Paete: Ang bayang Masining

Here’s another town that is famous in Laguna, it is known for making fine wood crafts and beautiful craftsmanship. The town of “Paete”, which is normally pronounced by us southerners, those living near the said town as “payte”, but it is pronounced as “Pa-e- te”, for it to have a meaning, because it is derive from “Paet”, wherein it means the act of carving, “nag pa paet”.

Paete town as viewed at the Tatlong Krus viewing deck

Since they are famous for wood carving, they have a festival in line with it, the Paet- taka festival which is held in September if I’m not mistaken.

What’s good with Paete?

Paete is one bus away from Manila and a jeepney ride from Santa Cruz.

It is relatively a small town, and could tour the whole town less than a day. Let me start with the church, it is dedicated to Saint James the Great Apostle, but before that, the town’s patron is Saint Christopher.

There are two paintings of this saint located near the entrance, an original version of it, which depicts Saint Christopher with Jesus in a coconut tree, and the other one is the Filipino version, which shows Saint Christopher crossing the river together with Jesus sitting at his shoulder, (photos of the painting were taken from google).

Paete Church (credits to: google)

For the times I’ve been to Paete church, for me it still looks like the other churches that was built during the Spanish era, but what makes it different is the eerie feeling that I feel, because according to history, the church served as a dungeon for HUKBALAHAPS during the Japanese occupation, it is where countless executions were done, that explains the different aura of the church, nevertheless, it the church could bring you back to time.

The town follows thew Spanish grid system wherein the town hall, plaza and the church is at the center of the poblacion.

As for the paintings of Saint Christopher, the townspeople covered it with something, in order for it not to be destroyed by the Japanese.

The church is relatively small, but it could house a lot of carrozas during Holy week because of their tradition of having an exit at the main portal of the church, before proceeding procession.

The altar mayor of Paete Church, this was taken last Holy Thursday 2016, as you can see it is a tradition among churches to cover the images in their altar with violet cloth to signify their sorrow. Located in the center niche of the altar mayor is San Santiago Mayor Apostol, the image is being clothed with embroidered vestments, sorry if I do not have picture of their patron saint.

He is somehow not depicted riding a horse, instead he is holding a stick and a bible.

As for other tourists spots, one can hike Mount Humarap. The mountain is also famous for another name, which is Tatlong Krus. Well, this site will once again be flocked by pilgrims to have some penitence for the upcoming Holy week.

Tatlong Krus ng Paete

To start with, Tatlong Krus, is a long hike, it is not that steep because of the staircases that were put up, for pilgrims to have easier access up to the mountain, but it surely will make you tired. It’s a long hike, but you can stop once in a while.

Here are the photos on our way up, at the peak of the mountain, and going down from the mountain:

Highschool barkada 

Well, once you reach the peak, you will be able to see the small town of Paete, and you may somehow imagine, that the town may be small but it is rich with culture. Despite the issues it faced in the past regarding illegal logging for their wood carvings.

Pictures of us on the way down. 

You will also cross a stream wherein you will walk over bamboo stalks, this stream is part of the Talon Falls somewhere at the middle part of the mountain.

What makes me sad is that their religion isn’t only one, the town is also influenced by the religion Aglipay. Nevethless, both dominant relgion promotes faith to God. 

One may also eat at Femma's pizza house, their famous food is pizza- spaghetti, or explore the small town itself, I suggest that you go visit the town during holy week.

photos used are all mine, except for the picture of the Saint Christopher painting, and the facade of Paete church.

Anilag 2017

In the province of Laguna, there is a festival that is being held annually in order for the different municipalities and cities of the province to participate and to have camaraderie between them.

This festival started under the administration of former Governor Joey Lina, then it is continued by Ning Ning Lazaro, but the festival’s name was changed under the administration of Governor E. R. Ejercito wherein the festival was called “La Laguna”. Later on, after E. R. was ousted the name of the said festival was retained to Anilag.

Anilag, was coined from this words, “Ani Ng Laguna”. The word ‘Ani’, as I believe is the harvest, wherein the different towns in the province could showcase their “harvest” or products that they specializes.

ANILAG marker at the festival grounds

Before proceeding to the Anilag Festival of Laguna, let me discuss with you first a little bit of Santa Cruz. Well, Santa Cruz, is typically a small town, but, what makes it look big is because the town proper is already crowded with houses and has many roads leading to other places in the town.

Rizal monument at the town center

Santa Cruz, was once a barrio of Lumban, and after a few years, it got the chance to be separated and established their own parish in the year 1608. The parish was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and is probably one of the most renovated church in the province in terms of facade and interior changes.

Immaculate Conception Church

Santa Cruz, is a one bus ride away from Manila, there’s nothing much about Santa Cruz, there are only few tourists spots to name of, such as the burial site of the first governor of the province, burial site of Emilio Jacinto, some old houses and the Immaculate Conception Church itself, nevertheless, it serves as the capitol of the province, you may also visit the provincial capitol if you want to.

The Anilag festival this year was held last March 6, 2017 up to March 11, wherein there are different culminating events that happens every night. But I will not dwell on those. Since there is no time for to go on days wherein important and beautiful events took place, I got the chance to go to the festival last March 9, and somehow covered the event, wherein I took photos and videos as well.

To start with, the winner of the trade fair exhibit was the Siniloan booth, wherein it was the champion in the said competition, as for the street dancing competition the one who won was the Lumban street dance.

Siniloan booth

Since I am not aware of the happenings, here are other details that I knew of, the event started with a fluvial heritage procession, wherein the images of the patron of the diocese of San Pablo, Saint Paul the first Hermit and the image of Our Lady of Turumba, the secondary patron of the Diocese of San Pablo, met at the Santa Cruz bridge and a procession was held all the way to the capitol wherein a mass was also held as an official opening of the said festival.

Saint Paul the First Hermit

Our Lady of Turumba

The two images was placed inside the capitol for public veneration all throughout the festival days.

Here, would be the images of some booths:

Liliw booth

Calauan booth

Paete booth

Lumban booth

Santa Maria booth

In regards to Lumban (probably I'm being bias), here are other photos;

Lumban logo

a gown made by a Lumbeno

Lumban gowns inside the booth

                           

Here, is a little background of the Provincial Capitol Building, the building itself follows a neo- classical architectural structure and was built before the year 1900’s, the building was restored to its former glory under the administration of Governor E. R. A fountain was also put up at the Time plaza, and busts of former governor of the province was also displayed at the Time Plaza of the capitol.

Provincial Capitol building

                                                       

Juan Cailles, first governor of Laguna

Time fountain

                                            

Well, this blog of mine about Santa Cruz is the juiciest that I can squeeze, sorry for limited information but this is what I know off the town aside from the old style McDonalds that still has a playground. It’s still not a bad place to visit, but it’s still worth a try especially during the time of Anilag festival, till next year!

Photos used are all mine, shot using Nikon D5300.