Liliw is blissfully positioned on the foot of Mt.Banahaw. It’s peppered with bountiful farms that are actually became farm tourism websites. The title of the city is believed to be derived from the sound of a chicken. Historical past has it that their forefather Gat Tayaw, the village head wished to have a reputation for his or her hamlet. So, he and his followers erected a bamboo pole and agreed that the primary chicken that stands on the pole would be the neighborhood’s title. Finally, a chicken buzzing “liw,liw,liw” rested on the bamboo pole. Therefore, they named their settlement “Liliw”.
If you’re planning a visit there quickly, right here’s my handpicked record of one of the best vacationer spots in Liliw. Due to its proximity to South of Manila, it’s a super weekend getaway vacation spot. You are able to do a day tour in Liliw, or keep in a single day in one of many farms or in an previous ancestral home became resort within the city middle.
LILIW TSINELAS/SANDALS/SHOES
Point out “Liliw” and pictures of Liliw famed abaca slippers, sneakers, and sandals instantly come to thoughts. The cobbled road of Gat Tayaw on the coronary heart of the city is peppered with footwear retailers that by no means stopped increasing. You can even discover smaller retailers alongside the opposite streets close to the city middle. Since we stroll loads, you will need to have a snug pair of footwear, be it sneakers, sandals, and even tsinelas (slippers). Good high quality footwear helps your ft and your physique weight, and in Liliw, you’ll find simply that. Right here, you should purchase every kind of handcrafted Liliw footwear, from easy, cozy sneakers to fancy and trendy sandals. The sandals worth begins at round ₱150 ($3), whereas sneakers would usually price round ₱250 ($4) up. There are additionally posh, costly, high quality handmade sneakers which might be often exported, similar to Ai-she Sneakers that boasts of uniquely Filipino handcrafted footwear. And whereas there are Liliw sneakers now on sale at giant malls in Metro Manila, I nonetheless favor to purchase in Liliw as a result of there’s extra assortment and you’ll haggle.
LILIW TSINELAS MAKING
You possibly can organize a go to to a Liliw shoe manufacturing unit, in case you contact them upfront. And I used to be fortunate sufficient to go to Ai-she’s Shoe Manufacturing unit and see how they make their well-known Liliw sneakers and sandals. Ai-she sneakers are usually exported, they’re costlier than the standard Liliw footwear. That’s due to their uncompromising consolation, type and high quality. They sustain with the most recent development by growing new designs for his or her purchasers. However their poster lady is the timeless espadrilles, a shoe that traces its origin from Spain. However at Ai-she, they recreated the design by changing the only real usually constructed from esparto rope with abaca rope, which is derived from abaca plant, generally identified within the West as Manila hemp plant. Abaca (Musa textilis) is a specie of banana plant that’s endemic to the Philippines. It’s really ample in Sorsogon, my hometown.
I discover it spectacular that Liliw was in a position to make use of this plant, which is often used for bag making in our province. Ai-she additionally changed the standard cotton material used for espadrilles with high-quality handwoven textiles derived from the Manobos and the Indigenous Peoples of Zamboanga and Ilocos. Throughout my earlier journeys, I’ve visited some Indigenous neighborhood and witnessed the frilly hand-weaving course of for his or her distinctive textile. It often takes weeks and even a month or 2 to complete one piece. So, I’m blissful to see that they requested permission and collaborated with these communities to create this footwear.
LILIW SOUVENIRS
Liliw Tsinelas isn’t the one memento you’ll be able to take dwelling from Liliw. You may additionally wish to strive the scrumptious uraro cookies, a Filipino cookie with milky style that’s constructed from arrowroot flour. It’s derived from the edible rhizome of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea), a herbaceous plant that’s native to Mexico, Central America, Southern America, and the West Indies, however is now generally grown in Southern Luzon like Laguna, Quezon, and Marinduque. I keep in mind bringing dwelling uraro cookies from Marinduque they usually style equally scrumptious because the one from Liliw. I really planted some variegated arrowroot plant in our backyard due to this. Different cottage industries that function in Liliw embody lambanog distillery. Lambanog, generally identified within the West as coconut vodka, is a standard Filipino liquor constructed from aged tuba (palm toddy). It originated in Luzon the place coconut bushes are ample.
LILIW FESTIVAL
The city of Liliw celebrates Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Competition each final week of April, showcasing the wealthy historical past of Liliw in addition to showcasing its fashionable handcrafted footwear. If you wish to witness this colourful pageant, finest to go to Liliw throughout this season.
LILIW CHURCH
Till now, Liliw nonetheless emanates with remnants of the Spanish rile via its historical edifices. The age-old, brick-walled St. John the Baptist Church (Liliw Church) proudly stands on the coronary heart of the city middle. It has a large wood door carved with intricate designs and sitting on its high is the picture of the Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist. It is likely one of the first locations that vacationers go to. A marker on the church façade rapidly narrates the historical past of Liliw Church. Liliw was initially a part of Nagcarlan again then till it turned an impartial parish round 1605, headed by Franciscan missionaries. It’s mentioned that the unique church right here was inbuilt wooden someday in 1620, which was finally changed by a stone church. Sadly, it was partially destroyed when an earthquake hit Luzon in 1880. The church was then rebuilt however once more, it was partially broken by hearth on April 6, 1898.
