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.

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 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.