Even before
the Spaniards and American came to the Philippines, and prior to Rizal,
Laguna becoming a town, there were already notable qualities that the
natives possess-unity and concern for others. As the houses were spaced
far apart from each other, the leaders and the Teniente del Barrio
devised an instrument to serve as signal to the people to provide
reassurance to the constituents during times of invasion and to swiftly
send messages and important information. Creativity is inherent to
Filipinos, which was why our ancestors thought of making a lungga-ang, a
piece of wood with its center hollowed out. This instrument gave out an
unusual sound that can reach every corner of the barangay. They called
the piece of wood Kalatong. From then on, the Kalatong served
as a way to warn the people of danger or for calling urgent meetings.
When the repeated Kalatong sounds were heard, men of the community
gather at an appointed place to receive from the leaders any news of
danger or information that needed to be disseminated. When the country
was faced with threats on security or peace and order, the people
continued to use the Kalatong especially in the remote areas where all
houses had one that can be used when there was danger or a call for
meeting. As the years went by the design of the Kalatong such that a
piece of bamboo is now accepted as one. To introduce once more the
importance of Kalatong and the revival of its use, the local government
of Rizal, Laguna to hold a yearly celebration called the “ KALATONG FESTIVAL”
Rizal is a fifth class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is a landlocked municipality located 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the provincial capital Santa Cruz and is bounded on the north by municipality of Calauan, on the east by Nagcarlan, on the west by San Pablo City, and on the south by Dolores, Quezon. 
According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 15,518 people, This municipality was named after José Rizal, the country's national hero.
From San Pablo is an uphill zigzag road going to Rizal. Rizal is one
of the youngest towns in Laguna although it has long been sitting there
amidst coconut trees, basking by the foothills of Mount San Cristobal, Mount Banahaw, and the Basilin Hill.Trivia: This town is the birthplace of the milky mixed vegetable dish called "amenudong gulay".
The people from this town have an old
tradition of celebrating Christmas on January 6. 
There was also a legend
St. Michael the Archangel apparitions in the town's biggest natural
spring "Bukal ni San Miguel" during the Spanish era, making St. Michael
the town's patron saint. Rizal, Laguna is also the hometown of Filipina actress-politician Angelica Jones.
Rizal, Laguna - Kalatong Festival
