Santa Cruz (Laguna)

The town is established from the barrios (or barangays in modern times) of then-larger Lumban by the Spaniards on 1862. The town's history is filled with disasters, from typhoons, floods, and numerous battles. Santa Cruz have been a scene of battles during the Philippine Revolution, the Philippine–American War, and the Pacific War; the town has since recovered and now the economic and transportation hub of eastern Laguna.

By bus

Santa Cruz is well served by buses from the major provincial bus terminals in Metro Manila; travel times take about 2 hours (or more with traffic jams), including a major stop in Calamba.

• DLTB provides frequent half-hourly departure from the company's Buendia (Pasay) and Cubao (Quezon City) terminals.
• Jac Liner (formerly Greenstar Express) provides 30-minute departures from their terminal at Taft/Buendia in Pasay.
• HM Liner and Worthy Transport has hourly departures to their terminal in Pagsanjan; buses leave from Cubao or Alabang (South Station). Alabang-bound buses include two stopovers in Calamba: Mayapa and SM Calamba/Crossing.

Average fares are from Calamba, from Alabang, from ﹰBuendia, and from Pasay.

• Laguna Provincial Capitol

  address: Pedro Guevarra Avenue
  Houses the provincial government offices, some parks, and festival grounds. The neoclassical capitol building at the entrance is designed by American architect and urban planner William Edward Parsons.

• Immaculate Conception Parish Church

  address: Pio Valenzuela Street
  Baroque church built in 1603 but destroyed during the liberation of the Philippines at the end of the Pacific War in 1945

• Kesong Puti Festival - Showcases the local product kesong puti (white cheese)

Sports

• Laguna Sports Complex

  address: Calumpang-Santa Cruz Road, Bubukal
  Part of the Laguna University complex, it hosts major sporting events held in Laguna.

• Sun Star Mall

  phone: +63 49 557-1490
  Has fast food chains and a Walter Mart supermarket.

• San Victorina Pension House

  address: Camachile Street

You can take a jeepney to Nagcarlan. Tricycles from that town can take you to nearby Liliw, a resort town, with a downtown showcasing a vibrant shoe and slipper industry.