Bay, Laguna

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Bay
sealfile =
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_laguna_bay.png caption = Map of Laguna showing the location of Bay.
region = CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
province = Laguna
districts = 2nd District of Laguna
barangays = 15
class = 3rd Class
mayor = Bruno Ramos (Lakas-CMD)
areakm2 =
pop2007 = 50,756
popden2000 =

Bay is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 50,756 inhabitants ("43,762 people in 9,194 households in census 2000").

Built up area

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the city is now included in Manilla built up area which reaches Lipa City in its southernmost part.

History and Legend

Bay is one of the oldest towns in Laguna province, and was the province's first capital. Its original territory covered the areas that are now known as Los Baños and Calauan (in addition to its current territory). The Spaniards pronounced the name of the town “Bah-ee” while the natives called it “Bah-eh.” [http://www.laguna.gov.ph/ laguna.gov.ph ] ] Either way, the similarity in spelling has led to the misconception that the town was named after Laguna de Bay. [Sheniak, David & Anita Feleo, "Rizal and Laguna: Lakeside Sister Provinces (Coastal Towns of Rizal and Metro Manila)", in Alejandro, Reyndaldo Gamboa, Laguna de Bay: The Living Lake, Uniliever Philippines, 2002, ISBN 7192272149.] Instead, the spaniards named the lake after this ancient Tagalog community.

In the old tagalog language the name Bay derives from the same phonetic roots as "baybay" (shore) and as "babae" (woman) and "babaylan" (priestess). The name can thus be thought of either as a reference to the shore of the lake, or to a great lady. In the case of the latter, it has been suggested that the great lady might be the same as Maria Makiling, as her mountain was within the scope of Bay's original territory. [Odal-Devora, Grace P., ""Bae" or "Bai": The Lady of the Lake", in Alejandro, Reyndaldo Gamboa, Laguna de Bay: The Living Lake, Uniliever Philippines, 2002, ISBN 7192272149.]

A more recent legend of Bay's origin says that the name "Bay" was derived from Datu Pangil's three daughters. After they were baptized, they were named Maria Basilisa, Maria Angela, and Maria Elena. The first letters of Basilisa, Angela, Elena were taken together and read "Bae". Over a period of time, "Bae" became "Bay". [Eugenio, Damiana (2002). Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 490. ISBN 971-542-357-4.]

The powerful Gat Pangil was Datu of this already thriving community in 1571 when 18 year-old Spanish Capitan Juan de Salcedo landed with Augustinian missionaries Alfonso de Alvarado and Diego Espinar came to claim the territories for spain. It was salcedo who took the name of the town and named the lake after it - Laguna de Bay, the Lake of the Town of Bay. Eventually, the Spanish came to call the whole province “"La Provincia de la Laguna de Bay".”

In 1581, Bay became the capital of the Province of Laguna de Bay and remained so until 1863 when the capital was moved to Pagsanjan. [Jocano, F. Landa (1973). Folk Medicine in a Philippine Community. Quezon City: Punlad Research House, Inc.. ISBN 971-622-015-4.]

Barangays

Bay is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.

* Bitin
* Calo
* Dila
* Maitim
* Masaya
* Paciano Rizal
* Puypuy
* San Antonio
* San Isidro
* Talahiban
* Santo Domingo
* Tagumpay
* Tranca
* San Agustin (Pob.)
* San Nicolas (Pob.)
* Hangan 2

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]

References