Los Baños, Laguna

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Los Baños
Municipality
Municipality of Los Baños
LosBañosHalljf8826 15.JPG
1670Los Baños Calamba National Highway 34.jpg
8374Tadlac Lake Nature Park 19.jpg
1470Los Baños, Laguna Landmarks 49.jpg
UP Los Baños Main Gate and Carabao Park.jpg
From top, left to right: Panoramic view of the municipal hall, welcome signage at Los Baños–Calamba boundary, Tadlac lake, Los Baños Museum, and UPLB main gate
Flag of Los Baños
Flag
Official seal of Los Baños
Seal
Etymology: lit: The Bath or The Bathing Place
Nickname(s): 
Special Science and Nature City[1]
Map of Laguna with Los Baños highlighted
Map of Laguna with Los Baños highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Los Baños is located in Philippines
Los Baños
Los Baños
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°10′N 121°13′E / 14.17°N 121.22°E / 14.17; 121.22Coordinates: 14°10′N 121°13′E / 14.17°N 121.22°E / 14.17; 121.22
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceLaguna
District 2nd district
Founded17 September 1615
Barangays14 (see Barangays)
Government
 [2]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorAntonio L. Kalaw
 • Vice MayorJosephine Sumangil-Evangelista
 • RepresentativeRuth M. Hernandez
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate65,754 voters (2019)
Area
[3]
 • Total54.22 km2 (20.93 sq mi)
Elevation
118 m (387 ft)
Highest elevation
1,095 m (3,593 ft)
Lowest elevation
2 m (7 ft)
Population
 (2020 census) [4]
 • Total115,353
 • Density2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
 • Households
27,722
Demonym(s)Los Bañense
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence2.14% (2015)[5]
 • Revenue₱256,986,279.76 (2016)
Service provider
 • ElectricityManila Electric Company (Meralco)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4030, 4031
PSGC
043411000
IDD : area code +63 (0)49
Climate typetropical monsoon climate
Native languagesTagalog
Websitewww.losbanos.gov.ph

Los Baños, officially the Municipality of Los Baños (Tagalog: Bayan ng Los Baños), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 115,353 people. [4]

It has a total land area of 56.5 square kilometers and is bordered on the south and south-west by Mount Makiling, on the north by Laguna de Bay., on the north-west by Calamba and on the east by the town of Bay. The town is located 63 kilometres (39 mi) southeast of Manila and is accessible via the South Luzon Expressway.

The municipality lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano Mount Makiling and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts. Los Baños also hosts two constituent universities of the University of the Philippines System: the University of the Philippines Los Baños and University of the Philippines Open University, along with other foreign and local and international research centers, such as the International Rice Research Institute, the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB, and SEAMEO-SEARCA, making the town a temporary home for tens of thousands of both local and foreign undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and support staff.

Los Baños was declared as the Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines through Presidential Proclamation No. 349.[6] The proclamation, however, does not convert the municipality to a city or give it corporate powers that are accorded to other cities.

Aside from its importance in academics, science and research, Los Baños is a well-known tourist destination. Because of the town's proximity to Metro Manila, Los Baños' hot spring resorts are frequent weekend or summer getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the Philippines and abroad. Tourists who visit Los Baños also come to the several native delicacies stores in the town to buy the town's famous buko pie (coconut meat pie) as well as a home-grown brand of chocolate cake.[7][8] Currently, it is Laguna's richest municipality in terms of assets amounting to Php 652.95 M.[9]

History[]

Precolonial and Spanish colonial period[]

Los Baños started as a settlement, a barrio of Bay, called Mainit, the Tagalog term for "hot", alluding to the thermal springs at the foot of Mount Makiling. By 1589, through a Franciscan friar, it became popularly called by its present name, "Los Baños," which is Spanish for "bathing place".[10]

In 1595, a temporary building made of bamboo and cogon was built to serve as shelter for the patients who journeyed to Mainit to seek cures for their ailments. It was on 17 September 1615 when the friars administered Los Baños as a separate town from Bay.[10]

In 1671, more permanent structures like churches and hospitals were built only to be destroyed by a fire in 1727. The structures were re-erected at a slow rate. The church which now stands in the municipal center of Los Baños dates back to 1851. The Spanish Governor's palace was built in 1879 but was only completed in 1892.[11]

American colonial period (1900–1946)[]

Further information: Raid on Los Baños

In 1909, the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture (UPCA) was established.

