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Municipality of Majayjay
Taytay falls Majayjay.jpg
Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church.jpg
Ermita Chapel, Majayjay.jpg
From Clockwise from top: Taytay Falls, Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church, & Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Porteria, also known as Ermita.
Official seal of Majayjay
Map of Laguna with Majayjay highlighted
Map of Laguna with Majayjay highlighted
Majayjay is located in Philippines
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°09′N 121°28′E﻿ / ﻿14.15°N 121.47°E﻿ / 14.15; 121.47Coordinates: 14°09′N 121°28′E﻿ / ﻿14.15°N 121.47°E﻿ / 14.15; 121.47
Country Philippines
RegionCalabarzon (Region IV-A)
District4th District
FoundedOctober 2, 1571
Barangays40 (see Barangays)
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorCarlo Invinzor B. Clado
 • Vice MayorLauro C. Mentilla
 • CongressmanBenjamin C. Agarao Jr.
 • Electorate17,074 voters (2016)
 • Total69.58 km2 (26.86 sq mi)
 (2015 census)[3]
 • Total27,792
 • Density400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
IDD:area code+63 (0)49
Climate typetropical monsoon climate
Income class4th municipal income class
Revenue (₱)77.6 million  (2016)
Native languagesTagalog

Majayjay, officially the Municipality of Majayjay, (Tagalog: Bayan ng Majayjay), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 27,792 people.[3]

It is located at the foot of Mount Banahaw, and stands 1,000 feet above sea level. One hundred twenty kilometers south of Manila, it is bounded by the municipality of Magdalena on the north-west, by Lucban in Quezon province on the southeast, by Luisiana on the north-east, and by Liliw on the west. Majayjay has the Taytay Falls, also called the Majayjay Falls or Imelda Falls, because ex-First Lady Imelda Marcos financed the promotion of tourism in this place. It is a two-storey high falls located in a remote scenery where the forestry is abundant. To reach Taytay Falls, one has to go down the stone steps leading to a kilometer-long trail. Constructed in 2008, during the past, reaching Taytay Falls is a very hard task, as there were no marked trails during that time. Recently, the World Bank has sponsored the promotion of tourism in Taytay Falls.

History and culture[edit]

It called Majayjay because it is a mountain place.And,the people is saying hay hay.And it become Majayjay Indigenous residents use to call it Malay Barangay. The Spanish colonial government made it a town in 1578.

During this period, Malay Barangay was one of the most populated settlements in the newly founded province. It competed with Bay and Pagsanjan during the selection of the province’s capital.

The popularity of this new town grew instantly during the Spanish period. Its location at the foot of the mountain gave it an abundant supply of fresh mountain spring water. Four rivers flowed through the town. They were Initian, Oobi and Ula, from the towering mountain, and Balanac from the falls of Botocan where all the three rivers meet.

Botocan Falls and the town’s scenery were uniquely famous. Europeans and wealthy natives from Manila frequently visited the town. However, the road to Malay Barangay was tough. Guests have to be ferried from Manila through the Pasig River to Laguna de Bay. Land travel began by mounting on horses through a path in the forest, and then borne by natives in hammocks on the way up to Malay Barangay.

As to how Malay Barangay got its name Majayjay, residents assume that Spaniards found it difficult to pronounce Malay Barangay. Early colonizers may have shortened it to Malay-ay, until it became Majayjay. Legends, however say that it was the difficult journey to Majayjay, which gave the town its name. Tired travelers sighed, “Hay!” after scaling a cliff, “Hay!” after ascending a hill, and “Hay!” after crossing a raging river. Thus, guests referred to the place “Mahayhay,” meaning, many sighs. Spaniards spelled it “Majayjay.”

Immediately after the conversion of the natives of Malay Barangay, a makeshift church was built near May-it River. Fire destroyed it in 1578. Believers built a new church made of bamboo and cogon thatch to refurbish the former. However, fire again razed it to the ground. This time, the faithful built a stone church, but it again smoldered to ashes. The residents wondered. In spite of the repeated incidents of fire, the image of their Patron Saint, San Gregorio Papa Magno remained miraculously unscathed.

Through the efforts of Padre José de Puertollano, contributions enforced from parishioners, and forced labor of the natives, a new elegant church rose in Majayjay. It took nineteen years, incalculable donations and countless lash marks that scarred the backs of languid natives to finish the church. The church’s completion in 1730 put it in the list of the most elegant churches in the province.


