Magdalena, Laguna

Magdalena was formerly a barrio of Majayjay. A petition from the residents of the barrio for the creation of a new town was presented on September 15, 1819. It was proclaimed a new town by Governor General Don Mariano Fernández de Folgueras on January 18, 1820, and was originally named "Magdalena de Ambling". The town’s name is derived from its patron saint, Maria Magdalena, and the barrio of Ambling, where it was first established. Its first teniente alcalde or capitán—the highest political authority at the time—was Don Mauricio San Mateo.

A makeshift school was established in 1820, fulfilling one of the key requirements for the area’s recognition as a town. A municipal hall was also built, along with a small chapel, which later gave way to a larger church constructed in 1829. Built from stone and brick and funded through local contributions, the church was completed in 1861.

Further development followed with the construction of a concrete municipal hall and a church convent, which began in 1871 and was completed in 1884.

The revolt against the Spaniards in this area started on November 13, 1896, when the male residents joined the revolutionaries from the province to form a bigger force. It was during one of the encounters that Emilio Jacinto was wounded and sought refuge at the church. Emilio Aguinaldo then proclaimed the first Philippine Republic and the Spaniards finally surrendered on September 1, 1898, and celebrations followed.

The arrival of the Americans, at the turn of the century, witnessed the evacuation of the townsfolk to the mountains for fear of being killed, later returned to the Poblacion seeing that the foreigners were well-intentioned.

The Americans enforced a new system of government. Election of government officials was conducted regularly. The first elected President Municipal was Don Victor Crisostomo. It was during this time that rebels, called tulisan, formed a force to oppose foreign rule and robbed the residents. On June 15, 1929, electricity was introduced in the municipality.

In 1945, Filipino troops of the 4th, 42nd, 43rd, 45th and 46th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 4th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary liberated Magdalena. The Japanese surrendered to the Filipino soldiers and guerrillas on May 25, 1945.

Post-World War II, Magdalena became a preferred shooting location for numerous films, including The Ravagers (also known as Only the Brave Know Hell), and the popular teleserye Wildflower.^[6][7]

In the 2024 census, the population of Magdalena, Laguna, was 28,131 people,^[38] with a density of 810 inhabitants per square kilometer or 2,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Poverty incidence of Magdalena

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]}

Magdalena has been dubbed by residents as the "Little Hollywood of Laguna" due to the town being used as a shooting location for multiple films and television series. Residents attribute the designation from when Fernando Poe Jr. started shooting at the town in the 1970s. A Walk of Fame has been established in the town's square to commemorate artists who visited Magdalena.^[47]

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church

Main article: Magdalena, Laguna Church

St. Mary Magdalene Church was constructed from 1851 to 1871 and made of stones and bricks with a sandstone façade. The church is located at the town center or plaza, just across the municipal town hall of Magdalena. In February 1898, after being wounded in a battle with the Spaniards at the Maimpis River, Philippine revolutionary hero Emilio Jacinto sought refuge in this church. His bloodstains were found on the floor of the church.

The Magdalena Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.^[49]