The UPCA became a Japanese prisoner of war camp for nationals of the Allied countries, a target of Kempetai punitive measures, and the headquarters of a secret organization of guerrillas. On 23 February 1945, US forces of the First Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the Eleventh Airborne Division led a combined amphibious and airborne raid against the prison camp, rescuing over 2,000 Allied nationals. They killed the 250-man Japanese garrison. In order to force the prisoners to leave behind their belongings and speed up the evacuation before the Japanese could send reinforcements, US forces and Filipino guerrillas burned the camp. Only Baker Hall, the university gymnasium until 2010, remained intact.[12]

Modern era (1946–present)[]

In 1959, the 10th World Scout Jamboree was held in Los Baños, with the theme "Building Tomorrow Today" with an attendance of 12,203 Scouts.

In 1962, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) began its operation.

In 1979, the evolution and development of academic excellence in Los Baños moved the people of Los Baños to request then president Ferdinand Marcos to declare the municipality as "A Special University Zone", granted on 15 June 1982 by virtue of letter of instruction No. 883.

Los Baños was further declared as an "Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences Community" on 17 March 1982 by virtue of Executive Order No. 784 (Section 23).

On 7 August 2000, Los Baños was declared a Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 349. It was signed by then President Joseph Estrada. The Proclamation is in recognition of the town's important contribution in country. The municipality has remained as the country's hub of science and nature with the presence of national and international research institutions collaborating towards the advancement of science research.[13]

The 6th Flora Malesiana, a triennial gathering of people with botanical expertise regarding "Malesia," was held from 20 to 24 September 2004. It provided a forum for Flora Malesiana members and encouraged publications on Malesian plants.

During the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Los Baños played host to the aquatics events, with the newly built Trace Aquatic Center at Trace College serving as the venue.

The headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Center for Biodiversity was opened on 8 August 2006 at the DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, located at the College of Forestry, University of the Philippines Los Baños. It coincided with the foundation day celebrations of the organization. The Philippines assumed the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2006 and played host to the 12th ASEAN and East Asia Summits (held in Metro Cebu, January 2007).

In January 2007, the 5th ASEAN Inter-Club Age-Group Swimming Championships was held in the Trace Aqua Sports Center.

Los Baños also plays host to the UAAP, as the Trace Aquatics Center has served as the venue for the league's swimming competitions since UAAP Season 70 until UAAP Season 76.

Currently, Los Baños is probably the densest habitat of academicians in South East Asia.[14] Although it is a small town, it has contributed widely through scientific achievements and contributions locally and worldwide particularly on agriculture.[citation needed]

On 3 December 2020, its incumbent mayor, Caesar P. Perez was assassinated by an armed assailant.[15]

Geography[]

Los Baños is nestled between two of Southern Luzon's most dominant geographical features – Mount Makiling to the south and south-west and Laguna de Bay to the north.[16] In fact, Laguna de Bay's southernmost tip is at Barangay Bambang, and Barangay Bagong Silang is already halfway up Mount Makiling. Both the mountain and the lake are volcanic features – Makiling being a potentially active volcano whose geothermal activities gave birth to the hot springs after which the town was named, and Laguna de Bay being the filled-in caldera of a massive prehistoric volcano.

Another notable geological feature is Tadlac Lake, a maar lake whose almost perfectly round shape and uncharted waters have led some locals to call it "the enchanted lake." Others call it "alligator lake", a reminder that it served as the last bastion of Laguna de Bay's once-plentiful cayman population, which has since been wiped out and is now just another legendary part of Philippine history.

