Las Piñas City

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**City of Las Piñas**

Location
Map of Metro Manila showing the location of Las Piñas
Government
Region	National Capital Region
Province	—
District	Lone District of Las Piñas City
Barangays	20
Income class:	1st class city; highly urbanized
Mayor	Imelda Tobias-Aguilar (NP)
Cityhood	March 26, 1997
Official Website	www.laspinascity.gov.ph
Physical characteristics
Area	41.54 km²
Population Total (2000) Density	472,780 12,710/km²
Coordinates	14° 29’ N, 120° 59’ E

The City of Las Piñas (Filipino: Lungsod ng Las Piñas) {population: 472,780, 2000 Census} is a city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is bounded on the north and northeast by the Parañaque City; on the east and southeast by Muntinlupa City; on the south by the Municipality of Imus, Cavite; on the southwest and west by the Municipality of Bacoor, Cavite; and on the northwest by the scenic Manila Bay. Half of its land area is residential and the remaining half is used for commercial, industrial and institutional purposes. The present physiography of Las Piñas City consists of three zones: Manila Bay, coastal margin and Guadalupe Plateau.

The city is bisected by the Alabang-Zapote Road, previously known as Real Street ("Real" is a Spanish word for Royal). It forms part of the Maharlika Highway which spans the whole country. The Alabang-Zapote Road connects the South Luzon Expressway which passes through Muntinlupa City in the east to the Coastal Road along Manila Bay.

The Coastal Road, despite its name, is a major tollway which runs the southern length of Metro Manila's shoreline with Manila Bay. It is an important artery for people commuting to and from Las Piñas City and Cavite to Manila.

In 2004, a new highway called "Daang Hari" (Tagalog for King's Way) was completed in the eastern part of Las Piñas City, which connects the city to the neighbouring towns of Bacoor, Cavite, Muntinlupa City, and San Pedro, Laguna, allowing residents to avoid heavy traffic in the Zapote and Alabang (Muntinlupa) districts. Daang Hari is a popular route for cyclists, especially on weekends.

1 The city
2 Government
3 Districts and barangays
4 Education
- 4.1 Primary and Secondary Education
- 4.2 Colleges, universities and technical schools
5 Security
6 History
- 6.1 The city name
- 6.2 Mayors of Las Piñas City
7 Las Piñas city map
8 See also
9 External links

[edit] The city

Since its establishment as a small fishing port and a major salt-making center during the Spanish Era, Las Piñas City has grown into an important residential, commercial and industrial suburb of Metro Manila.

Las Piñas City is world famous for its bamboo organ, located inside the St. Joseph Church of the Parish of Las Piñas, the only organ of its kind in the world. Built in the year 1824 by Fr. Diego Cera, created out of bamboo, wood, and metal, this famous organ is praised for its unique, rare, and melodious sound.

The Sarao Motors factory is also located in Las Piñas City, the place where the world-famous Jeepney is assembled piece by piece in painstaking individual production. The factory remains open to buyers and curious visitors all year round.

Las Piñas has a large shopping mall named SM Southmall, which has an area of 205,120 square metres and is located along Alabang-Zapote Road. Directly behind the mall is Pilar Village, which is the largest housing development in the city with an area of over 1.55 square kilometres and over 4,000 households. Pilar Village is also a District 2 Barangay.

Las Piñas City, also known as one of the cleanest cities in Metro Manila, is in the list of the "Clean and Green Hall of Fame" awarded by the Philippine Government. It is also the only local government unit in the Philippines that has been honored with the prestigious GLOBAL 500 ROLL OF HONOUR of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). These were in recognition of the city's outstanding achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment.

Las Piñas City has recently acquired the status "Most Competitive City" in the Philippines, together with Davao City, Makati City, Muntinlupa City and Marikina City.

[edit] Climate

Like the rest of the towns and cities comprising Metro Manila, Las Piñas City has two distinct seasons; the dry season which covers the months of November to April and the wet season from May to October. The maximum rainfall normally occurs in the month of June, July and August.

[edit] Population

Since the 1960s, Las Piñas has experienced a tremendous increase in population due to migration from different regions outside of the Manila area. The city's record show that in 1960, its population was 16,093, which grew to 43,372 in 1970, to 81,610 in 1975, 136,514 in 1980 and 207,770 in 1985, projected to be at 405,123 in 1990, 413,086 (1995 census) and to 472,780 (2000 census).

[edit] Language

Because it is located within Metro Manila, the predominant language or dialect spoken in the city is Tagalog which accounts for 94.4% of its total population while 2.0% speaks Cebuano and the remaining 5.6% accounts for Ilonggo, Bicolano, Waray, Pampangueño and other dialects.

[edit] Government

Like other cities in the Philippines, Las Piñas is governed by a Mayor and Vice mayor elected for a three-year term. The Mayor is the executive head and leads the city's departments in executing the city ordinances and improving public services. The Vice Mayor heads a legislative council, which is in charge of creating the city's policies.

Las Piñas City, being a part of the Metro Manila region, is represented by its mayor in the Metro Manila Council headed by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). This council formulates development plans to problem-solving and improve the conditions in the metropolis.

[edit] Districts and barangays

Las Piñas City is divided into 20 Barangays. These Barangays are grouped into two legislative districts, each with its own set of representatives in the city council. District 1 comprises the northwestern half of the city while District 2, the remaining half. Las Piñas City has its own congressional district with one representative in the House of Representatives.

District 1 barangays

CAA-B.F. International
Daniel Fajardo (Poblacion)
Elias Aldana
Ilaya
Manuyo Uno
Manuyo Dos
Pamplona Uno
Pamplona Dos
Pamplona Tres
Pulanglupa Uno
Pulanglupa Dos
Zapote

District 2 barangays

Almanza Uno
Almanza Dos
Pilar Village
Talon Uno
Talon Dos
Talon Tres
Talon Cuatro
Talon Singko

[edit] Education

Las Piñas City has a diverse educational system with specializations in various academic and technical fields.

