Santa Rosa, Laguna

Geography

Santa Rosa's land area is approximately 54.13 square kilometers (5413 hectares). It is in the western section of Laguna de Bay.

The western portion of the city occupies the numerous commercial, industrial, and business establishments, while the northern portion is primarily composed of residential areas and subdivisions, schools, industrial zones and various business establishments.

Barangays

Santa Rosa is politically subdivided into 18 barangays.

History

In 1571, Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo, the grandson of Miguel López de Legazpi, founded the town of Biñan which was annexed as a barrio to Tabuco (now, Cabuyao) while exploring the region of Laguna de Bay.

In 1688, Biñan, together with Barrio Bukol (Santa Rosa, before separation from Biñan) separated from Cabuyao. After a series of renaming, separation of barrios to become independent towns, Barrio Bukol was politically emancipated as the municipality of Santa Rosa. The town was renamed after Saint Rose of Lima. The municipality of Santa Rosa was founded on January 18, 1792.

During the revolutionary period in 1898, the town was instrumental in the proclamation of Philippine independence from Spain when it signed the Act of Independence on June 12, 1898. Later on the town's local revolutionaries fought alongside the forces of Pío del Pilar during the Philippine–American War.

On February 5, 1945, the town was left abandoned by the Japanese soldiers when the local guerrilla resistance movement, with support from the American and Filipino military contingent, entered the town proper, where skirmishes, torture, and deaths occurred.

During the post-war era, until the 1970s, the townspeople were largely dependent on basic agriculture and family-owned enterprises for livelihood. The influence of industrialization slowly took shape in the 1980s with the entry of local and foreign investors who were instrumental in the fast-pace economic and social transformation of the town and the province.

Demographics

The population of Santa Rosa is fast-growing with an intercensal growth rate of 7% from 1990 to 1995, repeated and more in subsequent decades (except for 2007 to 2010 census).

Some inhabitants of Santa Rosa today erroneously refer to themselves as "Rosanians". But since Santa Rosa is a Spanish name, the correct demonym should be "Roseños".

Ethnic groups

Like other places in Metro Manila, the original settlers are Tagalogs. Throughout the centuries, there has been constant migration of Spaniards, Visayans, Bikolanos, Ilokanos, Chinese and Americans.

Languages

The main language is Filipino, which is based on Tagalog. In addition, due to continuous development of the city, English language is used in education, business and information technology.

Religion

The majority of the people are Roman Catholics. Other religious groups represented include the Church of God International, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Jesus Is Lord Church, Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, and Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo (Unida Evangelical Christian Church) founded in 1932 by Don Toribio Teodoro. Some migrants and expats have formed in 1994 the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church (under the canonical jurisdiction of The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong/Philippines- Ecumenical Patriarchate) in Golden City Subdivision under the pastoral care of Rev. Fr. Philemon Castro, MDiv.

Economy

Santa Rosa is the premier city and hub of South Luzon.

Santa Rosa is also known as the Lion City of South Luzon. According to the 2013 COA AFR report,the city has an annual income of 2.3 billion pesos, surpassing the income of Calamba City and Batangas City. Santa Rosa is now the richest city in South Luzon in terms of annual income.

Special economic zones and industrial parks in Santa Rosa include:

Banking

Major commercial banks in the Philippines operate in the city. At this time, there are 68 banking institutions that offers banking services to businesses and residents. Most of these are concentrated in Barangay Balibago, Don Jose, Macabling, Pulong Santa Cruz, Santo Domingo and Tagapo.

Car Dealerships

A number of car brands have put up dealerships in Santa Rosa. The list of prominent car dealerships include Chevrolet, Ford (Borromeo), Foton, Honda (ANC), Hyundai, JMC, Kia, Mazda (Borromeo), Mitsubishi (Ancar), and Subaru (ANC).

Further, the Borromeo's Ford and Mazda have recently put up shop while two of the six ANC Group brands, namely Honda and Subaru, have branches in Santa Rosa.

Shopping Malls

Modern shopping malls are scattered in the city. Here are the list of the city's shopping malls and community malls.

Paseo De Santa Rosa, is Santa Rosa's premiere lifestyle center situated in the master-planned community Greenfield City. It has long been a haven for outlet stores in the southern part of the Metro.

Industries and manufacturing

Dubbed as the "Motor City of the Philippines" or "Detroit City of the Philippines", Santa Rosa is host to multinational automotive giants Nissan Motors Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi – all contributing 95 percent of the country's automotive production. It is also the location for the headquarters of Santarosa Motor Works, Inc.

