Las Piñas

Etymology

The story about the true origin of the city's name, "Las Piñas", varies. One version mentioned, that traders from the province of Cavite and Batangas shipped their first piñas (Spanish for pineapples) for sale to this town, before they were distributed to nearby markets. Another version related, that it was "Las Peñas" (the rocks), evident by the quarrying of stones and adobe, which were used to construct buildings and bridges. The old church bell, from St. Joseph Parish Church, founded by Diego Cera, has been preserved inside the church museum. An inscription on the bell states, "Siendo cura del pueblo de Laspeñas el M.R.P. Padre Diego Cera se fundió este equilón año de 1820," showing, that even during the time of Diego Cera, the town's first parish priest, that the town was called "Las Peñas", for sometime and eventually, was renamed "Las Piñas".

Early History

Las Piñas was one of the earliest fishing settlements on the shores of Manila Bay. It was proclaimed as a town of Manila province either in 1762 or 1797. Agustin de la Cavada, a Spanish historian, and Fr. Juan de Medina placed it at 1762. Las Piñas was formerly called "Las Pilas" due to its separation from Parañaque due to tribal conflicts. On the other hand, Manuel Buzeta recorded the date at 1797. Felix Timbang was the first gobernadorcillo in year 1762 while Mariano Ortiz was the first municipal president of the town of Las Piñas.

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 forces of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Las Piñas was occupied by the Japanese during World War II and liberated by the combined American and Filipino forces.

In 1901, the municipality of Las Piñas was separated from Manila and incorporated to the newly created province of Rizal pursuant to the Philippine Commission Act No. 137. Two years later, in accordance with Act No. 942, it was combined with the town of Parañaque, with the latter as the seat of a new municipal government.

It was separated from Parañaque to become an independent municipality again on March 27, 1907 by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1625. On November 7, 1975, through Presidential Decree No. 824, Las Piñas was excised from the province of Rizal to form Metro Manila, Las Piñas became one of the municipalities making up the region.

Contemporary History

On February 12, 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos signed the bill which elevated Las Piñas from municipality into a city. A plebiscite held a month after approved the city status by its residents, and Las Piñas became the 10th city of Metro Manila on March 26, 1997.

Local government

Las Piñas, 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. 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 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.

Economy

SM SouthMall is a large shopping mall owned and operated by SM Prime Holdings. The mall opened in April 1995, and is the first SM Supermall in southern region of Metro Manila, the 5th SM Supermall ever built by Chinese-Filipino businessman, Henry Sy, Sr. and the 10th largest shopping mall in the Philippines. The mall is 2nd shopping mall in the South Metro Manila Area in terms of its size which is 200,000 square metres (2,152,782 sq ft) of land area and a total floor area of 205,120 square metres (2,207,893 sq ft). It went through major renovation on 2010 and currently caters to all social classes.

Railway

Las Piñas will soon be served by the LRT-1 (via Manuyo Uno Station and Las Piñas Station).

Road network

The city is bisected by Real Street (Spanish for Royal), also known as the Alabang–Zapote Road. The Alabang–Zapote Road connects the South Luzon Expressway, which passes through Muntinlupa in the east, to Manila-Cavite Expressway (Coastal Road) along the eastern shore of Manila Bay.

Coastal Road 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 between Las Piñas and Cavite to Manila.

In 2004, the Daang Hari (Tagalog for King's Way) road was completed along the Las Piñas-Muntinlupa border. The road provides an alternative access route to the inner areas of both cities, including the neighbouring towns of Bacoor, Cavite and San Pedro, Laguna. Daang Hari is also popular route for cyclists, especially on weekends.

Other major roads around Las Piñas are Aguinaldo Highway, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (C-5 Road Extension), Diego Cera Avenue (Quirino Avenue), J. Aguilar Avenue, Marcos Alvarez Avenue, and Daang Reyna (Vista Boulevard)

Bus

There are several bus lines linking Las Piñas and Manila. Bus services that operates in Las Piñas includes: Arabia Boy Express, Tas Trans Corp./Bensan Trans, ELMS/Alabang TSC, Reinalyn Bus Lines, Igan Bus lines, Funride Trans Corp., MJ Sunville Transport. There are also several FX vans that goes from Manila to Las Piñas and they are usually parked in front of the Manila Central Post Office. Various jeepney routes also ply the roads between the city and neighboring cities and towns in Parañaque, Muntinlupa & Cavite .

Culture

On February 22, 1995, former President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act 8003 into a law – declaring Las Piñas Church and Bamboo Organ, Las Piñas Bridge, Asinan Area, Father Diego Cera Bridge, and Old District Hospital as tourist spots of Las Piñas.

Las Piñas is famous for its Bamboo Organ located inside the St. Joseph Parish Church in the old district of the city. Built in 1824 by a Catholic priest, Fr. Diego Cera, it is the only organ of its kind in the world with organ pipes mostly made out of bamboo. This famous organ is praised for its unique, rare, and melodious sound.

Las Piñas Historical Corridor Project

The Las Piñas Historical Corridor Project was a program laid to restore the Old Town of Las Piñas. It was launched at the Malacañan Heroes' Hall on November 13, 1997. The project aims to educate the people of Las Piñas along the tourist corridor. 18 structures were included along the historical corridor, namely;

Las Piñas Town Feast

The town fiesta of Las Piñas is celebrated every first Sunday of May each year to honor its patron saint, Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph's Day celebration is centered in St. Joseph Parish Church in the old poblacion of Las Piñas in Brgy. Daniel Fajardo on Padre Diego Cera Ave. (Quirino Ave.). Las Piñas was also the home of Mary Immaculate Parish Church, popularly known as the Nature Church, designed by Architect Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa.

Las Piñas is also home to unique festivals such as:

Notable people

Local

International