History of Pila

Pila is a third class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2010
census, it has a population of 46,534 people.[2] Pila has a total land area of 31.2 km.The town of
Pila is site for some well-preserved houses dating back to the Spanish period as well as the old
Saint Anthony of Padua Parish Church, the first Antonine church in the Philippines.Don Felizardo
Rivera, who donated his lands to the church and municipal government, is the recognized
founder of Pila. He is the ancestor of prominent families in Pila surnamed Rivera, Relova, Agra
and lava .This also served as a location for the reality show, The Amazing Race Asia 2 and the
ABS-CBN daytime drama hit series Be Careful With My Heart.
Pila Laguna: Historical Landmark
*Pila Municipal Center*
Travelers within the Philippines have a wealth of beautiful places to
go. Pila, Laguna is a town that has had National Historical
Landmark status since the year 2000, just the fourth town in the
country to receive this declaration. The historic layout of the town
has been preserved, a traditional Spanish style with central plaza
and church, and its well worth a visit. Due to some kind of
oversight, American bombers didnt destroy Pila, despite hitting
many towns in the area during the WWII.

*San Antonio de Padua Parish Church*

.Amazingly, Pila is host to the very first Filipino church dedicated to
St. Anthony of Padua. The church was named San Antonio de
Padua de Pila, as a dedication on the 350th anniversary of St.
Anthonys death. Franciscan history is rich here. Two years later
after the town plaza and surrounding ancestral houses was
declared as a National Historical Landmark, on July 9, 2002, the
Diocese of San Pablo proclaimed the parish church of San Antonio
de Padua de Pila as the Diocesan Shrine of St. Anthony.Theres much more to know that Ill
divulge here, but know that the church itself is worth seeing, and learning about its past is
exciting and interesting.
*Pila Square and Museum*
In the Spanish style, the central Pila Square is a wide open
plaza and its a nice place to relax and hang out. Check out
the 18th century ornamental fountain in the center. And most
importantly, gaze upon the incredible palaces the face onto
the square, which typify the Canarian architecture of the time.
Sit on a terrace and enjoy a cup of coffee.

*Alava Ancestral House*

The museum is also worth the time, as it houses historical
artifact found right in Pila, including ceramic works that were
most likely traded from the Chinese during the 12th-16th
centuries. Its a small museum that wont take a lot of time
to explore, but the wealth of the collection is evident.The
second printing press in the Philippines was established by
Franciscans in 1613 and printed the Philippines oldest
dictionary and the first book printed using the movable type,
the Vocabulario de Lengua Tagala. The book is twenty seven
years older than the Bay Psalm Book, the first book printed in the United States in 1640.

*Antique Water Jar inside Alava Ancestral House*

The National Historical Institute of the Philippines declared the town
plaza and surrounding ancestral houses a National Historical Landmark
on May 17, 2000. According to Philippine historian, Dr. Luciano Santiago,
it is the only town in the Philippines that is formally recognized as a
historical site by both the church and the state.

*Alava Ancestral House*

Doctors Cabinet inside Alava Ancestral Home
There are 28 well preserved and beautiful ancestral houses in Pila.
Alava is as lovely on the inside as from outside. Located few steps
from the Pila Municipal Building, this ancestral house is really hard
to miss. Incredible detailing is evident in the outer woodwork as
well as the inner walls. After a walk through town, its nice to enjoy
the coolness inside the high-ceilinged ancestral homes of the past.

*Old Doctors Clinic inside Alava Ancestral Home*

Inside the house, a lot of medicine box, Doctors Bag and lots of Doctor
paraphernalia on display. Its easy to tell that one of the owners of the
house is a medical practitioner.

*Historic Town of Pila*

The National Historical Institute of the Philippines (now National Historical Commission of the
Philippines) declared the town plaza and surrounding ancestral houses a National Historical
Landmark on May 17, 2000 by NHI Resolution no. 2, series of 2002.[6] It cited Pila as an early
pre-Hispanic center of culture and trade in Laguna known as La Noble Villa de Pila and has been
recognized as one of the country's more important archeological sites where clay potteries were
discovered in excavations made in Pinagbayanan ni 1967. The historic town of Pila is bounded by
General Luna Street in the north, M. H. del Pilar Street in the east, Mabini Street in the south, and
Bonifacio Street in the west, and including the Pila Elementary School, and the Juan Fuentes and
Santiago Fernandez house.[6] Two years later, on July 9, 2002, the Roman Catholic Diocese of
San Pablo proclaimed the parish church of San Antonio de Padua de Pila as the Diocesan Shrine
of St. Anthony. According to Philippine historian, Dr. Luciano Santiago, it is the only town in the
Philippines that is formally recognized as a historical site by both the church and the state.