Las Piñas City

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Las Piñas City
other_name = Lungsod ng Las Piñas
native_name =
nickname = "Home of the Bamboo Organ"
settlement_type =
motto = Las Piñas, Our Home


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seal_size = 100px
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map_caption = Map of Metro Manila showing the location of Las Piñas City Coordinates: 14°38' N, 121°2' E


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Philippines
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = National Capital Region
subdivision_type2 = Districts
subdivision_name2 = Lone District of Las Piñas City
subdivision_type3 = Barangays
subdivision_name3 = 20
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Vergel A. Aguilar (NP)
leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
leader_name1 = Henry C. Medina (NP)
established_title = Incorporated (town)
established_date = 1762 or 1797
established_title2 = Incorporated (separated from Parañaque)
established_date2 = March 27, 1907
established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
established_date3 = March 26, 1997
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area_total_km2 = 41.54
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 472,780
population_density_km2 = 12710
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timezone = Philippine Standard Time
utc_offset = +8
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area_code = 2
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website = [http://www.laspinascity.gov.ph www.laspinascity.gov.ph]
footnotes = 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.

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 [http://www.smprime.com/Supermalls.php?MallsID=5 SM Southmall] , which has an area of 205,120 square metres and is located along Alabang–Zapote Road. Directly behind the mall is [http://www.pilardevelopment.com/complt.asp 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 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 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.

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 (UPHSD) (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. UPHSD operates the Perpetual Help Medical Center, one of the leading hospitals in the southern part of the metropolis.Fact|date=August 2007

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.

In the city resides St.Joseph's Academy which is a parochial school beside the Bamboo Organ. It is the home of the prestigious Las Piñas Boys' Choir.

The Southville International School and Colleges 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).

The city also host to a number of computer school chains, among them are Systems Technology Institute (STI) Las Piñas Branch, AMA Computer Learning Center (AMACLC) Las Piñas Branch, [http://www.icc.net.ph Imus Computer College (ICC) Las Pinas Branch] and International Electronics and Technical Institute (IETI) Las Pinas Branch.

Another notable institution in this City is the Elizabeth Seton School [http://www.ess.edu.ph/] , an institution well-known for its Holistic academic programs. It is accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

There are also many unkown schools like Mayflower Academy of Las Pinas (MALP), Westfield oriented School and Bloomfield Learning Center.

Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College (DFCAMC) is another public college which gives free education to the residence of Las Piñas City. It is widely recognized in the country because of its accountancy and business administration students who could perform well in any field of mind-game.

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 legislative 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.

Mayor: Vergel A. Aguilar

Vice Mayor: Henry C. Medina

City Councilors:
# Dennis S. Aguilar
# Eduardo P. Lezarda
# Alfredo L. Miranda
# Demetrio R. Cristobal
# Rex H. Riguera
# Oscar C. Peña
# Luis I. Bustamante
# Ruben C. Ramos
# Renato P. Dumlao
# Danilo V. Hernandez
# Perpetuo F. Camila
# Leopoldo BenedictoEx-officio Councilors:
# Jez G. Dela Cruz (SK President)
# Restituto L. Martinez (ABC President)

District Representative: Cynthia A. Villar

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

District 2 Barangays *Almanza Uno *Almanza Dos *Pamplona Dos *Pilar Village *Talon Uno *Talon Dos *Talon Tres *Talon Cuatro *Talon Singko

Mayors of Las Piñas City

*Juan 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
*Pedro Dela Cruz, 1952–1959
*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–Present

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 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.

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 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".

ister City

*flagicon|Philippines Paranaque City, Philippines

Trivia

* Las Piñas is the multi-awarded city in the Philippines
* The manufacturers of the Popemobile that were used by Pope John Paul II's visit in the Philippines in 1981 and 1995 are from Las Piñas City – Sarao Motors and Francisco Motors.
* Las Piñas City is home to unique festivals like the "Bamboo Organ Festival", "Waterlily Festival", "Bamboo Festival" and "Parol" (Lantern) Festival".
* Las Piñas has modern overpasses with 2 way escalators, the only of its kind in the Philippines
* If Vienna, Austria has the Vienna Boys Choir, Las Piñas has the Las Piñas Boys Choir.

Las Piñas City Map

ee also

* Battle of Zapote Bridge

External links

* [http://www.laspinascity.gov.ph The Las Piñas City Government's Official Site]
*Las Piñas Chamber of Commerce & Industry