# Las Piñas

Las Piñas is a suburban city in southern Metro Manila.

## Understand

Las Piñas lies on the southwestern corner of Metro Manila. It is surrounded by Manila Bay to the northwest, Bacoor in Cavite to the west, Muntinlupa to the east and southeast, and Parañaque to the north.
Las Piñas is in general, a large suburb dominated by large gated communities housing the rich population in southern Metro Manila and the perennially congested east-west road, Alabang-Zapote Road. Historically, Las Piñas is just a little town filled with rice paddies, then part of Rizal, before suburbanization made this part of Metro Manila's urban sprawl. Subdivisions dominate this city, except for the historic district to the west.
Alabang-Zapote Rd (Rte 411) is Las Piñas's major thoroughfare, running from Aguinaldo Blvd (Rte 62) in Bacoor to National Rd (Rte 1) in Alabang. Historically part of Calle Real (Real Street), it onced overlooked agricultural land until Las Piñas became suburbanized. Most food, shopping, and accommodations lie along this road.
Las Piñas's historical district, the Las Piñas Historical Corridor, lies along Father Diego Cera Ave (Rte 62, or Quirino Ave), also part of Calle Real. This area still contains many heritage homes and buildings as well as the St. Joseph Parish Church, which houses the Bamboo Organ.

## Get in
### By bus

Las Piñas is served by buses from Alabang or Manila (Plaza Lawton), all plying the heavily travelled Alabang-Zapote Road. Reinalyn Transport, Igan Transport and Alabang Transport Service Cooperative operates services between Alabang and Lawton. TAS Trans. and Funride Transport provides service to SM Southmall.

### By jeepney
## Get around
### By jeepney or bus

Jeepneys and buses are the main mode of transport in the city. Numerous jeepney routes ply its major thoroughfare, the notoriously jammed Alabang-Zapote Road. Buses, generally air-conditioned is the alternative for longer trips. Be prepared for the everyday traffic jams, though, regardless of what you ride.

### By car

The only major thoroughfare through Las Piñas is the Alabang-Zapote Rd (Rte 411), notably jammed throughout the day, being southern Metro Manila's version of EDSA. Other major roads are Mariano Alvarez Dr and Padre Diego Cera Ave. Driving in Las Piñas is a nightmare as you must find your way in the daily congestion, and you might get stuck for hours.
There is a network of alternate routes available, called the Las Piñas Friendship Route, but expect to pay as most routes run through affluent gated communities and guards require you to pay toll fees if you are just passing through within certain hours. A sticker is required if you don't want to pay tolls, but it can only be issued to your vehicle if you have a friend or relative in any of those major subdivisions, or you live in any of them.

## See
### Historical Corridor

* 14.47537120.977881 Gabaldon Hall, Diego Cera Avenue, Ilaya (Poblacion) (just after the intersection with C-5 Road Extension). Historical school building, constructed as one of the "Gabaldon Schools" during the American occupation in 1907. It is now part of Las Piñas Central Department of Education's Las Piñas school division office. (updated Nov 2018)
* 14.47917120.979742 Lara House, 160 Diego Cera Avenue, Ilaya (Poblacion) (in front of a commercial building). Ancestral house that once housed the Las Piñas General Hospital and Las Piñas's municipal hall. It now hosts a small barbershop below. (updated Nov 2018)
* 14.481167120.9815563 St. Joseph Parish Church (Bamboo Organ Church), Diego Cera Avenue, Daniel Fajardo (Poblacion). Founded in 1795, this church is built the Earthquake Baroque style. It houses the renowned Bamboo Organ, built in 1825 by Diego Cera, an Augustinian priest. (updated Nov 2018)

### Outside the Historical Corridor

* 14.427012120.9965624 Mary Immaculate Parish Church (Nature Church), Apollo 11, Talon Singko. A nature-themed Roman Catholic parish church built by Filipino architect Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa. The current church is rebuilt in the original style from the original church destroyed by fire during a New Year's Day fire caused by a misfired firework. (updated Nov 2018)
* 14.370384121.0089075 Palazzo Verde (Fernbrook Gardens), Daang Reyna, (before Portofino South). Luxurious church used as a wedding venue by many personalities. The inside is off-limits, but you can take selfies with a carriage outside or you might shot the church from the outside. It has a small chapel, Notre Dame de Vie Chapel, just across Zapote River. (updated Nov 2018)

