The City of San Pablo, or Lungsod ng San Pablo, is a second-class income city found at the southern portion of the Laguna province in the South Luzon region of the Philippines.  It is located 82 kilometers from Manila, sprawled among the foothills of Mount Cristobal and Mount Banahawwith a total land area of 197.60 km².

Bordering the city is the municipality of Alaminos in Laguna province to the west, Batangas province to the northwest, the municipality of Calauan in Laguna to the north, The Rizal province and the municipality of Nagcarlan in Laguna to the east, the municipalities of Tiaong and Dolores in Quezon province to the southeast, and Lipa City in Batangas province to the southwest.

It is otherwise known as the "City of Seven Lakes"because it is bequeathed with the seven crater lakes of Sampalok, Yambo, Calibato , Muhikap, Palakpakin, Pandin, and Bunot.  These lakes have figured prominently in the people’s livelihood ideal grounds for fresh water fishing and  fish-raising. As a result, San Pablo is a major supplier of tilapia, bangus, carp, and shrimps to Metro Manila and its suburbs.  The city has also encouraged the development of the scenic spots surrounding the lakes for eco-tourism.

Aside from fishing and tourism industries, San Pablo is also a major industrial center that  primarily manufactures coco-based food productssuch as buko pie, buko juice, macapuno and nata de coco preserves, desiccated coconut, and coconut cooking oil.  Other industries include the manufacturing of processed meat products, bottled water, coco lumber, stainless kitchenware, and steel bodies for jeepneys.

San Pablo was originally called Sampalok and had its settlement dating back to pre-Hispanic times when it was part of four large villages at the foothills of Mount Makiling.  In 1571, the first Spanish troops arrived in Sampalok which was led by Captain Juan de Salcedo.  It was converted into a parish in 1586 by Augustinian priests, and later into a town in 1647 renaming it San Pablo de los Montes after St. Paul, the First Hermit.  It was placed under the province of Laguna before placing it under the Batangas province in 1756.  In 1883, before the outbreak of the Philippine revolt against Spain, San Pablo was brought back under the jurisdiction of the Laguna province.It became a charted city on May 7, 1940 upon the approval of the Commonwealth Act No. 520 by President Manuel L. Quezon.

Residential Places in San Pablo

Almost all the  80 barangays that politically subdivides San Pablo City consists of residential neighborhoods.  Some of these residential neighborhoods are found within gated communities locally referred to as subdivisions and villages.  These are the most often preferred residence of middle to upper class familiesas they often feature walled perimeters with guarded gates to provide limited access.  Most common featured amenities in these gated communities include lighted streets, centralized water distribution system, and garbage management.

Some of San Pablo city’s subdivision and villages include Metropolis South, Monte Lego Nature Estates, Aranville Heights, Buenaville Heights Subdivision, and miramonte subdivision.

Hospitals and Universities of San Pablo

The city has both private and government tertiary care hospitals that are capable of addressing medical emergencies and most medical procedures,.  They are staffed with qualified medical practitionersthat are well-versed in English as it is often used as a second language for  most Filipinos.  The doctors are graduates of the many reputable medical schools in the country, with most even pursuing further studies and training in the United States.  The nurses are likewise, the products of credible Philippine nursing schools which had produced the Many Filipino nurses working in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world.

Below is a list of hospitals and clinicsfound in San Pablo City:

San Pablo Hospitals and Clinics

Name    Address    Telephone

Community General Hospital    Colag Avenue    562-1314
San Pablo District Hospital    Gen. Luna Street    -
San Pablo Doctor’s Hospital    Maharlika Highway, Barangay San Rafael    562-0998
San Pablo College Medical Center    Barangay San Rafael    562-0726
Immaculate Concepcion Hospital    P. Almantara Subdivision    562-5132
St. Francis & Paul General Hospital    Farconville Subdivision, Barangay San Francisco    562-8097
St. Gerard Hospital    P. Zamora Street    562-3669
Bel-Cast Family Clinic    53 Barangay, San Pablo City    562-2824

San Pablo City’s tertiary education system is composed of a state-owned university and several colleges that provide training and instructionin various fields of study.  These are the    Laguna State Polytechnic College-San Pablo City National School of Arts and Trades in Barangay Del Remedios, Canossa College at the Lakeside Park Subdivision, Laguna College in Paseo De Escudero, Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo in Barangay San Jose, STI Computer Science and Technology-San Pablo on Lopez Jaena Street, Saint Peter's College Seminary along Schetelig Avenue, Montessori Professional College, and San Pablo Colleges.

