Welcome to the Lion City of the South, 

Santa Rosa City, Laguna!

The city lies 38 kilometers south of Manila via the South Luzon Expressway, making it a suburban residential community of Metro Manila. Santa Rosa is also the exit point along the expressway to go to Tagaytay.

According to the latest census, the city has a population of 284,670, making it the third largest local government unit in Laguna after Calamba and San Pedro. It is also the densest city in the province with more than 6,000 people per square kilometer.

Santa Rosa was initially known for the Coca-Cola and Toyota manufacturing plants in its industrial estates. Recently, it has also become popular for being the site of Enchanted Kingdom, a local theme park, as well as several housing developments. This city contains the 3rd largest complex in Laguna, Paseo de Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 9264, which was ratified by its residents on July 10, 2004.

History of Santa Rosa

In 1571, Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo, the grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, discovered the town of Biñan which was annexed as a barrio to Tabuco (now the City of Cabuyao) while exploring the region of Laguna de Bay.

In 1688, Biñan, together with Barrio Bukol (Santa Rosa, before separation from Biñan) separated from Cabuyao. After a series of renaming, separation of barrios to become independent towns, Barrio Bukol was politically emancipated as the municipality of Santa Rosa. The town was renamed after Saint Rose of Lima. The municipality of Santa Rosa was founded on January 15, 1792.

During the revolutionary period in 1898, the town was instrumental in the proclamation of Philippine independence from Spain when it signed the Act of Independence on June 12, 1898. Later on the town's local revolutionaries fought alongside the forces of Pio del Pilar during the Philippine-American War.

On February 5, 1945, the town was left abandoned by the Japanese soldiers when the local guerrilla resistance movement, with support from the American and Filipino military contingent, entered the town proper, where skirmishes, torture, and deaths occurred.

During the post-war era, until the 1970s, the townspeople were largely dependent on basic agriculture and family-owned enterprises for livelihood. The influence of industrialization slowly took shape in the 1980s with the entry of local and foreign investors who were instrumental in the fast-pace economic and social transformation of the town and the province.

Economy

Santa Rosa is the premier city and hub of South Luzon. It is the Makati of the South in terms of economic activity. Greenfield Cityis where most of Santa Rosa's financial resources are concentrated.

Banking

Major commercial banks in the Philippines operate in the city. At this time, there are 30 banking institutions offer banking services to businesses and residents. Most of these are concentrated in Barangay Balibago, Don Jose, Macabling, Pulong Santa Cruz, and Tagapo.

Commerce and Trade

Public markets in Santa Rosa are often divided into two, the dry goods section and the wet goods section. Commerce in these public markets are in full swing, especially in the early morning.

Shopping Center

Modern shopping malls are scattered among the city. Santa Rosa is the 2nd municipality/city in Southern Luzon to have both an SM and Robinsons after Dasmariñas City inCavite.

Paseo de Santa Rosa

A flagship retail complex of Greenfield City launched in 1997. It is highly accessible to residents of surrounding communities. Paseo and its adjoining Althea Arcade are home to numerous enterprises ranging from restaurants, business centers, banks and salons. Demand has been brisk as plans are now underway to start expansion of the complex. It is located along the Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road.

SM City Santa Rosa

A shopping center operated by SM Prime Holdings established on February 17, 2006. It is the first SM Supermall franchise in the province of Laguna.

Robinsons Sta. Rosa Market

A shopping center operated by Robinsons Land Corporation, the real estate arm of JG Summit Holdings. Located at Old National Highway, Tagapo, Santa Rosa City, Laguna. It is the first major mall in the City of Santa Rosa. Today, Robinsons Place Santa Rosa is now called Santa Rosa Market. It is still owned by Robinsons Land Corporation.

Target Mall Santa Rosa

A shopping center located at the center of Santa Rosa Commercial Complex in Barrio Balibago. It is one of the pioneering establishments in the City of Santa Rosa.

Walter Mart Santa Rosa

A shopping center operated by Benison Group of Companies. Located at RSBS Blvd., San Lorenzo South, Balibago in Santa Rosa. It is known for its proximity to Enchanted Kingdom.

Puregold Santa Rosa

A hypermart operated by Puregold Price Club, Inc. Established on August 31, 2011. It is located at Amethyst Road cor. Pearl Road, Brgy. Balibago, Santa Rosa City. Puregold Santa Rosa is the former location of Reysal Shop Mart, a commercial building.

Laguna Central

A shopping mall that is being under constructed near Paseo De Santa Rosa, scheduled to open in 2013.

SM SaveMore Garden Villas

A supermarket located at Garden Plaza, Brgy. Ibaba, Santa Rosa City that was opened on Oct. 25, 2012.

