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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Majayjay

Majayjay (Tagalog: [mɐhaɪ̯ˈhaɪ̯]), officially as the Municipality of Majayjay (Tagalog: Bayan ng Majayjay), is a municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. As of the 2020 census, the municipality has a population of 27,893 residents.

Etymology

The original name of Majayjay was Malay Barangay, but many residents assume that Spaniards found it difficult to pronounce, which may have led to early colonizers shortening it to Malay-ay until it became Majayjay. Legends, however, say that it was the difficult journey to Majayjay which gave the town its name; tired travelers supposedly sighed, “Hay!” after scaling a cliff, “Hay!” after ascending a hill, and “Hay!” after crossing a raging river. Thus, guests referred to the place as “Mahayhay,” meaning many sighs, and the Spaniards then spelled this “Majayjay.”

History

The old Puente de Capricho, an unfinished bridge built in the 1850s

In 1571, The Spanish colonial government made Majayjay into a town, which at the time was one of the most populated settlements in the newly founded province. It competed with Bay and Pagsanjan during the selection of the province's capital.

The popularity of the town grew during the Spanish period, in part due to its location at the foot of the mountain, which gave it an abundant supply of fresh mountain spring water. Four rivers flowed through the town: Initian, Oobi, Olla, and Balanac (from the falls of Botocan) where all the rivers meet.

Botocan Falls and the town's scenery were uniquely famous, which led to many Europeans and wealthy natives from Manila frequently visiting the town. However, the road to Malay Barangay was considered to be tough. Guests have to be ferried from Manila through the Pasig River to Laguna de Bay. Land travel was done by mounting horses through a path in the forest and then being borne by natives in hammocks on the way up to Malay Barangay.

After the conversion of the natives of Malay Barangay, a makeshift church was built near May-it River, but was destroyed by a fire in 1578. A new church made of bamboo and cogon thatch was built; however, another fire destroyed it again. A stone church was then built, which was also burned down. Despite the fire incidents, the image of their patron saint, San Gregorio Papa Magno survived.

Through the efforts of Padre José de Puertollano, contributions enforced by parishioners, and forced labor of natives, a new church was built in 1730, with its construction taking 19 years.

Geography

Majayjay is situated in the southernmost part of Laguna. It nestles at the foot of Mt. Banahaw, and due to its higher altitude at some 2,700+ ft above sea level, the town makes for a popular vacation destination during summer in the Philippines. It was once branded as the 'Summer Capital of the Philippines' 300–400 years ago during the Spanish era, when most of the prominent names in the Spanish colonial Philippines visited the area. Other sights along the streets include the remnants of the said era of Spanish-inspired houses that still stand at periodic key locations, mostly in the town square. Affluent families still have their ancestral houses maintained.

Majayjay is situated at the base of Mount Banahaw; approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) above sea level. It is 62 kilometers (39 mi) from Santa Cruz, 107 kilometers (66 mi) from Manila, and 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) from Lucban. It shares borders with Magdalena on the northwest, Lucban in Quezon to the southeast, Luisiana to the northeast, and Liliw to the west.

Climate

Majayjay is classified as Am in the Köppen–Geiger climate classification, which refers to a tropical monsoon climate. There is significant rainfall in most months of the year, with the annual rainfall averaging 2,571 mm, and the precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month differing by 332 mm. The short dry season has little effect on the overall climate. The temperature here averages 25.8 °C, and during the year, the average temperatures vary by 3.2 °C. The warmest month of the year is May, with an average temperature of 27.4 °C. January has the lowest average temperature of the year, which is 24.2 °C.

Climate data for Majayjay, Laguna
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25
(77)
26
(79)
28
(82)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
27
(81)
27
(81)
27
(81)
26
(79)
25
(77)
27
(81)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 19
(66)
19
(66)
19
(66)
20
(68)
22
(72)
23
(73)
22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
21
(70)
21
(70)
20
(68)
21
(70)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 52
(2.0)
35
(1.4)
27
(1.1)
27
(1.1)
82
(3.2)
124
(4.9)
163
(6.4)
144
(5.7)
145
(5.7)
141
(5.6)
100
(3.9)
102
(4.0)
1,142
(45)
Average rainy days 12.0 8.1 8.8 9.7 17.9 22.6 26.2 24.5 24.6 22.0 16.7 14.9 208
Source: Meteoblue

Barangays

Majayjay is politically subdivided into 40 barangays, which is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines. Each barangay consists of puroks, or unofficial divisions within a barangay, and some barangays also have sitios, which are also unofficial divisions in a barangay.