Majayjay is geographically a landlocked area situated in the southernmost part of the province of Laguna. It nestles at the foot of the mystical Mt. Banahaw, and due to its higher altitude at some 2,700+ ft above sea level, the town makes for a good vacation destination during summer season in the Philippines. It was once branded as the Summer Capital of the Philippines 300–400 years ago during Spanish era where most of the huge names in the Spanish colonial Philippines visited this humble place. Other sights along the streets are the remnants of the said era for Spanish-inspired houses still stand at random key locations mostly in the town square. Famous and affluent families then still have their ancestral houses maintained.


Majayjay has a tropical climate. There is significant rainfall in most months of the year. The short dry season has little effect on the overall climate. This location is classified as Am by Köppen and Geiger. The temperature here averages 25.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2571 mm. The warmest month of the year is May, with an average temperature of 27.4 °C. January has the lowest average temperature of the year. It is 24.2 °C. The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month is 332 mm. During the year, the average temperatures vary by 3.2 °C.

Climate data for Majayjay, Laguna
Average high °C (°F) 27.9
Daily mean °C (°F) 24.2
Average low °C (°F) 20.5
Average precipitation mm (inches) 121
Source: (Temperature)[4]


Majayjay is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.[5]

Barangay Name Barangay Chairman[6] Philippine Standard
Geographic Codes Code
Urban/Rural Population
(as of May 1, 2010)
Amonoy Arsolacia, Eugenio Esquivel 43416001 Rural 408
Bakia Rodillas, Alfredo Ciscar 43416002 Rural 584
Balanac Gruezo, Julieta Nombrado 43416004 Rural 250
Balayong Conejos, Ryan Emmanuel Codera 43416005 Rural 246
Banilad Ordoñez, Herminigildo Leobrera 43416007 Rural 240
Banti Palentinos, Matias Menor 43416008 Rural 410
Bitaoy Ceripulo, Isidro Arquiza 43416010 Rural 232
Botocan Vitasa, Darius Ronabio 43416011 Rural 1,083
Bukal Brosas, Librado Urriza 43416003 Rural 521
Burgos Esquillo, Edwin Rias 43416012 Rural 311
Burol Argañosa, Ariel Miraber 43416013 Rural 351
Coralao Sobreviñas, Glenn Peña 43416014 Rural 519
Gagalot Mercurio, Crisostomo Uriza 43416015 Rural 590
Ibabang Banga Marques, Susana 43416016 Rural 636
Ibabang Bayucain Patron, Virgilio Samonte 43416017 Rural 297
Ilayang Banga Villarmil, Nestor Elises 43416018 Rural 1,090
Ilayang Bayucain Expression, Alejandro Matienzo 43416019 Rural 224
Isabang Arcenal, Deonisio 43416020 Rural 155
Malinao Trovela, Beny Pontiveros 43416021 Rural 907
May-It Bituin, Efren Tronera 43416022 Rural 350
Munting Kawayan Tungohan, Teodoro Macandili 43416023 Rural 615
Olla Arasa, Dindo Breganza 43416025 Rural 1,043
Oobi Gripo, Margarito Poliquet 43416024 Rural 1,007
Origuel (Poblacion) Cabonce, Mariafe Bandillo 43416026 Urban 1,183
Panalaban Robel, Joseph Gloria 43416027 Rural 199
Pangil Granada, Getulio Zornosa 43416029 Rural 740
Panglan Codera, Eladio Jaravata 43416028 Rural 467
Piit Vito, Alejo Tuazon 43416030 Rural 518
Pook Ordoñez, Fidel Conejos 43416031 Rural 434
Rizal Borines, Juan Vito 43416032 Rural 292
San Francisco (Poblacion) Oates, Julie 43416033 Urban 2,322
San Isidro Perez, Benvenido, Jr. Meraña 43416034 Rural 461
San Miguel (Poblacion) Garcia, Maila Solisa 43416035 Urban 2,576
San Roque Garcia, Arthur Baldovino 43416036 Rural 299
Santa Catalina (Poblacion) Andaya, Onofre Gonzaga 43416037 Urban 1,322
Suba Mondejar, Gaudencio Codera 43416038 Rural 1,690
Talortor Merestela, Romeo Miga 43416041 Rural 952
Tanawan Rubina, Julio Ordoñez 43416039 Rural 289
Taytay Hernandez, Anastacio Urriza 43416040 Rural 506
Villa Nogales De Villa, Bernaldo Ilao 43416042 Rural 228


