Cardona, officially the Municipality of Cardona, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 50,143 people. Cardona is part of the 2nd Congressional District of Rizal. Cardona is 23 km from Antipolo and 40 km from Manila. With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is the easternmost part of Manila's built-up area. In 1855, Cardona was created as a town of the District of Morong, with boundaries set in 1857. Later in June 1901, Cardona formed part of the newly created Province of Rizal through Act 137 promulgated by the Philippine Commission. In 1903, Act No. 942 annexed the town to the Municipality of Morong. Eleven years then, the Executive Order 108 issued by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison has established the town as an independent municipality.

Etymology

An oral folklore tells how the name “Cardona” was derived from the Spanish word “caldo” referring to a native rice broth. Supposedly, a stranger walking through the street of the town happened to ask the name of the town from a native, who at that time was enjoying a bowl of hot “caldo”. Thinking that the stranger was inquiring as to what he was eating, the native answered “Sapao! Caldo!” Another story tells that the town of Cardona in the Province of Barcelona, Spain is believed to be the eponym of the town. Settlements in the area during the Spanish-era were on the hills and the place surrounded by waters of the Laguna Lake. Early missionary Franciscan friars have seen its resemblance to the Spanish town which is also located on a hill and is almost surrounded by the waters of the river Cardener. Parts of the present-day Barangays Calahan, Patunhay, Del Remedio, Iglesia, San Roque, Dalig, and Looc are set on these hills.

Geography

Barangays

Cardona is politically subdivided into 18 barangays, 11 of which are on the mainland and 7 on Talim Island. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Cardona, Rizal, was 50,143 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Religion

Christianity is the major religion in the town, and the majority of all Christian denomination is Catholicism where 82% of its inhabitants are baptized Roman Catholics. The town has a minority of UNACAED members, Iglesia ni Cristo, Born Again sects, Jehovah's Witnesses and more. The town is also the home of the famed and miraculous image of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario — La Virgen de Sapao, which was granted the honor of pontifical coronation by Pope Francis, through his representative Cardinal José Fuerte Advíncula, the Archbishop of Manila, on 7 October 2022.

Catholic churches

Protestant denominations

Religious sects

Economy

Education

State-run Institutions

Private Schools

Healthcare

Public Health Services

Private Hospitals