Nagcarlan ([nɐgkɐɾˈlan]), officially termed as the "Municipality of Nagcarlan" (Tagalog: Bayan ng Nagcarlan), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 64,866 people.[4]

Nagcarlan
Municipality of Nagcarlan
Mount San Cristobal and Nagcarlan Town Proper
Mount San Cristobal and Nagcarlan Town Proper
Flag of Nagcarlan
Official seal of Nagcarlan
Anthem: Martsa ng Nagcarlan
Map of Laguna with Nagcarlan highlighted
Map of Laguna with Nagcarlan highlighted
OpenStreetMaNagcap
.Map
Nagcarlan is located in Philippines
Nagcarlan
Nagcarlan
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°08′11″N 121°24′59″E / 14.1364°N 121.4165°E / 14.1364; 121.4165
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceLaguna
District 3rd district
FoundedAugust 24, 1583[1]
Barangays52 (see Barangays)
Government
[2]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • mayor of Nagcarlan[*]Elmor V. Vita
(Nacionalista)
 • Vice MayorRexon V. Arevalo
(Aksyon)
 • RepresentativeLoreto S. Amante
(Lakas)
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate45,866 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total
78.10 km2 (30.15 sq mi)
Elevation
333 m (1,093 ft)
Highest elevation
2,167 m (7,110 ft)
Lowest elevation
5 m (16 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[4]
 • Total
64,866
 • Density830/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
 • Households
16,796
DemonymNagcarlangin
Economy
 • Income class2nd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
5.27
% (2021)[5]
 • Revenue₱ 216 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 456.5 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 210.5 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 111.1 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityManila Electric Company (Meralco)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4002
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)49
Native languagesTagalog

Etymology

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According to the origin, the name Nagcarlan came from the name of a famous rich and generous woman named Ana Kalang or Ana Panalangin, who was a native woman who was known for her golden salakot and cane which she always carried when walking around town. She was well-respected by the townfolk not just for her wealth, but also for the help she extended to those in need. One day, a Spaniard came to her house and upon looking out of the window; he saw branches swaying and hitting one another, and so he asked what was going on. Ana Kalang answered and said "nagkakalang sila". The word was repeatedly mispronounced by the Spaniards until it became Nagcarlan, which is now the name of the town.

History

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Spanish colonial era

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Before the Spanish conquest of the area, it was headed by Gat Lakilaw. Christianity was propagated to the area in 1578 through Fr. Juan de Plasencia and Fr. Diego Oropesa, both missionaries of Franciscan Order. The area became a formal town in 1583 under Fr. Tomas de Miranda, who brought and successfully cultivated in Nagcarlan the first wheat seeds ever on our country's soil. In 1595, Nagcarlan became an independent pueblo (town), separating itself from other towns which were formally established in 1583. The very first Gobernadorcillo was Gaspar Cahupa (Cajopa), a Nagcarleno who served until 1617. The first stone church was built in 1752 by Fr. Cristobal Torres. While the town is already known as Nagcanlang even before the Spaniards came (as evidenced in the 1572 narrative of Juan Masolong, First Christian of Liliw, Laguna), it was Fr. Torres who officially and formally named it Nagcarlan at that time, to honor and recognize the contributions of an influential and respected tribe woman leader named Ana Kalang (baptized as Ana Panalangin). The name Nagcarlan consistently appeared in the Spanish encomienda system during that period as one of the official name of the town. In 1851, Fr. Vicente Velloc, a Franciscan Missionary built the Underground Cemetery, the first of its kind in the Philippines. According to Historical records, this is where the historic Biac-Na-Bato pact was planned by Pedro Paterno and General Severino Taino in 1897. It was also in Nagcarlan, where the Brain of the Katipunan, General Emilio Jacinto, coming from Majayjay and wounded, was captured.

The Legend of the Hidden Tunnel of Nagcarlan

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Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

Nagcarlan was first colonized in 1571 by Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Miguel López de Legazpi. It was founded by Franciscan priests Juan de Plasencia and Diego Oropesa in 1578. The church of Nagcarlan was first built from light materials such as nipa and wood in 1583 under the chaplaincy of its first priest, Father Tomas de Miranda who also pioneered the cultivation of wheat in the country and was dedicated to Saint Bartholomew.Fr. Vicente Velloc supervised the establishment of a cemetery in Nagcarlan in 1845 below Mt. San Cristobal. Unlike the traditional Spanish cemeteries at that time, Fr. Velloc decided to build it away from the town's center. The cemetery is planned to serve as a public resting place for the people of the town while the underground chamber below the chapel of the cemetery will only house remains of Spanish friars and prominent people. It was built together with the construction of the expanded St. Bartholomew Parish Church and rectory. The cemetery is built with a chapel where funeral masses were held and directly below it is an underground crypt. Pilgrims flock to the Nagcarlan Church to pray before the images of St. Bartholomew and San Diego de Alcala known for their miraculous healing. However, there is also one interesting belief among the locals about a hidden tunnel which is referred to as "the Jewel of Nagcarlan." The stories about the existence of a "hidden tunnel of the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery" circulated and never ceased to depart from the minds of the believers.

