History of cavinti

Legends have it that the name Cavinti came from the phrase "KAPIT SA
BINTI", which the first Spanish colonizers found very difficult to pronounce.
It is said that the very first day these colonizers arrived in this place, a
wedding was taking place. The rite, so the story goes, was very unique
because it was different from the conventional wedding ceremonies done
in churches or civil courts. In that ritual, the Spaniards saw the groom
running after the bride. The idea behind the whole thing was to let the
groom run after the bride as the witnessing crowd kept watching. Once the
bride caught the nuptial was consummated.
So the bride ran uphill and downhill, through clear and wooded areas, on
dry swampy paths as the groom kept following behind. Down yonder the
pair reached a stream (probably the Cavinti river), which fortunately or
unfortunately was at that time swollen due to floodwaters. The unwary
bride jumped into it. The groom followed without let up. Suddenly the
undercurrent snatched the girl catching her unaware of a coming danger.
Nearby at the river bank the bride's younger sister, who was in the midst of
the srowd cried out, "kaka, kapit sa binti", pointing to the groom. She
shouted it out on top of her voice in a desperate effort to save her older
sister. For sake of her dear life the bride gasping for breath obeyed without
hesitation. That very moment the sister's cry of "Kaka, kapit sa binti!"
became words of magic. For, it saved not only the bride's life or the
wedding tragic ending. It served most especially the town for having a
name it can call its own.
The Town of Cavinti was originally a part of Lumban, Laguna. It was only
in 1619 when the town gained complete and independent status as a
parish by virtue of a papal bull believed to have come directly from Rome.
In fact, this was why, again according to the legends, the two Puhawan
brothers of Lumban, in search of food in the early 1600, reached Cavinti
where they found an image which turned out to be that of El Salvador.
They brought the image to their home in Lumban. But in no time, it got lost
only to be found again the very same place where it was first discovered.
Today on that hallowed grounds stands majestically the centuries-old
Catholic Church in honor of San Salvador built by the town's forebears for
all the generations to enjoy and cherish.
The church's early structures were made of light materials. For many times
they had to rebuild it on account of destruction wrought by natural
calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, and fires.
The ecclesiastical supervision of the church also belonged to Lumban
since its founding. Even at the time of the construction of the first stone
church in 1621.
Geography

The Municipality of Cavinti is one of the upland municipalities of Laguna

province. It is situated in the foothills of Sierra Madre mountain range. It is
located within 121 28 6.31 121 37 57.06 Longitude and 14 11
30.40 14 23 29.96 Latitude of eastern part of Laguna. It is bounded by
the Municipality of Paete to the north, Kalayaan to the north-west, Lumban
to the west, Luisiana to the south, Pagsanjan to the southwest and the
province of Quezon to the east.
It is located 119 kilometres south-east of Manila, a two hours and three
minutes (2hrs and 3mins) drive via the South Luzon Expressway and
National Hi-way or 123 kilometres south-east of Manila, a two hours and
17 minutes (2hrs and 17mins) drive via Marcos Hi-way. It is 11 kilometres
away from the provincial capital via Pagsanjan route.
Municipal Land Area

Based on Cavinti Cadastral Maps, the municipality has a total land area of
21,642.50 hectares [GIS computed using cadastral maps including CAD
55 and combined with high resolution remote sensing images]; however,
Cavintis has boundary disputes with the neighboring Municipalities of
Kalayaan and Luisiana, Laguna and Mauban, Quezon.
There are at least three different records and sources of information of
land area of Cavinti: the DILG Calabarzon which is 20,358 hectares
(without CAD 55), the Wikipedia which is 12,554 hectares, municipal
records from unapproved CLUP of 2000 which is 25,770.70 hectares, and
records from Assessors Office which is 21,362 hectares (including the +/-
5 to 10m error per lot or land parcel).
Political Units

Cavinti is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Laguna and belongs to

the 4th Congressional District. It is politically subdivided into 19 barangays,
namely: Anglas, Banco, Bukal, Bulajo, Cansuso, Duhat, Inao-Awan,
Kanluran Talaongan, Labayo, Layasin, Layug, Mahipon (Lumot), Paowin,
Poblacion, Sisilmin, Silangan Talaongan, Sumucab, Tibatib and Udia.

Government
Like other towns in the Philippines, Cavinti is governed by a mayor and
vice mayor who are elected to three-year terms. The mayor is the
executive head and leads the town's departments in executing the
Sangguniang Bayan's ordinances and improving public services. The vice
mayor heads a legislative council consisting of councilors, as members.
At present, Cavinti Municipal officials are:
Mayor: Milbert Oliveros (1st Term)
Vice Mayor: Danilo Arroyo (1st Term)
Municipal councilors:
Rommel Cabuhat
Pedro O. Villegas
Arrantlee R. Arroyo
Anita Conde
Oscar Gordula
Krispin Sanchez
Michael Eric Castillo
Roland Mesina

Tourist spots
Manmade
Japanese Garden

A shrine created by Philippine-Japan Friendship Society in the memory of

the Japanese soldiers who died during the encounter between Japanese
and Filipino American troops. There are picnics huts on the lower level of
the garden where visitors can sit and enjoy a snack.

