Calamba got its name, according to legend, when the Spaniards first set foot in town and asked a woman they met on the road: “Cu...

Calamba got its name, according to legend, when the Spaniards first set foot in town and asked a woman they met on the road: “Cual es el nombre de este lugar?” (What is the name of this place?). Not knowing any Spanish, the woman replied “Calan ba?” (You want a pot?). When I first visited Calamba as a boy, the town landmark was a giant earthenware pot or palayok in the town plaza that has been removed as an eyesore. (NHCP Data Bank)
Update. I’m told it’s still there. Must have missed it using a...