Population census of Majayjay
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 5,800—    
1918 6,410+0.67%
1939 7,543+0.78%
1948 7,753+0.31%
1960 9,906+2.06%
1970 12,316+2.20%
1975 13,182+1.37%
1980 13,699+0.77%
1990 15,875+1.49%
1995 18,989+3.41%
2000 22,159+3.36%
2007 23,681+0.92%
2010 26,547+4.25%
2015 27,792+0.88%
Poblacion with town hall on right, public market on left, and St. Gregory church in the background.

In the 2015 census, the population of Majayjay was 27,792 people,[3] with a density of 400 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,000 inhabitants per square mile.


The town boasts line of shanties of budding small enterprises mostly selling indigenous farm crops along its main road.

Local government[edit]

2016 Philippine Local Election results[10]

Position Name Nickname Party Affiliation Votes Obtained Percent
Mayor Carlo Invinzor Clado JOJO NPC 3,848 27.1%
Vice Mayor Eulogio Wilson Amorado LP 5,446 40.1%
Position Name Nickname Party Affiliation Votes Obtained Rank
Councilor Edison Reyes NPC 4,698 1
Efren Bituin LP 4,471 2
Juancho Andaya JHUN LP 4,273 3
Gary Zornosa NPC 3,986 4
Celestino Norman Soto UNA 3,965 5
Maria Thess Melendez THESS LP 3,927 6
Valeriano Jr. Vito WOWIE IND 3,816 7
Pia Ceria NPC 3,484 8

2013 Philippine local election results:[11]

Position Name Nickname Party Affiliation Votes Obtained
Mayor Rodillas, Victorino Cubelo TINO PDP 4170
Vice Mayor Vito, Valeriano Jr. Orpiano WOWIE PDP 5384 (councilor votes)
Councilors Clado, Carlo Invinzor Bantug JOJO NP 5325
Estupigan, Godofredo Areja CAPAL PDP 4477
Melendez, Maria Thess Abris THESS PDP 4114
Armenta, Florencio Argete POLLY PDP 3866
Andaya, Juancho Malinis JHUN NP 3511
Mercolisa, Mario Jr. Ordo MARIO NP 3122
Zornosa, Antonio Jr. Suazo JUN NP 3035

Councilor Valeriano Vito, Jr. assumed the position of the Vice Mayor of Majayjay. Elected Vice Mayor Lauro Mentilla dismissed from service by The Ombudsman.[12]

Tourist attractions[edit]

