A worthy day trip out of the Metro is Paete in Laguna which is just a couple of hours drive away. This quaint little town will make you fall in love with its friendly, clean and warm atmosphere. Walking in its paved, narrow will easily somewhat transport you back in time.Paete is considered as the Carving Capital of the Philippines. In fact, its name is derived from "Paet" which is the Filipino word for chisel. Carving is celebrated almost year round with their festivities. For January, its "Salibanda” and “Sto.Nino de Palaboy”. For February, there is “Valentineisbigin Paete”. March to April feature “Centurion Festival” or Cinaculo. May is for the Sta Crusan, and the “Pakubol” or the Pasabit Festival. July is the Town Fiesta while August to October are celebration of fruits like Santol and Lanzones. November for Undas and December for Christmas are showcased with Paete-twist.
There is also an adorable Church there that culminates every celebration there - the Paete Church. Otherwise known as Saint James the Apostle Church, this church is a combination of local and western baroque architecture. Its stone church and its convent were built in 1846. In 1717, Rev. Francisco de la Fuente led the construction of a stronger church, which was later destroyed by the earthquake of 1880. The church was reconstructed in 1884 by Rev. Pedro Galiano which was filled with century-old paintings and wooden statuaries. It was destroyed by an earthquake on 20 August 1937 and has since been rebuilt.
How to go there? Most buses from Manila take the South Luzon Expressway route which exits at Calamba. But if you have your own car, there's this shorter route that passes through the Rizal province. You just follow the main road that takes you through Antipolo, Teresa, Morong, and Tanay and then snakes through the hillsides until you reach Pakil. When you get to Pakil, you can probably just follow the jeepneys going to Paete, which is the next town.
I always admire people who work hard for the success of anything and for anyone else. yung mga tulay, yung carvings nga. Before kasi nakikita ko lang ang kagandahan ng isang bagay pero hindi ko naisip o naitanong man lang, sino ba gumawa nito? galing ng post na 'to dahil naappreciate mo yung nakikita mo. Thanks for sharing atty.
ReplyDeleteAng ganda ng mga carvings. I'm from laguna pero di pa ko nakakapunta sa paete. This make me see the beauty made by the hardworking people of the province. =)
ReplyDeleteGanda po ng mga shots.
The wood carvings are so impressive
ReplyDeleteBata pa lang ako naririnig ko na sa Mom ko yung Paete kasi don sya naghanap ng wood carver para sa bahay namin eh. Magagaling sila lalo na sa mga images ng Saints.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, pareho tayo 8 ang birthday, although mine is two months farther.
ReplyDeleteive never had the chance to really explore the southern tagalog region. except for lucena and lucban, ive never toured the place. paete is definitely one of the places i want to visit.
ReplyDeletei love the last photo of the red paper mache horse. reminds me so much of my batibot days
Galing talaga ng mga taga paete gumawa ng mga wood carvings... kilalang kilala sila sa mga works of art... hehehhehehe
ReplyDeleteAkala ko dati puro religious wood carvings lang ang ginagawa sa Paete. Pwede pala kahit hindi.
ReplyDeleteBeen to Paete countless of times because of work. it's amazing to see an unassuming piece of wood turned into something beautiful by the deft hands of a Paete artisan. terrific shots.
ReplyDeleteI love Paete... the people are very artistic there... and they have wonderful fiestas.
ReplyDeletewOW...!
ReplyDeleteWood art at its best...!!
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I wonder what kind of wood is being used by Paete artists and more importantly, where they source them in increasingly deforested Luzon?
ReplyDeleteMy hometown is near Paete. We normally take SLEX although Rizal route is faster. We had an accident there many years ago near the ravine.
ReplyDeleteDid you get to visit Baldemor's woodcarving shop? Madami dating bumibisita dun out of curiousity sa family ni Leandro Baldemor (former artista).
Lovely capture of the wood carvings. Would love to one day explore this part of Laguna. Funny that I wanted to go to Rizal this past weekend, but ended up in Batangas instead. Well, hope to bump into you one of these days. Hehe!
ReplyDeleteSynonymous na talaga ang Paete ar wood carving. Thanks sa info on the festivals there, sarap nga puntahan yan kasi malapit lang sa Manila.
ReplyDeleteThe first two carvings are truly work of art.
ReplyDeleteTruly showcases Filipino creativity. Lovely sculptures.
ReplyDeletewonderful carvings. Lots of art and talent from the local folks .
ReplyDeleteSome wonderful carvings there. They are really skilled artisans.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a church, it was nice to see all the details.
Lawstude, your post reminds me I have to get on a plane to see the archipelago again. I have wanted to see Laguna, and have never been there
ReplyDeleteLove it! I was born and raise in Paete! =)
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