Caliraya and Lumot lake

A manmade lake situated in the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti, and
Kalayaan in Laguna province, Philippines. built in 1943 to supply water to
the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant. Lake Caliraya is an ideal place for sailing,
wind surfing, fishing and other water sports.
Bambungan Ecopark

Bumbungan Eco-Park offers a great view from the bridge in Cavinti.

Entrance fee is only 10 pesos per person. A picnic hut can be rented for
150 pesos. Before entering the park, guests should have a visitors entry
permit that can be applied and paid for in Cavinti Municipal Hall during
weekdays or in Bumbungan Eco-Park on weekends.
Natural
Cavinti Falls

Many of us know the Pagsanjan Falls or Magdapio Falls. But di d you

know it is also known as Cavinti Falls. The famous falls is actually located
in Cavinti Laguna. There are two ways to go here. First is through boat
(starts from Pagsanjan) and the second one is through trekking/hiking and
rappelling (stars from Pueblo El Salvador Eco Park).
Cavinti twin Falls

A light hiking destination for hikers and also non-hikers. It is a beautiful

destination. From the water falls, you can have a family picnic or
swimming on the wide and deep basin at the base of the falls.
Magdapio Falls

It is a world-class destination. No trip to Cavinti is ever complete without

embarking on this exhilarating, adrenaline-filled, two-hour boat ride from
the Bumbungan River to the Pagsanjan Falls, whose booming water
cascades down the 300-feet cliff in full view. The volume of water falling is
so great that the site is filled with a never-ending thunderous sound.
Cavinti underground River and cave
One of many attractions in the town, is the Cavinti Underground River and
Cave Complex which perfect for the highly adventurous people. It features
a narrow cave passages which require a bit of scrambling and some
acrobatics. As of the meantime, visitors are required to drop by at Cavinti
Municipal Office to secure a permit before going to Cavinti Underground
River and Cave Complex so as to monitor the number of persons visiting
the cave since it was only operational last March 30, 2013.
Going to Cave is quite challenging. It is 16K kilometers away from the
main road and 45 minutes to 1 hour bumpy and butt-numbling ride.
Sounds exciting? yeah! One consideration that must be noted is the
weather. Rainy season is not good time to go there. The rain will surely
make the road very steep and muddy. So Best if you go there during
Summer.
Economy
Cavinti is basically an agricultural town. At the poblacin, there are only a
few commercial establishments which cater to the basic services of the
people. Most of them still go to Santa Crz to do their shopping or
marketing and to avail themselves of other services not available in their
town.
Sources of income of the people of Cavinti are mainly focused on tourism
and agriculture such as palay, bamboo, pandan, copra, coconut,
vegetables and fruit trees. Piggery and poultry farming are also sources of
additional income for the townfolks. The business income of the local
government primarily comes from CBK Power Plants, Resorts, Hotels and
Restaurants and operation of several tourism-related projects.
Sambalilo (Pandan Weaving)
The term Sambalilo originated from the Spanish word sombrero, which
means hat. It was used by people of Cavinti to protect them from rain and
sun during work in the farm since the local weather in the municipality is
unpredictable.
sambalilo making become income generating of people in the cavinti and
giant pandan (Pandanus utilissimus ) is indigenous and abundant in the
municipality (in fact some pandan used by Municipality of Luisiana came
from Cavinti).
Pinais

'Pinais' (mixture of coconut of shrimps) and 'Tinuto' (mixture Taro/Gabi

leaves, coconut milk and fish). Is one of their local cuisines in cavinti.

Festivity
Cavinti Watersports Fest
Cavinti Watersports Fest was initiated of incumbent Local Chief Executive,
Honorable Milbert de Leon Oliveros which is celebrated every February.
The first-ever and very successful Cavinti Watersports Fest was launched
on 7-9 February 2014 in order to boost Cavintis tourism in terms of fresh
water-based adventure and festivity. The event conducted the following
activities: Bass Fishing Competition, Dragon Boat Racing, Canoe Racing,
Kayak Racing, Open Water Swimming Competition, Kite Boarding
Exhibition, Carabao Swim Racing, Underwater Fish Hunting, Munting
Dampa sa Lawa and Trade Fair. This event is one of a kind as the DOT
R4 said this is the first-ever watersports fest in the region and can be
featured as the new product of the Philippine Tourism.

