Laguna

Laguna is part of a group of provinces south of Manila called Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). These provinces all share the same topography, culture, and history, and the entire region is very scenic and fertile because of several active volcanoes, including Taal Volcano, Mt. Makiling, and Mt. Banahaw. This is the start of coconut country, which continues down south to the Bicol region. Quezon and Batangas are known for lambanog, a spirit distilled from tuba [coconut toddy], while Laguna is famous for buko [young coconut] pie. Archaeological digs have unearthed old settlements in several areas, including those of Pila, Laguna. When the Spanish arrived in Pila, they found the people so highly civilized and cultured that they called it La Noble Villa de Pila—The Noble Town of Pila.