Barangay Name Barangay Chairman Philippine Standard
Geographic Codes Code
Urban/Rural Population
(2020 Census)
Amonoy Onofre O. Barba 043416001 Rural 150
Bakia Carlos P. Evanoso Jr. 043416002 Rural 512
Balanac Digna R. Breganza 043416004 Rural 51
Balayong Ryan Emmanuel C. Conejos 043416005 Rural 73
Banilad Ricarte O. Solison 043416007 Rural 204
Banti Matias M. Palentinos 043416008 Rural 82
Bitaoy Federico R. Borines 043416010 Rural 196
Botocan Roman T. Bojabe 043416011 Rural 931
Bukal Nestor J. Cube 043416003 Rural 745
Burgos Genaro A. Villaraza 043416012 Rural 147
Burol Ariel M. Argañosa 043416013 Rural 43
Coralao Mauro V. Bravante 043416014 Rural 495
Gagalot Crisostomo U. Mercurio 043416015 Rural 923
Ibabang Banga Rosana C. Marquez 043416016 Rural 835
Ibabang Bayucain Orlando S. Patron 043416017 Rural 172
Ilayang Banga Suela Josephine A. Mauricio 043416018 Rural 1,187
Ilayang Bayucain Alan G. Expression 043416019 Rural 84
Isabang Mylyn R. Comendador 043416020 Rural 150
Malinao Beny P. Trovela 043416021 Rural 752
May-It Crispin F. Rivera 043416022 Rural 159
Munting Kawayan Nicanor T. Esteba 043416023 Rural 744
Olla Dindo B. Arasa 043416025 Rural 1,009
Oobi Leonida P. Gripo 043416024 Rural 730
Origuel (Poblacion) Quennie Grace N. Macam 043416026 Urban 1,446
Panalaban Francisca G. Mirano 043416027 Rural 67
Pangil Jeffrey E. Zornosa 043416029 Rural 817
Panglan Eladio J. Codera 043416028 Rural 441
Piit Marianito T. Rondilla 043416030 Rural 700
Pook Romeo G. Gripo 043416031 Rural 121
Rizal Juan V. Borines 043416032 Rural 301
San Francisco (Poblacion) Juliana E. Oates 043416033 Urban 2,899
San Isidro Joel S. Bomuel 043416034 Rural 613
San Miguel (Poblacion) Guillermo T. Valderrama 043416035 Urban 4,132
San Roque Ritche B. Garcia 043416036 Rural 110
Santa Catalina (Poblacion) Onofre G. Andaya 043416037 Urban 2,042
Suba Yolando U. Lagon 043416038 Rural 2,099
Talortor Arcadio A. Ernieta 043416041 Rural 1,105
Tanawan Celso R. Rubiales 043416039 Rural 85
Taytay Bonifacio R. Consebido 043416040 Rural 415
Villa Nogales Mario Arnildo M. Sobreviñas 043416042 Rural 126

Demographics

Population census of Majayjay
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 5,800—    
1918 6,410+0.67%
1939 7,543+0.78%
1948 7,753+0.31%
1960 9,906+2.06%
1970 12,316+2.20%
1975 13,182+1.37%
1980 13,699+0.77%
1990 15,875+1.49%
1995 18,989+3.41%
2000 22,159+3.36%
2007 23,681+0.92%
2010 26,547+4.25%
2015 27,792+0.88%
2020 27,893+0.07%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Poblacion with town hall on right, public market on left, and St. Gregory church in the background.

In the 2020 census, the population of Majayjay was 27,893 people, with a density of 400 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,000 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Majayjay

5
10
15
20
25
30
2006
24.40
2009
13.43
2012
15.23
2015
8.40
2018
3.12
2021
12.13

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The town boasts a line of shanties of budding small enterprises mostly selling indigenous farm crops along its main road.

Tourism

St Gregory the Great Parish Church
  • Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church: Majayjay is home to one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines, the Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church. It was built in 1575 through forced labor by the town folks. Inside the church are antique statues of saints brought by the Spaniards in the early era of propagating Christianity. The church underwent fire incidents in 1576, 1606, and 1660, but later underwent reconstructions and rehabilitation works. A view of Laguna de Bay can be seen atop the roof of the church.
Taytay Falls
  • Taytay Falls: Majayjay is also home to the Taytay Falls. Others call it the Majayjay Falls or even Imelda Falls because ex-First Lady Imelda Marcos financed the promotion of tourism in this place. It is a two-story high fall located in remote scenery where forestry is abundant. To reach Taytay Falls, one has to go down the stone steps leading to a kilometer-long trail, constructed in 2008. Recently, the World Bank has sponsored the promotion of tourism in Taytay Falls.
  • Puente de Capriccio: In Rizal's El Filibusterismo, he spoke of an old Spanish bridge made of stone in the year 1851. It was a one-arch bridge since it was not finished, early natives put a bamboo footbridge to connect the opposite sides to make it accessible. Puente de Capriccio was initiated by Spanish Franciscan priest Victoriano del Moral. But the priest was cruel and autocratic, anyone who did not labour in the construction would be later punished by whipping the buttocks. The workers were reportedly not paid a single centavo. Because of his cruelty, the workers campaigned against him, thus, the bridge's construction never resumed since 1851. The bridge is still standing firm today crossing the Olla River. It is called Tulay ng Pige (Bridge of Buttocks) by modern Majayjayenos. The bridge now symbolizes the defiance of Filipino workers against the oppressive Spanish colonialists during the colonial period.
  • Mount Banahaw: Majayjay is located at the foot of this mountain. In the early Spanish era, Mount Banahaw was called Monte de Majayjay, because it was the town the only way to travel to the mountain. Many European elites visited the town for Mount Banahaw.
  • Bukal Falls: Popular to most tourists as the Enchanted Falls
  • Botocan Hydroelectric Power Plant and Dam: It is the first hydroelectric power plant constructed in the Philippines in the 20th century (1930). It is now owned by the CBK Power Company Limited.
  • Ermita Church: Then, a tribunal. This holy place houses the image of Nuestra Señora de la Portería.
  • Our Lady of the Gate Grotto: Situated along the Olla riverbank is a sacred place where masses at times are being held. It is a small tourist destination for religious excursionists.

