# Santa Cruz, Laguna

Santa Cruz, officially the Municipality of Santa Cruz (Tagalog: Bayan ng Santa Cruz), is a municipality and capital of the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 123,574 people.
Santa Cruz is situated on the banks of the Santa Cruz River which flows into the eastern part of Laguna de Bay. The town is bounded by the Bay on the north, by Lumban and Pagsanjan towns in the east, Pagsanjan and Magdalena towns in the south, and Pila in the west. It is 88 kilometres (55 mi) from Manila via Calamba and Los Baños. It is accessible by land from Metro Manila passing through Rizal Province via Manila East Road or via South Luzon Expressway
Santa Cruz is considered as the service and commercial center on the eastern part of the province. The town is composed of five barangays in the Poblacion area and 21 classified urban barangays. Although relatively far from the immediate urbanizing influence of Metropolitan Manila, Santa Cruz continues to progress. It is now classified as municipality. The present administration is headed by the Mayor Egay San Luis Sr.. Santa Cruz is also the seat of the provincial government since 1885, giving the municipality an additional administrative function over the entire province. It also functions as the service center for transportation, commerce, health, education, and other social services for the predominantly rural north-eastern municipalities of the province. Boosting the economy of the municipality are the incipient and fast-growing agribusiness industries such as livestock raising, horticulture and aquaculture. The town is composed of twenty-six (26) urban barangays. All barangays are being classified as urban.
The development of Santa Cruz as the administrative, commercial, and service center of Laguna makes it accessible for all private/public vehicles going to nearby places particularly Pagsanjan, Lake Caliraya, Liliw, Paete and Nagcarlan.

## History
### Spanish colonial period

During the last decade of the 16th century, Santa Cruz was once a well populated barrio of the present municipality of Lumban, as well as other contemporary towns like Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Paete and Pangil. On September 6, 1602, Santa Cruz separated from Lumban and became a pueblo with its church and local government. For being in an unhealthy state, the center of the town was moved in 1608 to where it is today.
Since its foundation in 1602, the town had been ravaged by calamitous forces such as fires, typhoons, floods and human vandalism during the Philippine Revolution of 1896–1899, the war of the Philippine Independence (1899–1902), Battle of Santa Cruz and the assault of the tulisanes (bandits) during the Spanish period.
Characterized by fertile flat lands situated along the coastal plains of Laguna de Bay, the economic base of the town had been traditionally anchored on two primary industries, namely agriculture and fishing which still remain up to the present. In view of the strategic location of Santa Cruz relative to the other coastal settlements about the lake, trading activities have likewise rooted on the town during those early settlement days. The town proper which has always been the focal point of activities used to be accessible to the other lake-shore areas due to the navigable Santa Cruz River aside from Laguna de Bay itself. Since those early days, water is the principal mode of transportation.

### World War II

The Filipino troops of the pre-war 4th and 42nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and recognized guerrillas also came from the town and was involved in the Second Battle of Santa Cruz on January 26, 1945.

### Modern period

Today, Santa Cruz serves as the capital of Laguna and is considered as the business and commercial center on the eastern part of the province.

## Geography

Situated at the central portion of Laguna province along the south-eastern coast of Laguna de Bay, Santa Cruz lies 87 kilometres (54 mi) southeast of Metro Manila via Calamba and is geographically located at approximately 14 degrees 17' latitude and 121 degrees 25' longitude. The municipality is bounded on the north and north-west by Laguna de Bay, on the north-east by Lumban, on the east by Pagsanjan, on the southeast by Magdalena, on the south by Liliw, and on the south-west by Pila. It has 26 barangays and covers approximate land area of 3860 hectares which comprises about 2% of the total land area of Laguna Province.
* Land Area: 3,860 hectares
* Residential: 381.97
* Commercial: 35.96
* Institutional: 92.17
* Functional Open Space: 31.27
* Roads: 157.73
* Total Built-up: 696.10
* Agricultural: 3,048.57
* Special Use: 115.33

### Geology

The two types of rocks found in Santa Cruz are alluvium and clastic rocks. Clastic rocks are located at the eastern portion of the municipality specifically in Barangay Alipit, San Jose, Oogong, Jasaan, San Juan, Palasan, and portions of Barangays Pagsawitan, Patimbao, Bubukal, Labuin and Malinao. These rocks consist of inter-bedded shale and sandstone with occasional thin lenses of limestone, tuff, and reworked sandy tuffs, calcareous sandstone and partly tuffaceous shale.