This legend has been passed from generations after generations of Nagcarleños about the hidden tunnel somewhere in the very heart of Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery that is believed to be connected behind the church's Altar. Stories unendingly chronicled that the Franciscan Father Vicente Belloc who supposedly had the first hand knowledge of the secret tunnel, protectively carried the secret of the underground tunnel to his grave. To this date, many in Nagcarlan still believe and adhere to the "hearsays" that if one can locate "the Jewel of Nagcarlan", "the Hidden Tunnel of Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery that connects below the Altar of Nagcarlan Catholic Church, he might also be tracking his way up to the summit of the Legendary Mount Banahaw.

Geography

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Nagcarlan is 52 kilometers (32 mi) from Santa Cruz and 97 kilometers (60 mi) from Manila.

The town is home to the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, one of the most important cemeteries in the Philippines which has been declared as a National Historical Landmark by virtue of Presidential Decree no. 260, dated August 1, 1973 with amendments by Administrative Order 1505, dated June 11, 1978. Since the declaration, no more burials were allowed in the cemetery. It underwent renovations before it was again opened to the public during the unveiling of the marker on November 24, 1981. The oldest tomb is dated 1887 while the last interment was in 1982 when it was formally declared as a National Historical Landmark.

Barangays

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Nagcarlan is politically subdivided into 52 barangays.[6] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios

  • Abo
  • Alibungbungan
  • Alumbrado
  • Balayong
  • Balimbing
  • Balinacon
  • Bambang
  • Banago
  • Banca-banca
  • Bangcuro
  • Banilad
  • Bayaquitos
  • Buboy
  • Buenavista
  • Buhanginan
  • Bukal
  • Bunga
  • Cabuyew
  • Calumpang
  • Kanluran Kabubuhayan
  • Silangan Kabubuhayan
  • Labangan
  • Lawaguin
  • Kanluran Lazaan
  • Silangan Lazaan
  • Lagulo
  • Maiit
  • Malaya
  • Malinao
  • Manaol
  • Maravilla
  • Nagcalbang
  • Poblacion I (Poblacion)
  • Poblacion II (Poblacion)
  • Poblacion III (Poblacion)
  • Oples
  • Palayan
  • Palina
  • Sabang
  • San Francisco
  • Sibulan
  • Silangan Napapatid
  • Silangan Ilaya
  • Sinipian
  • Santa Lucia
  • Sulsuguin
  • Talahib
  • Talangan
  • Taytay
  • Tipacan
  • Wakat
  • Yukos

Climate

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Climate data for Nagcarlan, Laguna
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 26
(79)
27
(81)
29
(84)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
28
(82)
28
(82)
28
(82)
27
(81)
26
(79)
28
(83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 19
(66)
19
(66)
20
(68)
21
(70)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
22
(72)
21
(70)
20
(68)
21
(70)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 52
(2.0)
35
(1.4)
27
(1.1)
27
(1.1)
82
(3.2)
124
(4.9)
163
(6.4)
144
(5.7)
145
(5.7)
141
(5.6)
100
(3.9)
102
(4.0)
1,142
(45)
Average rainy days 12.0 8.1 8.8 9.7 17.9 22.6 26.2 24.5 24.6 22.0 16.7 14.9 208
Source: Meteoblue[7]

Distances

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Based on the great-circle distance (the shortest distance between two points over the surface of the Earth), the cities closest to Nagcarlan are San Pablo, Tayabas, Calamba, Tanauan, Lucena, and Lipa. The nearest municipalities are Liliw, Rizal, Majayjay, Magdalena, Calauan, and Luisiana. Its distance from the national capital is 68.58 kilometers (42.61 miles). The following list delineates such distance measurements.

