Biñan was discovered by the Spaniards who founded it at the end of June 1571, a month after Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established Manila based on the old writings.
In 1769, when the provincial capital was transferred from Bay to Pagsanjan, Biñan was separated from Bay. In 1771, during the time of Pablo Faustino, Santa Rosa separated from Biñan after a bloody war that lasted for hundreds of years led by onel a famous katipunero at binan and became a separate town.
Historically, Biñan is nationally recognized in the books related to the biography of José Rizal, the country's national hero. It was said that Jose Rizal took residence in the areas near the town proper during his childhood and was formally educated in one of its schools. His teacher is Justiniano Cruz Aquino. In honor of Jose Rizal, a plaque of recognition was bestowed on the house where he stayed at. A monument now stands at the center of Biñan's town plaza in recognition of Biñan's affiliation to Rizal.
Economy
Biñan has been popularly recognized as the trading center area immediately south of Metro Manila. Retailers from nearby towns often plow the town proper to purchase goods and merchandise intended to be sold elsewhere.
A common sight is the preparations and setting up of the wholesalers and the arrival of jeepneys and trucks carrying various items such as fruits, vegetables, dry goods, dairy products, meat, fish, etc. The market activity would be 24 hours with peak reaching the early hours (5:00-8:00am) as Filipinos are known to work in the early hours of the day trying to prevent exposure to the beating sun.
The town is also known for pancake made from rice wheat topped with cheese or butter (Puto Biñan). The best known makers of Puto in Biñan are located in the barangay of San Vicente in the name of Nila's Puto.
This town is also known for the shoes and slippers manufactured in Dela Paz and Malaban. While in Platero you will find the manufacturer of hats or the so called "Sumbrero".
Education
Biñan is also considered the educational center of the first congressional district of Laguna, having the most number of secondary and tertiary schools in the area. The first University in Biñan is the University of Perpetual Help System of Laguna located in Barangay Sto. Niño. The first International School, Brent School, is located at Barangay Mamplasan. Schools include the Brent International School, Colegio San Antonio-Biñan formerly Saint Anthony School of Biñan, La Consolacion College-Biñan, Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, De La Salle-Canlubang, Saint Michael's College of Laguna,Catholic School of Pacita, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, Santa Catalina College-Biñan, Lake Shore Educational Institute,Caritas Don Bosco School,Biñan National High School,Biñan Elementary School,Pagkakaisa Elementary School,Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trade, San Vicente Elementary School.Panorama Montessori School of Binan (which also has a Sta. Rosa branch), PRIME INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE CENTER AND TUTORIAL SERVICES (PILCATS) is the first and only international language school in Binan. PILCATS is located at Olivarez Plaza, Sto. Domingo, Binan, Laguna.
