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Luisiana nestles on a small plateau at the southeastern tip
of Laguna, barricaded by a massive wall of coconut trees,
and refreshingly cooled by an elevation of 1,400 feet above
sea level. Formerly a barrio of Majayjay, it was named in
honor of Luis Bernardo and his wife, Ana, for their efforts
in the barrio's struggle for recognition and its establishment
into a town.
During the early part of the 19th century, residents of Barrio
Ilayang Nasunog had to walk all the way to Majayjay for church
services and government activities. The trail was difficult
and was even more treacherous when the Botocan and Dalitiwan
rivers overflowed their banks. In the face of this wizard,
the barrio leaders headed by Luis Bernardo got together and
sparked a movement to have a church and local government of
their own. The petition was presented in 1827 to higher authorities
in Manila but was turned down when it met bitter opposition
from the Majayjay parish priest.
The barrio people persisted patiently and on October 9, 1837
Governor Andres Gariza de Camba allowed the barrio to construct
a chapel and organize a local government on the condition
that both would still be under the supervision of Majayjay.
Two months later, Luis Bernardo was elected "teniente
absoluto" or town head.
A town chapel was constructed in 1838 and during this year,
Luis Bernardo, the man who pioneered and worked for the town's
establishment, died - failing to witness the full extent of
his success when the town was officially recognized and made
independent on December 11, 1845.
Luisiana today is a promising municipality comprised of 15
barrios: San Buenaventura, Santo Domingo, De La Paz, San Pablo,
San Diego, Santo Tomas, San Roque, San Rafael, San Jose, San
Antonio, San Pedro, San Salvador, San Isidro and San Juan.
It has an area of 7,500 hectares and a population of 20,000
according to latest available figures.
A noticeable scent of copra pervades the air in Luisiana an
indication of the coconut's role in the livelihood of approximately
90 percent of the town's population.
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