## Do

* 14.406444121.0001771 Southlinks Golf Club, Ayala Southvale Sonera, Almanza Dos (turn right into Ayala Southvale Sonera from Daang Hari). A links golf course inside an affluent subdivision. Locker rooms are available, but there is no WiFi access. Golfing is rather difficult due to the surrounding area. (updated Dec 2018)
* Car-Free Weekends, Daang Reyna (Vista Avenue), Almanza Dos (by P2P bus or multicab, get down at Evia; by car, there is parking outside Evia, where you can walk to the starting point outside Palazzo Verde). Bikers and joggers flood the 2.5 km (1.6 mi) tree-lined dual-carriageway avenue often named "Daang Reyna", which serves as an alternative route to San Pedro, every weekend morning. It's possible to bike the whole road in 16 minutes, from near Palazzo Verde into the roundabout outside the Amore subdivision and back. Bike rental is available for the activity. Biking and jogging continue till sunset, but there will be fewer bikers and joggers as more cars begin to use the road after 11AM. (updated Aug 2019)

## Buy

* 14.376121.01141 Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos (near the roundabout with MCX; if coming from Cavite, it is just past the bridge over Zapote River). 10AM-9PM. Small shopping mall with Italian-style architecture, opened 2013, It has a variety of shops and restaurants, including its major anchor shops, H&M and Uniqlo. (updated Jul 2022)
* 14.4329121.01082 SM Southmall, Alabang-Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno. 10AM-9PM. Major SM mall with a variety of food options. Opened in 1999, it is the first large SM mall in southern Metro Manila. Since 2012, it has been renovated and it retail space has been further expanded. Just beside it are some office blocks with dining and shops below. (updated Jul 2022)
* 14.44304120.998563 Robinsons Place Las Piñas, 345 Alabang-Zapote Rd, Talon Dos (1 km before the Casimiro intersection). 11AM-9PM. (updated Dec 2018)
* 14.4285121.020464 The Village Square - Alabang, Concha Cruz Drive, corner Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 2 87091111. 10AM-8PM. (updated Aug 2023)

## Eat

* 14.4286121.02041 Samgyuniku The Village Square, G/F, The Village Square, Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 9171102322. noon-9PM. ₱₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.4286121.02042 Dampa Express-The Village Square Alabang, Concha Cruz Drive, corner Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 9399156899. 10AM-9PM. ₱₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.4286121.02043 Bonchon - The Village Square, The Village Square Alabang, ☏ +63 86331818. 10AM-9PM. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43166121.014754 Shakey's Pizza, 1740 Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 2 77777. 10AM-2PM. ₱₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43074121.015045 Fariñas Ilocos Empanada and Pares, 480, Aragon Bldg, Brgy. Almanza I, 480 Aragon Building, 480 Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 9923314977. 9AM-9PM. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.4332121.01076 Kenny Rogers Roasters, SM Southmall, Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 2 88017907. 10AM-9PM. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43379121.010017 Panda Express, SM Southmall, Lower Ground Floor, Alabang–Zapote Road. 10AM-9PM. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43372121.010768 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Lower Ground, SM Southmall, Alabang–Zapote Road. 9AM-9PM. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)

## Drink

* 14.43254121.01431 Mates Bar and Restaurant, Gonzales Compound, 487 Don Gregorio Ave, Alabang, Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza I, ☏ +63 9661771609. 4PM-4AM. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43526121.012512 Bottleground Bar & Lounge, Manila Doctors Access Road (front of SM Southmall, back of Mcdonald's), ☏ +63 9755325502. 2PM-2AM. (updated Aug 2023)

## Sleep

* 14.44291121.000711 Victoria Court Las Piñas, Admiral Street, Talon Tres, ☏ +63 2 800-6190. Mid-range option for overnight stays, but has a reputation as a "short-time" hotel hosting illicit sex. Rooms have modern designs, with cable TV, and a few has indoor hot tubs. Has free breakfast and WiFi. Filipino-Japanese fusion ramen dishes are served, starting at ₱150. (updated Dec 2018)
* 14.4698120.971042 RedDoorz Plus near Bamboo Organ Las Piñas, Diego Cera Ave, ☏ +63 2 8249 8745. Kind of like a business hotel. 1107. (updated Dec 2020)
* 14.44612120.997433 RedDoorz @ Ruby Las Pinas, 66 Ruby Street, ☏ +63 9380491710. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Practical hotel with wifi and a/c. ₱₱. (updated Dec 2020)
* 14.47475120.982294 Mella Hotel, Villar Sipag, C5 Extension Road 6490, ☏ +63 2 8882 8181. Full-service hotel with restaurant, outdoor pool, gym, massage service, and kids lounge. (updated Dec 2020)
* 14.43134121.014965 The Excelsior Hotel, 1345 Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 9171282974. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. ₱₱₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43404121.012496 Eurotel Las Pinas, Alabang–Zapote Rd, Almanza Uno, ☏ +63 9226032149. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)
* 14.43487121.013297 Hotel Dream World Las Pinas, Calle Verde, Almanza Uno (across from SM Southmall), ☏ +63 285523828. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. ₱₱. (updated Aug 2023)