### Climate

Like most areas in the province of Laguna, the climate of Santa Cruz is characterized by two pronounced seasons: dry from January to April and wet during the rest of the year. The municipality has annual temperature of 27.2 degree Celsius and annual rainfall of 1962.7mm. Northeasterly winds with an average wind speed of 9 knots prevail in the municipality.
Climate data for Santa Cruz, Laguna :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 26 (79) | 27 (81) | 29 (84) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 26 (79) | 29 (84) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (74) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 58 (2.3) | 41 (1.6) | 32 (1.3) | 29 (1.1) | 91 (3.6) | 143 (5.6) | 181 (7.1) | 162 (6.4) | 172 (6.8) | 164 (6.5) | 113 (4.4) | 121 (4.8) | 1,307 (51.5) |
| Average rainy days | 13.4 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 9.8 | 19.1 | 22.9 | 26.6 | 24.9 | 25.0 | 21.4 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 214.5 |
| Source: Meteoblue ||||||||||||||

### Barangays

Santa Cruz is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.
* Alipit
* Bagumbayan
* Bubukal
* Calios
* Duhat
* Gatid
* Jasaan
* Labuin
* Malinao
* Oogong
* Pagsawitan
* Palasan
* Patimbao
* Poblacion I
* Poblacion II
* Poblacion III
* Poblacion IV
* Poblacion V
* San Jose
* San Juan
* San Pablo Norte
* San Pablo Sur
* Santisima Cruz
* Santo Angel Central
* Santo Angel Norte
* Santo Angel Sur

## Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Santa Cruz, Laguna, was 123,574 people, with a density of 3,200 inhabitants per square kilometre or 8,300 inhabitants per square mile.

## Economy

Poverty Incidence of Santa Cruz
* 2.5
* 5
* 7.5
* 10
* 12.5
* 15
* 2000 14.31
* 2003 7.31
* 2006 3.40
* 2009 2.33
* 2012 5.25
* 2015 4.57
* 2018 1.98
* 2021 9.75
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

### Commerce

The provincial capital of Laguna, Santa Cruz serves as service center of the province particularly for the municipalities on its north-eastern part.
Trade and commerce remain to be one of the primary economic activities in the locality. The presence of jeepney services plying Lumban, Paete, Siniloan, San Pablo, Pila, Victoria, Cavinti-Caliraya, Luisiana, Majayjay, Calumpang, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Lucban, Lucena and Calamba has further enhanced the municipality's role as a commerce and trade center.
The center of business activities is in the poblacion specifically at Barangay V where the four (4) buildings of Public Market is situated.
Santa Cruz has many establishment that contribute to its development. Development in this vicinity has been a quasi-residential commercial type as manifested by the proliferation of structures which are used both for business and residential purposes by the proprietors/owners. There is also a concentration of business establishments at the section of the national highway/expressway especially Barangay Gatid where a Mall is located, and the abandoned PNR Railway (road) while a strip pattern of commercial development is noticeable along the Quezon Avenue and along the old highway and Pedro Guevarra Avenue. Along P Guevarra Avenue, several establishments are also located such as Hospitals, Meralco office, PLDT office, Red Cross, several Banking Institutions, and Executive Eminent Lending Company. There is also SL Agritech Corporation, in Barangay Oogong, Santa Cruz, Laguna.