Rivers[]

The town of Los Baños is crossed by five rivers or creeks:[16]

  • The Dampalit river, which is named after an edible herb, dampalit (Sesuvium portulacastrum), which often grows near river shores, originates on the north face of Mt. Makiling east of the Philippine High School for the Arts, and feeds into Laguna lake at the boundary of Barangays Lalakay and Bambang.[16]
  • The Saran creek, whose headwaters begin somewhere near the municipal dumpsite, flows through Barangay Anos near the municipal cemetery, and feeds into the lake at Barangay Malinta.
  • The Pele creek, named after the pili tree (Canarium ovatum), flows through the west side of Barangay Batong Malake and has its mouth at the boundary of Barangays Malinta and Mayondon.[16]
  • The Molawin River, most familiar to UPLB students because it flows through the UPLB campus and the Makiling Botanic Gardens, is named after the Molave tree (Vitex parviflora).
  • The Maitim river, whose name means "black", flows through the westernmost portions of Los Baños, marking the town's boundary with its neighboring town of Bay. The Molawin and Maitim rivers merge just a few meters before feeding into Laguna de Bay at the shore of Barangay Maahas.[16]

Climate[]

Los Baños has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am).

hideClimate data for Los Baños, Laguna
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 26
(79) 		27
(81) 		29
(84) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		26
(79) 		29
(84)
Average low °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 58
(2.3) 		41
(1.6) 		32
(1.3) 		29
(1.1) 		91
(3.6) 		143
(5.6) 		181
(7.1) 		162
(6.4) 		172
(6.8) 		164
(6.5) 		113
(4.4) 		121
(4.8) 		1,307
(51.5)
Average rainy days 13.4 9.3 9.1 9.8 19.1 22.9 26.6 24.9 25.0 21.4 16.5 16.5 214.5
Source: Meteoblue[17]

Barangays[]

Political map of Los Baños
Los Baños Town Hall

Los Baños is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.

  • Anos
  • Bagong Silang
  • Bambang
  • Batong Malake
  • Baybayin
  • Bayog
  • Lalakay
  • Maahas
  • Malinta
  • Mayondon
  • Putho-Tuntungin
  • San Antonio
  • Tadlac
  • Timugan

Demographics[]

Population census of Los Baños
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 3,352—    
1918 6,337+4.34%
1939 9,612+2.00%
1948 10,954+1.46%
1960 21,519+5.79%
1970 32,167+4.10%
1975 38,351+3.59%
1980 49,555+5.26%
1990 66,211+2.94%
1995 71,683+1.50%
2000 82,027+2.93%
2007 98,631+2.58%
2010 101,884+1.19%
2015 112,008+1.82%
2020 115,353+0.58%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [18] [19] [20][21]

In the 2020 census, the population of Los Baños was 115,353 people, [4] with a density of 2,100 inhabitants per square kilometre or 5,400 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy[]


Places of interest[]

Gate of University of the Philippines at Los Baños
Lake Tadlac
  • University of the Philippines Los Baños and other places of interest within its administered area
    • Mount Makiling
    • International Rice Research Institute
    • Dairy Training & Research Institute
    • Philippine Carabao Center at UPLB (PCC at UPLB) – conducts R&D in water buffalo; implements other programs related to water buffalo development; one of the 13 regional centers of PCC (see the link below)
    • Agricultural and Life Sciences Complex
      • National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB/BIOTECH) – UPLB
      • Institute of Plant Breeding
      • APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (ACTETSME)
      • National Crop Protection Center (NCPC)
      • College of Agriculture AgriPark
    • Baker Hall (also known as Los Baños Internment Camp during World War II)
  • University of the Philippines Open University
  • Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
  • Department of Science and Technology Regional Office for Region IV (DOST IV)
  • Magnetic Hill
  • Dampalit Falls
  • Immaculate Conception Parish – a centuries-old church at the town proper (Poblacion/Bayan)
  • Paciano Rizal Shrine – house of Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose Rizal
  • Paciano Rizal Park – park dedicated to Paciano Rizal, brother of National Hero Jose Rizal
  • Trace Aqua Sports Complex and Museum – aquatic sports venue for the 2005 SEA Games and Philippine Olympic Festival
  • Yamashita Shrine – execution site of Gen. Homma and Gen. Yamashita

Schools[]

There are 16 daycare schools in Los Baños, managed by DSWD and local government.

