Itik Festival: Celebrating Victoria Laguna’s Cultural and Agricultural Heritage
The Itik or Duck Festival of Victoria Laguna is an annual celebration coinciding with the town’s founding anniversary every November. It’s a vibrant event held
Santa Cruz, a first-class urban municipality and the capital of Laguna province in the Philippines, is a place where tradition, culture, and culinary delights converge. At its heart lies a beloved breakfast staple: kesong puti, or white cheese, made from the rich milk of carabaos, or water buffaloes. Produced predominantly in Sta. Cruz, this creamy delight is cherished by locals and visitors alike, especially during the annual Kesong Puti Festival.
The town’s culinary gem, kesong puti, isn’t just a food item; it’s a symbol of annual celebration and joy, often enjoyed with hot pandesal (bread rolls) and a cup of kape (coffee) or tsokolate (chocolate). This delightful combination has woven its way into the fabric of the municipality’s cultural history, evolving into a festival that celebrates not only its gastronomic heritage but also its cultural uniqueness and industrial prowess.
While Santa Cruz may lack the natural tourist spots found in other areas, its true beauty lies in its culinary offerings and vibrant community spirit. Proudly known for its kesong puti, freshly crafted from carabao’s milk, Santa Cruz stands as a testament to the richness of Filipino cuisine.
Geographically, Santa Cruz is strategically located on the banks of the Santa Cruz River, which flows into the eastern part of Laguna de Bay. Surrounded by the bay to the north and neighboring towns to the east, south, and west, Santa Cruz serves as a pivotal commercial and service center for the region.
With a population of over 110,000 people, Santa Cruz thrives as an administrative hub, housing the provincial government since 1885. Led by Mayor Denis Panganiban, the municipality continues to progress, embracing its role as a first-class urban area.
Economically, Santa Cruz flourishes with burgeoning industries such as livestock raising, horticulture, and aquaculture, contributing to its status as a thriving agribusiness hub. Its accessibility, both by land and water, makes it a pivotal point for transportation, commerce, health, education, and social services for the surrounding rural communities.
Strategically positioned along the southeastern coast of Laguna de Bay, Santa Cruz is easily accessible from Metro Manila, making it a gateway to nearby attractions like Pagsanjan, Lake Caliraya, Liliw, Paete, and Nagcarlan. With 26 urban barangays spanning approximately 3860 hectares, Santa Cruz covers about 2% of Laguna Province‘s total land area, serving as a bustling center of activity and a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Filipino culture.
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