ni Gil R. Miranda
Los Baños
Los Baños is a progressive scenic town at the foot of Mount Makiling where the mountain's foot dips at the legendary Laguna de Bay. It is known as the Hot Spring Capital of the Philippines because of its numerous hot spring resorts and an Education Center, with The University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), Open University, The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The South East Asian Research Regional Center for Graduate Studies and Research for Agriculture (SEARCA), and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) within its locality.
Los Baños however is more than just that. It has many interesting folklores and had played a significant part in Philippine history.
La Provincia de la Laguna de Bay
La Provincia de la Laguna de Bay is the original name of the Province of Laguna. At least that was how it was called by Regent Queen Maria Christina when she signed its charter together with other 19 provinces in the Philippines in 1857. Since the year 1571 to present, the province's capital was changed three times. From Bay to Pagsanjan, then to Santa Cruz.
Pikoy tells the story of these changes together with the beginnings of these towns that served as the capital of this enchanting province.
Alamat ng Pansol
Pansol is a barangay in Calamba City, Laguna. It is famous for its hot spring resorts. Tourists since the Spanish era come to enjoy the curative waters of its rivulets.
Pansol actually is what locals use to call hallow bamboo poles stuck on a cliff to draw water. Some innovative story tellers of the early days however, came out with an ingenious legend that gave a twist on how the place was named, involving Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero born in Calamba.
Pikoy narrates the interesting urban legend.
Parian
Parian is what the early Spaniards in the Philippines call the Chinese communities outside the walls of Intramuros. This is the beginning of the present day China Town in Binondo, which is considered the first China Town in the world.
Calamba City in Laguna also have a barangay called "Parian." In 1631, Governor General Hurtado Cocuera ordered thousands of Chinese immigrants to dig irrigation canals in Calamba. It is believed that the Chinese immigrants settled in this area while digging the canals, thus it was called "Parian."