Magdalena, Laguna

History

Magdalena was formerly a barrio of Majayjay. A petition from the residents of the barrio for the creation of a new town was presented on September 15, 1819. It was proclaimed a new town by Governor General Don Mariano Fernández de Folgueras on January 18, 1820, and was originally named "Magdalena de Ambling". The name was derived from its patron saint Maria Magdalena and the barrio of Ambling where it was established. The first Teniente Alcalde or Capitan (the highest political authority in a town) was Don Mauricio San Mateo.

They first established a makeshift school in 1820, which was the very first requirement for it to be a town. The municipal hall was also constructed. A small chapel was also constructed and it gave way to the construction of a church in 1829. The church was made of stones and bricks and donations were solicited from the residents. The construction was finished in 1861. The construction of the concrete town hall and the church convent started in 1871 and was finished in 1884.

The revolt against the Spaniards in this area started on November 13, 1896, when the male residents joined the revolutionaries from the province to form a bigger force. It was during one of the encounters that Emilio Jacinto was wounded and sought refuge at the church. Emilio Aguinaldo then proclaimed the first Philippine Republic and the Spaniards finally surrendered on September 1, 1898, and celebrations followed.

The arrival of the Americans, at the turn of the century, witnessed the evacuation of the townsfolk to the mountains for fear of being killed, later returned to the Poblacion seeing that the foreigners were well-intentioned.

The Americans enforced a new system of government. Election of government officials was conducted regularly. The first elected President Municipal was Don Victor Crisostomo. It was during this time that rebels, called tulisan, formed a force to oppose foreign rule and robbed the residents. On June 15, 1929, electricity was introduced in the municipality.

In 1945, Filipino troops of the 4th, 42nd, 43rd, 45th and 46th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 4th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary liberated Magdalena. The Japanese surrendered to the Filipino soldiers and guerrillas on May 25, 1945.

Post-World War II, Magdalena became a preferred shooting location for numerous films, including The Ravagers (also known as Only the Brave Know Hell), and the popular teleserye Wildflower.

Geography

Barangays

Magdalena is politically subdivided into 24 barangays, as indicated below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Alipit
• Malaking Ambling
• Munting Ambling
• Baanan
• Balanac
• Bucal
• Buenavista
• Bungkol
• Buo
• Burlungan
• Cigaras
• Ibabang Atingay
• Ibabang Butnong
• Ilayang Atingay
• Ilayang Butnong
• Ilog
• Malinao
• Maravilla
• Poblacion
• Sabang
• Salasad
• Tanawan
• Tipunan
• Halayhayin

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Magdalena, Laguna, was 28,131 people, with a density of {{sigfig|28,131/34.88|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Elected officials

Culture

Magdalena has been dubbed by residents as the "Little Hollywood of Laguna" due to the town being used as a shooting location for multiple films and television series. Residents attribute the designation from when Fernando Poe Jr. started shooting at the town in the 1970s. A Walk of Fame has been established in the town's square to commemorate artists who visited Magdalena.

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church

Main article: Magdalena, Laguna Church

St. Mary Magdalene Church was constructed from 1851 to 1871 and made of stones and bricks with a sandstone façade. The church is located at the town center or plaza, just across the municipal town hall of Magdalena. In February 1898, after being wounded in a battle with the Spaniards at the Maimpis River, Philippine revolutionary hero Emilio Jacinto sought refuge in this church. His bloodstains were found on the floor of the church.

The Bahay Laguna

Bahay Laguna is a museum in Barangay Bungkol that houses the memorabilia of Felicisimo San Luis, who served as Governor of Laguna province for 33 years. During his time, he was known as the "Living Legend of Laguna." Aside from the memorabilia of then governor, Bahay Laguna showcases the specialty crafts and signature products of Laguna towns such as woodcarving of Paete and bottled preserved fruits of Alaminos.

The construction of Bahay Laguna was finished in December 1995. The Dr. Floro Brosas Foundation donated a piece of its land for this repository.

Education

The Magdalena Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Primary and elementary schools

• Ananias Laico Memorial Elementary School
• Angels Faith Christian School
• Balanac Elementary School
• Buenavista-Cigaras Elementary School
• Bungkol Elementary School
• Maravilla Elementary School
• Ricardo A. Pronove Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Banahaw Institute
• Buenavista National High School
• Magdalena National High School (Buenavista Annex)

Higher educational institutions

• Alternative Learning System
• AMG Skilled Hands Technological College
• Laguna State Polytechnic University

Infrastructure

Magdalena Water System

Magdalena successfully implemented the LGU Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project (LGU-UWSSP). Previously, the municipality operated the Magdalena Waterworks, a water supply system which covered ten barangays. The main water source was the Oples Spring in nearby Liliw, supplying a volume of 4 L per second to 1,097 service connections. Tariff was for the first 10 m3 and an additional in excess of 10 cubic meters.

However, the people were not keen on increasing the tariff, as the service was extremely poor. Believing that water is one of the basic services that the government should be able to provide to the people, the LGU consequently searched for a more permanent solution. Through the DILG and World Bank, the Local Government Unit Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project (LGUUWSSP) was introduced to Magdalena officials. Through barangay meetings and consultations, the LGU water project and how it will help address their problems were explained to the people.

With the creation of the Municipal Water Board in August 2004, the water system was also constructed and became fully operational within a period of one year and six months. The Water Board is at present focused in the expansion of the service area to provide quality water service to the nearby barangays. Moreover, the board is continuously producing policies to help the project be a self-sufficient and profitable economic enterprise for the LGU.

With the successful implementation of the LGU-UWSSP, there have been marked improvements in the water supply and living conditions of the people in the community. All stakeholders in the municipality benefitted from the improved water system. From the previous practice of rationing water, a 24/7 supply has been established, contributing to the improved health of the citizenry.

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. Celino Jr., Ross F.. (1 June 1966). "The Other Side of Fernando Poe Jr.".
3. (6 July 2015). "Rural Escape". channelmanila.
4. "Alipit".
5. "Malakingambling".
6. "Muntingambling".
7. "Baanan".
8. "Balanac".
9. "Bucal".
10. "Buenavista".
11. "Bungkol".
12. "Buo".
13. "Burlungan".
14. "Cigaras".
15. "Ibabangatingay".
16. "Ibabangbutnong".
17. "Ilayangatingay".
18. "Ilayangbutnong".
19. "Ilog".
20. "Malinao".
21. "Maravilla".
22. "Poblacion".
23. "Sabang".
24. "Salasad".
25. "Tanawan".
26. "Tipunan".
27. "Halayhayin".
28. (March 29, 2018). "Mga bayan at simbahan sa Laguna, paboritong location ng pelikula at teleserye".
29. "Bahay Laguna".
30. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".
31. "Magdalena".