LILIW, LAGUNA

At the southern extremity of the province of Laguna lies this sleepy yet a promising town - LILIW.  The road to the town of Liliw is quite a treat as it is a long one which makes travelers think you are leading to nowhere.  Along the journey, the scenic view of the rural countryside of Laguna is a sight to behold sans the long and winding yet concrete pavements of the road.

Liliw sits at the foot of the famous Mount Banahaw, making the agricultural landscape a complementary backdrop of its quaint and mysterious streets.  In whatever time of the day, the warm community boasts of oscillating and vibrant street scenes.

For a day, Liliw can make you discover a lot of things and be at awe with the picturesque landscape it offers.


Travel Date:  April 27, 2013

It was one Saturday when I begun my journey of traveling with people whom I have only met online when I came to know about Liliw.  Having the same passion as them, I had no hesitations of joining this group.  True enough, the journey was a breeze, fun-filled and made my perspective in travelling change.  

In this small town of Liliw, the size definitely doesn't matter.  Accessibility to the various tourist atrractions and simple cause of wandering is the town's strength.  Thus, with my tsinelas (slippers) on, I was lead to the following.


LILIW CHURCH


I was welcomed by this great architectural landmark once I set foot in Liliw.  With that, I know the visit shall be grand and historical.  We arrived at around 10 in the morning. The church is also known as Saint John The Baptist Church (Lilio Church) founded in 1605.  It is further a national historical landmark.


Wedding rites were on going when we visited the church.  And so, the mandatory photography sessions commenced with the bride and the entourage as the backdrop.  The church's vicinity is further surrounded by images of the various saints of the Catholic church and a gazebo.


As grand as the bricked baroque style architectural facade of the church are its interiors illuminated by the natural light that transcends the stained glass decorations of the church.

Adjacent to the church is a museum, which showcases the various images of the saints and other religious ornaments and artifacts. 


BALAY CELINA




I call this the Secret Garden.  Though it's not a secret place, it is home to various flora and fauna, which names and images appear for the first time on my senses.  The garden is well-landscaped and is likewise available as a venue for special occasions like wedding receptions.  This can also serve as a temporary refuge for tourists and travelers alike.  The place is a haven for photography enthusiasts as there are a lot of interesting finds, from its decors, interiors, furniture and fixtures.







BATIS NG LILIW


In hot summer months, a dip in the small stream of Liliw is a rewarding treat.  I was basically perspiring when we went there and despite the urge to plunge into the waters I cannot do so, as I was not prepared for my swim wear and there are still other tourist attractions to visit to.  Nonetheless, I did enjoy the view of families getting together and friends bonding with the brook as their backdrop.



CHEF MAO RESTAURANT

Then our lunch was served at this restaurant which facade was a resemblance of the old heritage houses.  The interiors were well-decorated giving a traditional ambiance of dining for a Filipino cuisine. We were positioned at the second floor of the restaurant supposedly to provide a good view of the surroundings, however, the windows were covered by acetate which served as its curtains, and so it defeated its purpose.  There were bees flying as if trying to compete for our food as well.  Despite the hassle of dining and the intense heat, the food was alright and I personally enjoyed the dessert and the company of my newly found travel buddies.






And these are some of the dishes served to us. I post with the caveat that I am not a culinary expert and I am easily satisfied when hungry, so I won't make reviews on how it should be prepared and all.






EDNA ARAGONS SHOE FACTORY
 
A visit to the town of Liliw would not be complete without a visit to the makers of the footwear which the town is known for. 



Edna Aragon is definitely an icon in this small town.  If one is a lover of slippers, then it is fitting that one should know its parts and the process of how it came into existence.


The shoe factory's facade is like an ordinary residence.  Once we enter the house, the rubber clothes on pile greeted us.  At the second floor of the house is the working station.  Involuntary inhale of the rugby solvent is inevitable.  And it appears that from this simple work station produced the quality slippers that the town exports and transports to various parts of the country. 







These skilled workers must have been so used with the scent of this rugby solvent.  With no protective gears and bad facial expressions, this routine of having the smell of the rugby around must have been part of their system.  Interestingly, the odor stays at the second floor of the building and does not affect the neighborhood.  Truly, an industry that takes into consideration the health and sanitation of the small community as well as environmental issues that are anticipated to be raised.

GAT TAYAW STREET

This is the central street of the town where the Municipal Hall seats and the various stalls and factories of slippers are located.  Thus, the shopping district as well.

The street is said to be a witness to the grandeur of the old times of Liliw, Laguna.  The renovated and restructured patrician houses lined up proves such simple yet elegant way of living back at the olden times which remains even up to this day.  Today, the stores occupy the ground floor of these old residential houses.





Who is Gat Tayaw? 

He is the founder of the small town of Liliw Laguna.  According to locals, Liliw got its name from a bird.  It was said that Gat Tayaw and his followers decided to erect a bamboo pole and to name the town after the bird that would first alight at the top of the pole within four days. A crow, however, was the first bird to alight on the pole. A crow was considered bad and so Gat Tayaw and his men moved south and erected another bamboo pole. A beautiful bird alighted on the pole and sang, "Liw, Liw, Liw". Thus the town became Liliw.

Truly, Liliw Laguna is a well-preserved town of cultural heritage.

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  7. Sir ask ko lng if you know a place to stay in liliw laguna,, thank you,

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  8. hihih.. Natuwa naman ako sa blog na to.. Yung lalaking naglalapat is pinsan ko :).. By the way, naka.help ang blog mo :)

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  9. Thanks a lot for featuring my beloved hometown. Your article helps a lot for our tsinelas industry and to be one of the most visited tourist place in Laguna!

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  10. Hi sir! May breakdown po ba kayo bg expenses for this daytrip?

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  11. are there any affordable backpacker's inn in the town? thanks for the reply this is a nice informative blog

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