Laguna Day is a special non-working holiday in the whole province, and depending on where you are, from Calamba to Santa Cruz, you are either attending a formal program or just happy to sleep in. Either way, the province marks the day it was formally recognised, and honestly, Laguna has every right to make some noise about it.
The provincial government usually leads a ceremony. Expect all the usual ingredients: flag raising, speeches, cultural performances, and at least one moment where someone reminds you that Rizal was born in this place. Fair enough. He was.
But the day is not just about history books and statues. Over the years, Laguna has become one of the country’s busiest provinces, full of industry, tourism, education, and traffic jams that test your patience on a spiritual level. Still, it has managed to retain its identity. Laguna Day is the yearly reminder that all of that growth did not come out of nowhere.
Some towns go all out with parades or local events. Others keep it simple. There might be a trade fair, an art exhibit, or a sports event. If the budget allows, someone will likely try to squeeze in a concert or fireworks display. But even if none of that happens, you can bet that some family somewhere is celebrating with lumpia and rice cakes anyway.
[Photo by Kimy Moto]