Commercial Places in San Pablo

Three of the city’s major commercial centers are the San Pablo City Shopping Center at the corner of  Rizal Avenue and Bonifacio Street, Ultimart Shopping Plaza on  M. Paulino Street, and the Centro Park Department Store and Supermarket.  Found in all three establishments stores and boutiques for most general commodities, service shops, and eating establishments that range from casual sit-down restaurants to prominent fastfood outlets.

San Pablo is yet to have a large, modern shopping mall in its localitywith the construction of SM City San Pablo on Rizal Avenue.  Upon its completion, the mall will be a branch of the country’s largest chain of supermalls owned and developed by SM Prime Holdings.  It will feature the usual SM anchor stores, such as the SM department store, SM cinema, SM foodcourt, and SM supermarket.  In addition, it will carry several retail and service shops, entertainment halls, and dining establishments.

The city’s major shopping center is the SM City-San Pablo which stands along the Rizal Avenue.  It is a branch of the country’s largest chain of supermalls owned and developed by SM Prime Holdings.

The night scene in San Pablo City is not as grand and establish as those found in Metro Manila.  Nonetheless, several notable establishments have managed to thrive and establish itself in the city’s intimate night scene.  Some of these establishments are the ZYPP Zone on M. Basa Street, Q5 Corner Stage along C. Colago Avenue, ZYLO's on M. Barion Street, Coco Place and Golden Star/ Videoke Bar in Barangay San Francisco, SOBE Grill & Bar on Rizal Avenue, Lake City Videoke Bar along Dagatan Boulevard, and SIPYO 168 along the A. Mabini Extension.

Most certainly, San Pablo’s prime recreational centers are the numerous hotels and resortsfound in the city’s most scenic spots. These establishments often feature recreational facilities and restaurants amidst the breath-taking backdrop of nature.  The city’s finest hotel/resorts include the Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort , Dioko Resort & Butterfly Farm, Palaisdaan at Kamayan sa Ilog Restaurant & Resort in Barangay San Ignacio, Bato Spring in Barangay San Cristobal, Siesta Residencia de Arago at the Green Valley Subdivision, Tierra De Oro Resort-Hotel along Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Antonio, Cresta Monte Resort and Countryside Spring Resort  in Barangay Sto Angel, Star Lake Resort and Mohicap Lake Resort in Barangay San Buenaventura, Bukid Rest Resort in Barangay Concepcion, Kay Inay Resort on C. Colago  Avenue, and San Rafael Swimming Pool in Barangay San Rafael.

Service Establishments of San Pablo

Electricity in the city is supplied by the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO).  Formerly known as the Manila Electric Rail and Light Company, it currently holds a central franchise on 22 cities and 89 municipalities making it the larges electric power distributor in the Philippines.Applications for service and bill payments may be done by visiting the MERALCO San Pablo branch office on M. Paulino Street.

Telecommunication companies servicing the city are the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Digitel Telecommunications.  Both companies provide traditional fixed telephone services and internet access via dial-up and digital subscriber line (DSL).Internet service providers in San Pablo are MOZCOM and SmartBro of Smart Communications, a subsidiary of PLDT.  The latter provides wireless internet service via broadband.

Cellular service providers in San Pablo City are the Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Sun Cellular of Digitel Telecommunications, and Next Mobile.  All companies offer differing  subscription packages forall income brackets.

The San Pablo City Police Station is part of the Philippine National Police Region IV-A (CALABARZON) District.  It is located on A. Mabini Street and may be reached through the numbers 546-1115 and 562-6474.  Sub-stations and police community precinctsare found in every barangay to ensure the peace and orderliness of the community and immediate response to any emergency.

Embassies in San Pablo

San Pablo City does not have any foreign embassies or consulateslocated in its locality.  Much of these diplomatic missions to the Philippines have their offices located at the cities of Makati and Manila in the National Capital Region.