offices in Australia and Japan...
in 1973 and 1991, and the 1st ASEAN Jamboree in 1993. - National Arts Center - a patch of land at the foot of Mount Makiling adjacent to U.P. Los BañosUniversity of the Philippines, Los BañosThe University of the Philippines Los Baños is a public university located in the towns of Los Baños and Bay in the province of Laguna, some 64 kilometers southeast of Manila...
, which is being managed by the Cultural Center of the PhilippinesCultural Center of the PhilippinesThe Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
and the site of the Philippine High School for the Arts, a special school for young artist scholars
- University of the Philippines Open UniversityUniversity of the Philippines, Open UniversityThe University of the Philippines Open University is a public distance learning institution and research university headquartered at Los Baños, Laguna. It was established on February 23, 1995 as the fifth constituent university of the University of the Philippines System...
- International Rice Research InstituteInternational Rice Research InstituteThe International Rice Research Institute is an international NGO. Its headquarters are in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, and it has offices in sixteen countries...
- Dairy Training & Research Institute
- Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB (PCC at UPLB) - conducts R&D in water buffalo; implements other programs related to water buffalo development; one of the 13 regional centers of PCC (see the link below)
- Agricultural and Life Sciences Complex
- National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB/BIOTECH) - UPLB
- Institute of Plant Breeding
- APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (ACTETSME)
- National Crop Protection Center (NCPC)
- College of Agriculture AgriPark
- Baker Hall (also known as Los Baños Internment Camp during World War II)
- Mount Makiling
- Philippine Council For Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)
- Department of Science and Technology Regional Office for Region IV (DOST IV)
- Magnetic Hill
- Dampalit Falls
- Immaculate Conception Parish - a centuries old church at the town proper (Poblacion/Bayan)
- Paciano Rizal Shrine - house of Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose RizalJosé RizalJosé Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
- Paciano Rizal Park - park dedicated to Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose RizalJosé RizalJosé Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
- Trace Aqua Sports Complex and Museum - aquatic sports venue for the 2005 SEA Games and Philippine Olympic Festival
- Los Baños Eco-Waste Processing Area - noted and commended for its solid waste management
- Yamashita Shrine - execution site of Gen. Homma and Gen. Yamashita
Resorts
- The Pink Shoppe Resort
- La Roca de Trinidad Hot Spring and Garden Resort
- Splash Mountain
- Makiling Onsen Hotel
- Villa Tolosa Resort