Mayflower Festival

All over the country, the month May has been traditionally associated with
the pious tradition of Flores de Mayo, an age-old catholic custom of
offering flowers before the image of the Mother of God, praying the rosary
and holding a procession in her honor. This tradition, since the early
residents of Cavinti is considered grand occasion and hermanos and
hermanas are the one leading the celebration. These hermanos and
hermanas are annually chosen for thanks giving, and to share their wealth
and blessings to the community of Cavinti. This is a month-long
celebration of which Santacruzan is the main event: a pageant on the last
day of Flores de Mayo, held in honour of Helena (known as Reyna Elena)
and Constantine finding the True Cross in Jerusalem.

Sambalilo Festival
Creation of Sambalilo Festival was initiated by the Association of
Barangay Captains (ABC) and Magdapio Club in order to boost Cavintis
tourism in 2003. The celebration was held in conjunction with Mayflower
Festival, on May 16-25, 2003, targeting vacationers, local and foreign
tourist since the influx of visitors is recorded on April and May. However,
due to unknown reason, the said Festival was never been celebrated
again until 2013 under the new administration thru Hon. Mayor Milbert de
Leon Oliveros which they believed should be celebrated during the
foundation day of Cavinti and Mayflower Festival will be celebrated
separately. The new administration also believed that having two major
festivals will surely boost the tourism industry. Consequently, the second
celebration of the famous Sambalilo Festival was held on August 3-6,
2013 during Mayor Milbert Oliveros first term. Sambalilo Festival was
launched during Cavintis Foundation day to boast the municipalitys
tourism industry.
The term Sambalilo originated from the Spanish word sombrero, which
means hat. It was used by people of Cavinti to protect them from rain and
sun during work in the farm since the local weather in the municipality is
unpredictable.
However, since sambalilo making become income generating and giant
pandan (Pandanus utilissimus ) is indigenous and abundant in the
municipality (in fact some pandan used by Municipality of Luisiana came
from Cavinti), Sambalilo Festival was chosen by the municipality to
promote the said craft and other pandan products. Further, the unique way
on how it was crafted, can be used to boast the interest of potential
tourists. Now, the Sambalilo Festival became the venue to show the
different talent and skills of all ages of Cavintinians and venue to show the
different style and quality of sambalilo and unique way how it was crafted.
It also includes a sectoral parade and house decoration showing beautiful
hats and colorful costumes made of pandan.

Cavinti Harvest Festival

The Cavinti Harvest Festival is among the most important events in the
town of Cavinti that was also initiated by the incumbent Mayor Milbert L.
Oliveros with the help of Pangkat Kabukiran and all barangay Captains of
Cavinti in order to boost the agricultural sector and at the same time the
tourism industry of Cavinti in the last quarter of the year.
This festival will now be an annual celebration that occurs around the time
of peak harvest season of Cavinti which is commonly arounf the month of
first week of October. Unlike with other typical harvest festival this festival
will not only celebrate thanksgiving but to encourage people to plant more
agricultural crops using organic and to sustain the food requirements in the
table everyday to eliminate poverty in Cavinti. Further, the goal of this
festival is to have agricultural product identity of each barangay that soon
will be recognized not only in the province of Laguna but also in other
parts of the country.
The festival also feature feasting, both family and public, with foods that
are drawn from crops that come to maturity around the time of the festival.
Ample food and freedom from the necessity to work in the fields are two
central features of harvest festivals: eating, merriment, contests, music are
common activities in this events. The said event will also serve as a venue
where different agricultural products are being promoted and sold.

Cavinti Water Falls and Shooting the Rapids Fest

As part of Mayor Milbert De Leon Oliveros integrated tourism plan for the
town of Cavinti Laguna, Cavinti will create another event. This one day
event is a tribute to all Cavintinians who worked hard even without hazard
pay and recognition to the world-famous Cavinti Falls as one of the major
income generating tourist spot in Laguna. It will be called, the first-ever
"Cavinti Falls and Shooting the Rapids Fest". This will be put into reality
once the new boating station of Cavinti in Barangay Anglas has been
established.
This one day event fest will consist of shooting the rapids race and
obstacles course going to the world-famous water falls. This will educate
people on the works of people behind the maintenance of shooting the
rapids and water falls.
Tilapia Festival
(February 2628) - The first Tilapia Festival was launched on February
2628, 2014 to promote tilapia trading in Cavinti. This celebration is the
people's way of thanksgiving to the Almighty God by the tilapia traders in
the town of Cavinti -- a town that has been gradually identified for its fresh,
delicious, and tasteful tilapia compared to other towns. Highlights of this
festival featured Motorcade,Tilapia Olympics, Street grilling of tilapia and
other kinds of seafood, Photo Contest, Seminar for Tilapia traders and
Food Fest.