Nearest towns
Nearest cities
  • San Pablo, Laguna, 11.95 kilometers (7.43 miles) to the Southwest (S52°W) Tayabas, Quezon, 22.86 kilometers (14.20 miles) to the East‑Southeast (S58°E) Calamba, Laguna, 28.09 kilometers (17.45 miles) to the West‑Northwest (N73°W) Tanauan, Batangas, 28.63 kilometers (17.79 miles) to the West‑Southwest (S79°W)Lucena, 31.02 kilometers (19.27 miles) to the Southeast (S44°E) Lipa, Batangas, 34.44 kilometers (21.40 miles) to the Southwest (S51°W)
From national capital
  • Distance from Manila: 68.58 kilometers (42.61 miles) to the Northwest (N43°W)

Demographics

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Population census of Nagcarlan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 10,212—    
1918 14,854+2.53%
1939 14,762−0.03%
1948 15,335+0.42%
1960 18,227+1.45%
1970 25,057+3.23%
1975 27,493+1.88%
1980 30,637+2.19%
1990 37,696+2.10%
1995 43,679+2.80%
2000 48,727+2.37%
2007 57,070+2.20%
2010 59,726+1.67%
2015 63,057+1.04%
2020 64,866+0.56%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][9][10][11]

In the 2020 census, the population of Nagcarlan, Laguna, was 64,866 people,[4] with a density of 830 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

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Nagcarlan poblacion

Poverty incidence of Nagcarlan

2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
2006
9.40
2009
7.27
2012
10.04
2015
5.60
2018
2.37
2021
5.27

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

Election

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Nagcarlan Presidencia, the seat of the municipal government

2022

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2022 Nagcarlan local election
Party Candidates Running Mate Votes %
Party Candidate Votes %
Nacionalista Elmor Vita Aksyon Rexon Arevalo (Incumbent) 25,357 68.64 21,974 57.78
PDP–Laban Lourdes Arcasetas (Incumbent) PDP–Laban Evelyn Sotoya 11,587 31.36 16,055 42.22
Total votes 36,944 100.00 38,029 100.00
Winner : Nacionalista, Aksyon

2019

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2019 Nagcarlan local election
Party Candidates Running Mate Votes %
Party Candidates Votes %
Nacionalista Lourdes "Ody" Arcasetas Nacionalista Felipe Arcigal III 12,041 38.53 17,781 54.78
PDP–Laban Amie Malabag-Hernandez PDP–Laban Rexon Arevalo 13,171 42.14 10,897 33.58
Independent Cecille Plantilla 3,946 12.63
Lakas–CMD Manolo Cura Lakas–CMD Neri Monteza 2,094 6.70 3,777 11.64
Total votes 32,455 100.00 31,252 100.00
Winner : Nacionalista, PDP–Laban

Transportation

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Tricycles and jeepneys are one of the popular modes of transportation in Nagcarlan, Laguna.

Tourism

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Spanish-era San Bartolome Apostol Parish Church

Nagcarlan offers natural and cultural attractions for visitors: rivers, waterfalls, lakes and hills for outdoor activities; Spanish colonial sites for historical exploration; and restaurants serving local and international cuisine for gastronomic experiences.

Along Rizal Avenue, leading from the market to the municipio still stands many old Art Deco buildings built during the 1920s to the 1930s. The presence of many narrow three-story buildings where the ground floors are rented out to commercial establishments in Nagcarlan is an indication that the town may have played the role of the central trading center early in the previous century.

There are also many natural attractions within Nagcarlan. The little known Bunga Falls is a favorite getaway among the locals, while the hidden Yambo Lake can be accessed through the back roads going to Calauan. The "baby" mountains can be climbed in a day, the assistance of a local guide is usually required, as the trails are usually covered with vegetation. Another interesting attraction is the San Bartolome Apostol Church. Located on an elevated ground overlooking the rest of the town, the 18th century church built by the Franciscans has an elegant stone and red clay façade with an imposing belltower on the right and an attractive convent on the left. The parish officials still allow visitors to climb up to the top of the belltower to see where Anne Curtis shot most of her scenes in the famous TV series Kampanerang Kuba.[citation needed]

Nagcarlan's best known attraction is Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. This one of its kind cemetery in the Philippines, where there are 240 niches laying above ground and 36 niches underground. Members of the town's elite were buried underground below the funeral chapel. It is said that the underground cemetery was used by the Katipuneros to hold their secret meetings.

Notable personalities

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References

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  1. ^ "Nana Nena ng Kawit". July 21, 2014.
  2. ^ Municipality of Nagcarlan | (DILG)
  3. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  6. ^ "Province: Laguna". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  7. ^ "Nagcarlan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  9. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  10. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  11. ^ "Province of Laguna". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  12. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  14. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  15. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  16. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  17. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  19. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  20. ^ "Pope Francis Names New Auxiliary Bishops of Philadelphia". Retrieved December 8, 2023.
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