Calamba Claypot


CALAMBANGA, also known as the Calamba Jar or Calamba Claypot, is a landmark in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines believed to be the largest claypot in the world. It is located at the City Plaza near Calamba Church and Rizal Shrine. Built in 1937, it is constructed to illustrate and immortalize the folk tale on how the city got its name with the names of the city's barangays inscribed on its surface. The giant claypot can also be found in the city's official seal.

Etymology

The large claypot in the city plaza named CALAMBANGA is derived from the two words kalan and banga from which the city allegedly obtained its name. According to legend of early settlers, two guardia civil or Spanish soldiers approached a young woman who was carrying a jar of water and a stove. One of the Spanish soldier asked the woman for the name of the town. Since the woman cannot understand Spanish, she thought that the soldiers were asking her what she was carrying. She utterly answered, "kalan-banga" which means clay stove and clay pot., The Spaniards who was unable to pronounce Tagalog correctly, assumed that the place is named Kalambanga. Later on, Kalambanga was shortened to Calamba.

History

The plaza was proposed by the then town councilor Dr. Agapito Alzona, to utilize the area where the old town market once stood. The resolution was approved by the then town mayor Roman Lazaro. The giant claypot was built in 1937 and completed in 1939.