The Origin of Calamba City
Where stories and legends meet.
The Clever Friars and the Land of Milk
The year 1770 marked the creation of the town of Calamba. Going back a little farther, it was believed that the first group of settlers stayed in Barangay Sucol, about six kilometers from the city proper.
hacienda?
A hacienda is a large estate or plantation, often found in Spanish-speaking countries, that was historically used for agriculture, livestock, or mining.
The Naming of Calamba
The Jar That Named a City
Hover over the jar to learn more about its significance
A banga is a traditional Filipino earthenware pot, typically used for storing water and cooking
The name “Calamba” itself carries a story as rich as the land it represents. Legend has it that Spanish surveyors, while mapping the area, encountered a local woman carrying a large jar. Curious, they asked her, “What is this place called?”
​The woman, unfamiliar with the Spanish language, misunderstood their question. Thinking they were asking about the jar she carried, she replied, “Kalan-Banga.” (Earthen Jar) The Spaniards took this as the name of the land, and from that day forward, the town was known as Kalan-Banga. Shortly after, it was shortened into Calamba