Mabitac is a town in the province of Laguna in the Philippines. It is an alternate gateway to the province from Rizal for those seeking to avoid the chronic traffic congestion in the rest of Laguna.
Understand
[edit]Mabitac as a settlement had existed long before the Spanish conquest. It derives its name from either the Filipino word for "cracked", or a corruption of "mabitag", or full of traps, a reference to its forested uplands full of game. In 1900, Mabitac was the site of a rare victory against US colonial forces during the Philippine-American War.
Orientation
[edit]Mabitac town center is wedged in a valley between the Sierra Madre Mountains to the east and Laguna de Bay to the west. It is dominated by Calvario Hill, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding valley and Laguna de Bay as far as Mount Banahaw, and on which the parish church stands on top. The creek-like Mabitac River passes through the center of town. Transportation-wise, Mabitac is bounded to the north by the Manila East Road and to the south by Pakil-Pangil-Mabitac Road.
Mabitac's municipal government buildings and public market have moved to Nanguma Junction, north of the town center and along Manila East Road.
Get in
[edit]Mabitac lies along the Manila East Road heading to Pagsanjan. Motorists from Manila enter the town from a winding and mountainous section of the road from Pililla in Rizal. The highway itself bypasses downtown Mabitac, so entry is through Nanguma Junction, a right turn in J.P. Rizal Street in Barangay Nanguma, shortly before the municipal hall.
By jeep
[edit]Mabitac lies along the jeepney and minibus route running from Siniloan, east of the town, to Rizal province. This runs along Manila East Road until it turns right at Nanguma Junction into J.P. Rizal Street and then turns left at Pakil-Pangil-Mabitac Road on its way to Siniloan. While this route is optimal when arriving from Rizal, when going to downtown Mabitac to Siniloan, the vehicles give priority to passengers from Siniloan heading further afield. Instead you will be redirected to tricycles that cost P60 for a round trip. The passenger volume is also lesser than other routes, so it may take some time waiting for the jeepney to fill up before leaving.
A more frequent alternative is to take a jeep in the provincial capital, Santa Cruz, heading north to Siniloan and then transfer to a tricycle heading to Mabitac.
Get around
[edit]
Tricycles are the primary means of transportation in Mabitac, particularly if heading towards the upland areas and in Pakil West.
Roads in Mabitac's downtown are narrow and can get congested, especially when Manila East Road is closed due to flooding from Mabitac River.
Mabitac's town center is compact and accessible on foot.
See
[edit]- 1 Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Parish Church (Mabitac Church), Pakil-Pangil-Mabitac Road, Masikap, Mabitac. Mabitac's Roman Catholic church was largely rebuilt following damage from World War II and earthquakes, resulting in an austere look, with only the belltower and altar hinting at its Spanish origins. The church was built on top of Kalbaryo (Calvary) Hill, the highest point in the town center with vistas of the surrounding valley, Mount Sembrano, the Sierra Madre mountains, and Laguna de Bay. While the church is accessible by vehicle through a gentle ramp leading from the Battle of Mabitac monument, many devotees instead climb the short but steep 126 steps leading from Mabitac Rural Health Unit.
- 2 Battle of Mabitac Monument, Pakil-Pangil-Mabitac Road, Maligaya, Mabitac (beside the town cemetery). A colorful monument commemorating a rare victory by Filipino forces against the Americans during the Philippine-American War in 1900. Free.
- 3 Balete Tree (Century Tree), Manila East Road, San Miguel. A towering old strangler fig tree along the national highway.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]On the mountainous section of Manila East Road from Barangays San Miguel to Paagahan, there are many stalls selling forest products such as rattan furniture, fruits and other agricultural produce.
- 1 Mabitac Public Market, Manila East Road, Nanguma.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Kota Paradiso, Manila East Road, San Miguel. An upland resort offering forest bathing and ecotourism activities, a coffee farm and a cafe.
Stay safe
[edit]In the rainy season, Laguna de Bay can overflow, resulting in the blockage of Manila East Road. Likewise, flashfloods can happen within the town center due to the Mabitac River, which can become a raging torrent.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Mabitac |
| Tanay ← Pililla ← | W  E
|
→ Famy → Pagsanjan |