Las Piñas City
| Las Piñas City Lungsod ng Las Piñas |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
|
|||
| Nickname(s): Home of the Bamboo Organ, City of Love and Progress, Salt Center of Metro Manila | |||
| Motto: Las Piñas, Our Home | |||
 |
|||
  Las Piñas City
|
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country |  Philippines |
||
| Region | National Capital Region | ||
| Districts | Lone District of Las Piñas City | ||
| Barangays | 20 | ||
| Incorporated (town) | 1762 or 1797 | ||
| Incorporated (separated from Parañaque) | March 27, 1907 | ||
| Incorporated (city) | March 26, 1997 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Vergel A. Aguilar (Nacionalista) | ||
| - Vice Mayor | Luis I. Bustamante (Nacionalista) | ||
| - Sangguniang Panlungsod |
Councilors
|
||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 41.54 km2 (16 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 472,780 | ||
| - Density | 12,710/km2 (32,918.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8) | ||
| Area code(s) | 2 | ||
| Website | www.laspinascity.gov.ph | ||
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 road 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.
Contents |
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 meters and is located along Alabang–Zapote Road. The newest shopping mall development the city is the SM Center, located few meters away from the City Hall.
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 first local government unit in the Philippines that has been honored with the prestigious Global 500 Roll of Honour of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These honors 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.
Etymology
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 Peñas" (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 Peñas 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 Peñas" until after sometime that the spelling of the town's name was changed into "Las Piñas".
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 war theater 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, the town was during the liberation period between the combined Filipino and American soldiers fought the Japanese Imperial forces until the end of 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 making up 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.
Education
Las Piñas City has an educational system with specializations in various academic and technical fields.
- Academy of Jesus (AOJ) is the pioneer Christian school in Las Piñas City whose pedagogical philosophy incorporates academic excellence, Christian values, and leadership development in offering basic and special education. Recognized by the Department of Education, it is the only school in the city active with the Association of Christian Schools International.
- Holy Rosary Academy of Las Piñas City (HRA) a catholic private school in Las Piñas City.
- Young Achievers International School (YAIS) formerly known as Antioch Christian Academy, an international school in Las Piñas City.
- Almanza Baptist Christian Academy,a Christian private school
- Creative Middle School (CMS), a private school in Las Pinas.
- Our Lady Of Pilar Montessori Center (OLPMC), a Montessori private school in Las Pinas
- Pamplona Central Elementary School
- Blessed Trinity School of Las Piñas, a private non-sectarian Catholic school.
- Brittany School of Las Piñas, a private school
- Divine Light Academy, a PAASCU accredited private catholic school. It is one of the best known Catholic private schools situated in Las Piñas.
- Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College (DFCAMC) is a public college which gives free education to poor but deserving resident of Las Piñas City which offers a four year course of businesses. .
- Elizabeth Seton School (ESS), a PAASCU accredited private Catholic learning institution.
- Imus Computer College (ICC) - Las Piñas Branch
- Jesus Cares Christian Academy, a private Christian School located at Doña Manuela Subdivision which offers Pre-School, Elementary and High School. This is a mission school which offers scholarships and various discount programs to qualified students.
- Las Piñas City National Science High School (also called Las Piñas Science High School), a public science high school, established under Republic Act 9451 and formally opened July 30, 2009.
- Immaculate Mary Montessori School, Located at Naga Road, Pulang Lupa, Las Piñas City.
- Las Piñas East National High School (LPENHS)
- Las Piñas National High School (LPNHS)
- Montessori De Manila, a private preschool through high school program in Las Piñas City, Philippines
- The main campus of Saint Francis of Assisi College System (SFACS) 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.
- St. Joseph's Academy which is a parochial school beside the Bamboo Organ. It is the home of the Las Piñas Boys Choir.
- Southville International School and Colleges is an international school in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila.
- Talon Dos Institute of Technology (TDIT), a public institute offering a TESDA-accredited two year course in Information Technology. Built in 2002, it is located in BF Resort Village in Casimiro beside Talon Dos Barangay Hall.
- University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) (formerly University of Perpetual Help Rizal [UPHR]) is the largest university in the city and is part of the University of Perpetual Help System. UPHSD operates the Perpetual Help Medical Center.
- Westfield Science-Oriented School and Colleges (WSOS) (previously known as Arclight School), a private school specializing in science and mathematics.
