Lumban

Municipality in Laguna, Philippines

Municipality in Calabarzon, Philippines

Lumban

Municipality

Municipality of Lumban

Saint Sebastian the Martyr Parish Church of Lumban

Lumban Municipal Hall

Lumban Town Proper

Flag

Seal

Nickname:

Embroidery Capital of the Philippines[1][2]

Map of Laguna with Lumban highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Lumban

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 14°17′49″N 121°27′32″E﻿ / ﻿14.297°N 121.459°E﻿ / 14.297; 121.459
Country| Philippines
Region| Calabarzon
Province| Laguna
District|  4th district
Founded| September 22, 1578
Barangays| 16 (see Barangays)
Government

[3]

• Type| Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor| Belen B. Raga
• Vice Mayor| Ireneo R. Baldovino
• Representative| Benjamin Agarao Jr.
• Municipal Council|

Members

*   * Modesto B. Abadier
* Mark Anthony L. Lagrosa
* Johndell A. Samonte
* Rodolfo F. Castillo Jr.
* Benson A. Del Valle
* Cristine Rosales P. Landayan
* Reden R. Rivera
* Katelyn Ubatay Ferrer

• Electorate| 23,274 voters (2025)
Area

[4]

• Total

| 40.53 km2 (15.65 sq mi)
Highest elevation

| 724 m (2,375 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 0 m (0 ft)
Population

(2024 census)[5]

• Total

| 32,793
• Density| 810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
• Households

| 8,535
Economy

• Income class| 3rd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence|

8.97

% (2021)[6]
• Revenue| ₱ 189.2 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 188.3 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 159 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 51.44 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| First Laguna Electric Cooperative (FLECO)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

4014

PSGC|

0403413000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)49
Native languages| Tagalog

Lumban, officially the Municipality of Lumban (Tagalog: Bayan ng Lumban), is a municipality in Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 Census, its population numbered 32,330.[7]

Lumban, one of the oldest towns in Laguna lies approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Santa Cruz, 94 kilometres (58 mi) southeast of Manila and 55 kilometres (34 mi) north of Lucena. It derives its name from Aleurites moluccanus, a tree locally known as 'Lumbang'.[8] The province's capital town, Santa Cruz, as well as Cavinti and Pagsanjan, were once part of Lumban. The Bumbungan river, where the Laguna Copperplate Inscription was found, runs through the town.

The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (key) is inscribed with small writing hammered into its surface. It shows significant Indian cultural influence (by way of Srivijaya) in the Philippines before European colonization in the 16th century.

Lumban is home to Lake Caliraya, an artificial lake popular with nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. It is known as the "Embroidery Capital of the Philippines,"[2] where fine Jusi and Piña cloth are hand-embroidered, with the finished product used for the barong tagalog worn by men and the saya (skirt) worn by women in a baro't saya outfit. Lumban is also known for its diverse range of footwear, like sandals, slippers, and step-in designs made from local materials.

## History

[edit]

### Spanish colonial period

[edit]

Lumban was founded on September 22, 1578, by Fray Juan de Plasencia and Fray Diego de Oropesa, who planted a holy cross in the area. The first church, dedicated to San Francisco and made of bamboo and nipa, was burned in 1586. With the collaboration of Governor Don Santiago de Vera and a local Tagalog chief named Burlon, construction began on a new stone church and was completed in 1600. Lumban was formally organized as a town on September 22, 1590.[9][10]

The Church of Lumban is claimed to be the first Franciscan building in the Philippines outside Manila.[10]

During the early Spanish period, Lumban was a large town that included the modern-day towns Santa Cruz, Cavinti, and Pagsanjan. Santa Cruz was separated from Lumban in 1602, followed by Cavinti in 1619, and Pagsanjan in 1668.[9]

## Geography

[edit]

### Barangays

[edit]

Lumban is politically subdivided into 16 barangays, as indicated below. [11] Each barangay consists of puroks, and some have sitios.