  • University of the Philippines Los Baños
  • University of the Philippines Open University
  • Laguna State Polytechnic University (Los Baños Campus)
  • Christian School International
  • Maquiling School Incorporated
  • Trace College
  • Colegio De Los Baños
  • Saint Anthony School-LB
  • Los Baños National High School
  • Los Baños National High School – Poblacion
  • Liceo de Los Baños
  • University of the Philippines Rural High School
  • Los Baños Central Elementary School
  • Lopez Elementary School
  • Bernaldo N. Calara Elementary School
  • Liceo de Los Baños
  • South Hill School Inc.
  • San Antonio Elementary School
  • The Learning Place International
  • Morning Star Montessori School Inc.
  • Maranatha Elementary School
  • Hasik Bagong Buhay Christian School
  • Joy in Learning School
  • Los Baños Faith Christian School
  • Lalakay Elementary School
  • Malinta Elementary School
  • Mayondon Elementary School
  • Tuntungin Elementary School
  • Bayog Elementary School
  • Tadlac Elementary School
  • Bagong Silang Elementary School

Sister Cities[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Special Science and Nature City | Municipality of Los Banos". Losbanos.gov.ph. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ^  Municipality of Los Baños | (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 25 May 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/City%20and%20Municipal-level%20Small%20Area%20Poverty%20Estimates_%202009%2C%202012%20and%202015_0.xlsx; publication date: 10 July 2019; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  6. ^ "Proclamation Order No. 349, s. 2000: Designating and Declaring the Municipality of Los Baños, Laguna as a Special Science and Nature City of the Philippines". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Manila. 7 August 2000. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  7. ^ Cinco, Maricar. "In Los Baños, giant 'buko' pie steals Christmas show". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Meet the couple behind Laguna's 'famous cakes'". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  9. ^ 2016 Annual Financial Report – Local Government (PDF). 1. Republic of the Philippines – Commission on Audit. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b [1][dead link]
  11. ^ Kirk, Kate (2001). A Guide to Los Baños for IRRI International Staff & Families. Int. Rice Res. Inst. p. 4. ISBN 9789712201608.
  12. ^ Henderson, Bruce (2015). Rescue at Los Baños: The Most Darking Prison Camp Raid of World War II.
  13. ^ "The Special Science and Nature City". Municipality of Los Baños. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  14. ^ "FACTS & FIGURES | Municipality of Los Banos". losbanos.gov.ph. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Los Baños mayor shot dead inside municipal hall". Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Plan of Road Network for Municipality of Los Baños, Province of Laguna, Island of Luzon (Map). Los Baños Municipal Planning and Development Office.
  17. ^ "Los Baños: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  18. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  19. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  20. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  21. ^ "Province of Laguna". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  23. ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines_0.pdf; publication date: 29 November 2005; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  24. ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2003%20SAE%20of%20poverty%20%28Full%20Report%29_1.pdf; publication date: 23 March 2009; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  25. ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2006%20and%202009%20City%20and%20Municipal%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates_0_1.pdf; publication date: 3 August 2012; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  26. ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2012%20Municipal%20and%20City%20Level%20Poverty%20Estima7tes%20Publication%20%281%29.pdf; publication date: 31 May 2016; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  27. ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/City%20and%20Municipal-level%20Small%20Area%20Poverty%20Estimates_%202009%2C%202012%20and%202015_0.xlsx; publication date: 10 July 2019; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
  28. ^ "Sister Cities | City of Davis, CA". www.cityofdavis.org. Retrieved 11 June 2021.

External links[]

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