### Tax collection

Annual local government collection:
* 2008 — ₱ 160,196,679.38
* 2007 — ₱ 135,792,097.46
* 2006 — ₱ 128,812,429.41
* 2005 — ₱ 117,351,293.14

## Points of interest

Santa Cruz may not have natural tourist spots and no wide areas to develop but one thing the townsmen of Santa Cruz are proud of are the local foods available in the town. Santa Cruz boasts of the famous white cheese or kesong puti, freshly made from carabao's milk.
* Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church (Catholic)
* Cathedral of the Our Lady of Maulawin (Aglipayan Church)
* Emilio Jacinto Shrine Burial Site
* Villa Valenzuela
* Santa Cruz Town Plaza
* Provincial Capitol of Laguna

## Gallery

* Aerial view with Santa Cruz in the centre and Pila in the foreground
* Laguna Provincial Capitol
* Rizal Monument
* Santa Cruz Public Market viewed from Regidor Street near Santisima Elementary School
* Pedro Guevara Avenue, in front of the Iglesia ni Cristo church.
* Pedro Guevara Avenue. At left is the Spanish-era Escuela Pía building. The bell tower of the Church of the Immaculate Conception can be seen at the background.

## Events

Santa Cruz hosted the Palarong Pambansa from May 4–10, 2014.

### Festivals

* Kesong puti Festival — April 4–11
* Anilag Festival — March 8–17

## List of Mayors

| No. | Name | Party | Elec. | Term start | Term end | Vice mayor |
| 1 | Rufo de Borja (1930−2014) | Liberal | 1965 | December 30, 1965 | June 30, 1980 | Romeo Ramos |
| 1 | Rufo de Borja (1930−2014) | Nacionalista | 1967 | December 30, 1965 | June 30, 1980 | Enrique Bautista |
| 1 | Rufo de Borja (1930−2014) | Nacionalista | 1971 | December 30, 1965 | June 30, 1980 | Enrique Bautista |
| 1 | Rufo de Borja (1930−2014) | KBL | 1971 | December 30, 1965 | June 30, 1980 | Enrique Bautista |
| 2 | Enrique Bautista (Born 1932) | KBL | 1980 | June 30, 1980 | May 23, 1986 | Jose Uriarte |
| 2 | Enrique Bautista (Born 1932) | Independent | 1980 | June 30, 1980 | May 23, 1986 | Jose Uriarte |
| 2 | Enrique Bautista (Born 1932) | Nacionalista | 1980 | June 30, 1980 | May 23, 1986 | Jose Uriarte |
| – | Oscar Feliciano (died 2013) | Independent | — | May 25, 1986 | February 1, 1988 | Romeo Ramos |
| 3 | Rodolfo San Luis (1946–2009) | Lakas | 1988 | February 2, 1988 | June 30, 1995 | Reynaldo Limjuco |
| 3 | Rodolfo San Luis (1946–2009) | LDP | 1992 | February 2, 1988 | June 30, 1995 | Ruy Lopez |
| 4 | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | LDP | 1995 | June 30, 1995 | November 20, 1995 | Narciso Infante |
| (2) | Enrique Bautista (Born 1932) | Lakas–CMD | 1995 | November 17, 1995 | June 30, 1998 | Narciso Infante |
| (4) | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | LAMMP | 1998 | June 30, 1998 | June 30, 2007 | Heidi Ciriaco |
| (4) | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | LDP | 2001 | June 30, 1998 | June 30, 2007 | Ariel Magcalas |
| (4) | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | LDP | 2004 | June 30, 1998 | June 30, 2007 | Ariel Magcalas |
| 5 | Ariel Magcalas (born 1965) | Liberal | 2007 | June 30, 2007 | June 30, 2010 | Alan Pamatmat |
| (4) | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | PMP | 2010 | June 30, 2010 | June 30, 2019 | Louis de Leon |
| (4) | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | Liberal | 2013 | June 30, 2010 | June 30, 2019 | Louis de Leon |
| (4) | Domingo Panganiban (1948–2021) | Liberal | 2016 | June 30, 2010 | June 30, 2019 | Louis de Leon |
| 6 | Edgar San Luis (born 1955) | Nacionalista | 2019 | June 30, 2019 | Incumbent | Laarni Malibiran |
| 6 | Edgar San Luis (born 1955) | Aksyon | 2022 | June 30, 2019 | Incumbent | Laarni Malibiran |
| 6 | Edgar San Luis (born 1955) | NUP | 2022 | June 30, 2019 | Incumbent | Laarni Malibiran |

