CALAMBA CITY is popularly known as the birthplace of the NATIONAL HERO of the PHILIPPINES, DR. JOSE RIZAL. But aside from that indelible mark in HISTORY, there are many other interesting things about this highly progressive city in the province of LAGUNA.
The city is about 54 kilometers south of MANILA. It is basically located at the end of the original Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX). I said original because at present, there is already an extended SLEX connecting it to STAR TOLLWAY (popularly known as CALABARZON ROAD) in the province of BATANGAS.
CALAMBA can be reached in less than an hour using private car or about an hour for public transportation. There are buses bound for STA. CRUZ that pass by CALAMBA CROSSING. Even the buses bound for BICOL, LUCENA CITY and BATANGAS pass by a portion of CALAMBA CITY especially Barangay Turbina.
The city is actually highly commercialized already with the presence of giant malls like SM CITY, WALTER MART among others and numerous HOT SPRING RESORTS and other types of RESORTS. CALAMBA CITY is actually considered the "RESORT CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES" and the REGIONAL CENTER of CALABARZON. But I will not be talking about those things in this blog. Maybe in my next blog about CALAMBA CITY. There are so much to write about this component city of LAGUNA.
CALAMBA CITY is also known for having the LARGEST CLAYPOT in the WORLD which is situated infront of the ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH and near the RIZAL SHRINE. The claypot contains the names of the BARANGAYS consisting CALAMBA CITY. This site can be reached by riding a tricycle from the CALAMBA CROSSING and from the different PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TERMINALS.
CALAMBA comes from the words "KALAN" (STOVE) and "BANGA" (WATER JAR).
This is the ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH. Located just across the road from the location of the giant CLAYPOT.
Inside the ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH.
JOSE RIZAL was baptized inside this chruch in 1861.
The glimpse of the RIZAL SHRINE just across the street from the ST. JOHN THE BAPTISH PARISH.
Calamba Rizal Shrine is an important historical landmark not only in CALAMBA CITY but in the entire PHILIPPINES.
The marker at the entranceway of the RIZAL SHRINE signifying that it is the birthplace of DR. JOSE RIZAL.
I was not able to enter and explore the compound of the RIZAL SHRINE because it was already closed when I arrived. I already visited the place several times in the past. The last time was in 2012 when I accompanied our INDONESIAN STUDENT.
After that journey to the church, to the WORLD'S LARGEST CLAYPOT and outside the RIZAL SHRINE, I boarded a tricycle towards a place that I will be visiting for the first time. The place that I discovered due to research on the internet is called "APLAYA" but there were very limited reviews and articles about it. After about 5 to 10 minutes travel time, this view welcomed my senses.
There were many people along the way and even at the end of that pathway maybe because it was weekend and already late in the afternoon.
Nearing the end of the pathway, I saw people scrambling in the water. I believed they were catching fish.
Group of people abound the place. They were doing different things. Some are eating barbeque and other food stuff being sold by some vendors and stores in the area. Economic activities were happening in small scale. Some are just strolling and talking while enjoying the alluring view of the lake. It was like a cheap picnic area for some and venue to earn money for others. There were also some people exploring the place by biking. Others are playing volleyball. There were also people taking pictures including me.
At the end of the area, this sole SIGNAGE can be found.
There are also small boats leaving the area. I was not able to investigate of where they were going or if the boats are for rent.
There were also some people swimming and enjoying the water including some kids.
As I turned my back and headed for my next destination, I was able to witness the view of the sunset. Although it was not as amazing as other sunsets that I already witnessed, it was still refreshing to view of the magical threshold of another day ending with another night is about to commence.
As I looked back one again, I captured this small CLAYPOT as part of the design at the fence at the side of the pathway with the lonely mountain as the background.
When I read about the place, I was excited to go because for another time I would be able to take a glimpse of the LAGUNA DE BAY. But since I arrived, stayed and left the place, there were questions in my mind of why there are places like that. There are many potentials for the place but it was like an abandoned and was less priority for development or even for maintenance and cleanliness. I believed that it was developed some years ago to cater to people who want to relax and unwind with no or lesser cost but it was not properly maintained. Yes, there were traces of development in the PAST. But it has to be maintained and improved for the PRESENT and FUTURE residence and guests to enjoy at the optimum level.
Like the HEROISM of DR. JOSE RIZAL, it should not be neglected. The lessons of his writings and awakenings should be sustained burning in our big heart. The FREEDOM that we are now enjoying should be maintained or even enhanced in the truest sense of the word.
Let the words of RIZAL, the world's largest CLAYPOT and the "APLAYA" inspired us in our JOURNEYS in LIFE that there were people who worked for our FREEDOM, for us to aspire for WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION and to develop our gargantuan POTENTIALS as a COUNTRY for the greater glory of GOD and great service for our PEOPLE....
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