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Some 1,200 feet above sea level on a broad hill, just at the foot of Mount Banahaw, seventeen (17) kilometers south of Santa Cruz, the Provincial Capital, lies the small, peaceful and picturesque town of Liliw, the home of happy, contented and hospitable people.
Liliw was founded in 1571 by Gat Tayaw, the eldest son of Gat Tayapan Manggop, assisted by Andres Basilan or Bansalan Humanda, Diego Mandig and Don Juan Masulong, the eldest son of Gat Tayaw. Originally Liliw was composed of four (4) Barangays. They were Ilaya, headed by Andres Bansalan, Munting Liliw "Liliw Pequeno" headed by Diego Mandig, and Malaking Liliw (Liliw Grande) headed by Don Juan Masulong.
The name Liliw was used throughout the Spanish regime. However, when the Americans came. it became Lilie since they found it easier to pronounce than Liliw. The natives became used to it also. On June 11, 1965, the Municipal Council passed resolution No. 38-S-65, fixing Liliw as the official name and spelling of the town name. This was not only to avoid confusion in pronouncing and spelling the name of the town, but was not also an expression of nationalism by the people. Subsequently, the Municipal Resolution 1096-S1965 was approved by the Board of Laguna.
Liliw comprises a total area of 5,067.4 hectares or 50.67 square kilometers. 3,274.9 hectares are devoted to agriculture, 49.5 hectares are commercial, 278.4 are residential and 1,464.6 are government reserved. Its climate is cool and healthy; relatively dry from the latter part of the February to early June, and wet during the months of July to December. 70 % of its soil is Luisiana Clay Loam which contribute much to its major agricultural products such as rice, coconut, and vegetables.
The main language and dialect of the people of Liliw is Filipino, although a number of the population also speak and write English. Majority of the people are Roman Catholic and the rest are either members of the Church of Christ, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventist and Iglesia ni Kristo (1914) and other minority religious pacts. Most of the inhabitants are Tagalog and only a few come from nearby Bicol Region.
The entire population is of Filipino citizenship. It is surprising to note that there are no foreigners, not even Chinese (usually found in all places around the world). Liliw is noted for cottage industries such as production of slippers/step-ins, cookies, coco-shell art, candy, coco-wine, bakery, metal works, concrete products, quarry products, charcoal, vinegar, furniture, coconut and coconut by-products.
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