## Elections
### 2022 Santa Cruz local elections

2022 Santa Cruz Mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Aksyon | Edgar San Luis Sr. (Incumbent) | 33,062 | 50.97 |
| | PDP–Laban | Benjamin Agarao Jr. | 31,809 | 49.03 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,871 | 100.00 |
| | Aksyon hold | Aksyon hold | Aksyon hold | Aksyon hold |
2022 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | PROMDI | Laarni Malibiran (Incumbent) | 37,099 | 59.74 |
| | Aksyon | Louie De Leon | 24,997 | 40.26 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,096 | 100.00 |
| | PROMDI hold | PROMDI hold | PROMDI hold | PROMDI hold |

### 2019 Santa Cruz local elections

2019 Santa Cruz Mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Nacionalista | Edgar San Luis Sr. | 25,075 | 48.09 |
| | PDP–Laban | Joseph Kris Benjamin Agarao | 23,547 | 45.16 |
| | KDP | Ariel Magcalas | 3,521 | 6.75 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 52,143 | 100.00 |
| | Nacionalista hold | Nacionalista hold | Nacionalista hold | Nacionalista hold |
2019 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | KDP | Laarni Malibiran | 23,149 | 45.38 |
| | Nacionalista | Domingo "Dennis" Panganiban | 15,189 | 29.78 |
| | PDP–Laban | Rizaldy "Pasirit" Kalaw | 12,669 | 24.84 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 51,007 | 100.00 |
| | KDP hold | KDP hold | KDP hold | KDP hold |

### 2016 Santa Cruz local elections

2016 Santa Cruz Mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Domingo Panganiban | 32,605 | 69.07 |
| | UNA | Ariel Magcalas | 14,604 | 30.93 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,209 | 100.00 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
2016 Santa Cruz Vice Mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Louie De Leon | 25,836 | 55.99 |
| | UNA | Efren Diaz | 20,306 | 44.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 46,142 | 100.00 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |

### 2013 Santa Cruz local elections

2013 Santa Cruz Mayoral elections :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Domingo Panganiban (Incumbent) | 21,770 | 54.73 |
| | Independent | Ramon Tan | 9,187 | 23.10 |
| | UNA | Ariel Magcalas | 8,821 | 22.18 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,598 | 100.00 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
2013 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | Louie De Leon | 25,909 | 71.02 |
| | Independent | Bryan Lateo | 10,571 | 28.98 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,598 | 100.00 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |

### 2010 Santa Cruz local elections

2010 Santa Cruz Mayoral election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | PMP | Domingo Panganiban | 15,908 | 37.92 |
| | Liberal | Benjamin Agarao Jr. | 13,867 | 33.06 |
| | Lakas–Kampi | Ariel Magcalas | 12,175 | 29.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,950 | 100.00 |
| | PMP hold | PMP hold | PMP hold | PMP hold |
2010 Santa Cruz Vice mayoral eoection :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Lakas–Kampi | Louie De Leon | 18,315 | 46.32 |
| | NPC | Roselon Pamatmat | 12,495 | 31.60 |
| | Liberal | Alan Pamatmat | 8,728 | 22.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,091 | 100.00 |
| | Lakas–Kampi hold | Lakas–Kampi hold | Lakas–Kampi hold | Lakas–Kampi hold |

