| City of San Juan Lungsod ng San Juan |
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|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | National Capital Region |
| Districts | Lone District of San Juan City |
| Barangays | 21 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1623 |
| Incorporated (city) | June 16, 2007 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Guia G. Gomez (Partido Magdiwang-PMP) |
| • Vice Mayor | Francisco Javier M. Zamora (Partido Magdiwang-PMP) |
| • Sangguniang Panlungsod | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.77 km2 (3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 17.0 m (56 ft) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 125,558 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| Area code(s) | 2 |
| Website | Official Website of San Juan City |
The City of San Juan (Filipino: Lungsod ng San Juan) or simply San Juan is a city in Metro Manila in the Philippines. Before the creation of Metro Manila, it was part of Rizal Province. Currently the smallest city in the region and the country in terms of area, San Juan is one of the smallest among the cities and municipalities in the metropolis, second only to Pateros. This was the site of the first battle of the Katipunan, the Filipino revolutionary organization, against the Spanish colonizers.
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"San Juan" is a contraction of the city's longer official name: San Juan del Monte (English: "St. John of the Mountain"). It is named in honour of St. John the Baptist, the city's patron saint, and the hilly terrain the city is situated on.
San Juan City is located at the approximate geographical centre of Metro Manila. It is bordered by Quezon City on the north and east, Mandaluyong City on the south, and the City of Manila on the west.
The territory of San Juan was once much larger than it is presently, stretching all the way to Caloocan City. Parts of what are now Districts 1, 2 and 4 of Quezon City as well as parts of Mandaluyong were originally within the San Juan territorial boundaries. This explains why the San Juan Reservoir is in the nearby Horseshoe Village, a subdivision under the jurisdiction of Quezon City.
During the pre-Hispanic period, the village of what is now San Juan was a part of the Kingdom of Namayan, whose last recorded rulers were King Lacantagean and his wife Bouan. When the Spanish first took over the kingdom which they re-christened as Sta. Ana de Sapa, the village remained a part of it, re-classified as a barrio, and became a small encomienda by 1590. In 1602, the Dominican friars built a retreat house for their immediate use, where aging or convalescing friars stayed. Later, the Dominicans constructed a convent and a stone church dedicated to the Holy Cross. To this day, the thrice-rebuilt church of Santo Cristo stands on the same site, adjacent to the Aquinas School and the Dominican College. In 1783, San Juan became independent of Santa Ana but it was still then a barrio.
The first battle of the Philippine Revolution that achieved independence from Spain, began in San Juan in 1898.
Although not officially designated as such, the city of San Juan could also be called the "Town of Philippine Presidents." Of the last nine presidents since the country became a republic in 1946, four of them were official residents of San Juan when they assumed office. They were the Macapagal pére et fille, Diosdado Sr. (1961–1965) and his daughter Gloria (2001–2010); Ferdinand Marcos (1965–1986); and Joseph Estrada (1998–2001), who also served as mayor when San Juan was still a municipality.
On June 16, 2007, voters in San Juan ratified the conversion of the municipality into a highly urbanised city, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9388 ("An Act Converting the Municipality of San Juan into a Highly Urbanized City to be known as the City of San Juan"). Then congressman Ronaldo B. Zamora sponsored the Cityhood Bill at the House of Representatives and worked for its approval.[2]
Among the many interesting places in San Juan are the Pinaglabanan Shrine, which marks the opening salvo of the 1896 Philippine Revolution took place, the Greenhills Shopping Center, one of the metro's popular bargain places, especially for consumer electronics, clothing and other merchandise.
Other locations would be the city's churches, such as Mary the Queen Parish near Xavier School and the Immaculate Conception Academy, the Sto. Cristo Church near Aquinas School and Dominican College. The St. John the Baptist Parish, more commonly known as the "Pinaglabanan Church", is where the city's patron saint is enshrined and is where the city's incumbent congressman J. V. Ejercito was married.
San Juan is politically subdivided into 21 barangays:
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Road R-6 passes through San Juan as Aurora Boulevard, as does the C-3 (Araneta Avenue). Less major routes include Nicanor Domingo (more known as N. Domingo), which heads towards Cubao in Quezon City, and Pinaglabanan/Santolan, which leads towards Ortigas Avenue and eventually Quezon City.
The Purple Line of the Manila LRT also briefly passes through the city while running over Aurora Boulevard (R-6), serving the stations at V. Mapa and J. Ruiz.
Numerous jeepney routes operate throughout the city, heading towards Cubao, Divisoria, Crame (via Santolan), Taytay and other destinations. A bus route from Quiapo heading towards Cainta and Taytay passes through San Juan.
Here is a list of some notable scholastic institutions in the city that cater to primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education.
San Juan is known for its celebration of the feast of their patron, St. John the Baptist every June 24. In a nod to the saint's characteristic act, the most recognisable custom of the occasion is the Basaan, or the playful dousing and splashing of other people with water. Similar in practise to certain rituals conducted during Songkran and Holi, the Basaan is also done by many other locales nationwide who share the same patron saint. Pedestrians and vehicles with open windows are preferred targets by revelers. Due to complaints from non-residents and transients, a recent ordinance curtails the dousings at noon. Basaan is also being held at San Juan, Batangas on the same date.
Residents are also known for their fierce patriotism and localisation, preferring for the most part to stay within city limits for work, education, and residence. Popular perception has native businessmen and consumers preferring to introduce new businesses and franchises into the city instead of patronising similar establishments located just outside of San Juan's current or historical territorial boundaries.
Sa dilim ng gabi nitong bayang hinirang
Umusbong ang tuwa, galak at kasiyahan
Ang tala sa langit mandi'y lumilitaw
Tanda ng pag-asa sa kinabukasan
O Bayan ng San Juan, sagisag ng kalayaan
Dambana ng magigiting bayani ng himagsikan
Sa iyong dibdib ay aming handog at iaalay
Ang matimyas na pag-ibig walang kupas na pagmamahal
O Bayan ng San Juan, sagisag ng kalayaan
Dambana ng magigiting, bayani ng himagsikan
Sa iyong dibdib ay aming handog at iaalay
Ang matimyas na pag-ibig walang kupas na pagmamahal
Ang matimyas na pag-ibig walang kupas... na pagmamahal!
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