Food conglomerate Monde Nissin Corporation, which manufactures Lucky Me instant noodles and Monde biscuits, has a plant here in its 14-hectare manufacturing facility. Santa Rosa is also home to the largest plant of The Coca-Cola Company in the Philippines, situated right across the Santa Rosa Exit of the South Luzon Expressway.

Information Technology

Santa Rosa is also looking to be the next hub for the BPO industry. It is currently ranked 82nd in the world for its competitiveness in the Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing services (IT-BPO) by the leading strategic advisory firm, THOLONS. BPO companies present in Santa Rosa are Convergys, KGB, Teletech, IBM and Concentrix.

Also in Santa Rosa is the Philippine subsidiary of French video game development company Ubisoft, which opened on March 28, 2016.

Transportation

Santa Rosa City is accessible via South Luzon Expressway. Two exits are available namely, Santa Rosa Exit (KM 38) and Greenfield City – ETON City – ABI Exit (KM 42). A four-lane national highway from Alabang, Muntinlupa City up to Pagsanjan, Laguna passes through the city. Another road, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, acts as the main route for people going up to Tagaytay from Metro Manila, especially on weekends and vacation periods.

Public transportation within the city, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys. Tricycles are used for short distances. In Laguna Bel Air, residents uses exclusive multicab shuttles within the village complex.

Utilities and communication

Santa Rosa's source of electricity is part of the Manila Electric Company or Meralco. Water supply for the city is supplied by the Laguna Water Inc. Santa Rosa's communication system is powered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company, and Digitel Philippines. Cellular network in the Philippines particularly the metropolitan areas is increasing rapidly together with the low cost of calls and text messaging. Such big companies that control the cellular networks in the Philippines and Santa Rosa itself are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT) and Sun Cellular from Digitel. Cable & Satellite Television access is provided by SkyCable, G Sat, Cignal Digital TV, and Royal Cable. Internet Digital Subscriber Line or DSL coverage is provided by PLDT, cable internet is serviced by Sky Cable's ZPDee and Global Destiny. Wireless broadband is provided by Globeliness Broadband and Smart Communications.

Hospitals

Santa Rosa has one major public hospital and 8 major private hospitals include:

Tourism and places of interest

Here are some of Santa Rosa's tourist destinations:

Festivals

Sikhayan Festival

Held every January 18, the Bayanihan Foundation Parade is a street fest displaying the bayanihan or Filipino command spirit of cooperation which makes seemingly in possible feasts realization. The event highlights the four evolution of the town from aquatic, agriculture, professional and to an industrial progressive city.

Feast of St. Rose of Lima

It is held every August 23 in honor of St. Rose of Lima, Peru, the city's patron saint.

Summer Festivities

held every April to celebrate a good harvest of the town

Cityhood

held every July 10 of the year.

City government

Santa Rosa City is governed primarily by the city mayor, the vice-mayor and the city councilors. The mayor acts as the chief executive of the city while the city councilors acts as its legislative body. The vice-mayor, besides taking on mayoral responsibilities in case of a temporary vacancy, acts as the presiding officer of the city legislature. The legislative body is composed of 10 regular members and representatives from the barangay and the youth council.

Executive Branch:

Mayor: Danilo Fernandez

Vice Mayor: Arnold B. Arcillas

Councilors:

1. Jose Joel B. Aala
2. Sonia U. Algabre
3. Ina Clariza B. Cartagena
4. Wilfredo A. Castro
5. Mariel C. Cendaña
6. Roy M. Gonzales
7. Rodrigo B. Malapitan
8. Eric T. Puzon
9. Arturo M. Tiongco
10. Antonio M. Tuzon, Jr.

List of Former and Current Mayors of Santa Rosa City

Roberto "Tito" Gonzales (1987–1998)

Leon C. Arcillas (June 30, 1998 – May 10, 2005)

Jose B. Catindig, Jr. (May 10, 2005 – June 30, 2007)

Arlene B. Arcillas (June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2016)

Dan Fernandez (June 30, 2016 – PRESENT)

Notable people from Santa Rosa

Mark Herras, actor and Starstruck Season 1 Ultimate Survivor

Alden Richards, actor and former Ginoong Santa Rosa

Jason Fernandez, former vocalist of Rivermaya, singer

Jef Gaitan, former Rosas ng Santa Rosa and Banana Split mainstay

Nadine Samonte, actress and Starstruck Avenger

Jodi Santamaria, actress

Juancho Trivino, actor

Maria Carpena, first Filipino recording artist and also known as "The Nightingale of Zarzuela"

Sister cities

Local:

Manila, Philippines

International:

Enköping, Sweden

Toyokawa, Japan