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Weekend in Pila, Laguna, “A Town Declared a National Historical Landmark”

Pila Laguna
Pila Laguna

The heritage town of Pila Laguna is one of the places I've been wanting to visit. I want to see the well-preserved houses in the town that dates back to the Spanish time. So, when my friend, Tof of projectlakwatsa.wordpress.com invited me for a quick visit to Pila this weekend, I didn't think twice and just said yes. From Manila, we took a bus bound for Sta. Cruz and after 2 hours, we reached the poblacion of Pila.

Pila Laguna

Upon arrival, we visited Pila Church, built by the Franciscans in the beginning of the 19th century. It was declared Diocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua in 2002.

Pila Laguna

On May 17, 2000, the town's historic center was declared a "National Historical Landmark" by the National Historical Institute. It is the 4th town to be declared as a National Historical Landmark. The other towns are Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Silay City in Negros Occidental, and Taal in Batangas.

Pila Laguna

It is good to see how the original Spanish-era layout of the town has basically remained intact. The spacious plaza dominates the poblacion with the Church on one side and the Pila Municipal Hall on the other end. Surrounding the plaza are the elegantly restored ancestral houses of the principalia or the elite which dates back to Spanish colonial period.

Pila Laguna

Pila Laguna




We also visited the charming American period Pila Municipal Hall. I've seen it before in photos, it was painted red; but now, it's painted in beige and brown.


Before ending the tour, we had lunch at one of the eateries in an old house adjacent the church.

Pila Laguna

Oh, we also visited the house of Maya and Kute Dela Rosa of the hit TV show "Be Careful With My Heart". Yes! That's "Little Pard's Chibugan" and the "San Nicolas Souvenirs".

Pila Laguna

Visiting a heritage town gives me a certain kind of awe as I feel that I was transported to the olden days.

HOW TO GET THERE
Take a bus from Cubao or Buendia (GreenStar Bus) going to Sta. Cruz, Laguna, it passes by the town of Pila. Don't forget to tell the bus attendant to drop you at Pila town proper (poblacion). Travel time is around 2 hours and fare is 93.00 pesos from Buendia.


More photos on Pinoy AdvenTurista's Facebook Page, click here.
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15 comments :

  1. ianFebruary 3, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    mura lang pala ng pamasahe! next project ko yan! hhehehehehe thanks sa info!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pinoy AdventuristaFebruary 3, 2013 at 9:09 PM

      yup yup! hindi na kelangan sumakay sa Time Airways... Hehehe! :)

      Delete
  2. AnnetotzFebruary 4, 2013 at 5:02 AM

    Yes!!! Gora na ako dyan this weekend, agad-agad...

    Thanks po Sir! :)

    * Pwede po pahiram ng last pic? Will share lang po sa mga friends ko; para sumama sila. Hehehe! :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. mikeFebruary 4, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    i pass this town so many times every time we go to my mom's hometown - that was over two decades ago. i did not appreciate the value and the importance of the ancestral houses until recently. thanx for posting these.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Turista TrailsFebruary 4, 2013 at 4:43 PM

    2 hours lang Pila na? wow. Pila, here I come...

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:50 PM

    Thanks for featuring our hometown. PILA is known as "Bayang Pinagpala" keeping the place intact even during the Spaniards, Japanese and American regime. We were saved by our Patron Saint. St. Anthomy of Padua which is now a Shrine. I am proud being born in Pila. There's no place like home. For sure I will retire and go back to my hometown when the time comes. Please come and visit our place. Make sure you taste our especial espasol, coconut jam, lanzones, kesong puti, and other merienda. We are also known for our antiques. MABUHAY!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownFebruary 8, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    thanks for featuring our town Pila..hope you enjoyed..

    ReplyDelete
  7. vinFebruary 18, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    makadalaw nga kina maya & kute. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. GoytingFebruary 24, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    Thanks for sharing. I will go here on Tuesday :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. GoytingFebruary 24, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    Thanks for tips. We will go here on Tuesday. Woot.... woot...

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Clean up project at Pila Laguna. Troops are coming tom...

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownJanuary 1, 2015 at 10:46 AM

    I heard there's a very nice farm there that can accommodate guests. Pwede din daw for weddings and events. Would you know where it is? Tnx for your wonderful tip. We should be proud of Pila

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJanuary 1, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    I heard there's a nice farm there that can accommodate guests and hold weddings and events. Would you know where it is? Tnx for featuring pila. Ang ganda pala dun

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownJune 29, 2020 at 2:38 AM

    Art Deco architecture

    ReplyDelete

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