Industries and manufacturing

Automobile manufacturers that have plants in Santa Rosa City include Nissan Motors Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Ford Motors. It is also the location for the headquarters of Santarosa Motor Works, Inc.

Food giant, Monde Nissin Corporation, which manufactures industry leader Lucky Me Noodles and Monde biscuits, has a plant here in its sprawling 14-hectare manufacturing facility. Santa Rosa is also home to the largest plant of The Coca-Cola Company in the Philippines, which is situated right across the Santa Rosa Exit of the South Luzon Expressway.

Information Technology

Santa Rosa lined up as one of Information Technology hub in the South and continuously growth of outsourcing and call centers, among them are Convergys, KGB, and Teletech.

Transportation

Santa Rosa City is accessible via South Luzon Expressway. Two exits are available namely, Santa Rosa Exit (KM 38) and Greenfield City - ETON City - ABI Exit (KM 42). A four-lane national highway was also extended from Alabang, Muntinlupa City up to Pagsanjan, Laguna across the South.

Public transportation within the city, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys and buses. Tricycles are used for short distances. In Laguna Bel Air, residents uses exclusive multicab shuttles within the village complex.

Utilities and Communication

Santa Rosa's source of electricity is part of the Manila Electric Company or Meralco. Water supply for the city is supplied by the Laguna Water Inc. Santa Rosa's communication system is powered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company, and Digitel Philippines. Cellular network in the Philippines particularly the metropolitan areas is increasing rapidly together with the low cost of calls and text messaging. Such big companies that control the cellular networks in the Philippines and Santa Rosa itself are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT) and Sun Cellular from Digitel. Cable television access is provided by SkyCable, and Royal Cable. Internet Digital Subscriber Line or DSL coverage is provided by PLDT, cable internet is serviced by Sky Cable's ZPDee and Global Destiny. Wireless broadband is provided by Globeliness Broadband and Smart Communications.

Tourism and Places of Interest

Here are some of Santa Rosa's tourist destinations:

Enchanted Kingdom

A world-class theme park opened on July 28, 1995. Located at RSBS Blvd., San Lorenzo South, Balibago in Santa Rosa, right in front of Villa De Toledo and Dominican College of Sta. Rosa.

EK Biki WaterWorld

Is a first world-class inflatable water park in the Philippines. It has a variety of six giant inflatable swimming pools with water slides, games and rides that families can enjoy in a safe and hygienic water environment.

Solenad

Solenad blends essential shopping with leisure and dining in a relaxing, al fresco, lakeside environment. The area is connected to the now operational Lakesize Evozone commercial area by dedicated pedestrian and bike lanes. The Lakeside Evozone is the refreshing campus-like commercial area of Nuvali. It creates a new space for offices and businesses to thrive in an environment of productivity and connectivity. Solenad sits at the entrance of the Lakeside Evozone area coming from the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, and is nestled next to a 4-hectare lake. Its accessible and picturesque location invites people to sit, sip and dine with family and friends. Solenad has also become a destination for the surrounding communities of Sta. Rosa, Calamba City, Tagaytay City and Manila. This is in collaboration withAyala Land Inc., and Yulo Family.

Santa Rosa de Lima Parish Church

Philippine Independent Church

Parish of Santa Rosa ng Lima (one of the first IFI Churches built after its Institution in Aug. 3, 1902)

People

Some natives of Santa Rosa City today erroneously refer to themselves as "Rosanians". But since Santa Rosa is a Spanish name, the correct demonym should be "Rosenses".

Ethnic groups

Like other places in Metro Manila, the original settlers are Tagalogs. Throughout the centuries, there has been constant migration ofSpaniards, Visayans, Bikolanos, Ilokanos, Chinese and Americans.

Languages

The main language is Filipino, which is based on Tagalog. In addition, due to continuous development of the city, English language is used in education, business and information technology.

City Government

Santa Rosa City is governed primarily by the city mayor, the vice-mayor and the city councilors. The mayor acts as the chief executive of the city while the city councilors acts as its legislative body. The vice-mayor, besides taking on mayoral responsibilities in case of a temporary vacancy, acts as the presiding officer of the city legislature. The legislative body is composed of 10 regular members and representatives from the barangay and the youth council.

Executive Branch:

§  Mayor: Arlene B. Arcillas

§  Vice Mayor: Arnel D.C. Gomez

Councilors:

1.    Dr. Luisito B. Algabre

2.    Mythor C. Cendaña

3.    Laudemer Carta

4.    Ma. Theresa Cecilia-Aala

5.    Petronio C. Factoriza

6.    Raymond Ryan F. Carvajal

7.    Antonia Tatlonghari-Laserna

8.    Eric T. Puzon

9.    Paulino Y. Camaclang, Jr.

10. Edward Fernandito S. Tiongco