Batangas, another town in Luzon, is the capital of the province of
that name. It is near the sea, and is the residence of the Governor
and the other chief officials of the province. There is a beautiful
park in the centre of the town, and a fine drive, where the European
residents are wont to meet. In and around the town are many pretty
bungalows and some large sugar-factories.
Santa Cruz de Malabon is a town in the rice-district of Luzon. It is
a charming little place, and some wealthy natives live there. Near the
town are several water-power rice-husking mills, that give employment
to hundreds of natives. The country all around is low and flat,
but not lacking in beauty.
Silan is also in Luzon, and is a good-sized town. It is noted for its
religious feasts and fairs. The church and the convent are celebrated,
and are among the handsomest in the colony.
Carmona, Perez Dasmariñas, and Viñan, are flourishing towns in the
vicinity of Silan. All are well worthy of a visit.
At the foot of the Maquiling mountain is Calamba, a market-town. Nearly
all the land thereabouts is owned by the Dominicans, who rent it to
the native rice and sugar-planters.
Below the Maquiling mountain, which is a crater, are hot springs. Near
them is the town of Los Baños, or the Baths. These springs are
beneficial in curing rheumatism and other ills. A hospital, therefore,
has been erected there, which is dedicated to our Lady of the Holy
Waters.
Other objects of interest are a vapor bath-house and the remains of
several large public buildings. Los Baños was once a popular resort,
and was under the administration of the Franciscans. The Government,
however, desiring a share of the profits, gradually, by onerous
exactions, caused the ruin of the place. If some enterprising American
would get hold of it, Los Baños could be made a great resort.
A few miles from Los Baños, on the Malanin river, about 1200 feet
above the sea, is the boiling lake of Natungos. This, too, possesses
wonderful medicinal properties.
Santa Cruz is the capital of the Laguna province. It is a market-town
of considerable size and importance, and contains a fine church and
one or two impressive government buildings. The principal street is
also called the Escolta. Santa Cruz is the centre of the cocoanut
trade, and is a meeting-place for stock-dealers.
Pagsanjan, a small old town near Santa Cruz, contains some elegant
residences. It has, however, an air of fallen grandeur. And well
it may! for it was once an important place. Around it are extensive
forests of cocoanut palms.
Puerta is on Palaúan Island, and has an excellent harbor. Near it is
a lighthouse and a naval station. It is a penal settlement, and is
surrounded by large sugar-estates, worked by the convicts. The town
is pretty, and the suburbs are delightful.
The principal port of Mindanao is Zamboanga, a small but interesting
town. Sulu is the principal port of Sulu, and is the centre of the
pearl trade.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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