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.