St Gregory the Great Parish Church
1.Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church
Majayjay is home to one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Philippines, the Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church. It was built in 1575 through forced labor to the town folks. Inside the church are antique statues of saints brought by the Spaniards in the early era of propagating Christianity. It is somehow true to every church built in the country that it experienced arson (1576, 1606 and 1660) but later undergone reconstructions and rehabilitation works. Atop the roof of the church is seen the scenic view of Laguna de Bay.
Taytay Falls
2.Taytay Falls
3.Dalitiwan Resort
Dalitiwan Resort is well known for being a running water-typed resort showcasing icy cold water flowing from Mount Banahaw springs. It is located in barangay Ilayang Banga. To get there, you'll have to ride a jeep or a trike for 3 minutes or so from the town proper going far down the area before ascending to the zigzag road.
4.Costales Nature Farm
Costales Nature Farm is well known for its unique way of cultivating agricultural and farm products. Through the organic farming that was first introduced in Majayjay it became a boom and a success. Many people who are after to doing the same technique usually visit the farm located in Brgy. Gagalot.
5.Coconut Arrack
Commonly called Lambanog. This lambanog is a liquor produced from the extracted Tuba, a sap that is gotten from the coconut tree. However, as you pass along the National Highways, you can probably see Mangangarit skillfully climbing the tree and gliding all the way from one tree to another by the use of two bamboo logs horizontally knotted. There are several stores selling this type of wine, for you to experience its taste just visit the town.
6.Puente de Capriccio
In Rizal's El Filibusterismo, he spoke of an old Spanish bridge made of stone in the year 1851. It was a one-arch bridge since it was not finished, early natives put bamboo footbridge to connect the opposite sides to make accessible. Puente de Capriccio was initiated by Spanisg franciscan priest Victoriano del Moral. But the priest was cruel and autocratic, anyone who do not labor in the construction would be later punish by whipping the buttocks. The workers were reportedly not paid a single centavo. Because of his cruelty, the workers campaigned against him, thus, the bridge's construction never resumed since 1851. The bridge is still standing firm today crossing the Olla River. It is called Tulay ng Pige (Bridge of Buttocks) by modern Majayjayenos. The bridge now symbolizes the defiance of Filipino workers against the oppressive Spanish colonialists during the colonial period.
7.Mount Banahaw
The town of Majayjay is located at the foot of this majestic mountain. In the early Spanish era, Mount Banahaw was called Monte de Majayjay, because it was the town the only way to travel to the mountain. Many European elites visited the town because of its fresh air and the scenic view of Mount Banahaw.
8.Carayan Resort
A resort right at the heart of Majayjay, Laguna, foothills near Mt. Banahaw situated in Barangay Panglan, Majayjay, Laguna - Philippines.
9.Scenic View Resort and Restaurant
Located in brgy. Ilayang Banga.
10.APA Farms
11.Hillarion's Heritage Farm
12.Bukal Falls
Popular to most tourists as the Enchanted Falls
13.Botocan Hydroelectric Power Plant and Dam
It is the first hydroelectric power plant ever constructed in the Philippines in the 20th century (1930). It is now owned by the CBK Power Company Limited.
14.Ermita Church
Then, a tribunal. This holy place houses the image of Nuestra Senora dela Porteria.
15.Our Lady of the Gate Grotto
Situated along the Olla riverbank is sacred place where masses at times are being held. It is a small tourist destination for religious excursionist.


Majayjay Day is celebrated every year on October 2 as part of the celebration of the founding anniversary of the town. It brags off farm and agricultural products produced primarily from the 40 barangays composing it. This day has been given a new life and breathing in its new brand name as AniLinang Festival. The 1st AniLinang Festival was held on October 2, 2016 as an initiative of the local government to promote the town's laid-back, and peaceful way of life seen in its agricultural produce as well as in their indigenous cuisines.

SaGreMa Festival (San Gregorio Magno Majayjay), is a parochial festivity celebrated on September 3 and March 12, the dates when Saint Gregory, the town's patron saint became a pope and the day he died, respectively. In this time of the year, the Majayjayenos honor the saint for bountiful year it has been for the town.


Visiting the town is very accessible and convenient in all its four (4) entry points: Magdalena-Majayajay road to the north, Liliw-Majayjay road to the west, Luisiana-Majayjay road to the east, and Lucban-Majayjay road to the south. Public utility vehicles are dispersed such as the local jeepneys, and tricycles ready to fetch when you get lost. There are no buses going around the streets except for random private ones so make sure to bring your maps, and channel your people-skill for you can ask directions as townsfolk are cool and hospitable.

Communication and connectivity[edit]

The town of Majayjay possesses different communication lines including PLDT, and cellular communications such as Globe, and Smart. Any travelers would find this place very convenient in accessing the online, digital world during their vacation trip.


Secondary schools:

  1. Liceo de Majayjay (High School)
  2. Sta Catalina National High School (Brgy. San Miguel, Main Campus and Brgy. Bakia, ext.)
  3. Suba National High School (Brgy. San Isidro, Main Campus and Brgy. Gagalot, ext.)

Elementary schools:

  1. Liceo de Majayjay (Elementary)
  2. Majayjay Elementary School
  3. Sta Catalina Elementary School
  4. Bakia-Botocan Elementary School
  5. Paaralang Elementarya ng Gagalot - Taytay
  6. Suba Elementary School
  7. Bucal Elementary School
  8. Munting Kawayan Elementary School


  4. ^ "CLIMATE: MAJAYJAY, CLIMATE TABLE". Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  5. ^
  6. ^
  10. ^ "Majayjay, Laguna Elections". Retrieved 2016-09-18.
  11. ^
  12. ^

External links[edit]