Just 47 kilometers (about 29 miles) away from the city of Manila, Naic is starkly different from the capital of the Philippines. Where Manila is rife with traffic, Naic is quiet; where Manila has lots of amusements, Naic has few. Life in Naic, put simply, is of the simple kind.
As a testament to that simplicity, pigs used to walk the streets of Naic. That is, until the local government issued a policy against it.
How Naic got its name
History varies as to the origin of Naic’s name. Some would tell you the story of a Spaniard who asked a native what a pig was doing and the response was “Na – igik” which later on, of course, developed into Naic. Another might give you a version that the name was derived from the Spanish word “Ca – Naic” which meant neighboring place in reference to it being located close to Maragondon, its former mother town.
Events
The patron saint of the town is Nuestra Adorada Immaculada Concepcion or Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The town fiesta is held in her honor every 8th of December. This is an event marked by lots of fun events in the town should you happen to be in town during the occasion.
A little Naic history
Maragondon was discovered by the Jesuits in 1627 and at that time it covered Naic, Ternate and Magallanes. By 1971, Naic became a town on its own.
Naic is also part of Philippine history:
–the first Philippine flag was designed in Sulok, Naic (the present Velamart)
–Andres Bonifacio initiated a coup d’etat – later aborted – through the Naic Military Agreement
–the appointment of first Cabinet members and esablishment of agencies of government such as Defense, Finance, Justice, Interior and Local Governments
–the Battle of Naic where Aguinaldo declared that the town was his last defense
Landmarks & Attractions
Being occupied by the Spanish during their rule over the Philippines, the town of Naic is sure home to a few distinguishing landmarks. Here are a few of them:
- Casa Hacineda de Naic – built by the Dominicans when they realized that the lands of Naic was fertile. The building was to serve as the administration building for the overseer of the larger friar lands in town. Now, it functions as the Naic Elementary School.
- Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – built in 1797
- Museo de Nuestra Adorada Immaculada Concepcion
- Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park (Santa Ana Park) – where horse races are held
What to do in Naic?
- Enjoy the simple life. When you can never find the opportune time to do the things you used to love – like reading – because of the demands of work, then take a vacation and come to Naic. Here, time stands still and you can do whatever it is you feel you couldn’t to back in the city.
- Watch a horse race. Horse racing has been a recreational activity in the country since 1867, but cock fighting is a much popular past time for most. But if you want to see big, beautiful Thoroughbreds racing, then the Santa Ana Park is the destination for you.
- Enjoy the beach. You can book a stay at the Aroma Beach Resort as they have a wide range of accommodation options – from lavish condominium-style rooms to affordable huts with seaside views. They have a restaurant offering different Filipino delights as well as Western dishes.
Put simply, Naic, Cavite is your destination of choice when you want to enjoy the simple life.