Culture

Festivals

Majayjay Day is celebrated every year on October 2 as part of the celebration of the founding anniversary of the town. It brags off-farm and agricultural products produced primarily from the 40 barangays composing it. This day has been given a new life and breathing in its new brand name AniLinang Festival. The 1st AniLinang Festival was held on October 2, 2016, as an initiative of the local government to promote the town's laid-back, and peaceful way of life seen in its agricultural produce as well as in its indigenous cuisines.

SaGreMa Festival (San Gregorio Magno Majayjay), is a parochial festivity celebrated on September 3, the day when Saint Gregory, the town's patron saint, became a pope, and March 12, the day he died. In the festival, Majayjayenos honor the saint for the fortunes of their town.

Transportation

Majayjay Transport Terminal

The town can be accessed by four entry points: Magdalena-Majayajay Road to the north, Liliw-Majayjay Road to the west, Luisiana-Majayjay Road to the east, and Lucban-Majayjay Road to the south. Public utility vehicles such local jeepneys and tricycles are modes of public transportation in the municipality.

Infrastructure

Communication

The town of Majayjay possesses different communication lines including PLDT, and cellular communications such as Globe, Smart, and DITO.

Education

Secondary schools:

  1. Liceo de Majayjay (High School)
  2. Sta Catalina National High School (Barangay San Miguel, Main Campus and Barangay Bakia, ext.)
  3. Suba National High School (Barangay San Isidro, Main Campus and Barangay Gagalot, ext.)

Elementary schools:

  1. Liceo de Majayjay (Elementary)
  2. Majayjay Elementary School
  3. Sta Catalina Elementary School
  4. Bakia-Botocan Elementary School
  5. Paaralang Elementarya ng Gagalot - Taytay
  6. Suba Elementary School
  7. Bucal Elementary School
  8. Munting Kawayan Elementary School

Government

Majayjay Municipal Hall

Elected officials

Majayjay Municipal Official (2022–2025)
Name Party Term of office
Start End
Municipal Mayor
Romeo P. Amorado Lakas–CMD 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Municipal Vice Mayor
Juan Ariel A. Argañosa Jr. Lakas–CMD 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Member of the Municipal Council
Gabriel A. Mentilla NUP 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Celestino Norman O. Sotto NUP 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Eulogio Wilson P. Amorado Lakas–CMD 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Felix U. Arnuco Lakas–CMD 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Jauncho M. Andaya Lakas–CMD 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Anastacio U. Hernandez AKAY 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Ma. Fe B. Cabonce Lakas–CMD 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
Pia M. Ceria AKAY 30 June
2022
30 June
2025
ABC Federation President
Onofre G. Andaya Nonpartisan
(Sta. Catalina)
16 July
2018
15 December
2023
Margarito P. Gripo Nonpartisan
(Oobi)
15 December
2023
SK Federation President
David John P. Jacildo Nonpartisan
(Villa Nogales)
29 May
2018
14 November
2023
Brian E. Fresco Nonpartisan
(Oobi)
14 November
2023

Notable people

  • Gustavo Tobler (1834-1875), merchant and coffee planter from Switzerland

References

  1. ^ Municipality of Majayjay | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "majayjay executive summary 2014" (PDF).
  6. ^ Ahlborn, Richard (1960). "The Spanish Churches of Central Luzon (I)". Philippine Studies. 8 (4): 802–813. ISSN 0031-7837. JSTOR 42719618.
  7. ^ "Majayjay: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC) | Philippine Statistics Authority".
  9. ^ "Official COMELEC Website :: Commission on Elections".
  10. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  11. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  13. ^ "Province of Laguna". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  16. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  17. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  18. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  19. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  20. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  21. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.