圣罗莎 城镇

Santa Rosa, officially the City of Santa Rosa (Filipino: Lungsod ng Santa Rosa), is a component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 430,920 people.

It is the second largest local government unit in Laguna after Calamba. Located 40 kilometers (25 mi) south of Manila, it was rapidly developed into an urban area as a result of the growing congestion and conurbation of the Manila Metropolitan area. It is also the richest city in Luzon outside of Metro Manila in terms of annual income, which was recorded to be ₱4.99 billion as of 2022.

Santa Rosa's name is derived from Saint Rose of Lima, its patron saint. The town was initially known for the Coca-Cola, RC Cola, and Toyota manufacturing plants in its industrial estates. It later became popular as the site of the Enchanted Kingdom theme park and several housing and commercial developments.

History

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

In 1688, Biñan, together with Barrio Bukol, separated from Cabuyao. After a series of renaming and separating barrios to become independent towns, Barrio Bukol was politically emancipated as the municipality of Santa Rosa, founded on January 18, 1792.

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

Cityhood

On July 10, 2004, Santa Rosa was converted into a city by Republic Act No.

Geography

Santa Rosa's land area is approximately 54.13 square kilometers (20.90 sq mi). It is located west of the Laguna de Bay.

The western half of the city occupies the numerous commercial, industrial, and business establishments, while the other is primarily composed of residential areas and subdivisions, schools, industrial zones, and various business establishments.

Santa Rosa is 47 kilometers (29 mi) from Santa Cruz, 40 kilometers (25 mi) from Manila, and 29 kilometers (18 mi) from Tagaytay.

Barangays

Santa Rosa is politically subdivided into 18 barangays, as indicated below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

The population of Santa Rosa is fast-growing with an intercensal growth rate of 7% from 1990 to 1995 and continuing to increase in subsequent decades.

Ethnic groups

Like other places in Metro Manila, the original settlers in Santa Rosa are Tagalogs. Throughout the centuries, there has been constant migration of Spaniards, Visayans, Bikolanos, Ilokanos, Chinese, Americans, Japanese, and Koreans.

Languages

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

Economy

Santa Rosa is considered to be the premier city and hub of South Luzon. It is also known as the Lion City of South Luzon. In 2022, the city had an income of ₱4.99 billion. It became the richest city in Luzon outside of Metro Manila in terms of annual income.

Special economic zones and industrial parks in Santa Rosa include:

Townships such as Greenfield City, Nuvali, Eton City, and Sta. Elena City are also located in the Santa Rosa.

Shopping malls

The city hosts various shopping malls, including SM City Santa Rosa, Robinsons Sta. Rosa, Ayala Malls Nuvali (formerly Ayala Malls Solenad), Walter Mart Santa Rosa, Walter Mart Santa Rosa Bel-Air, Victory Mall Santa Rosa, Target Mall, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, Paseo Outlets (formerly and still commonly known as Paseo de Santa Rosa), Eton City Square, Sta. Rosa Town Center, and Sta. Rosa Gateway by Toplite.

Education

Santa Rosa holds many schools, facilities and tutorial centers. There are 18 public elementary schools and 10 public high schools in the city, all overseen by the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Santa Rosa City headed by Hereberto Jose D. Miranda, CESO VI, School Division, Superintendent, as well as 84 private schools as of 2023. The Canossians built their first Canossian school in the Philippines in Santa Rosa. For 25 years Laguna BelAir School taught students before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Several higher education institutions headquartered outside the city have established branch or satellite campuses in Santa Rosa. Polytechnic University of the Philippines has one campus in Santa Rosa, as well as STI College, Citi Global College, Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo Professional Schools), and Our Lady of Fatima University.

Transportation

Santa Rosa is serviced by South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAX). Two exits of SLEX are located in the city: Santa Rosa Exit and Eton City (Malitlit) Exit. The city is also accessible through Greenfield City (Mamplasan) Exit in Biñan, which provides access to CALAX, SM City Santa Rosa, and the Santa Rosa city proper. Two exits of CALAX directly serve the city, namely: Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Exit (located in Barangay Carmen, Silang, Cavite) and Laguna Boulevard Exit (located within the city). The Manila South Road from Alabang, Muntinlupa up to Calamba, Laguna passes through the city. Another road, Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road, acts as the main route for people going up to Tagaytay from Metro Manila, especially on weekends and vacation periods.

Infrastructure

Utilities and communication

Santa Rosa's source of electricity is partly from Meralco. Its water supply is provided by the Laguna Water Inc., except for Vista Land Developments (including Sta. Elena City), which is provided by its former sister company, Hiraya Water Corporation (formerly PrimeWater). Santa Rosa's communication system is powered by Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) and Globe Telecom, and the cellular network in the Philippines, particularly in metropolitan areas, is increasing due to the low cost of calls and text messaging. Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT), and Dito Telecommunity provide cellular networks in Santa Rosa. Cable and satellite television access is provided by SkyCable, G Sat, Cignal Digital TV, and Royal Cable.

Health

The Santa Rosa Community Hospital is the primary public hospital of Santa Rosa.

Government

Local government

Santa Rosa 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 act 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 12 regular members and representatives from the barangay and the youth council. Additionally, the city elects a member to the House of Representatives and two members to the Laguna Provincial Board for its lone legislative district.

The city government is based at the Santa Rosa City Hall in the old city proper, alongside other local government offices.

List of chief executives

The following is the list of chief executives (capitan municipal / municipal president / mayor) of Santa Rosa.

Sports

Santa Rosa is home to sports venues such as the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex, Nuvali Sand Courts, Santa Rosa Mega Cockpit, and Winner Badminton Court. The Multi-Purpose Complex, owned by the city government, was once the home of Laguna Krah Asia of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, Santa Rosa Laguna Lions of the Pilipinas Super League, and San Miguel Alab Pilipinas of the ASEAN Basketball League. It is currently used as a venue for Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Super Liga games. It also hosted the sport of netball at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. The Nuvali Sand Courts in Barangay Santo Domingo is a notable venue for beach volleyball that has hosted the Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open in 2024.

Notable people

Arlene B. Arcillas, incumbent mayor

Maria Carpena, stage actress and soprano singer. She was the first recording artist in the Philippine music industry. She was also dubbed as the country's "Nightingale of Zarzuela".

Danilo Fernandez, actor, former mayor, and incumbent representative

Jason Fernandez, former vocalist of Rivermaya, singer

Jef Gaitan, actress

Mark Herras, actor

Koreen Medina, actress and model

Alden Richards, actor

Nadine Samonte, actress

Jodi Sta. Maria, actress

Juancho Triviño, actor and host

Alyssa Solomon, volleyball player and member of NU Lady Bulldogs

Trisha Genesis, PVL player