Barangay map of Lumban

* Bagong Silang
* Balimbingan (Poblacion)
* Balubad
* Caliraya
* Concepcion
* Lewin
* Maracta (Poblacion)
* Maytalang I
* Maytalang II
* Primera Parang (Poblacion)
* Primera Pulo (Poblacion)
* Salac (Poblacion)
* Santo Niño (Poblacion)
* Segunda Parang (Poblacion)
* Segunda Pulo (Poblacion)
* Wawa

A dispute exists regarding the Caliraya Watershed on the eastern half of Barangay Caliraya between the municipalities of Kalayaan and Cavinti. The dispute relates to land and water include illegal settlements, land tenure rights, hydropower generation, recreation and tourism, and aquaculture production, among others.[12]

A territorial dispute of Cavinti, Lumban, and Kalayaan on the map of Laguna

### Lake Caliraya

[edit]

Lumban is home to Lake Caliraya, a man-made lake created in 1939 that has become a popular spot for water sports and outdoor recreation, including fishing. The surrounding area features numerous tourist-friendly resorts and vacation homes, which are common due to the local scenery and climate.[citation needed]

### Caliraya Dam

[edit]

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Caliraya Dam is an embankment dam in Lumban, located in the Sierra Madre range. The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Caliraya, initially supplied one of the oldest hydroelectric plants in the Philippines and later became a recreational area for water sports and fishing. Work on the dam began in 1939, and a small hydroelectric plant was operational by 1942.[citation needed]

Lake Caliraya was later connected to Lumot Lake, another man-made lake, via a 2.3 km (1.4 mi) underground penstock to increase water supply. Subsequently, the dam and lake were used as the upper reservoir for the Kalayaan Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric plant located west of Lake Caliraya, with Laguna de Bay as the lower reservoir.

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Lumban, Laguna

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 26
(79)  | 27
(81)  | 29
(84)  | 31
(88)  | 31
(88)  | 30
(86)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 28
(82)  | 26
(79)  | 29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 22
(72)  | 22
(72)  | 22
(72)  | 23
(73)  | 24
(75)  | 25
(77)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 58
(2.3)  | 41
(1.6)  | 32
(1.3)  | 29
(1.1)  | 91
(3.6)  | 143
(5.6)  | 181
(7.1)  | 162
(6.4)  | 172
(6.8)  | 164
(6.5)  | 113
(4.4)  | 121
(4.8)  | 1,307
(51.5)
Average rainy days  | 13.4  | 9.3  | 9.1  | 9.8  | 19.1  | 22.9  | 26.6  | 24.9  | 25.0  | 21.4  | 16.5  | 16.5  | 214.5
Source: Meteoblue[13]

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of LumbanYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1903 | 3,905| —
1918 | 4,288| +0.63%
1939 | 5,954| +1.58%
1948 | 7,516| +2.62%
1960 | 9,719| +2.16%
1970 | 13,289| +3.17%
1975 | 14,842| +2.24%
1980 | 17,360| +3.18%
1990 | 19,773| +1.31%
1995 | 21,996| +2.02%
2000 | 25,936| +3.60%
2007 | 28,443| +1.28%
2010 | 29,470| +1.30%
2015 | 30,652| +0.75%
2020 | 32,330| +1.13%
2024 | 32,793| +0.34%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18]

According to the 2020 census, the population of Lumban was 32,330,[19] with a density of 800 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,100 inhabitants per square mile.

## Government

[edit]

Elected municipal officials (2025–2028)  Position | Name | Party

|
|

Mayor | Belen B. Raga  |  | PFP
Vice Mayor | Ireneo R. Baldovino  |  | PFP
Councilors | Modesto B. Abadier  |  | PFP
Mark Anthony L. Lagrosa  |  | NUP
Johndell A. Samonte  |  | PFP
Rodolfo F. Castillo Jr.  |  | Lakas
Benson A. Del Valle  |  | Lakas
Cristine Rosales P. Landayan  |  | Lakas
Reden R. Rivera  |  | PFP
Katelyn Ubatay Ferrer  |  | PFP

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Lumban

2.5

7.5

12.5

2000
14.18

2003
13.27

2006
6.90

2009
7.16

2012
8.68

2015
7.85

2018
2.29

2021
8.97

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]

## Culture

[edit]

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|

The town fiesta is held every January 20 in honor of San Sebastian, the town's patron saint. The Lupi festival is held every last Sunday of January.