As we speak, the reconstructed church is standing in its full glory. Curious concerning the inside of the church, (as a result of if I keep in mind it accurately, I didn’t get to see it the primary time I visited Liliw) I went contained in the church. The daylight passing via the beautiful glass mural window provides extra drama to its stunning core. The altar is hooked up to the wall with carved, gold-painted reredos with statues of Saints. Contained in the church is a statue of hinulid (lifeless Jesus Christ laid out). On the opposite facet is an adoration chapel with an ostensorium that has an undeniably non secular enchantment. Devotees should purchase and light-weight color-coded candles right here that symbolizes love, peace, happiness, and so on.
LILIW CAFÉS
After looking for footwear in Liliw, you’ll be able to strive one of many cafes and eating places scattered round Liliw middle. Apparently, this bustling city has a rising variety of cafes. I can’t evaluate them right here since I haven’t actually tried them but, apart from Cake Frost, which is a well-liked native meals chain that serves pasta, mojos, and fruit shakes. I actually like their mojos and cucumber shake. Arabela is a well-liked alternative amongst eating places in Liliw, however it will get actually crowded throughout weekend. They serve steak and Italian dishes like pasta and pizza. However personally, if I’m visiting Liliw, Laguna or different provinces within the Philippines, I might relatively strive a restaurant that serve native dishes relatively than worldwide dishes. And I can’t appear to seek out that in Liliw. If you already know a very good one, please counsel within the feedback part beneath.
LILIW FARMS
As a result of its wholesome soil, it’s no shock that Laguna is peppered with bountiful farms. And the good information is, a few of them are actually accepting vacationers. Other than the same old Liliw vacationer spots, the city is now advertising itself as a farm tourism vacation spot. So, I used to be actually excited to go to a rising farm vacation spot in Liliw- Esmeris Farm. There are different farms within the space however we solely bought to go to one.
Esmeris Farm is blissfully positioned in Brgy. Ilayang, San Roque, Liliw Laguna. It’s a family-owned farm that mixes typical farming with farm tourism. A go to to Esmeris Farm is harking back to the farms in outskirt of Bali. Although there’s nonetheless loads to be improved on the subject of the bamboo constructions and swing right here, it’s just about a very good begin. I used to be blissful to see that one way or the other, we’re studying from our neighboring international locations on the subject of utilizing pure and sustainable supplies. I will likely be writing a extra detailed submit about Esmeris Farm, however to provide you an thought, the trail to the farm from the parking is clad by bamboo forest, whereas the far itself is speckled with towering palm bushes. The principle attraction right here is the swing and the bamboo constructions. However in case you plan to remain in a single day, you’ll be able to strive tenting at Esmeris Farm (₱250 – ₱350 per particular person) or higher but, expertise glamping (₱2,000, good for five individuals). There are additionally horses within the space, so, you’ll be able to strive horse-back using (₱50 per particular person, half-hour). I witnessed how the locals right here fortunately shared the little suggestions they bought for horseback using, so be happy to make them blissful by giving them suggestions in case you can. There’s an unassuming café that serves espresso and fruit shakes. Close to the parking zone, you should purchase locally-grown produce, similar to greens and fruits, they’re fairly low cost.
Esmeris Farm
Entrance Price: ₱50 – $1
Parking payment: ₱20 – $0.39 (bike), ₱50 -$1 (4-wheeled autos)
LILIW LAGUNA SIDE TRIP
NAGCARLAN UNDERGROUND CEMETERY
The one one in all its variety within the Philippines, you’ll be able to go to the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery earlier than or after your journey to Liliw, Laguna. Click on the hyperlink beneath to learn my full journey information beneath.
TANAW DE RIZAL/TAYAK HILL
One other attraction to go to in Laguna, this enjoyable place is an effective facet journey when visiting Liliw. Learn my detailed journey information beneath.
HOW TO GET TO LILIW, LAGUNA
By way of Public Transport
- Experience a bus certain for San Pablo, Laguna. Alternatively, it’s possible you’ll take a bus certain for Lucena.
- Alight at San Pablo, and take a jeepney (₱10) or tricycle (₱50) to the Liliw jeepney terminal. Experience a jeepney to Liliw (₱32). Alight at Liliw city.
- You may additionally take a bus en path to Sta.Cruz, Laguna. Alight on the terminal in Sta.Cruz. Then, take a jeep to Liliw.
LILIW ITINERARY
Right here’s a pattern Liliw Laguna itinerary good for a day journey or weekend getaway.
DAY 1 | LILIW |
07:00 AM | Bus to San Pedro, Laguna (₱150 – $3) |
09:00 AM | ETA San Pablo Laguna |
09:15 AM | Jeep to San Pablo bayan (₱10- $0.19) or tricycle (₱30-₱50) |
09:20 AM | Alight at San Pablo Fireplace Station, beside it’s the jeepn terminal |
09:30 AM | Experience the jeep to Liliw (₱32 – $0.62) |
10:00 AM | Alight at Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery |
Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery (FREE) | |
10:30 AM | Jeep to Liliw (₱10 – $0.19) |
10:40 AM | ETA Liliw. |
10:45 AM | Liliw Church (FREE) |
11:30 AM | Lunch (₱200 – $4) |
01:00 PM | Store for Liliw footwear |
02:30 PM | Tricycle to Esmeris Farm (₱60 – $1.17, 3 individuals max) |
02:45 PM | Esmeris Farm (₱50 – $1) |
Horseback using (₱50 – $1, 30 minutes) | |
05:00 PM | Tricycle again to Liliw city middle (₱60 – $1.17, 3 individuals max) |
05:30 PM | Jeep to San Pablo (₱32 – $0.62) |
06:00 PM | Bus again to Manila (₱150 – $3) |
TOTAL EXPENSES | ₱804 – $16 |
*Purchasing bills not included within the pattern funds above.