Luisiana, Laguna

"This article is about the Philippine municipality. For the State of Louisiana, see Louisiana" Infobox Settlement
official_name = Municipality of Luisiana
other_name =
native_name = "Munucipalidad ng Luisiana"
nickname = "Little Baguio of Laguna"
motto =

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imagesize =
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flag_size =
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seal_size =
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map_caption = Map of Laguna showing the location of Luisiana
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Philippines
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = CALABARZON
subdivision_type2 = Province
subdivision_name2 = Laguna
subdivision_type3 = District
subdivision_name3 = IV
subdivision_type4 = Barangays
subdivision_name4 = 23
subdivision_type5 = Population
subdivision_name5 = 19,255 (2007)
subdivision_type6 = Area
subdivision_name6 = 6,379 hectares
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Manuel Rondilla (Lakas-CMD)
established_title = Incorporated (Town)
established_date = April 3, 1854
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 4032
sub =
footnotes =

Luisiana is a 5th class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 19,255 people in 4,556 households.

Geography

Luisiana occupies 6,379 hectares in a plateau 1,400 feet atop Sierra Madre mountain bounded by the towns of Majayjay in the west, Cavinti, Laguna in the north, Sampaloc and Mauban, Quezon in the east, and Lucban, Quezon in the south.

Climate

The climate is cold, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).

Barangays

Luisiana is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.

* De La Paz * Barangay Zone I (Pob.) * Barangay Zone II (Pob.) * Barangay Zone III (Pob.) * Barangay Zone IV (Pob.) * Barangay Zone V (Pob.) * Barangay Zone VI (Pob.) * Barangay Zone VII (Pob.) * Barangay Zone VIII (Pob.) * San Antonio * San Buenaventura * San Diego

* San Isidro * San Jose * San Juan * San Luis * San Pablo * San Pedro * San Rafael * San Roque * San Salvador * Santo Domingo * Santo Tomas

History

During the 1600s, there was an area of land in Laguna known as "Terreno de Nasunog" ("Lupain ng Nasunog" in Tagalog). In 1678, Terreno de Nasunog was divided into three parts: Nasunog de Lucban, Nasunog de Cavinti, and Nasunog de Majayjay.

Nasunog de Majayjay later became the town of Luisiana. It was only on April 3, 1854 that ecclesiastical independence was granted to Nasunog by the Governor-General (the Marques de Novaliches) with the corresponding approval from the Archbishop of Manila, having Don Marcos Bartolome as its first interim parish priest. Because of the role of Don Luis Bernardo and his wife Doña Ana, the town was named "Luis y Ana", later changed to "Luisiana".

In 1948, Visita de Luisiana gained civil independence from Majayjay, but still without absolute independence for it remained under the spiritual jurisdiction of Majayjay.

In 1903, the towns of Cavinti and Luisiana were combined, Pedro Villanueva of Cavinti was elected mayor and it was during his term that the Aglipay Church was founded in April, 1904. The Romana family funded the construction of a couple of Protestant churches. However, on November 12, 1907 under the leadership of Don Blas Oracion, through the Civil Commission, Cavinti and Luisiana became independent towns.

About the Town

About 108 kilometers away from Manila and 24 kilometers away from the provincial capital, Sta. Cruz, the town of Luisiana is bounded on the north by Pagsanjan and Cavinti, on the west by Magdalena, on the south by Majayjay and on the east by Lucban, Quezon.

Luisiana is basically an agricultural town. At the poblacion, there are only a few commercial establishments which cater to the basic services of the people. Most of them still go to Sta. Cruz to do their shopping or marketing and to avail themselves of other services not available in their town.

How to get there

Going to Luisiana by private transportation from Manila, you will pass by the South Superhighway and enter the province via the Calamba exit. Another way is through the Manila East road – Pagsanjan route or coming from quezon, the Lucban route.

Luisiana is also accessible by public transportation taking the same routes as mentioned above. However, whichever route you take, a trip to Luisiana will still be long since it is one of the inner towns in Laguna.

From Manila via Calamba, a bus will take you to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. In Sta. Cruz, jeepneys going to Luisiana can be found at the jeepney terminal. Just ask a tricycle driver to take you to the terminal of jeepneys going to Luisiana. Via Sta. Cruz, you will pass by the town of Pagsanjan before reaching Luisiana. You will easily know it when you have reached the town because the roads become zigzagged with lots of sharp twists and turns. This is one of the reasons why Luisiana is called the "little Baguio of Laguna."

ites and Events

At the center of the town, some of the sites are the Catholic Church, the monument of Don Luis Bernardo (town’s founder) and a monument of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

But one interesting site in town is the "guard dogs" at the stairs in front of the municipal building. Instead of lions which are common sites or designs in stairs of other buildings, the municipal building of Luisiana has two dogs, which look like Dalmatians, one in each side of the building. However, no one can tell why they are there or what is the story behind the presence of the dogs in the building. Some of them believe that the dogs might have been a part of the town’s history which is yet to be discovered.

Aside from the man-made attractions, Luisiana is also blessed with natural attractions like falls and caves. If you are a water-lover, go check out some of the falls in the town like the Bumbongan, Malaog, Maapon, Limbun-limbon, Aliw, Lagaslas and Botocan-Tiklingan. While if you are more of the adventurous type, see the caves of Simbahang Bato and Butas Kabag. Although most of these attractions are not yet fully developed commercially, they are open for the public to see in their natural state.

Town feast is celebrated on October 9 for the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Another celebration in town is held every 3rd of April, which is in commemoration of the town’s establishment as a separate entity from Majayjay. Luisiana also celebrates the Pandan Festival during this month and also the annual Miss Luisiana beauty pageant to select representative for Miss Laguna beauty pageant.

Business

Sources of income of the people of Luisiana are mainly focused on agriculture such as copra, pandan, palay, bamboo and bunliw, with light industry base and service-sector economy. Piggery and poultry farming are also an additional income.

Today

The current mayor Manuel Rondilla promised that he will turn the town into a city before his term ends on 2010.

On November 2008, Luisiana will host the Miss Laguna beauty pageant after winning the bid against Pila, Sta. Rosa and Nagcarlan. This is the second time that the town will host the pageant. The last time was in November 1997.

Schools

Secondary

* Liceo de Luisiana
* Luis Bernardo Memorial High School
* San Buenaventura National High School
* Luisiana Central High School

Primary

*Luisiana Central Elementary School
*Bonifacio Elementary School
*San Antonio Elementary School
*San Isidro Elementary School
*San Buenaventura Elementary School
*Saint Dominic Savio School
*Sto. Domingo Elementary School
*San Salvador Elementary School
*De La Paz Elementary School
*Luisiana Adventist Elementary School

Gallery

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]