The largest university in the city is the University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA (UPHDS) (formerly University of Perpetual Help Rizal [UPHR]), which is part of the University of Perpetual Help System. This institution is known for its excellence in Medicine, Nursing, and Law. UPHR operates the Perpetual Help Medical Center, one of the leading hospitals in the southern part of the metropolis.

The main campus of Saint Francis of Assisi College System (SFACS) is also located in Las Piñas City, which offers courses in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, Education, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Nursing and Care-giving programs, and Graduate studies, as well as primary and secondary education.

The Southville International School and Colleges (touted as "The School of the Future" by the Department of Education), is also one of the more well-known international schools in Metro Manila. Southville is accredited by the (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) (WASC).

Another notable institution in this City is the Elizabeth Seton School ("The School of the Future" -1996 by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports) an institution well-known for its Holistic academic program which promotes "Excellence, Leadership and Commitment" and for its well-rounded Globally competitive students. Accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

Also in Las Piñas is the Philippine Merchant Marine School, which caters to those who want a career in the seafaring industry.

Las Piñas is also home to its oldest school St. Joseph's Academy which was established in 1916, St. Joseph's Academy is home to the world famous Bamboo Organ which is in its parish church. The school is also home of the Las Piñas Boys Choir.

[edit] Primary and Secondary Education

Young Achievers International School
Holy Rosary Academy
The Playroom Child Development Center- Ma. Soledad Avelino by: yeye
Montessori De Manila Primary Elementary and Secondary School - One of the Top Performing Schools in the Philippines
Blessed Trinity School (Pilar Village, Las Piñas)
Bloomfield Academy
Divine Light Academy
Don Carlo Cavina School
Elizabeth Seton School
Informatics Computer Institute
Las Piñas Colleges
Our Lady of Loreto Catholic School - in Manuela (Pamplona3) pre-school to gradeschool
Regis Grace Montessori School (Main)
Saint Francis of Assisi College System
Saint Joseph's Academy
Southville International School and Colleges
Southwood Integrated School
STI Academy
STI Prep School - Las Pinas
Sto. Niño de Eucharistia Academy-[Moonwalk Vill/ Duhat St. Golden Acres L.P.C.]
Bernardo College
Infant Jesus Institute
University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA
Campus Quest Philippine Model University

Immaculate Mary Montessori School (Pulanglupa Dos)
St. Therese School (Vergonville, Pulanglupa Dos)
St. Mark's Institute (Casimiro Village, Pamplona Tres)
Mayflower Academy of Las Piñas City (Moonwalk Village, Las Piñas)
Our Lady of Pilar Montessori Center (Pilar Village, Las Piñas)
Las Piñas East National High School (Verdant, Las Piñas)
Las Piñas Elementary School Central(E.Aldana, Las Piñas)
Academy of Jesus
Don carlo Cavina School (Hansuyin Village Talon LAs Pinas City)

[edit] Colleges, universities and technical schools

AMA Computer College
Dr. Felimon C. Aguilar Memorial College
Informatics Computer Institute
Imus Computer College (ICC) - Las Piñas Branch
Las Piñas Colleges
Philippine Merchant Marine School
Saint Francis of Assisi College System
Southville International School and Colleges
STI College of Las Pinas
Bernardo College
University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA
Talon Dos Institute of Technology (BF Resort Village, Las Piñas)

[edit] Security

Las Piñas city though having one of the largest population in Metro Manila is one of the safest. You can actually walk during the late hours of night safe and comfortable.

[edit] History

Las Piñas was one of the earliest fishing settlements on the shores of Manila Bay and was proclaimed a town either in the year 1762 or 1797. Its exact date of creation cannot be ascertained because historical records vary. Cavada, a Spanish historian and Fr. Juan Medina placed it at 1762 while Buzeta recorded the date at 1797.

Besides being famous for its Bamboo Organ, which was built by Fr. Diego Cera and completed in 1824, the town of Las Piñas was also a major site during the 1896 Philippine Revolution, as it was occupied by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's forces. It was also occupied by the Japanese during the Second World War.

In 1901, the Municipality of Las Piñas was incorporated in the newly created province of Rizal pursuant to Philippine Commission Act No. 137. Two years later, it was combined with Parañaque, the latter being the seat of a new municipal government.

It became a separate municipality from Parañaque on March 27, 1907 by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1625. Then, with the founding of the Metropolitan Manila Area (now Metro Manila) in 1976, Las Piñas became one of the municipalities comprising the region.

On February 12, 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos signed the bill declaring Las Piñas a new city. A plebiscite held a month after found the residents in approval of cityhood and Las Piñas became the 10th city of Metro Manila on March 26, 1997.

[edit] The city name

The story about the true origin of the city's name, "Las Piñas", varies. Some said that traders from the province of Cavite and Batangas shipped first their piña (pineapples) for sale to this town before they are distributed in nearby markets. Others related that it was "Las Penas" (not Las Piñas) evident by the quarrying of stones and adobe which were used to construct buildings and bridges. The name could have also originated from two political groups that ruled the place at that time.

But an inscription in an old church bell that has been preserved inside the museum of the Las Piñas Parochial Church, stated "Siendo Cura-del Pueblo de las Penas el M.R.P. Padre Diego Cera se Fundio este equilon ano de 1820". It shows that even during the time of Fr. Diego Cera, the town's first parish priest, the town has been called "Las Penas" until after sometime that the spelling of the town's name was changed into "Las Piñas".