Kalayaan is a town in the province of Laguna in the Philippines.
Understand
[edit]Formerly known as Longos, it is one of the smallest towns in Laguna, having only three barangays: Longos (the old town center), San Juan (which has been the present town center since 1946), and San Antonio (an upland area stretching to the border with Quezon Province). It was renamed as Kalayaan (Freedom) in 1956.
Get in
[edit]
Kalayaan lies along the Manila East Road heading to Pagsanjan. Motorists from Manila either enter the town from the south via Pagsanjan and Lumban, or from the north via Rizal province and Siniloan.
Kalayaan lies along the Santa Cruz-Siniloan jeepney route.
Get around
[edit]Tricycles are the main mode of transportation between barangays.
While Longos and San Juan are accessible via Manila East Road, a trip to San Antonio involves passing through the winding two-lane Longos-San Antonio Road from its junction beside Petron gasoline station in Longos from Manila East Road.
See
[edit]- 1 Saint John the Baptist Parish Church (Longos Church), Esperanza Street, Longos (not to be confused with the modernist-looking structure located along the highway in Barangay San Juan that is dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist). The church was built in the 18th century but was neglected through much of the 20th century when it was downgraded into a chapel due to the government's decision to move the town center of Kalayaan from Longos to San Juan. After recovering its parish status in 1996, the church was gradually repaired. The church's façade, partially covered by moss complimented by the shrub-lined plaza in front, gives off a garden-like air. Its doors and carvings have been preserved from the Spanish era, while its interior has also been preserved save for the roof, which was rebuilt following typhoon damage in 2006. Among the interior's highlights is the botafumeiro or thurible, the ornate altar, and the bas reliefs in the baptistery.
- 2 Kalayaan Twin Falls (San Juan Twin Falls), San Juan. A set of waterfalls with four other minor cascades that is a favorite swimming spot for locals during the summer months.
- 3 Kalayaan Balete Tree, Longos-San Antonio Road, Longos. An imposing strangler fig tree along a cliffside road.
- 4 Plaza Lagumbay, Kalayaan Poblacion Road, San Juan (in front of Kalayaan Municipal Hall). A small square and recreational space with civic monuments and a Hollywood-like Kalayaan sign.
- 5 Kalayaan Welcome Marker, Manila East Road, San Juan. A cliffside spot at the boundary between Kalayaan and Lumban overlooking the Caliraya power plant that offers panoramic views over Laguna de Bay into Mount Sembrano in neighboring Rizal province.
Do
[edit]- 6 Caliraya Lake. A man-made reservoir created in 1939 following the damming of the Caliraya river. A favorite spot for watersports, fishing and camping activities, with an increasing number of Metro Manilans setting up retirement homes along the shore. The lake is shared by the municipalities of Cavinti, Kalayaan and Lumban.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Alfamart Longos, Manila East Road, Longos.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Stay safe
[edit]In the rainy season, Laguna de Bay can overflow, resulting in the blockage of Manila East Road. Likewise, flashfloods can happen in both Longos and San Juan due to the respective rivers passing through both barangays, both of which can become raging torrents.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Kalayaan |
| Pililla ← Paete ← | N  S
|
→ Lumban → Pagsanjan |