Majayjay

The original name of Majayjay was Malay Barangay, but many residents assume that Spaniards found it difficult to pronounce this, 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.[5] Thus, guests referred to the place as “Mahayhay,” meaning many sighs, and the Spaniards then spelled this “Majayjay.”

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

In 1571, The Spanish colonial government made Majayjay into a town,[6] 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 new town grew instantly 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 began by mounting on horses through a path in the forest, and then to be borne by natives in hammocks on the way up to Malay Barangay.

Immediately after the conversion of the natives of Malay Barangay, a makeshift church was built near the May-it River, but it was destroyed by a fire in 1578. Believers built a new church made of bamboo and cogon thatch, however, another fire again destroyed it. A stone church was then built, which also was burnt down. In spite of the repeated incidents of fire, 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 labour of the natives, a new church was built in 1730, taking nineteen years.

Majayjay is geographically a landlocked area situated in the southernmost part of the province of Laguna. It nestles at the foot of the mystical 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 huge 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 random key locations, mostly in the town square. Famous and affluent families still have their ancestral houses maintained.

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,[3] with a density of 400 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,000 inhabitants per square mile.

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

St Gregory the Great Parish Church

1. 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 labour by the town folks. Inside the church are antique statues of saints brought by the Spaniards in the early era of propagating Christianity. It is somehow true to every church built in the country experienced arson (1576, 1606, and 1660) but later underwent reconstructions and rehabilitation works. Atop the roof of the church is seen the scenic view of Laguna de Bay.

Taytay Falls

2. 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 kilometre-long trail, constructed in 2008. Recently, the World Bank has sponsored the promotion of tourism in Taytay Falls.

3. Dalitiwan Resort

Dalitiwan Resort is well known for being a running water-typed resort showcasing icy cold water flowing from Mount Banahaw Springs. It is located in barangay Ilayang Banga. To get there, you'll have to ride a jeep or a trike for 3 minutes or so from the town proper going far down the area before ascending to the zigzag road.

4. Costales Nature Farm

Costales Nature Farm is well known for its unique way of cultivating agricultural and farm products. Organic farming which was first introduced in Majayjay, became a boom and a success. Many people who are after doing the same technique usually visit the farm located in Barangay Gagalot.

5. Coconut Arrack

Commonly called Lambanog. This lambanog is a liquor produced from the extracted Tuba, a sap that is gotten from the coconut tree. However, as you pass along the National Highways, you can probably see Mangangarit skillfully climbing the tree and gliding all the way from one tree to another with the use of two bamboo logs horizontally knotted. There are several stores selling this type of wine, for you to experience its taste just visit the town.

6. 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.

7. Mount Banahaw

Majayjay is located at the foot of this majestic 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 because of its fresh air and the scenic view of Mount Banahaw.

8. Carayan Resort

A resort right at the heart of Majayjay, Laguna, foothills near Mt. Banahaw situated in Barangay Panglan, Majayjay, Laguna - Philippines.

9. Scenic View Resort and Restaurant

Located in Brgy. Ilayang Banga.

10. APA Farms

11. Hillarion's Heritage Farm

12. Bukal Falls

Popular to most tourists as the Enchanted Falls

13. Botocan Hydroelectric Power Plant and Dam

It is the first hydroelectric power plant ever constructed in the Philippines in the 20th century (1930). It is now owned by the CBK Power Company Limited.

14. Ermita Church

Then, a tribunal. This holy place houses the image of Nuestra Señora de la Portería.

15. 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.

Visiting the town is very accessible and convenient at all its four (4) entry points: Magdalena-Majayajay Road to the north, Liliw-Majayjay Road to the west, Luisiana-Majayjay Road to the east, Lucban-Majayjay road to the south. Public utility vehicles are dispersed such as the local jeepneys and tricycles based in the town centre.

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

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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Majayjay.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System