### Feast of San Sebastian

[edit]

The San Sebastian Festival[28] features a procession on the Lumban River, where the icon of the patron saint San Sebastian, along with hundreds of devotees, is placed on a fleet of large boats.

The San Sebastian Festival originated after the people adopted Saint Sebastian the Martyr as their patron saint in the 18th century. This annual celebration, observed every fourth Sunday of January, includes religious and cultural activities alongside the town fiesta.

The Moro-Moro,[29] a type of “Komedya,” is performed the evening before the festival, showcasing local talents with colorful costumes.

The “Paligong Poon” takes place at the Lumban River, with the icon of San Sebastian and hundreds of devotees on the boats while holding lit candles and performing rituals across the river, known as “Lupi.”

Civic and religious organizations, as well as local bands, participate in the event. The icon is paraded around the town while locals take turns dousing the saint and devotees with water. Spectators include people from the municipality and neighboring towns.

During the feast, each barangay of Lumban features its icon of the patron saint on a float, accompanied by the nine-day novena of the Hermanas of the town.

Townspeople participate in a water-throwing ritual symbolizing purification and blessings by the ritual ceremony of the patron saint of Lumban.

### Burdang Lumban Festival

[edit]

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|

The Burdang Lumban Festival is an annual cultural event held in the municipality of Lumban, Laguna, Philippines, during the third week of September.[30] The festival celebrates the town’s traditional craft of hand embroidery, which has long been associated with Lumban’s identity and economy.[31]

Lumban is recognized for producing traditional Filipino formal wear such as the barong Tagalog and embroidered wedding gowns, and it is often referred to as the "Embroidery Capital of the Philippines."[32] The festival serves both as a cultural showcase and as a tourism promotion initiative for the municipality.[32]

One of the main highlights of the Burdang Lumban Festival is a street dancing competition featuring schoolchildren dressed in colorful costumes inspired by the barong Tagalog and embellished with intricate embroidery motifs.[33]

## Gallery

[edit]

* Welcome Arch

* Poblacion

* Lumban Town Hall

* Alay sa mga Bayaning Lumbeño Monument

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Department of Tourism - The Philippine's Ultimate Travel Guide for Tourist
2. ^ a b Provincial Government of Laguna
3. ^ Municipality of Lumban |  (DILG)
4. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
5. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
7. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
8. ^ Philippine Native Trees 101: Up Close and Personal. Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy (Organization), Hortica Filipina Foundation, Inc, Binhi Project (Philippines). 2012. pp. 307 pages. ISBN 9789719546900.
9. ^ a b Huerta, Felix, de (1865). Estado Geografico, Topografico, Estadistico, Historico-Religioso de la Santa y Apostolica Provincia de San Gregorio Magno. Binondo: Imprenta de M. Sanchez y Compañia.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
10. ^ a b "Laguna Churches - Ofm Philippines". ofmphil.com. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
11. ^ "Province:". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
12. ^ Castillo, Judith F; Codtiyeng, Samson K.; Palma-Torres, Vanessa M.; Castañeda, Tricia Joy E; Rodriguez, Biverly C.; Sasi, Adrian Pablo V.; Tercero, Mario U. (2024-05-01). ""Resource use conflicts in the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Forest Reserve, Philippines"". The ECOSYSTEMS & DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL. 13 (2): 1.
13. ^ "Lumban: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
14. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
15. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
16. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
17. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
18. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
19. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
20. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
21. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
22. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
23. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
24. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
25. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
26. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
27. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
28. ^ Baraoidan, Kimmy (2017-01-27). "Be ready to get wet in this Laguna town fest in honor of Patron Saint of cops, soldiers". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
29. ^ "Moro-moro | History, Themes, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
30. ^ "The Hand Embroidery of Lumban, Laguna". Narra Studio. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
31. ^ Baraoidan, Kimmy (2017-03-05). "Legacy embossed in Lumban embroidery". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
32. ^ a b Region 4A (2023-12-31). "Heritage in Stitches: Celebrating Embroidery the FashioNoble Way". Department of Trade and Industry Philippines. Retrieved 2025-07-10.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
33. ^ "Burdang Lumban Festival: Celebrating Lumban's Legacy as the Embroidery Capital of the Philippines | The Beauty of the Philippines by Mariano Sayno". 2024-03-10. Retrieved 2025-07-10.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lumban.

