Trip to Liliw and Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines

From our base in Pagsanjan we take a jeep to "sambat". Sambat is the Pilipino term for crossroads. It is just 5 minute ride. If we are from Sta Cruz, there is a jeep going straight to Liliw and Nagcarlan. We take a jeep with Liliw signage. We will be passing the Municipality of Magdalena. Magdalena is one of the depressed Municipality of Laguna. It has very little produce because the land is owned by big landowners and they are not very productive. Several years ago it is a host to a coconut oil mill. It closed down because of leftist labor union demanding too much from the management. After the town center of Magdalena we will passing by the "sambat" going to Majayjay. It is another interesting place but we will go there later. Get down at the town of Liliw. Liliw is located at the foot of Mount Banahaw. It is a mystical mountain and beleived sacred by many people in the municipalities situated in its foothill.

Liliw is known for its footwear. Many people, some coming from as far as Manila, flock here to buy footwear. They are handmade, sturdy and cheap. There are several shops operating daily. On weekends the place is full of shoppers of footwear for personal use and for resale. This is a small place to visit. There are just four parallel roads oriented east to west traversing the town center. You will not get lost here. The people are friendly and warm. It is one of the town where people are very cooperative, kind and always jolly. When you get enough of the town, take a ride to the next municipality which is Nagcarlan. Nagcarlan is a trading center for agricultural products. It is a very productive and progressive town (in Philippine standard). Commodities here are cheaper compared to Sta Cruz. In one corner of the road near the public market is a stall selling noodles called "mami". I never fail to eat "mami" whenever I am in Nagcarlan. Their other delicacy is "espasol". It is made from glutenous rice, unripe banana, and young coconut meat. I usually take home espasol as "pasalubong" (present) to my wife and kids. Nagcarlan hosts the underground cemetery. It is a national heritage park. It is located in the outskirt but along the road going to San Pablo City. Take a tricycle to reach the area. The underground cemetery dates back to the Spanish Colonization era. There are tombs dating back to the 17th century. Half day is not enough to visit the whole Nagcarlan. The best time to visit Nagcarlan is during the month of September where they hold Ana Kalang Festival. It is a festival for their town product which is lanzones fruit. To get back to Pagsanjan take a ride back to Sta Cruz. The jeep station is at the market site. There are two ways going to Sta Cruz one is via Calumpang and the other is via Magdalena. Take the route via Calumpang to break monotony. Once you are in Sta Cruz take a ride to your base camp. The fare is less than a US dollar. Be sure to be in the jeep by 5 in the afternoon. After 5 p.m. jeep to Sta Cruz is infrequent. The last trip to Sta Cruz is before 6 in the afternoon.
By this time winter is approaching consider Laguna, Philippines in your travel plans.