- The city also hosts a number of computer school chains, among them are AMA Computer University (AMACU),AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC),ABE International business college and Saint Agustine School of Nursing(all member of the AMAES(AMA Education system)) Las Piñas Branch, Imus Computer College (ICC) Las Pinas Branch, International Electronics and Technical Institute (IETI) Las Pinas Branch, and Systems Technology Institute (STI) Las Piñas Branch.
- Mary Immaculate Parish Special School (MIPSS), a private and catholic school
- Father Angelico Lipani School (FALS), a private and catholic school
- Bright Little Angel Rural Improvement Club Children Center: a private preschool established year 2003 located at Plaza Quezon, Brgy. E. Aldana, Las Piñas City.
Government
Las Piñas City, like other cities of the Philippines, is a local government unit whose powers and functions are specified by the Local Government Code of the Philippines. In general, as a city, Las Piñas is headed by a mayor who heads the city's executive function and the vice mayor who heads the city's legislative function, which is composed of twelve councilors, six each from the city's two city council districts.[1] For representation, the city is considered as one district, and therefore one representative, in the country's House of Representatives.
Additionally, like other cities and municipalities, Las Piñas is subdivided into barangays.
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.
|
District 1 Barangays
|
District 2 Barangays
|
Mayors of Las Piñas City
- Juanito Tiongkiao, 1908–1913
- Mariano Santos, 1913–1916
- Rufino De Leon, 1916–1918
- Manuel Arevalo, 1918–1922
- Clemente Dalandan, 1922–1925
- Elias Aldana, 1925–1934
- Eugenio Trinidad, 1935–1937 and 1947–1951
- Bernardo Aldana, 1938–1946
- Cecilio Trono, 1952–1959
- Pedro Dela Cruz,
- Francisco Antonio, 1959–1963
- Filemon Aguilar, 1963–1986
- Alfred Juntilla, 1986–1988
- Rosalino Riguera, 1988–1992
- Gabriel Casimiro, 1992–1995
- Vergel Aguilar, 1995–2004
- Imelda Aguilar, 2004–2007
- Vergel Aguilar, 2007–2010
2010 Local Election Results
| POSITION | CANDIDATE | PARTY | TOTAL VOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Representative Lone Legislative District of Las Piñas |
Mark A. Villar | Nacionalista |
|
| City Mayor | Vergel A. Aguilar | Nacionalista |
|
| City Vice Mayor | Luis I. Bustamante | Nacionalista |
|
| City Councilors | |||
| 1st Sanggunian District | |||
| Dennis S. Aguilar | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Buenaventura F. Quilatan | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Oscar C. Peña | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Mark Anthony G. Santos | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Alfredo L. Miranda | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Rex H. Riguera | Nacionalista |
|
|
| 2nd Sanggunian District | |||
| Carlo R. Aguilar | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Ruben C. Ramos | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Henry D. Medina | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Renato P. Dumlao | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Danilo V. Hernandez | Nacionalista |
|
|
| Leopoldo F. Benedicto | Nacionalista |
|
|
Culture
Las Piñas City is home to unique festivals like the "Bamboo Organ Festival", "Waterlily Festival", "Bamboo Festival" and "Parol (Lantern) Festival".
Sister cities
Las Piñas City Map
See also
- Battle of Zapote Bridge
References
- ↑ Synchronized National and Local Elections Law - Republic Act No. 7166, Section 3.c.. Accessed on October 21, 2009.
External links
- The Official Website of Las Piñas City
- Las Piñas Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- The Las Piñas City Government's Official Site (Dead link)
 |
Manila Bay | Parañaque City | |
|
 |
||||
 Las Piñas City  |
||||
 |
||||
| Bacoor, Cavite | Muntinlupa City |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Leading population centers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | City | Population | Pop. Growth Rate | Region |  Metro Manila  Cebu City |
||
| 1 | Quezon City | 2,679,450 | 2.53% | National Capital Region | |||
| 2 | Manila | 1,660,714 | 0.03% | National Capital Region | |||
| 3 | Caloocan | 1,378,856 | 2.53% | National Capital Region | |||
| 4 | Davao City | 1,363,337 | 1.81% | Davao Region | |||
| 5 | Cebu City | 798,809 | 2.16% | Central Visayas | |||
| 6 | Zamboanga City | 774,407 | 3.54% | Zamboanga Peninsula | |||
| 7 | Antipolo | 633,971 | 5.22% | CALABARZON | |||
| 8 | Pasig | 617,301 | 2.29% | National Capital Region | |||
| 9 | Taguig | 613,343 | 4.07% | National Capital Region | |||
| 10 | Valenzuela | 568,928 | 2.23% | National Capital Region | |||
| based on the Philippines 2007 Census | |||||||