Las Piñas City, Philippines
Region: Metro Manila
Geographic Coordinates: 14.450000, 120.980000
Climate: Tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The wet season is from May to October, while the dry season is from November to April.
Population: 606293
Language: Tagalog
Las Piñas City is a highly urbanized city situated in the southern part of Metro Manila, Philippines. It is famous for its cultural heritage and landmarks such as the Bamboo Organ and Sarao Jeepney Factory. The city’s name comes from the Spanish word piñas which means pineapples. In the past, Las Piñas was an agricultural community that grew pineapples, Sugarcane, And rice. Today, It has become a bustling city with various commercial establishments and residential areas. One of Las Piñas’ most popular tourist attractions is the Bamboo Organ located inside St. Joseph Parish Church.
The Bamboo Organ was built by Fray Diego Cera in 1824 using bamboo pipes that produce unique sounds when played by an expert organist. Every year, An international music festival is held to showcase this amazing instrument. Another must-visit landmark in Las Piñas is the Sarao Jeepney Factory where visitors can witness how jeepneys are made from scratch. Jeepneys are one of the most iconic symbols of Philippine culture and transportation system.
Aside from these famous landmarks, Las Piñas also boasts several parks and recreational areas such as Zapote River Park where locals can enjoy picnics or go fishing; SM Southmall which offers shopping and entertainment options; and BF Resort Village which features various restaurants serving Filipino cuisine. Las Piñas has a thriving economy driven by various industries such as manufacturing, Banking, Retail trade, Real estate development, Health care services among others. Its strategic location near major highways makes it accessible to different parts of Metro Manila making it an ideal place for businesses to set up shop.
Overall, Las Piñas City offers a unique mix of history-rich sites coupled with modern amenities making it an interesting destination for tourists looking to experience Philippine culture while enjoying modern conveniences at the same time.
Important Landmarks
- Bamboo Organ – a historic pipe organ made entirely of bamboo located in St. Joseph Parish Church.
- Sarao Motors Factory – the birthplace of the iconic Philippine jeepney.
- Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) – a protected area that serves as a sanctuary for various bird species and other wildlife.
- Salt Center – an interactive museum that showcases the history and production of salt in Las Piñas.
- Zapote Bridge – a historic bridge that played a significant role in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule.
- SM Southmall – one of the largest shopping malls in Metro Manila, featuring various shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities.
- Philam Life Theater – an art deco-style theater built in 1961 that hosts various cultural events and performances.
- Alabang Town Center- another large shopping mall with high-end brands, restaurants, cinemas, etc.
Note: Some attractions may be temporarily closed or have limited operations due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Primary Industries
- Manufacturing
- Food items like snacks and candies
- Chemicals used in various industries
- Electronics and electronic components
- Retail
- Shopping malls offering a variety of goods
- Supermarkets providing easy access to fresh produce and essentials
- Real Estate
- Residential and commercial properties
- High-rise condominiums and townhouses
- Commercial buildings like office spaces or malls
- BPO/Call Centers
- Strategic location near Metro Manila
- Employment opportunities for locals
- Healthcare
- Several hospitals and medical centers
- Quality care for patients’ needs ranging from consultations to surgeries or emergency treatments
- Education
- Schools catering from preschool up through tertiary levels
- Quality education programs that prepare students for future careers or higher academic pursuits
- Hospitality/Tourism
- Historical landmarks such as Bamboo Organ Church
- Scenic views around the city
- Agriculture/Fishing
- Remains an essential part of the city
- Practiced in some areas, especially along coastal barangays like Talon Uno
- Fishponds and farms growing vegetables or fruits like watermelon and papaya
Noteable History
- The Bamboo Organ Festival – The Bamboo Organ is a unique musical instrument made of bamboo pipes. Every year, Las Piñas City holds a festival to celebrate this iconic instrument.
- Diego Cera – He was a prominent Filipino revolutionary leader during the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896.
- Zapote Bridge – This historic bridge played a significant role in the Philippine Revolution as it was the site of several battles between Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish forces.
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – This church is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Metro Manila and houses an image of Our Lady that is believed to have miraculous powers.
- Cynthia Villar – She is a senator in the Philippines and former congresswoman who hails from Las Piñas City.
- BF Homes International – This gated community is home to many celebrities, politicians, and wealthy individuals in Metro Manila.
- SM Southmall – One of the largest shopping malls in Metro Manila, located within Las Piñas City limits.
- Sarao Motors Inc.- A manufacturer known for their jeepneys which are used as public transportation throughout all cities within Metro Manila including Las Pinas city
- Las Pinas Historical Corridor- A tourist destination that showcases different historical landmarks such as Diego Cera’s house, Sarao Motors factory among others
- Las Pinas Fish Port Complex- One major source for fresh seafood supply not only for NCR but also for other provinces nearby
Cultural Events
- Bamboo Organ Festival is a yearly festival held in February, showcasing the historic bamboo organ located in St. Joseph Parish Church.
- Las Piñas City Foundation Day is celebrated every March 27th, commemorating the foundation of Las Piñas as a city.
- Parol Festival is held during the Christmas season, featuring parol-making contests and showcasing various designs and sizes of lanterns.
- Sakuting Festival is an annual dance festival held during the feast day of St. Peter and Paul in June, featuring traditional dances performed by school children and community groups.
- Feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated every May 13th, including a procession around the city with images of Our Lady of Fatima.
- Tawo-Tawo Festival is a unique celebration held every January 20th where locals dress up as scarecrows to drive away pests from rice fields.
- Las Piñas Food Festival is an annual food fair featuring local delicacies and dishes from different parts of the Philippines.
- Las Piñas Arts Month celebrates every February, highlighting various art forms such as music, theater, visual arts, literature, and film through exhibits and performances in different venues throughout the city.
- Las Piñas Sunduan Festival celebrates annually on July 24 which features street dancing competition depicting Sunduan tradition or courtship dance between young men (haranistas)and women (dalagas) wearing colorful costumes while holding flowers or fruits.
Cuisine
- Lechon – a roasted pig dish that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Some popular lechon places in Las Piñas are Lydia’s Lechon and Rico’s Lechon.
- Adobo – a classic Filipino dish made with chicken or pork cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and other spices. You can try it at Aling Nene’s Kitchen or Adobo Connection.
- Sinigang – a sour soup made with tamarind broth and vegetables like kangkong (water spinach), okra, tomatoes, onions, and fish or meat. You can find it at Gerry’s Grill or Cabalen.
- Sisig – a sizzling pork dish made with chopped pig face and ears seasoned with calamansi juice, soy sauce, onion, chili peppers, and mayonnaise. Try it at Sisig Society or Mang Inasal.
- Halo-halo – a refreshing dessert made with shaved ice topped with sweetened beans (munggo), fruits (banana), jellies (nata de coco), milk (evaporated milk), ice cream (ube flavor) ,and syrup (leche flan). Check out Razon’s of Guagua or Chowking for their halo-halo offerings.
- Seafood – Las Piñas is near Manila Bay so you can enjoy fresh seafood like crabs, shrimps,oysters,and fish dishes at Blackbeard’s Seafood Island or Dampa sa Coastal Mall.
Parks and Recreation
- Zapote River Park
- Almanza Uno Park
- Pilar Village Park
- BF Resort Village Linear Park
- CAA Road Linear Park
- Philam Life Village Park and Playground
- Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA)
- SM Southmall Open Grounds for outdoor events and activities
- Basketball and volleyball courts in various barangays
- Biking trails at the Ayala Alabang Country Club Mountain Bike Trail in nearby Muntinlupa City