* Lumban Web Site
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Philippine Census Information
* Local Governance Performance Management System
* Moro-moro – Britannica

Places adjacent to Lumban

|  | Kalayaan |

|
|

|  |
Laguna de Bay |

Lumban

| Mauban, Quezon
|  |
Santa Cruz | Pagsanjan / Cavinti |

* v
* t
* e

Province of Laguna

Santa Cruz (capital)
Calamba (largest city)

Municipalities|

* Alaminos
* Bay
* Calauan
* Cavinti
* Famy
* Kalayaan
* Liliw
* Los Baños
* Luisiana
* Lumban
* Mabitac
* Magdalena
* Majayjay
* Nagcarlan
* Paete
* Pagsanjan
* Pakil
* Pangil
* Pila
* Rizal
* Santa Cruz
* Santa Maria
* Siniloan
* Victoria

Component Cities|

* Biñan
* Cabuyao
* Calamba
* San Pablo
* San Pedro
* Santa Rosa

Barangays|

See: List of barangays in Laguna (province)

* v
* t
* e

Calabarzon (Region IV-A)

CAvite, LAguna, BAtangas, Rizal, QueZON

Regional center|

* Calamba

Provinces|

* Batangas
* Cavite
* Laguna
* Quezon
* Rizal

Highly urbanized cities|

* Lucena

Component cities|

* Antipolo
* Bacoor
* Batangas City
* Biñan
* Cabuyao
* Calamba
* Calaca
* Carmona
* Cavite City
* Dasmariñas
* General Trias
* Imus
* Lipa
* San Pablo
* San Pedro
* Santa Rosa
* Santo Tomas
* Tagaytay
* Tanauan
* Tayabas
* Trece Martires

Provincial capitals|

* Antipolo
* Batangas City
* Imus (de jure)
* Lucena
* Santa Cruz
* Trece Martires (de facto)

Municipalities|

* Agdangan
* Agoncillo
* Alabat
* Alaminos
* Alfonso
* Alitagtag
* Amadeo
* Angono
* Atimonan
* Balayan
* Balete
* Baras
* Bauan
* Bay
* Binangonan
* Buenavista
* Burdeos
* Cainta
* Calatagan
* Calauag
* Calauan
* Candelaria
* Cardona
* Catanauan
* Cavinti
* Cuenca
* Dolores
* Famy
* General Emilio Aguinaldo
* General Luna
* General Mariano Alvarez
* General Nakar
* Guinayangan
* Gumaca
* Ibaan
* Indang
* Infanta
* Jalajala
* Jomalig
* Kalayaan
* Kawit
* Laurel
* Lemery
* Lian
* Liliw
* Lobo
* Lopez
* Los Baños
* Lucban
* Luisiana
* Lumban
* Mabini
* Mabitac
* Macalelon
* Magallanes
* Magdalena
* Majayjay
* Malvar
* Maragondon
* Mataasnakahoy
* Mauban
* Mendez
* Morong
* Mulanay
* Nagcarlan
* Naic
* Nasugbu
* Noveleta
* Padre Burgos
* Padre Garcia
* Paete
* Pagbilao
* Pagsanjan
* Pakil
* Pangil
* Panukulan
* Patnanungan
* Perez
* Pila
* Pililla
* Pitogo
* Plaridel
* Polillo
* Quezon
* Real
* Rizal
* Rodriguez
* Rosario (Batangas)
* Rosario (Cavite)
* Sampaloc
* San Andres
* San Antonio
* San Francisco
* San Jose
* San Juan
* San Luis
* San Mateo
* San Narciso
* San Nicolas
* San Pascual
* Santa Cruz
* Santa Maria
* Santa Teresita
* Sariaya
* Silang
* Siniloan
* Taal
* Tagkawayan
* Talisay
* Tanay
* Tanza
* Taysan
* Taytay
* Teresa
* Ternate
* Tiaong
* Tingloy
* Tuy
* Unisan
* Victoria

Barangays|

* Batangas (List)
* Cavite (List)
* Laguna (List)
* Quezon (List)
* Rizal (List)

Luzon, Republic of the Philippines
*[PSGC]: Philippine Standard Geographic Code
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
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