Historical Background of Los Baños

If you want a copy of printable version of "Los Baños: Revisiting the Past (A publication of Rafael Lapastora) " just click here.

The town of Los Baños was first part of Bay, a town in Southern Luzon. It was formerly called Mainit, because the place possesses hot springs coming from Mt. Makiling, which were said to have curative effects. The name “Los Baños” meaning bathing place was given by a Franciscan Friar in 1589, he was one of the Spaniards who leisurely bathe in the hot springs in the area. By 1595, these friars started to construct bath houses and a rest house, meant for the ill who want to seek cure for their ailments with the help of the hot springs. Los Baños then became popular and attracted some visitors to settle on the place.

It was on September 17, 1615 when the Franciscan Friars took over the government of Los Baños as a separate town from Bay, this was in authorization of Don Luis Villa. Los Baños was first governed under Don Juan Castañeda. The original Immaculate Concepcion church was first finished in 1671, but unfortunately it was destroyed by a huge fire in 1727. The present church was constructed in 1879. More permanent structures like hospitals, and a palace were built. The palace which was built from 1879 to 1892 was for the Captain General. This palace was mentioned in Rizal’s novel “El Filibusterismo”. Years later, it served as a hospital and now it still exists as the Aqua Santa Resort.

Dominican Friars used to own certain agricultural lands in Calamba and Los Baños. Filipinos leased these lands to plant sugarcane and palay crops. One of these was Don Francisco Mercado, the father of Dr. Jose Rizal. He used to lease a large part of the Dominican lands. Rizal has bought some of these lands. It was also said that certain lands in Barangay Putho-Tuntungin were bought by Paciano Rizal and Leocio Lopez.

Dr. Jose Rizal used to relax in the tranquil forest of Mt. Makiling. He used to wander the jungles with his Spanish bodyguard, Lieutenant Travil de Andrade. Later on, he was suspected to be a spy for the Germans, and was raising a German flag on the peak of Mt. Makiling, this annoyed the Spanish authorities Apolinario Mabini, the great paralytic spent a few days in Los Baños to have a therapy on the hot springs which were very known throughout the country. During his stay, he planned for the revolution against the Spaniards. Unfortunately, these plans didn’t push through because the Americans arrived and fought the Spaniards. Under the Treaty of Paris, the Philippines became under the rule of the United States.

Under the Treaty of Paris, for the amount of $20,000, the Philippines along with Guam and Puerto Rico were annexed from Spain.

In 1909, the democratic system of government was introduced by the Americans, at the same time the first school for Agriculture in the Philippines was opened. After several surveys and studies in the place, the University of the Philippines of Agriculture and school of Forestry was established. The university covers about 800 hectares of land excluding Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, which has a total land area of 4,244 hectares and who’s under the management of the University of the Philippines. 
    
The popular means of transportation during these times were motor boats known as “lantsa” owned by Mr. Teodoro Yangco. It takes 6 to 7 hours to travel from Manila to the shores of Baybayin. There were no railroads connecting Manila to Los Baños.

The establishment of Camp Eldridge, a US camp located in Barangay Lalakay, Bambang and Timugan made the town of Los Baños busy, There was also a radio-communication relay station installed inside the camp. Later on, the camp was turned over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The military hospital built inside the camp us now a defunct Philippines Constabulary and Highway Patrol Police. A wharf at Barangay Baybayin was constructed by the US Marines. Today, the cement parts of the wharf are still standing along the shores of Laguna Lake.

During the American occupation in Los Baños, the businesses were always full with guests. The disco house was the favorite hangout of many, A soft drink plant known as “Iswa” was also established along Baybayin. In 1935, a rebel group called “Sakdalista” brought terror to the countryside, good thing the presence of the Philippines Constabulary and US military protected Los Baños from the rebel group.

Los Baños during the World War II was unbelievably ravaged. Buildings, houses, bridges and other structures were damaged. The College of Agriculture served as the camp for the Japanese and a burial place for their prisoners. The great raid of the Americans and Filipinos in February 23, 1945 which saved the prisoners with an amazing 0% mortality provoked the Japanese to burn the whole campus. However, many civilians were killed by the Japanese Imperial Army when they razed outside of the campus. After the war, Generals Matsusaro Homma and Tomoyuki Yamashita were tied and believed to be executed at the Economic Garden.

The academic development started in Los Baños, contributed to the development of the town. The school of Forestry which was opened in 1910 became a college in 1949. The first ever major even held in Mt. Makiling was in 1959, this was the 10th World Jamboree, this was then followed by the establishment of different Institutions n the town.

IRRI was inaugurated in 1960, ACCI was formed in 1961, DTRI was established in 1962, while SEARCA was institutionalized in 1960.

Los Baños became an international community because of these institutions, which were managed by foreigners and Filipinos. Businesses, commerce and civil works developed because of this.

The University of the Philippines Los Baños has made the town known locally and internationally. The Forest Nursery and Mud spring located in Mt. Makiling added attraction to the town. A challenging hike also awaits for mountain climbers who want to conquer the 3,57-foot majestic mountain.
    
Due to its rich environment, many foreigners and local films chose Los Baños as a site for location shooting. Foreign movies like “Born Loser”, “Too late the Hero”. “Cherry 2000”, and action star Chuck Norris’ “Missing in Action”. Among the local films shot in Los Baños were “Maharlika”, “Nueva Vizcaya”, “Aquila at ang araw” and “Ninja Kids”.

The learning haven of Los Baños, especially the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has made scholars from here and abroad be productive citizens to the societies.

Los Baños holds a yearly festivity, the “Bañamos” (Spanish word “Bañar” meaning to bathe, this is also the root word for the town’s name), this is a celebration for the foundation of Los Baños. This was also a promotion for tourism of the town. As of this date, there are 17 major tourist attractions in Los Baños.

To this day, Los Baños consists of 14 barangays, namely: Anos, Bagong Silang, Batong Malake, Bambang, Bayog, Baybayin, Lalakay, Mahhas, Mayondon, Malinta, San Antonio, Tadlac, Tuntungin-Putho and Timugan. The origin of the names of the barangays came from different legends and stories. Elders also said the Virgin Mary of Immaculate Concepcion was very miraculous. However, the most popular legend in Los Baños is Maria Makiling. Many believed in this legend of a beautiful lady that lives within the heart of the forest of Mt. Makiling.

These are the former Mayors of the town of Los Baños.From top left: Hon. Nicasio Villegas (1938-1940),Hon. Bernardo N. Calara (Dec. 1940), Hon. Silvio A. Lopez (1941-1944), Hon. Baldomero K. Paelmo (1945), Hon. Ponciano O. Palis (1946-1947), Hon. Aurelio C. Almazan (1948-1951). From bottom left: Hon. Felis V. Lantican (1952-1955), Hon. Genaro V. Catalan Sr. (1956-1959, 1960-1963, 1964-1967), Hon. Andrew O. Nocon (1980-1986), Hon. Pelagio M. Apolinario (OIC, May 1986-Nov. 1987), Hon. Ricardo A. Bartolome (OIC, Nov. 1987-Feb. 1988), Hon. Lorenzo C. Meneses Jr. (1968-1971, 1972-1975, 1976-1980, 1988-1992, 1992-1995, 1995-1998) Hon. Francisco M. Lapis (1998).