An excerpt from Calamba - In War and Peace by Demetrio L. Hilberio tells us of the legend of the name of Calamba. This legend is inscribed on a stone marker that can found at the base of the giant claypot and can be read as :
The authentic legend goes that at about the turn of 16th century, two Spanish soldiers came to a village by the shore of Laguna de Bay. Attracted by the vast plain with verdant greeneries that spread up to a majestic mountain, the strangers became curious to learn the name of the place. Soon there came a native young lady carrying an earthen jar by her waist. She was to fetch water from the lake. Seizing the opportunity, the two soldiers inquired in Spanish from the young lady the name of the place.
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| Calambanga viewed from the Rizal Shrine |
Frightened with the sight of white strangers in colorful uniforms, the native damsel got confused. Thinking that the soldiers were asking what she was carrying, she answered nervously "Kalamba...Kalamba.." referring to the earthen jar she was clasping by her waist. There upon the girl scurried away until she was lost in the nearby forest. Themselves surprised, the two Spanish soldiers were left muttering "Kalamba...Kalamba"
Since then the small village on a vast plain close to the Laguna de Bay has been known by the name of Kalamba.
The Calambanga is situated at the plaza right across the St. John the Baptist Parish in Calamba, Laguna. The plaza was proposed by Dr. Agapito Alzona and approved by the mayor at that time Roman Lazaro. It was completed in 1939. This giant claypot is considered as the world's biggest clay pot and can be found in the seal of the city. Inscribed on it are the 54 barangays of Calamba City. This relic immortalizes the legend of how the city got its name.
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