## Education
### Partial list of schools

* Santa Cruz Central Elementary School (The Central School of Santa Cruz)
* Bagumbayan Elementary School
* Bubukal Elementary School
* Calios Elementary School
* Duhat Elementary School
* Gatid Elementary School
* Oogong Elementary School
* Pagsawitan Elementary School
* Palasan Elementary School
* Patimbao Elementary School
* San Jose Elementary School
* Santisima Cruz Elementary School
* Santo Angel Central Elementary School
* Santo Angel Norte Elementary School
* Santo Angel Sur Elementary School
* Silangan Elementary School
* Pedro Guevara Memorial National High School
* Basic Christian International School and Special Education Center, Inc.
* ACTS Computer College
* AMA Computer University
* AMA Computer Learning Center
* Capitol View Christian School
* Immaculate Conception Catholic College (formerly Don Bosco High School)
* Laguna Santiago Educational Foundation Inc.
* Laguna Senior High School
* Laguna State Polytechnic University
* Laguna University
* Little Javannah Montessori School
* Maranatha Christian Academy of Santa Cruz, Laguna
* Our Lady of Maulawin Educational Foundation, Inc.
* Philippine Women's University
* SHARPMINDS Tutorial Center
* STI College
* St. Therese Martin of Lisieux School and Business High School
* United Evangelical Church School
* Union College of Laguna
* Southbay Montessori School
* GOAL-DEN Learners Center
* iExcel Learning Hub
* Mind Builders Academy
* Rabbi Excellent Christian School

## Hospitals

Private Hospitals: 4 Rural Health Units: 2 Government Hospital: 1

### Health Centers

    26
* Laguna Medical Center
* Santa Cruz Laguna Polymedic, Inc.
* Laguna Doctors Hospital
* Laguna Holy Family Hospital
* Jesus the Saviour Hospital

## Notable people

* Gen. Juan Cailles - first Filipino Military Governor of Laguna, teacher, soldier, and public servant
* Gen. Agueda Kahabagan - first Filipino female General of 1st Republic of the Philippines
* Rustico de los Reyes Jr. – Member of the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 and former member of the Regular Batasang Pambansa
* Pedro Guevara - soldier, legislator, lawyer and writer
* Eduardo Quisumbing - National Scientist of the Philippines for Plant Taxonomy, Systematics, and Morphology
* Emil Q. Javier, National Scientist of the Philippines for Agriculture, and 17th President of the University of the Philippines
* Nena Saguil - modernist and abstract art painter
* Socorro Ramos – entrepreneur and co-founder of National Book Store, the largest bookstore chain in the Philippines
* Carmina Villarroel - actress, TV presenter
* Gov. Felicisimo T. San Luis - former Provincial Governor of Laguna (1960–1992)
* Jacinto Vallenzuela - former Mayor (1926–1929)
* Ariel Magcalas - former Mayor (2007–2010)
* Rodolfo S. San Luis - former Mayor and Representative of the 4th District of Laguna
* Henry Bautista - former Mayor (1995–1998)
* Domingo G. Panganiban - former Mayor (1998–2007; 2010–2019)

## Sister cities

* Makati, Philippines

## Bus routes

* DLTBCo - PITX Metro Manila Skyway SLEX Real Calamba Pila - Santa Cruz via Manila East Road in Siniloan-Santa Maria route or Mabitac Market; plies routes to Santa Cruz to PITX Bay City Metro Manila & Cubao in Quezon City via SLEX North-Southbound Cupang, Alabang toll plaza flyover, Muntinlupa route North-South Bound
* Lucena Lines - Santa Cruz Laguna Bus Terminal; plies routes to Pagsanjan, Laguna via East Manila Road & South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) route North-South Bound or Santa Cruz Province of Laguna West Portion of Real Calamba Exit via SLEX North-Southbound Cupang, Alabang toll plaza flyover to EDSA Kamias of Quezon City