San Pablo, Laguna Etymology

Jack Maico
Apr 10
2 min read

San Pablo is derived from the Spanish for Saint Paul, referring to the local patron saint, Paul the First Hermit. It was previously known as San Pablo de los Montes, which translates to "Saint Paul of the Mountains" in Spanish.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pablo,_Laguna....

Special credits: https://www.facebook.com/sanpablofoodtrip/

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Church in Town: 𝐒𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐥

The San Pablo Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Parish of Saint Paul the First Hermit, serves as the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo. Founded in 1568 as San Pablo de los Montes, the town was named in honor of St. Paul the First Hermit. The first church, constructed by the Augustinians, was later handed over to the Franciscans in 1794. The Franciscans expanded the church and encouraged local industries until they were replaced by secular priests during the 1896 Revolution.

During the American era, the parish convent became a seminary for the Diocese of Lipa. The church was heavily damaged in 1945 during the Liberation of the Philippines but was rebuilt from 1948 to 1954. In 1949, the rectory became the site of Ateneo de San Pablo, run by the Jesuits. The church was elevated to a cathedral when the Diocese of San Pablo was established in 1966, and Bishop Pedro Bantigue became its first bishop in 1967.

Notably, the cathedral is the only one in the world named after Saint Paul the First Hermit. It has undergone several renovations over the past five decades, including updates to its altar, sanctuary, bishop's throne, façade, and belfry. A Holy Door was added recently at one of its lateral entrances.

Source: https://www.dioceseofsanpablo.net/.../cathedral-parish-of...

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

San Pablo's earliest historical record dates back to pre-Spanish times when four large barrios bounded by Mount Makiling were composed of settlements, the most prominent of which was "Sampalok" (Sampaloc). In 1571, the first Spanish troops under Captain Juan de Salcedo arrived in the upland village of Sampaloc.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐨: